diff --git a/.github/pull_request_template.md b/.github/pull_request_template.md
index 3a478a10..abbce8f6 100644
--- a/.github/pull_request_template.md
+++ b/.github/pull_request_template.md
@@ -1,5 +1,9 @@
+*Remove unused sections before submitting. Only keep what is relevant.*
+
+*Text marked with `<!-- Text here -->` will not be rendered*
+
 ## Related Issue
-Fixes # (issue number)
+<!-- e.g. Fixes #<issue_number> -->
 
 ## Type of Change
 - [ ] **Bug fix** (non-breaking change which fixes an issue)
@@ -10,21 +14,29 @@ Fixes # (issue number)
 - [ ] **Performance optimization**
 
 ## Description
-Please provide a summary and the motivation for the changes. Why is this change necessary? What problem does it solve?
+<!-- Please provide a summary and the motivation for the changes. Why is this change necessary? What problem does it solve? -->
 
 ## Implementation Details
-Briefly describe how the changes were implemented. Which specific code segments or logic paths within the primary functional arguments (e.g., `demultiplexed`, `discovery`, `quant`) are affected? Include relevant technical details for any algorithmic changes or data structure modifications specific to Bambu.
+<!-- Briefly describe how the changes were implemented. Which specific code segments or logic paths within the primary functional arguments (e.g., `demultiplexed`, `discovery`, `quant` — refer to the package's main function arguments) are affected? Include relevant technical details for any algorithmic changes or data structure modifications specific to Bambu. -->
 
 ## Impact of Changes
-Briefly describe the impact of the implemented changes. For example: 
+<!-- Briefly describe the impact of the implemented changes. For example:
 - Results are identical to the previous version.
 - Bug fix only (no changes to output).
 - Adds one column to the SE object.
-- Transcript quantification results show minimal differences.
+- Transcript quantification results show minimal differences. -->
 
 ## Checklist
 - [ ] My code follows the style guidelines of this project.
 - [ ] I have performed a self-review of my own code.
+- [ ] I have verified that GitHub automated tests passed. (Describe any failing tests in the next section)
 - [ ] I have commented my code, particularly in hard-to-understand areas.
 - [ ] I have made corresponding changes to the documentation (vignettes, man pages).
-- [ ] I have tested the code on a full dataset, and any differences have been described in the Impact of Changes section.
\ No newline at end of file
+- [ ] I have tested the code on a full dataset, and any differences have been described in the pull request.
+
+## Post-merge follow-up
+<!-- Describe any remaining work to be done after the pull request has been merged. For example,
+- Github automated tests did not pass in the original branch; this will be fixed separately.
+- Unit tests for a(), b() will fail due to intentional code changes; tests will be updated post-review.
+- README documentation has not been updated to depict the functionality changes to the PR; will be updated post-review.
+- Known bugs to be fixed in a follow-up issue — #TODO comments added in affected code. -->
\ No newline at end of file