diff --git a/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/bug_report.md b/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/bug_report.md
index 2558a56c4..7ac0233dc 100644
--- a/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/bug_report.md
+++ b/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/bug_report.md
@@ -8,24 +8,31 @@ assignees: ''
 ---
 
 **Describe the bug**
-A clear and concise description of what the bug is.
+Please give a clear and concise description of the bug. For us to be able to
+fix the bug we need to be able to reproduce it. As a result, if you provide a
+reproducer, i.e. code that exhibits the bug (incl. build instructions) but is
+stripped of all unessential complexity, the chance of getting the issue fixed
+is much higher.
 
-**To Reproduce**
-Steps to reproduce the behavior:
-1. Go to '...'
-2. Click on '....'
-3. Scroll down to '....'
-4. See error
+**Version Information**
+  - HighFive:
+  - Compiler:
+  - [optional] OS:
+  - [optional] CMake:
+  - [optional] HDF5:
 
-**Expected behavior**
-A clear and concise description of what you expected to happen.
+**Style Guide**
+1. Please paste text as text and not as a screen shot.
+2. If in doubt paste too much output rather than to little, i.e. don't be too
+   scared of a large wall of text. Especially, if it's a compiler error.
+   (Anything past the first error is largely uninformative and can be safely
+   stripped.)
+3. Please strip all boilerplate.
 
-**Stacktrace**
-If applicable, add a stacktrace and error messages to help explain your problem.
-
-**Desktop (please complete the following information):**
- - OS: [e.g. ubuntu 20.10, macos 10.15]
- - Version [e.g. master branch]
-
-**Additional context**
-Add any other context about the problem here.
+Markdown summary:
+````
+Some include `code` and a block:
+```
+void foo();
+```
+````
diff --git a/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/build_failure.md b/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/build_failure.md
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..39ca802c4
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/build_failure.md
@@ -0,0 +1,54 @@
+---
+name: Build failure
+about: Report an issue with the build-system.
+title: ''
+labels: ''
+assignees: ''
+
+---
+
+**Bug Description**
+Unfortunately, build failures tend to be highly specific and there's many
+things that could go wrong on both our and your side. Therefore, a reproducer
+is essential. You could try the minimal setup found here:
+https://github.com/BlueBrain/HighFive/blob/master/doc/installation.md#manually-install-highfive
+
+from there you can work upwards by adding complexity until you reproduce the
+issue.
+
+Once you have a reproducer, please paste it and the exact `cmake` command used to
+configure the build and include the output. For the compilation phase please
+ensure that the actual compiler invocation is visible, e.g.,
+```
+$ cmake --build build --verbose
+[ 50%] Building CXX object CMakeFiles/dummy.dir/dummy.cpp.o
+/usr/bin/c++ ... -isystem ${HIGHFIVE_ROOT}/include -isystem ${HDF5_ROOT}/include ... -c dummy.cpp
+```
+and include at least the first error message. (If in doubt include more rather
+than less output.)
+
+**Version Information**
+  - HighFive:
+  - Compiler:
+  - OS:
+  - CMake:
+  - HDF5:
+
+**Style Guide**
+1. Please paste text as text and not as a screen shot.
+2. If in doubt paste too much output rather than too little, i.e. don't be too
+   scared of a large wall of text. Especially, if it's a compiler error.
+   (Anything past the first error is largely uninformative and can be safely
+   stripped.)
+3. Please strip all boilerplate.
+
+Markdown summary:
+````
+Some inline `code` and a block:
+```
+void foo();
+```
+
+Links can simply be pasted:
+https://github.com/BlueBrain/HighFive
+````
diff --git a/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/feature_request.md b/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/feature_request.md
index 4ead48053..c0b503578 100644
--- a/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/feature_request.md
+++ b/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/feature_request.md
@@ -7,14 +7,3 @@ assignees: ''
 
 ---
 
-**Is your feature request related to a problem? Please describe.**
-A clear and concise description of what the problem is. Ex. I'm always frustrated when [...]
-
-**Describe the solution you'd like**
-A clear and concise description of what you want to happen.
-
-**Describe alternatives you've considered**
-A clear and concise description of any alternative solutions or features you've considered.
-
-**Additional context**
-Add any other context about the feature request here.
diff --git a/.github/pull_request_template.md b/.github/pull_request_template.md
deleted file mode 100644
index 58abc6c60..000000000
--- a/.github/pull_request_template.md
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,25 +0,0 @@
-**Description**
-
-Please include a summary of the change and which issue is fixed or which feature is added.
-
-- [ ] Issue 1 fixed
-- [ ] Issue 2 fixed
-- [ ] Feature 1 added
-- [ ] Feature 2 added
-
-Fixes #(issue)
-
-**How to test this?**
-
-Please describe the tests that you ran to verify your changes. Provide instructions so we can reproduce if there is no integration test added with this PR. Please also list any relevant details for your test configuration
-
-```bash
-cmake ..
-make -j8
-make test
-```
-
-**Test System**
- - OS: [e.g. Ubuntu 20.04]
- - Compiler: [e.g. clang 12.0.0]
- - Dependency versions: [e.g. hdf5 1.12]