diff --git a/.github/CODEOWNERS b/.github/CODEOWNERS
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..cb9846c5a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.github/CODEOWNERS
@@ -0,0 +1,4 @@
+# https://docs.github.com/articles/about-code-owners
+# Require review from the SDK team on every PR.
+
+* @Iterable/sdk-team
diff --git a/.github/pull_request_template.md b/.github/pull_request_template.md
index b2cc4804e..e52b54eb0 100644
--- a/.github/pull_request_template.md
+++ b/.github/pull_request_template.md
@@ -1,7 +1,22 @@
-## 🔹 Jira Ticket(s) if any
+# 📝 Summary
+> _This should be a 150 characters summary of the changes on this PR_
 
-* [SDK-XXXX](https://iterable.atlassian.net/browse/SDK-XXXX)
+###### 🎟️ Jira Ticket: [SDK-XXXX](https://iterable.atlassian.net/browse/SDK-XXXX)
 
-## ✏️ Description
+## 📖 Description
+> Please provide a description of what this pull request does.
 
-> Please provide a brief description of what this pull request does.
+## 🧪 How to test?
+> How to test the changes added?
+
+## 🧾 Changelog
+> Add an entry to `CHANGELOG.md`. If this PR has no customer facing changes, write "No customer facing changes" here to skip the changelog check.
+
+## 📹 Loom recording if applicable
+> If it helps the reviewer, add a short Loom going over the changes or showcasing the change in behavior.
+
+#### 🐞 Github Issues solved
+> If this solves any open GH Issues, please link them here.
+
+#### 📚 Docs PR if applicable
+> Open a PR on the [Docs Repo](https://github.com/Iterable/iterable-docs) documenting the changes.
diff --git a/.github/workflows/changelog-check.yml b/.github/workflows/changelog-check.yml
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..f98a59994
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.github/workflows/changelog-check.yml
@@ -0,0 +1,42 @@
+name: Changelog Check
+on:
+  pull_request:
+    types: [opened, edited, synchronize, reopened]
+
+permissions:
+  contents: read
+  pull-requests: read
+
+jobs:
+  changelog:
+    name: Verify CHANGELOG update
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    steps:
+      - name: Check CHANGELOG.md update or opt-out
+        uses: actions/github-script@v7
+        with:
+          script: |
+            const optOut = 'No customer facing changes';
+            const body = context.payload.pull_request.body || '';
+
+            if (body.toLowerCase().includes(optOut.toLowerCase())) {
+              core.info(`PR description contains "${optOut}", skipping CHANGELOG.md check.`);
+              return;
+            }
+
+            const files = await github.paginate(github.rest.pulls.listFiles, {
+              owner: context.repo.owner,
+              repo: context.repo.repo,
+              pull_number: context.payload.pull_request.number,
+              per_page: 100,
+            });
+
+            const changed = files.some((f) => f.filename === 'CHANGELOG.md');
+            if (changed) {
+              core.info('CHANGELOG.md was updated.');
+              return;
+            }
+
+            core.setFailed(
+              'CHANGELOG.md was not updated. Add a CHANGELOG.md entry, or if this PR has no customer facing changes, add "No customer facing changes" to the PR description to justify skipping the changelog.'
+            );