diff --git a/.github/pull_request_template.md b/.github/pull_request_template.md
index d82fb0f9e..cd5158b3c 100644
--- a/.github/pull_request_template.md
+++ b/.github/pull_request_template.md
@@ -1,23 +1,33 @@
-### Requirements
+<!--
 
-* Filling out this template is required. Pull Requests without a clear description may be closed at the maintainers' discretion.
+Submitting a Pull Request
+
+- Please fill out all sections of this form. You can delete the helpful comments.
+- Pull Requests without clear information will take longer and may even be rejected.
+- We get a high volume of submissions so please be patient during review.
+
+-->
 
 ### Description
 
 <!--
 
-We must be able to understand your proposed change from this description. If we can't understand what the code will do from this description, the Pull Request may be closed at the maintainers' discretion. Keep in mind that the maintainer reviewing this PR may not be familiar with or have worked with the code recently, so please walk us through the concepts.
+Clearly describe the submitted changes with lots of details. Include images where helpful. Initial reviewers may not be familiar with the subject, so be as thorough as possible. You can use MarkDown syntax to improve readability with bullet lists, code blocks, and so on. PREVIEW and fix up formatting before submitting.
 
 -->
 
+### Requirements
+
+<!-- Does this PR require a specific board, LCD, etc.? -->
+
 ### Benefits
 
-<!-- What does this fix or improve? -->
+<!-- What does this PR fix or improve? -->
 
 ### Configurations
 
-<!-- Attach any Configuration.h, Configuration_adv.h, or platformio.ini files needed to compile/test your Pull Request. -->
+<!-- Attach Configurations ZIP and any other files needed to test this PR. -->
 
 ### Related Issues
 
-<!-- Whether this fixes a bug or fulfills a feature request, please list any related Issues here. -->
+<!-- Does this PR fix a bug or fulfill a Feature Request? Link related Issues here. -->
diff --git a/.github/workflows/lock-closed.yml b/.github/workflows/lock-closed.yml
index 8cdcd7a83..811456882 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/lock-closed.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/lock-closed.yml
@@ -22,7 +22,7 @@ jobs:
         github-token: ${{ github.token }}
         process-only: 'issues'
         issue-lock-inactive-days: '60'
-        issue-exclude-created-before: ''
+        issue-exclude-created-before: '2017-07-01T00:00:00Z'
         issue-exclude-labels: 'no-locking'
         issue-lock-labels: ''
         issue-lock-comment: >