diff --git a/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/release_checklist.md b/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/release_checklist.md
index f6eb948..dd45a6f 100644
--- a/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/release_checklist.md
+++ b/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/release_checklist.md
@@ -8,12 +8,15 @@ assignees: ""
 
 **Release checklist for GitHub contributors**
 
-- [ ] All PRs/issues are resolved for the release version.
-- [ ] The latest version of [cookiecutter](https://github.com/Billingegroup/cookiecutter) is used. Ensure `.github/workflows/build-wheel-release-upload.yml` is available.
+- [ ] All PRs/issues attached to the release are merged.
 - [ ] All the badges on the README are passing.
-- [ ] Locally rendered documentation contains all appropriate pages, including API references, tutorials, and extensions.
-- [ ] Installation instructions in the documentation and on the website (e.g., diffpy.org) are checked and updated.
-- [ ] Grammar and writing quality have been checked.
-- [ ] License information is verified. If you are unsure, please comment below.
+- [ ] License information is verified as correct. If you are unsure, please comment below.
+- [ ] Locally rendered documentation contains all appropriate pages, including API references (check no modules are
+  missing), tutorials, and other human written text is up-to-date with any changes in the code.
+- [ ] Installation instructions in the README, documentation and on the website (e.g., diffpy.org) are updated and
+  tested
+- [ ] Successfully run any tutorial examples or do functional testing in some other way.
+- [ ] Grammar and writing quality have been checked (no typos).
 
-Please mention @sbillinge when you are ready for release. Include any additional comments necessary, such as version information and details about the pre-release.
+Please mention @sbillinge when you are ready for release. Include any additional comments necessary, such as
+version information and details about the pre-release.