diff --git a/.gitea/PULL_REQUEST_TEMPLATE.yml b/.gitea/PULL_REQUEST_TEMPLATE.yml
index 1cb5dfd..9be3297 100644
--- a/.gitea/PULL_REQUEST_TEMPLATE.yml
+++ b/.gitea/PULL_REQUEST_TEMPLATE.yml
@@ -11,19 +11,22 @@ body:
       required: true
 
   - type: input
-    id: related-issue
+    id: closes-issue
     attributes:
-      label: Related Issue
-      description: Link to related issue (if applicable)
-      placeholder: "e.g., #123"
+      label: Closes Issue
+      description: Link to issue this PR closes (if applicable). Using "Closes #123" will automatically close the issue when merged.
+      placeholder: "e.g., closes #456"
     validations:
       required: false
 
-  - type: markdown
+  - type: input
+    id: related-issue
     attributes:
-      value: |
-        ### Closes
-        Closes #___
+      label: Related Issue
+      description: Link to related issue (if applicable).
+      placeholder: "e.g., related #123"
+    validations:
+      required: false
 
   - type: textarea
     id: testing-instructions