diff --git a/.github/pull_request_template.md b/.github/pull_request_template.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..90ad822
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.github/pull_request_template.md
@@ -0,0 +1,14 @@
+## Summary
+
+<!-- What does this PR do and why? -->
+
+## Test plan
+
+<!-- How did you verify this change works? -->
+
+---
+
+> [!IMPORTANT]
+> Most code in `ionq_core/` is auto-generated. Do not edit files under `ionq_core/api/`,
+> `ionq_core/models/`, or `ionq_core/client.py`, `errors.py`, `types.py` directly.
+> See [CONTRIBUTING.md](../CONTRIBUTING.md#code-structure) for details.
diff --git a/CONTRIBUTING.md b/CONTRIBUTING.md
index 7285979..c88033e 100644
--- a/CONTRIBUTING.md
+++ b/CONTRIBUTING.md
@@ -61,6 +61,12 @@ uvx openapi-python-client==0.28.3 generate \
 ## Pull requests
 
 - Keep PRs focused on a single change.
-- Add tests for new hand-written code.
+- Add tests for new hand-written code. CI enforces 100% branch coverage on all hand-written code.
 - CI must pass before merging (lint, tests, type check, generated code staleness check).
 - The generated code staleness check on PRs verifies that `ionq_core/` matches what the generator produces. If it fails, regenerate and commit the result.
+
+## License
+
+By submitting a pull request, you represent that you have the right to license your
+contribution to IonQ and the community, and agree that your contribution is licensed
+under the [Apache License, Version 2.0](LICENSE).