diff --git a/.github/actions/generate-release-pr-body/pr_body_template.txt b/.github/actions/generate-release-pr-body/pr_body_template.txt
index 7d57c86a..e0c7e4d1 100644
--- a/.github/actions/generate-release-pr-body/pr_body_template.txt
+++ b/.github/actions/generate-release-pr-body/pr_body_template.txt
@@ -1,5 +1,12 @@
 # Release v{{VERSION}}
 
+## Test before Release
+
+1. Close and reopen this PR to trigger CI and produce the Desktop bundle for testing. Reason: workflows don't run on PRs opened by `GITHUB_TOKEN` ([docs](https://docs.github.com/en/actions/using-workflows/triggering-a-workflow#triggering-a-workflow-from-a-workflow)).
+2. Make sure all check workflows pass.
+3. Install the Desktop bundle from the download links (posted as a comment below when it is ready).
+4. Complete the goose Release Manual Testing Checklist (posted as a comment below).
+
 ## How to Release
 
 Push the release tag to trigger the release:
diff --git a/.github/workflows/create-version-bump-pr.yaml b/.github/workflows/create-version-bump-pr.yaml
index 4def147f..a798e555 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/create-version-bump-pr.yaml
+++ b/.github/workflows/create-version-bump-pr.yaml
@@ -67,11 +67,22 @@ jobs:
 
     - name: Create Pull Request
       run: |
+        PR_BODY=$(cat <<'EOF'
+        Bumps version to **${{ env.version }}**.
+
+        **Please follow these steps:**
+
+        1. Close and reopen this PR to trigger CI checks. Reason: workflows don't run on PRs opened by `GITHUB_TOKEN` ([docs](https://docs.github.com/en/actions/using-workflows/triggering-a-workflow#triggering-a-workflow-from-a-workflow)).
+        2. Review and resolve any merge conflicts.
+        3. Approve and merge this PR.
+        4. The `release/${{ env.version }}` PR will be created automatically.
+        EOF
+        )
         PR_URL=$(gh pr create \
           -B main \
           -H "${{ env.branch_name }}" \
           --title "chore(release): bump version to ${{ env.version }} (minor)" \
-          --body "Bumps version to **${{ env.version }}**. Merging this PR will trigger creation of the \`release/${{ env.version }}\` branch and release PR.")
+          --body "$PR_BODY")
         echo "pr_url=$PR_URL" >> $GITHUB_ENV
       env:
         GH_TOKEN: ${{ secrets.GITHUB_TOKEN }}