diff --git a/.github/PULL_REQUEST_TEMPLATE.md b/.github/PULL_REQUEST_TEMPLATE.md
index 52e5160c3..183bfaf90 100644
--- a/.github/PULL_REQUEST_TEMPLATE.md
+++ b/.github/PULL_REQUEST_TEMPLATE.md
@@ -1,8 +1,10 @@
 <!--  The PR title should summarize the changes, for example "Add `Grid._build_face_dimension` function".
       Avoid non-descriptive titles such as "Addresses issue #229". -->
 
-<!--  Replace XXX with the number of the issue that this PR will resolve. If this PR closed more than one,
-      you may add a comma separated sequence-->
+<!--  Replace XXX with the issue number resolved by this PR, if this PR fully resolves an issue.
+      If it does not fully resolve any issues, replace with something like "Related to #XXX",
+          or "Fixes part of #YYY but does not fully close it."
+      If it resolves multiple issues, repeat "closes" for each, like "Closes #XXX, closes #YYY." -->
 Closes #XXX
 
 ## Overview
@@ -10,7 +12,7 @@ Closes #XXX
       points on any bug fixes, new functions, or other changes that have been made. -->
 
 ## Expected Usage
-<!--  If you are adding a feature into the Internal API, please produce a short example of it in action.
+<!--  If this PR adds a new feature, please provide a short example of it in action.
       You may ignore this step if it is not applicable (comment out this section). -->
 ```Python
 import uxarray as ux
@@ -25,43 +27,46 @@ some_output = uxds.some_function()
 
 # this is another way to use this function
 other_output = uxds.some_function(some_param = True)
-
 ```
 
 ## PR Checklist
-<!-- Please mark any checkboxes that do not apply to this PR as [N/A]. If an entire section doesn't
-apply to this PR, comment it out or delete it. -->
+<!-- Please mark any checkboxes that do not apply to this PR as [N/A]. -->
 
 **General**
-- [ ] An issue is linked created and linked
-- [ ] Add appropriate labels
+- [ ] An issue is created and linked
+- [ ] Added appropriate labels (if your uxarray repo permissions allow it)
 - [ ] Filled out Overview and Expected Usage (if applicable) sections
 
-**Testing**
+**Testing & Benchmarking**
+<!--  If this PR does not update any functionality or tests and is not intended to improve efficiency,
+    e.g. by reducing computation time or memory usage, remove this section (Testing & Benchmarking) -->
 - [ ] Adequate tests are created if there is new functionality
 - [ ] Tests cover all possible logical paths in your function
 - [ ] Tests are not too basic (such as simply calling a function and nothing else)
+- [ ] At least one ASV benchmark demonstrates improvements, if expected (add a new benchmark if necessary)
 
 **Documentation**
+<!--  If this PR does not update any functionality or docstrings, remove this section (Documentation) -->
 - [ ] Docstrings have been added to all new functions
-- [ ] Docstrings have updated with any function changes
-- [ ] Internal functions have a preceding underscore (`_`) and have been added to `docs/internal_api/index.rst`
-- [ ] User functions have been added to `docs/user_api/index.rst`
+- [ ] Docstrings have been updated with any function changes
+- [ ] User (public) functions have been added to `docs/api.rst`
+- [ ] Internal (private) function names start with an underscore (`_`)
 
 **Examples**
-- [ ] Any new notebook examples added to `docs/examples/` folder
-- [ ] Clear the output of all cells before committing
-- [ ] New notebook files added to `docs/examples.rst` toctree
-- [ ] New notebook files added to new entry in `docs/gallery.yml` with appropriate thumbnail photo in `docs/_static/thumbnails/`
+<!--  If this PR does not update any examples, remove this section (Examples) -->
+- [ ] **All** notebook examples cleared the output of all cells before committing
+- [ ] New notebook examples added to appropriate folder (gallery: `docs/examples/`; guide: `docs/user-guide/`; quickstart: `docs/getting-started/`)
+- [ ] New notebook examples referenced in appropriate .rst file (gallery: `docs/gallery.rst`; guide: `docs/userguide.rst`; quickstart: `docs/quickstart.rst`)
+- [ ] New notebook gallery examples added entry in `docs/gallery.yml` with appropriate thumbnail photo in `docs/_static/thumbnails/`
 
 <!--
 Thank you so much for your PR!  To help us review your contribution, please
 consider the following points:
 
 **PR Etiquette Reminders**
-- This PR should be listed as a draft PR until you are ready to request reviewers
+- This PR should be listed as a draft PR until you are ready for it to be reviewed
 
-- After making changes in accordance with the reviews, re-request your reviewers
+- After making changes in accordance with any reviews, re-request reviews from the same reviewers
 
 - Do *not* mark conversations as resolved if you didn't start them