diff --git a/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/a-bug.md b/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/a-bug.md
index 7c6cf4f0f..dad0e1dab 100644
--- a/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/a-bug.md
+++ b/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/a-bug.md
@@ -6,24 +6,30 @@ title: ''
 assignees: ''
 ---
 
-Thanks for helping to make hledger better.
+Thanks for helping to make hledger better!
+For a high quality bug report, here are some good things to check first:
 
-Before reporting a bug, these are some good places to check:
-The appropriate manual (choosing the correct version at the top of the page):
-               https://hledger.org/hledger.html
-               https://hledger.org/hledger-ui.html
-               https://hledger.org/hledger-web.html
-FAQ:           https://hledger.org/faq.html
-Release notes: https://hledger.org/relnotes.html
-Issue tracker: https://bugs.hledger.org         (some notable issues are pinned)
-Matrix chat:   https://hledger.org/support.html (issues are pinned here too)
+- Your hledger version (run `hledger --version`). It's best if it's not very old.
+  https://hledger.org/install.html shows the current version and how to upgrade.
+
+- The appropriate manual, choosing the right version at the top of the page:
+  https://hledger.org/hledger.html
+  https://hledger.org/hledger-ui.html
+  https://hledger.org/hledger-web.html
+
+- https://hledger.org/relnotes.html lists recent fixes and changes.
+
+- https://bugs.hledger.org shows the bugs already reported.
+
+- https://hledger.org/faq.html answers some common questions.
+
+- https://hledger.org/support.html -> chat if you have questions.
 
 In your bug report, please include if possible:
-- output of `hledger --version` (or best of all, `hledger setup`).
-  Note, it's best if your hledger version is not too old.
-  https://hledger.org/install.html shows the current version and how to upgrade.
-- which OS you're running on
-- a link to a relevant doc you found, if any
-- a small reproducible example or recipe.
 
-(And remember to remove all of this boilerplate text before submitting.)
+- the output of `hledger --version` or (best) `hledger setup`
+- which operating system you're running on
+- a link to the most relevant doc that you found, if any
+- a small reproducible example or instructions to reproduce.
+
+(And remove this boilerplate text before submitting.)
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