diff --git a/.github/pull_request_template.md b/.github/pull_request_template.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..46a34ae
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.github/pull_request_template.md
@@ -0,0 +1,30 @@
+## Summary
+
+<!-- One or two sentences: what this PR does. -->
+
+## Why
+
+<!-- The problem or need. Link the issue: Closes #N -->
+
+## Changes
+
+<!-- The notable ones, not a file list. -->
+
+## Testing
+
+<!-- Commands run and their result. `npm test` at minimum. Paste the numbers
+     that matter (counts, ratios, timings) rather than "tests pass". -->
+
+## Checklist
+
+- [ ] Docs moved in the same commit as the code (CLAUDE.md's table)
+- [ ] Goldens unchanged, or re-baselined deliberately with the diff read
+- [ ] `test/generic.test.mjs` green: nothing target-specific in `src/` or `bin/`
+- [ ] No new dependency, or one discussed and justified above
+- [ ] ROADMAP.md boxes ticked; phase status and header count updated
+- [ ] Nothing modelled is drawn as observed; no number the tool does not measure
+
+## ADR
+
+- [ ] An architectural decision changed → `docs/adr/NNNN-*.md` added or updated, linked here
+- [ ] Not applicable