diff --git a/.github/PULL_REQUEST_TEMPLATE/release-notes.md b/.github/PULL_REQUEST_TEMPLATE/release-notes.md
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..13e3fa7e1
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.github/PULL_REQUEST_TEMPLATE/release-notes.md
@@ -0,0 +1,49 @@
+---
+name: Release Notes
+about: This template can be used to track the progress of the SDP Release Notes compilation
+title: "chore(tracking): Release Notes for SDP YY.M.X"
+assignees: ''
+---
+
+<!--
+    DO NOT REMOVE THIS COMMENT. It is intended for people who might copy/paste from the previous release issue.
+    This was created by an issue template: https://github.com/stackabletech/issues/issues/new/choose.
+-->
+
+> [!CAUTION]
+> Please assign the applicable `scheduled-for/YY.M.X` label.
+
+<!-- Release placeholders YY.M.X should be replaced. -->
+## Release Notes for SDP YY.M.X
+
+> [!TIP]
+> - Use the commented out template headings in [release-notes][template].
+> - Begin each sentence on a new line. This helps with review suggestions and diffing.
+> - Use xrefs for links to other parts of the documentation so that they remain valid across versions.
+
+[template]: https://github.com/stackabletech/documentation/blob/8dc93f28ac6d20a587f54d0a697c71fe47e8643a/modules/ROOT/pages/release-notes.adoc?plain=1#L11-L56
+
+```[tasklist]
+#### Release note compilation tasks
+- [ ] Check [Issues](https://github.com/search?q=org%3Astackabletech+label%3Arelease-note%2Crelease-note%2Faction-required+label%3Arelease%YY.M.X%2Cscheduled-for%YY.M.X&type=issues) for Product and Platform release notes
+- [ ] Check [PRs](https://github.com/search?q=org%3Astackabletech+label%3Arelease-note%2Crelease-note%2Faction-required+label%3Arelease%YY.M.X%2Cscheduled-for%YY.M.X&type=pullrequests) for Product and Platform release notes
+- [ ] Optionally check the [Changelogs](https://github.com/search?q=org%3Astackabletech+path%3A*CHANGELOG.md+%22YY.M.X%22&type=code) in case release notes were missed
+- [ ] Compile list of new product versions that are supported and compile a list of new product features to include in the Release Highlights
+- [ ] Upgrade guide: Document how to use stackablectl to uninstall all and install new release
+- [ ] Upgrade guide: Document how to use helm to uninstall all and install new release
+- [ ] Upgrade guide: Every breaking change of all our operators
+- [ ] Upgrade guide: List removed product versions (if there are any)
+- [ ] Upgrade guide: List removed operators (if there are any)
+- [ ] Upgrade guide: List supported Kubernetes versions
+```
+
+Each of the following tasks focuses on a specific goal and should be done once the items above have been completed.
+
+```[tasklist]
+#### Release note review tasks
+- [ ] Check overall document structure
+- [ ] Check spelling, grammar, and correct wording
+- [ ] Check that internal links are xrefs
+- [ ] Check that rendered links are valid
+- [ ] Check that each sentence begins on a new line
+```
diff --git a/.github/workflows/build.yml b/.github/workflows/build.yml
index 9de7805d3..d2a5bd512 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/build.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/build.yml
@@ -2,6 +2,10 @@ name: Build site
 
 on:
   pull_request:
+    paths-ignore:
+      - .github/PULL_REQUEST_TEMPLATES/**
+      - .github/ISSUE_TEMPLATES/**
+      - scripts/**
 
 jobs:
 
diff --git a/.markdownlint.yaml b/.markdownlint.yaml
index dbfa4558b..70c4d7aa6 100644
--- a/.markdownlint.yaml
+++ b/.markdownlint.yaml
@@ -18,3 +18,6 @@ MD013:
 MD024:
   # Only check sibling headings
   siblings_only: true
+
+# MD032/blanks-around-lists
+MD032: false