diff --git a/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/rfc.yml b/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/rfc.yml
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..b17347e8
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/rfc.yml
@@ -0,0 +1,10 @@
+name: RFC
+description: Propose a design or architectural change
+labels: [rfc, needs-triage]
+body:
+  - type: textarea
+    attributes:
+      label: Proposal
+      description: Describe your proposal freely
+    validations:
+      required: true
diff --git a/.github/workflows/issue-check.yml b/.github/workflows/issue-check.yml
index ead16df5..f60c42b9 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/issue-check.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/issue-check.yml
@@ -29,6 +29,9 @@ jobs:
               guidance: ['Question']
             };
 
+            // RFC is free-form — skip check entirely
+            if (labels.includes('rfc')) return;
+
             const type = Object.keys(rules).find(k => labels.includes(k));
 
             // Find old check comment
@@ -42,7 +45,7 @@ jobs:
               // No template label — skip if already flagged
               if (old && labels.includes('incomplete')) return;
 
-              const msg = `${marker}\n⚠️ Could not detect an issue template. Please make sure this issue was created using one of the available templates and that the corresponding label (\`bug\`, \`feature\`, \`documentation\`, \`guidance\`) is present.\n\nAvailable templates: Bug Report, Feature Request, Documentation, Guidance`;
+              const msg = `${marker}\nThanks for the report! It looks like this issue was created without a template and is missing some required fields. Please add one of the following labels: \`bug\`, \`feature\`, \`documentation\`, or \`guidance\`, then edit this issue to include the matching template fields — the \`incomplete\` label will be removed automatically.`;
 
               if (old) {
                 await github.rest.issues.deleteComment({