diff --git a/.github/PULL_REQUEST_TEMPLATE/gitlab.md b/.github/PULL_REQUEST_TEMPLATE/gitlab.md
index 1313e5b720..d35d553f92 100644
--- a/.github/PULL_REQUEST_TEMPLATE/gitlab.md
+++ b/.github/PULL_REQUEST_TEMPLATE/gitlab.md
@@ -49,9 +49,16 @@ Connected issue: #4014
 - [ ] Pushed merge commit to GitHub
 
 
+### Operator (chain shortening)
+
+- [ ] Changed the target branch of the blocked PR to `develop` <sub>or this PR is not labeled `base`</sub>
+- [ ] Removed the `chained` label from the blocked PR <sub>or this PR is not labeled `base`</sub>
+- [ ] Removed the blocking relationship from the blocked PR <sub>or this PR is not labeled `base`</sub>
+- [ ] Removed the `base` label from this PR <sub>or this PR is not labeled `base`</sub>
+
+
 ### Operator (after pushing the merge commit)
 
-- [ ] Shortened the PR chain <sub>or this PR is not labeled `base`</sub>
 - [ ] Deleted PR branch from GitHub
 
 
diff --git a/.github/pull_request_template.md b/.github/pull_request_template.md
index 5fddeb641a..39dc8d1465 100644
--- a/.github/pull_request_template.md
+++ b/.github/pull_request_template.md
@@ -126,9 +126,16 @@ Uncheck the *before every review* checklists. Update the `N reviews` label.
 - [ ] Pushed merge commit to GitHub
 
 
+### Operator (chain shortening)
+
+- [ ] Changed the target branch of the blocked PR to `develop` <sub>or this PR is not labeled `base`</sub>
+- [ ] Removed the `chained` label from the blocked PR <sub>or this PR is not labeled `base`</sub>
+- [ ] Removed the blocking relationship from the blocked PR <sub>or this PR is not labeled `base`</sub>
+- [ ] Removed the `base` label from this PR <sub>or this PR is not labeled `base`</sub>
+
+
 ### Operator (after pushing the merge commit)
 
-- [ ] Shortened the PR chain <sub>or this PR is not labeled `base`</sub>
 - [ ] Pushed merge commit to GitLab `dev` <sub>or PR is labeled `no sandbox`</sub>
 - [ ] Pushed merge commit to GitLab `anvildev` <sub>or PR is labeled `no sandbox`</sub>
 - [ ] Build passes on GitLab `dev`<sup>1</sup>
diff --git a/.github/pull_request_template.md.template.py b/.github/pull_request_template.md.template.py
index ad44c9b6b2..a94e992396 100644
--- a/.github/pull_request_template.md.template.py
+++ b/.github/pull_request_template.md.template.py
@@ -598,14 +598,29 @@ def main():
                 'type': 'cli',
                 'content': 'Pushed merge commit to GitHub'
             },
+            *iif(t in (T.default, T.gitlab), [
+                {
+                    'type': 'h2',
+                    'content': 'Operator (chain shortening)'
+                },
+                *[
+                    {
+                        'type': 'cli',
+                        'content': content,
+                        'alt': 'or this PR is not labeled `base`'
+                    }
+                    for content in [
+                        'Changed the target branch of the blocked PR to `develop`',
+                        'Removed the `chained` label from the blocked PR',
+                        'Removed the blocking relationship from the blocked PR',
+                        'Removed the `base` label from this PR'
+                    ]
+                ]
+            ]),
             {
                 'type': 'h2',
                 'content': 'Operator (after pushing the merge commit)'
             },
-            iif(t in (T.default, T.gitlab), {
-                'type': 'cli',
-                'content': 'Shortened the PR chain', 'alt': 'or this PR is not labeled `base`'
-            }),
             *[
                 {
                     'type': 'cli',
diff --git a/OPERATOR.rst b/OPERATOR.rst
index 81da597319..a43a084e78 100644
--- a/OPERATOR.rst
+++ b/OPERATOR.rst
@@ -232,13 +232,6 @@ For an example of how to document failures within a PR `click here`_.
 
 .. _click here: https://github.com/DataBiosphere/azul/pull/3050#issuecomment-840033931
 
-Chain shortening
-^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
-
-Change the target branch of the blocked PR to ``develop`` and remove the ``chained``
-label from that PR. Remove the ``base`` label from the blocking PR. Lastly, remove the blocking
-relationship.
-
 Updating the AMI for GitLab instances
 ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^