diff --git a/backend/app/api/work.py b/backend/app/api/work.py
index 8892d620..d1f87aa3 100644
--- a/backend/app/api/work.py
+++ b/backend/app/api/work.py
@@ -8,6 +8,7 @@ from sqlalchemy.exc import IntegrityError
 
 from app.api.utils import log_activity, get_actor_employee_id
 from app.db.session import get_session
+from app.models.org import Employee
 from app.models.work import Task, TaskComment
 from app.schemas.work import TaskCommentCreate, TaskCreate, TaskUpdate
 from app.integrations.notify import NotifyContext, notify_openclaw
@@ -30,6 +31,12 @@ def create_task(payload: TaskCreate, background: BackgroundTasks, session: Sessi
     if payload.created_by_employee_id is None:
         payload = TaskCreate(**{**payload.model_dump(), "created_by_employee_id": actor_employee_id})
 
+    # Default reviewer to the manager of the assignee (if not explicitly provided).
+    if payload.reviewer_employee_id is None and payload.assignee_employee_id is not None:
+        assignee = session.get(Employee, payload.assignee_employee_id)
+        if assignee is not None and assignee.manager_id is not None:
+            payload = TaskCreate(**{**payload.model_dump(), "reviewer_employee_id": assignee.manager_id})
+
     task = Task(**payload.model_dump())
     if task.status not in ALLOWED_STATUSES:
         raise HTTPException(status_code=400, detail="Invalid status")
diff --git a/frontend/src/app/projects/[id]/page.tsx b/frontend/src/app/projects/[id]/page.tsx
index 69398dea..e4aacdcb 100644
--- a/frontend/src/app/projects/[id]/page.tsx
+++ b/frontend/src/app/projects/[id]/page.tsx
@@ -79,7 +79,6 @@ export default function ProjectDetailPage() {
   const [title, setTitle] = useState("");
   const [description, setDescription] = useState("");
   const [assigneeId, setAssigneeId] = useState<string>("");
-  const [reviewerId, setReviewerId] = useState<string>("");
 
   const [commentTaskId, setCommentTaskId] = useState<number | null>(null);
   const [replyToCommentId, setReplyToCommentId] = useState<number | null>(null);
@@ -152,19 +151,13 @@ export default function ProjectDetailPage() {
             {createTask.error ? <div className="text-sm text-destructive">{(createTask.error as Error).message}</div> : null}
             <Input placeholder="Title" value={title} onChange={(e) => setTitle(e.target.value)} />
             <Textarea placeholder="Description" value={description} onChange={(e) => setDescription(e.target.value)} />
-            <div className="grid grid-cols-2 gap-2">
+            <div className="grid grid-cols-1 gap-2">
               <Select value={assigneeId} onChange={(e) => setAssigneeId(e.target.value)}>
                 <option value="">Assignee</option>
                 {employeeList.map((e) => (
                   <option key={e.id ?? e.name} value={e.id ?? ""}>{e.name}</option>
                 ))}
               </Select>
-              <Select value={reviewerId} onChange={(e) => setReviewerId(e.target.value)}>
-                <option value="">Reviewer</option>
-                {employeeList.map((e) => (
-                  <option key={e.id ?? e.name} value={e.id ?? ""}>{e.name}</option>
-                ))}
-              </Select>
             </div>
             <Button
               onClick={() =>
@@ -175,7 +168,6 @@ export default function ProjectDetailPage() {
                     description: description.trim() ? description : null,
                     status: "backlog",
                     assignee_employee_id: assigneeId ? Number(assigneeId) : null,
-                    reviewer_employee_id: reviewerId ? Number(reviewerId) : null,
                   },
                 })
               }