diff --git a/.github/PULL_REQUEST_TEMPLATE.md b/.github/PULL_REQUEST_TEMPLATE.md
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+++ b/.github/PULL_REQUEST_TEMPLATE.md
@@ -0,0 +1,12 @@
+<!-- < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < ☺ 
+v                               ✰  Thanks for creating a PR! ✰    
+v    Before smashing the submit button please review the checkboxes. 
+v    If a checkbox is n/a - please still include it but + a little note why
+☺ > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >  --> 
+
+* [ ] Updated all relevant documentation in docs
+* [ ] Updated all code comments where relevant
+* [ ] Wrote tests
+* [ ] Updated CHANGELOG.md
+* [ ] Squashed all commits, uses message "Merge pull request #XYZ: [title]" ([coding standards](https://github.com/tendermint/coding/blob/master/README.md#merging-a-pr))
+* [ ] Added appropriate labels to PR (ex. wip, ready-for-review, docs)