Merge branch '7.0.x' into 7.1.x

Author: jdaugherty

.github/PULL_REQUEST_TEMPLATE.md

@@ -0,0 +1,43 @@
+## Description
+<!-- Describe your change and the problem it solves. Link to the related issue(s) if they exist. -->
+
+## Contributor Checklist
+
+Please review the following checklist before submitting your pull request. Pull requests that do not meet these requirements may be closed without review.
+
+### Issue and Scope
+
+- [ ] This PR is linked to an existing issue that has been **acknowledged or approved** by the project team. If no approved issue exists, please give background on why this change is necessary.  Tickets are preferred for release change log history.
+- [ ] This PR addresses the **complete scope** of the linked issue. Partial implementations or unfinished work should not be submitted for review.
+- [ ] This PR contains a **single, focused change**. Unrelated changes should be submitted as separate pull requests.
+- [ ] This PR targets the **correct branch** for the type of change:
+    - **Patch release branches** (e.g., `7.0.x`): Bug fixes only. No new features or API changes.
+    - **Minor release branches** (e.g., `7.1.x`): New features are welcome, but breaking existing APIs must be avoided.
+    - **Major release branches** (e.g., `8.0.x`): Reserved for major changes. Breaking API changes are permitted.
+
+### Code Quality
+
+- [ ] I have **added or updated tests** that cover the changes introduced in this PR. All code contributions are expected to include appropriate test coverage.
+- [ ] I have verified that all existing tests pass by running `./gradlew build --rerun-tasks`.
+- [ ] My code follows the project's **code style** guidelines. I have run `./gradlew codeStyle` and resolved any violations. See [Code Style](../CONTRIBUTING.md#code-style) for details.
+- [ ] This PR does **not** include mass reformatting, style-only changes, or large-scale refactoring unless it was **explicitly approved** in the linked issue. Unsolicited reformatting will not be accepted.
+- [ ] If generative AI tooling was used in preparing this contribution, a quality model was used to ensure contributions are **consistent with the project's quality standards**.
+
+### Licensing and Attribution
+
+- [ ] All contributed code is provided under the [Apache License 2.0](https://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0), and new source files include the appropriate **Apache license header**.
+- [ ] I have the necessary rights to submit this contribution and confirm it is my own original work (see [Legal Notice](../CONTRIBUTING.md#i-want-to-contribute)).
+- [ ] If generative AI tooling was used in preparing this contribution, I have followed the [Apache Software Foundation's policy on generative tooling](https://www.apache.org/legal/generative-tooling.html) and have properly attributed its use.
+
+### Documentation
+
+- [ ] If this PR introduces user-facing changes, I have included or updated the relevant documentation.
+- [ ] If this PR adds a new feature, I have updated the **What's New** section of the Grails Guide.
+- [ ] If this PR introduces breaking changes or changes that require user action during an upgrade, I have updated the **Upgrade Notes** for the corresponding version in the Grails Guide.
+- [ ] The PR description clearly explains **what** was changed and **why**.
+
+---
+
+> **First-time contributors:** Please read our [Contributing Guide](../CONTRIBUTING.md) before submitting.
+> Pull requests that appear to be auto-generated, incomplete, or unrelated to an approved issue may be
+> closed to help maintainers focus on reviewed and planned work. We appreciate your understanding.