diff --git a/.github/pull_request_template.md b/.github/pull_request_template.md
index 0dbca55..24be7f5 100644
--- a/.github/pull_request_template.md
+++ b/.github/pull_request_template.md
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 ## Summary
 
--
+<!-- What changed and why. Focus on decisions and user impact, not just the diff. -->
 
 ## Issue
 
@@ -8,12 +8,22 @@ Closes #
 
 ## Validation
 
--
+<!-- Commands run and relevant output. Include narrow checks and any broader suite used. -->
 
 ## Demo Impact
 
-None.
+<!-- None. / Or: what demo changed or should be updated. -->
 
 ## Notes
 
-None.
+<!-- Optional: tradeoffs, follow-up work, or reviewer context. -->
+
+## Checklist
+
+- [ ] Branch name follows `<category>/<issue>-<YYYYMMDD>-<slug>`.
+- [ ] PR is scoped to one issue, unless a documented multi-issue exception applies.
+- [ ] PR body explains what changed and how it was validated.
+- [ ] Relevant BATS and Python tests pass.
+- [ ] Documentation is updated when behavior or user-facing commands change.
+- [ ] PR includes `Fixes #<issue>` or `Closes #<issue>` when it should close the issue.
+- [ ] `Demo Impact` is meaningful for `needs-demo` work, or explicitly says `None.`