diff --git a/.github/PULL_REQUEST_TEMPLATE.md b/.github/PULL_REQUEST_TEMPLATE.md
index ee75e68f..544fa2ef 100644
--- a/.github/PULL_REQUEST_TEMPLATE.md
+++ b/.github/PULL_REQUEST_TEMPLATE.md
@@ -1,11 +1,16 @@
-<!-- < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < ☺ 
+<!-- < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < ☺
 v                               ✰  Thanks for creating a PR! ✰    
-v    Before smashing the submit button please review the checkboxes. 
+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
-* [ ] 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)
+- [ ] Linked to github-issue with discussion and accepted design OR link to spec that describes this work.
+- [ ] Updated all relevant documentation (`docs/`)
+- [ ] Updated all relevant code comments
+- [ ] Wrote tests
+- [ ] Added entries in `PENDING.md` that include links to the relevant issue or PR that most accurately describes the change.
+___________________________________
+For Admin Use:
+- [ ] Added appropriate labels to PR (ex. wip, ready-for-review, docs)
+- [ ] Reviewers Assigned
+- [ ] Squashed all commits, uses message "Merge pull request #XYZ: [title]" ([coding standards](https://github.com/tendermint/coding/blob/master/README.md#merging-a-pr))