diff --git a/.github/pull_request_template.md b/.github/pull_request_template.md
index aa4a58dc..2b058074 100644
--- a/.github/pull_request_template.md
+++ b/.github/pull_request_template.md
@@ -17,15 +17,25 @@
 
 ## Testing Done
 
-<!-- Describe what testing you performed -->
+<!-- Describe what testing you performed.
+     Backend changes: run `make ci` (lint + tests) or, from the `quantara/` directory,
+     `poetry run pytest web_app/tests -v --tb=short` for tests and `make lint` for lint.
+     Frontend changes: run `make frontend-test` and `make frontend-lint`. -->
 
 ## Screenshots (if UI changes)
 
 <!-- Add screenshots to help reviewers understand visual changes -->
 
+## Environment Variables
+
+<!-- List any new, removed, or changed environment variables, and call out
+     any docs (e.g. `.env.example`, README, deployment runbook) that need a
+     matching update. If none, write "None". -->
+
 ## Checklist
 
-- [ ] Tests pass (`poetry run pytest`)
-- [ ] Code passes linting (`pylint`)
+- [ ] `make lint` passes (pylint on changed `.py` files)
+- [ ] `make test` passes (pytest in `quantara/web_app/tests/`)
+- [ ] CI is green on this PR
 - [ ] Documentation updated (if applicable)
-- [ ] PR is linked to a related issue
+- [ ] PR is linked to a related issue (`Closes #<n>`)