diff --git a/.build/build-rat.xml b/.build/build-rat.xml
index 6a3d72e1ca..522dbd24be 100644
--- a/.build/build-rat.xml
+++ b/.build/build-rat.xml
@@ -49,13 +49,14 @@
             <fileset dir="." includesfile="build/.ratinclude">
                  <!-- Config files with not much creativity -->
                  <exclude name="**/.asf.yaml"/>
+                 <exclude name="**/.github/pull_request_template.md"/>
                  <exclude name="**/ide/**/*"/>
                  <exclude name="**/metrics-reporter-config-sample.yaml"/>
                  <exclude name="**/cassandra.yaml"/>
                  <exclude name="**/cassandra-murmur.yaml"/>
                  <exclude name="**/cassandra-seeds.yaml"/>
                  <exclude name="**/harry-generic.yaml"/>
-                 <exclude NAME="**/doc/antora.yml"/>
+                 <exclude name="**/doc/antora.yml"/>
                  <exclude name="**/test/conf/cassandra.yaml"/>
                  <exclude name="**/test/conf/cassandra-old.yaml"/>
                  <exclude name="**/test/conf/cassandra-converters-special-cases-old-names.yaml"/>
@@ -80,12 +81,12 @@
                  <exclude name="**/tools/cqlstress-insanity-example.yaml"/>
                  <exclude name="**/tools/cqlstress-lwt-example.yaml"/>
                  <!-- Documentation files -->
-                 <exclude NAME="**/doc/modules/**/*"/>
-                 <exclude NAME="**/src/java/**/*.md"/>
+                 <exclude name="**/doc/modules/**/*"/>
+                 <exclude name="**/src/java/**/*.md"/>
                  <!-- NOTICE files -->
-                 <exclude NAME="**/NOTICE.md"/>
+                 <exclude name="**/NOTICE.md"/>
                  <!-- LICENSE files -->
-                 <exclude NAME="**/LICENSE.md"/>
+                 <exclude name="**/LICENSE.md"/>
             </fileset>
         </rat:report>
         <exec executable="grep" outputproperty="rat.failed.files" failifexecutionfails="false">
diff --git a/.github/pull_request_template.md b/.github/pull_request_template.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..abcd2168a0
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.github/pull_request_template.md
@@ -0,0 +1,25 @@
+Thanks for sending a pull request! Here are some tips if you're new here:
+ 
+ * Ensure you have added or run the [appropriate tests](https://cassandra.apache.org/_/development/testing.html) for your PR.
+ * Be sure to keep the PR description updated to reflect all changes.
+ * Write your PR title to summarize what this PR proposes.
+ * If possible, provide a concise example to reproduce the issue for a faster review.
+ * Read our [contributor guidelines](https://cassandra.apache.org/_/development/index.html)
+ * If you're making a documentation change, see our [guide to documentation contribution](https://cassandra.apache.org/_/development/documentation.html)
+ 
+Commit messages should follow the following format:
+
+```
+<One sentence description, usually Jira title or CHANGES.txt summary>
+
+<Optional lengthier description (context on patch)>
+
+patch by <Authors>; reviewed by <Reviewers> for CASSANDRA-#####
+
+Co-authored-by: Name1 <email1>
+Co-authored-by: Name2 <email2>
+
+```
+
+The [Cassandra Jira](https://issues.apache.org/jira/projects/CASSANDRA/issues/)
+
diff --git a/README.asc b/README.asc
index cba3a2b424..decb6ba0e3 100644
--- a/README.asc
+++ b/README.asc
@@ -9,6 +9,8 @@ https://cwiki.apache.org/confluence/display/CASSANDRA2/DataModel[Row store] mean
 
 For more information, see http://cassandra.apache.org/[the Apache Cassandra web site].
 
+Issues should be reported on https://issues.apache.org/jira/projects/CASSANDRA/issues/[The Cassandra Jira].
+
 Requirements
 ------------
 . Java >= 1.8 (OpenJDK and Oracle JVMS have been tested)
@@ -76,8 +78,10 @@ reasonable way to think of it is as, "SQL minus joins and subqueries, plus colle
 
 Wondering where to go from here?
 
-  * Join us in #cassandra on the https://s.apache.org/slack-invite[ASF Slack] and ask questions
+  * Join us in #cassandra on the https://s.apache.org/slack-invite[ASF Slack] and ask questions.
   * Subscribe to the Users mailing list by sending a mail to
-    user-subscribe@cassandra.apache.org
+    user-subscribe@cassandra.apache.org.
+  * Subscribe to the Developer mailing list by sending a mail to
+    dev-subscribe@cassandra.apache.org.
   * Visit the http://cassandra.apache.org/community/[community section] of the Cassandra website for more information on getting involved.
   * Visit the http://cassandra.apache.org/doc/latest/development/index.html[development section] of the Cassandra website for more information on how to contribute.