diff --git a/admin/RELEASE.md b/admin/RELEASE.md
index 776c1f70a941..98089ae8181f 100644
--- a/admin/RELEASE.md
+++ b/admin/RELEASE.md
@@ -10,11 +10,11 @@
 
 If you release a new minor version.
 
-* Create PR to merge `4.x` into `develop` and merge it
-* Rename the current minor version (e.g., `4.4`) in Setting > Branches >
+* [ ] Create PR to merge `4.x` into `develop` and merge it
+* [ ] Rename the current minor version (e.g., `4.4`) in Setting > Branches >
   "Branch protection rules" to the next minor version. E.g. `4.4` → `4.5`
-* Delete the merged `4.x` branch (This closes all PRs to the branch)
-* Do the regular release process. Go to the next "Changelog" section
+* [ ] Delete the merged `4.x` branch (This closes all PRs to the branch)
+* [ ] Do the regular release process. Go to the next "Changelog" section
 
 ## Changelog
 
@@ -48,17 +48,18 @@ the existing content.
 
 ## Preparation
 
-* Work off direct clones of the repos so the release branches persist for a time
-* Clone both **codeigniter4/CodeIgniter4** and **codeigniter4/userguide** and
+Work off direct clones of the repos so the release branches persist for a time.
+
+* [ ] Clone both **codeigniter4/CodeIgniter4** and **codeigniter4/userguide** and
   resolve any necessary PRs
     ```console
     git clone git@github.com:codeigniter4/CodeIgniter4.git
     git clone git@github.com:codeigniter4/userguide.git
     ```
-* Vet the **admin/** folders for any removed hidden files (Action deploy scripts
+* [ ] Vet the **admin/** folders for any removed hidden files (Action deploy scripts
   *do not remove these*)
   * git diff --name-status origin/master admin/
-* Merge any Security Advisory PRs in private forks
+* [ ] Merge any Security Advisory PRs in private forks
 
 ## Process
 
@@ -66,29 +67,38 @@ the existing content.
 > been included with their PR, so this process assumes you will not be
 > generating much new content.
 
-* Create a new branch `release-4.x.x`
-* Update **system/CodeIgniter.php** with the new version number:
+* [ ] Create a new branch `release-4.x.x`
+* [ ] Update **system/CodeIgniter.php** with the new version number:
   `const CI_VERSION = '4.x.x';`
-* Update **user_guide_src/source/conf.py** with the new `version = '4.x'` (if applicable)
+* [ ] Update **user_guide_src/source/conf.py** with the new `version = '4.x'` (if applicable)
   and `release = '4.x.x'`
-* Replace **CHANGELOG.md** with the new version generated above
-* Update **user_guide_src/source/changelogs/{version}.rst**
+* [ ] Replace **CHANGELOG.md** with the new version generated above
+* [ ] Update **user_guide_src/source/changelogs/{version}.rst**
   * Set the date to format `Release Date: January 31, 2021`
   * Remove the section titles that have no items
-* Update **user_guide_src/source/installation/upgrade_{ver}.rst**
+* [ ] Update **user_guide_src/source/installation/upgrade_{ver}.rst**
   * fill in the "All Changes" section, and add it to **upgrading.rst**
     * git diff --name-status origin/master -- . ':!system'
   * Remove the section titles that have no items
   * [Minor version only] Update the "from" version in the title. E.g., `from 4.3.x` → `from 4.3.8`
-* Commit the changes with `Prep for 4.x.x release` and push to origin
-* Create a new PR from `release-4.x.x` to `develop`:
+* [ ] Commit the changes with `Prep for 4.x.x release` and push to origin
+* [ ] Create a new PR from `release-4.x.x` to `develop`:
   * Title: `Prep for 4.x.x release`
-  * Decription: `Updates changelog and version references for 4.x.x.` (plus checklist)
-* Let all tests run, then review and merge the PR
-* Create a new PR from `develop` to `master`:
+  * Description:
+    ```
+    Updates changelog and version references for 4.x.x.
+
+    Previous version: #xxxx
+    Release Code: TODO
+    New Changelog: TODO
+    ```
+    (plus checklist)
+* [ ] Let all tests run, then review and merge the PR
+* [ ] Create a new PR from `develop` to `master`:
   * Title: `4.x.x Ready code`
   * Description: blank
-* Merge the PR then create a new Release:
+* [ ] Merge the PR and wait for all tests.
+* [ ] Create a new Release:
   * Tag: `v4.x.x` (Create new tag)
   * Target: `master`
   * Title: `CodeIgniter 4.x.x`
@@ -103,22 +113,23 @@ the existing content.
 
     **Full Changelog**: https://github.com/codeigniter4/CodeIgniter4/compare/v4.x.x...v4.x.x
     ```
-* Watch for the "Deploy Distributable Repos" action to make sure **framework**,
+    Click the "Generate release notes" button, and get the "New Contributors".
+* [ ] Watch for the "Deploy Distributable Repos" action to make sure **framework**,
   **appstarter**, and **userguide** get updated
-* Run the following commands to install and test `appstarter` and verify the new
+* [ ] Run the following commands to install and test `appstarter` and verify the new
   version:
     ```console
     composer create-project codeigniter4/appstarter release-test
     cd release-test
     composer test && composer info codeigniter4/framework
     ```
-* Verify that the user guide actions succeeded:
+* [ ] Verify that the user guide actions succeeded:
   * "[Deploy Distributable Repos](https://github.com/codeigniter4/CodeIgniter4/actions/workflows/deploy-distributables.yml)", the main repo
   * "[Deploy Production](https://github.com/codeigniter4/userguide/actions/workflows/deploy.yml)", UG repo
   * "[pages-build-deployment](https://github.com/codeigniter4/userguide/actions/workflows/pages/pages-build-deployment)", UG repo
   * Check if "CodeIgniter4.x.x.epub" is added to UG repo. "CodeIgniter.epub" was
     created when v4.3.8 was released.
-* Fast-forward `develop` branch to catch the merge commit from `master`
+* [ ] Fast-forward `develop` branch to catch the merge commit from `master`
     ```console
     git fetch origin
     git checkout develop
@@ -126,7 +137,7 @@ the existing content.
     git merge origin/master
     git push origin HEAD
     ```
-* Update the next minor upgrade branch `4.x`:
+* [ ] Update the next minor upgrade branch `4.x`:
     ```console
     git fetch origin
     git checkout 4.x
@@ -134,22 +145,22 @@ the existing content.
     git merge origin/develop
     git push origin HEAD
     ```
-* [Minor version only] Create the next minor upgrade branch `4.x`:
+* [ ] [Minor version only] Create the next minor upgrade branch `4.x`:
     ```console
     git fetch origin
     git switch develop
     git switch -c 4.x
     git push origin HEAD
     ```
-* Publish any Security Advisories that were resolved from private forks
+* [ ] Publish any Security Advisories that were resolved from private forks
   (note: publishing is restricted to administrators):
-* Announce the release on the forums and Slack channel
+* [ ] Announce the release on the forums and Slack channel
   (note: this forum is restricted to administrators):
   * Make a new topic in the "News & Discussion" forums:
     https://forum.codeigniter.com/forum-2.html
   * The content is somewhat organic, but should include any major features and
     changes as well as a link to the User Guide's changelog
-* Create a PR for new changelog and upgrade for the next version
+* [ ] Create a PR for new changelog and upgrade for the next version
   * Create **user_guide_src/source/changelogs/{next_version}.rst** and add it to
     **index.rst** (See **next-changelog-*.rst**)
   * Create **user_guide_src/source/installation/upgrade_{next_version}.rst** and add it to