We often get asked, “what Workzone can provide that Bitbucket .codeowners doesn’t?”. This page is here to help outline the important feature benefits of each of the two solutions, highlight any overlap and ultimately showcase why hundreds of world-class enterprises prefer to use Workzone over .codeowners and other tools.
| Feature | Workzone | Bitbucket CodeOwners |
|---|---|---|
| Configuration UX | WebUI, REST API, and JSON for flexible configuration. | Uses .codeowners file with DSL (domain-specific language). |
| Configuration Scopes | Supports Global, Project, and Repository levels. | Limited to Repository level only. |
| Configuration Permissions | Scoped permissions: Global, Project, and Repository Admins can configure settings. | Everyone can edit the .codeowners file, which can lead to inconsistent rules. |
| Reviewer Rules Priority | Fully supported, ensuring prioritized rules for reviewers. | Supported but lacks customization. |
| Reviewer Groups | Supports AD (Active Directory) groups [1], Repository groups, and more for flexibility. | Limited to Repository groups only. |
| File/Path Reviewers | Allows users, AD groups, and repository groups with implicit file/path approval quotas. | Limited to users and repository groups, without approval quotas. |
| Mandatory Reviewers and Groups | Enforces mandatory reviewers or group members, automatically re-adding them to PRs if removed. | Not available (N/A). |
| File/Path Mandatory Reviewers | Enforces specific users, AD groups, and repository groups with file/path-based approval quotas. | Not available (N/A). |
| Merge Check – Group Approval Quota | Provides quotas for general groups, named groups, and file/path groups for granular control. | Not available (N/A). |
| Merge Check – Complex Conditions | Supports Boolean expressions with infinite depth, including AND, OR, and grouping for merge conditions. | Limited to simple AND conditions across separate repository pull request settings. |
| Merge Trigger | Offers Auto-merge after merge checks pass, based on approvals, build results, and task completions. | Limited to triggering merges after build results only. |
| Repository Hooks | Provides hooks to allow/block updates to PR source/target branches and revoke approvals down to file/path levels. [2] | Not available (N/A). |
| Compliance | Includes digital signature approvals for regulatory compliance. | Not available (N/A). |
Why Choose Workzone Over .codeowners? #
While Bitbucket’s default .codeowners functionality provides basic support for managing code ownership and reviewers, Workzone elevates the process with powerful features designed for modern, enterprise-grade workflows. Here’s why Workzone is the superior choice:
1. Granular Control and Flexibility #
With Workzone, you can configure rules at the global, project, and repository levels, ensuring consistency across your organization. The ability to enforce mandatory reviewers, manage approval quotas, and create complex merge conditions gives you unmatched flexibility, even for the most intricate workflows.
2. Enhanced Reviewer Management #
Workzone allows you to assign reviewers using Active Directory groups, repository groups, or even specific file paths, ensuring the right people are reviewing the right code. It also re-adds mandatory reviewers if they’re accidentally removed, so critical reviews are never skipped.
3. Streamlined Merge Process #
Our advanced merge checks and auto-merge capabilities streamline the development workflow. Whether you’re managing large teams or adhering to strict compliance standards, Workzone ensures that only code meeting all conditions gets merged—automatically.
4. Regulatory Compliance #
Workzone’s digital signature approvals provide the necessary tools for industries with strict compliance requirements, such as healthcare, finance, and government. This ensures that every approval is traceable and auditable for peace of mind during audits.
5. Improved Security and Governance #
Unlike .codeowners, which can be edited by anyone, Workzone limits configuration access to designated administrators at various levels. This minimizes the risk of accidental or unauthorized changes.
Real-Life Impact #
Use Case: Scaling Development Teams #
Imagine managing a large team of developers working on different parts of a monolithic repository. With .codeowners, maintaining consistent review and merge rules can quickly become chaotic, especially as teams grow. Workzone solves this by:
- Allowing detailed file/path-based reviewer assignments.
- Enforcing mandatory approvals to maintain quality.
- Automating merges once all conditions are met, saving time and reducing errors.
Use Case: Compliance in Regulated Industries #
For companies in industries like healthcare or finance, regulatory compliance is critical. Workzone’s digital signature approvals and repository hooks ensure that every code change is approved and tracked with the highest standards, meeting ISO 27001 and CFR Part 11 requirements.