diff --git a/.github/PULL_REQUEST_TEMPLATE.md b/.github/PULL_REQUEST_TEMPLATE.md
index 87fad7b..ef082b9 100644
--- a/.github/PULL_REQUEST_TEMPLATE.md
+++ b/.github/PULL_REQUEST_TEMPLATE.md
@@ -6,6 +6,17 @@
     Types in use: feat, fix, docs, test, chore, perf, refactor, style.
     See CONTRIBUTING.md § Commit Conventions.
 
+  Still writing code? Prefix the title with `WIP:` —
+    WIP: feat(media): add play-media fzf picker
+  Gitea recognizes the prefix, marks the PR a draft, and blocks merging
+  until you remove it. The prefix goes before the whole conventional
+  subject, and comes off when the branch is complete.
+
+  `WIP:` means MORE CHANGES ARE COMING. It is not for a finished branch
+  waiting on verification — that is what an unchecked box in Verification
+  already signals. A complete branch with open checkboxes is a normal PR,
+  not a WIP.
+
   Keep the two headings below, in this order, and delete these comments.
   Optional sections may be added between them (see the note above
   "Verification").
diff --git a/CONTRIBUTING.md b/CONTRIBUTING.md
index 586bd53..e36ddea 100644
--- a/CONTRIBUTING.md
+++ b/CONTRIBUTING.md
@@ -51,6 +51,16 @@ assumes you *do* have push access (maintainers, regular contributors).
 - **Don't merge until the `## Verification` checklist is fully checked.**
   Unchecked boxes are outstanding manual checks, not decoration. See
   [Pull request descriptions](#pull-request-descriptions) below.
+- **Prefix in-progress PRs with `WIP:`.** If the branch still has code
+  changes coming, open it as `WIP: type(scope): description`. Gitea
+  recognizes the prefix, flags the PR as a draft, and refuses to merge it
+  until the prefix is removed; drop it once the branch is complete.
+
+  `WIP:` signals **more changes are coming** — not "done but unverified".
+  A finished branch waiting on manual checks is an ordinary PR whose
+  `## Verification` boxes aren't all ticked yet; that's already the merge
+  gate above and doesn't need the prefix. The two are independent: a PR
+  can be WIP with everything ticked, or complete with checks outstanding.
 - **Keep feature branches focused.** If you stumble onto something unrelated
   to your current task while working (a pre-existing bug, a stray cleanup),
   don't fold it into the same commit or PR. Handle it with one of these,