diff --git a/docs/pr_checklist.md b/docs/pr_checklist.md
index bacb9480dae3..6dc6c0000d9a 100644
--- a/docs/pr_checklist.md
+++ b/docs/pr_checklist.md
@@ -53,6 +53,7 @@ https://github.com/qmk/qmk_firmware/pulls?q=is%3Apr+is%3Aclosed+label%3Akeyboard
 
 - keyboard moves within the repository *must* go through the `develop` branch instead of `master`, so as to ensure compatibility for users
     - `data/mappings/keyboard_aliases.hjson` must be updated to reflect the move, so users with pre-created configurator keymap.json files continue to detect the correct keyboard
+- keyboard updates and refactors (eg. to data driven) *must* go through `develop` to reduce `master` -> `develop` merge conflicts
 - PR submissions from a `kbfirmware` export (or equivalent) will not be accepted unless converted to new QMK standards -- try `qmk import-kbfirmware` first
 - `info.json`
     - With the move to [data driven](https://docs.qmk.fm/#/data_driven_config) keyboard configuration, we encourage contributors to utilise as many features as possible of the info.json [schema](https://github.com/qmk/qmk_firmware/blob/master/data/schemas/keyboard.jsonschema).