diff --git a/.github/PULL_REQUEST_TEMPLATE/release_template.md b/.github/PULL_REQUEST_TEMPLATE/release_template.md
index 028b9753b..a88b6de17 100644
--- a/.github/PULL_REQUEST_TEMPLATE/release_template.md
+++ b/.github/PULL_REQUEST_TEMPLATE/release_template.md
@@ -10,7 +10,8 @@ TODO
 
 - [ ] test locally
 - [ ] upload assets to draft release
-- [ ] double-check github release tag is the commit with artifacts
+- [ ] test one of the release packages locally
+- [ ] double-check github release tag is the commit with artifacts (_note gets messed up after uploading assets_)
 - [ ] publish release
 - [ ] merge PR
 - [ ] update the homebrew package
diff --git a/ci/build/release-github-draft.sh b/ci/build/release-github-draft.sh
index fb4e9720e..d9facac5e 100755
--- a/ci/build/release-github-draft.sh
+++ b/ci/build/release-github-draft.sh
@@ -21,20 +21,27 @@ installations.
 
 ## New Features
 
-  - ⭐ Summarize new features here with references to issues
+⭐ Summarize new features here with references to issues
 
-## VS Code
-  - ⭐ Summarize VS Code version update here with references to issues
+  - item
 
 ## Bug Fixes
-  - ⭐ Summarize bug fixes here with references to issues
+
+⭐ Summarize bug fixes here with references to issues
+
+  - item
 
 ## Documentation
-  - ⭐ Summarize doc changes here with references to issues
+
+⭐ Summarize doc changes here with references to issues
+
+  - item
 
 ## Development
-  - ⭐ Summarize development/testing changes here with references to issues
 
+⭐ Summarize development/testing changes here with references to issues
+
+  - item
 
 Cheers! 🍻
 EOF