diff --git a/.github/PULL_REQUEST_TEMPLATE.md b/.github/PULL_REQUEST_TEMPLATE.md
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..b916ff62
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.github/PULL_REQUEST_TEMPLATE.md
@@ -0,0 +1,29 @@
+## what
+
+<!--
+- Describe high-level what changed as a result of these commits (i.e. in plain-english, what do these changes mean?)
+- Use bullet points to be concise and to the point.
+-->
+
+
+## why
+
+<!--
+- Provide the justifications for the changes (e.g. business case). 
+- Describe why these changes were made (e.g. why do these commits fix the problem?)
+- Use bullet points to be concise and to the point.
+-->
+
+## tests
+
+<!--
+- [ ] I have tested my changes by ...
+-->
+
+## references
+
+<!--
+- Link to any supporting github issues or helpful documentation to add some context (e.g. stackoverflow). 
+- Use `closes #123`, if this PR closes a GitHub issue `#123`
+-->
+
diff --git a/.github/workflows/linter.yaml b/.github/workflows/linter.yaml
index 70d8cea9..324c469a 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/linter.yaml
+++ b/.github/workflows/linter.yaml
@@ -23,3 +23,4 @@ jobs:
           DEFAULT_BRANCH: main
           GITHUB_TOKEN: ${{ secrets.GITHUB_TOKEN }}
           VALIDATE_GITLEAKS: false
+          FILTER_REGEX_EXCLUDE: .github/.*