diff --git a/.github/workflows/validate-renovate-config.yaml b/.github/workflows/validate-renovate-config.yaml
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..a5feb8c6
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.github/workflows/validate-renovate-config.yaml
@@ -0,0 +1,19 @@
+name: validate renovate config
+
+permissions:
+  contents: read
+
+on:
+  pull_request:
+    branches:
+      - main
+
+jobs:
+  validate-renovate-config:
+    runs-on: ubuntu-24.04
+    steps:
+      - name: Checkout repository
+        uses: actions/checkout@v6
+
+      - name: Validate Renovate config
+        uses: suzuki-shunsuke/github-action-renovate-config-validator@v2.0.0
diff --git a/.gitignore b/.gitignore
index a5c9d15f..b74489d7 100644
--- a/.gitignore
+++ b/.gitignore
@@ -290,4 +290,6 @@ cython_debug/
 .idea/
 
 # VS Code
-.vscode/
\ No newline at end of file
+.vscode/
+
+.DS_Store
diff --git a/renovate.json5 b/renovate.json5
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..616f7b69
--- /dev/null
+++ b/renovate.json5
@@ -0,0 +1,36 @@
+// configuration options: https://docs.renovatebot.com/configuration-options/
+// list of all presets: https://docs.renovatebot.com/presets-default/
+{
+  $schema: 'https://docs.renovatebot.com/renovate-schema.json',
+  extends: ['config:recommended', ':automergeRequireAllStatusChecks'],
+  dependencyDashboard: true,
+  // let it fly for now, we've got a lot to catch up on
+  //  schedule: [
+  //    "0 * * * *"
+  //  ],
+  timezone: 'UTC',
+  // Always squash PRs when automerging
+  automergeType: 'pr',
+  automergeStrategy: 'squash',
+  packageRules: [
+    {
+      description: 'Group and automerge patch updates after CI passes',
+      matchUpdateTypes: ['patch'],
+      automerge: true,
+      groupName: 'patch-updates',
+    },
+    {
+      description: 'Create PRs for minor updates without automerge',
+      matchUpdateTypes: ['minor'],
+      automerge: false,
+    },
+    {
+      description: 'Require dashboard approval for major updates',
+      matchUpdateTypes: ['major'],
+      dependencyDashboardApproval: true,
+      automerge: false,
+    },
+  ],
+  prConcurrentLimit: 3,
+  rebaseWhen: 'auto',
+}