diff --git a/.github/PULL_REQUEST_TEMPLATE.md b/.github/PULL_REQUEST_TEMPLATE.md
index 62a6c92ef8234..00b88a5e0767e 100644
--- a/.github/PULL_REQUEST_TEMPLATE.md
+++ b/.github/PULL_REQUEST_TEMPLATE.md
@@ -9,23 +9,13 @@ Contributors guide: https://github.com/theia-ide/theia/blob/master/CONTRIBUTING.
 <!-- Include relevant issues and describe how they are addressed. -->
 
 #### How to test
-<!-- Explain how a reviewer can reproduce a bug, test new functionality or verify perf improvements.  -->
+<!-- Explain how a reviewer can reproduce a bug, test new functionality or verify performance improvements. -->
 
 #### Review checklist
-<!-- For completed items, change [ ] to [x].  -->
-<!-- For inapplicable items, mark them as completed as well.  -->
-
-- [ ] as an author, I have carefully reviewed and thoroughly tested my changes
-- [ ] each approve has supporting comments regarding some points below
-  - the approve without a comment should be dismissed
-- [ ] the new code is built and tested by reviewers according to `How to test` section
-- [ ] the new code is aligned with [project organization](https://github.com/theia-ide/theia/wiki/Code-Organization) and [coding conventions](https://github.com/theia-ide/theia/wiki/Coding-Guidelines)
-- [ ] [changelog](https://github.com/theia-ide/theia/blob/master/CHANGELOG.md) is updated
-- [ ] breaking changes are justified and recorded in the [changelog](https://github.com/theia-ide/theia/blob/master/CHANGELOG.md)
-- [ ] new dependencies are justified and [verified](https://github.com/theia-ide/theia/wiki/Registering-CQs#wip---new-ecd-theia-intellectual-property-clearance-approach-experimental)
-- [ ] copied code is justified and [approved via a CQ](https://github.com/theia-ide/theia/wiki/Registering-CQs#case-3rd-party-project-code-copiedforked-from-another-project-into-eclipse-theia-maintained-by-us)
-- [ ] each new file has proper copyright with the current year and the name of contributing entity (individual or company)
-- [ ] commits are signed-off: https://github.com/theia-ide/theia/blob/master/CONTRIBUTING.md#sign-your-work
-- [ ] commit history is rebased on master and contains only meaningful commits and changes (less are usually better)
-  - for example use `git pull -r` or `git fetch && git rebase` to pick up changes from the master
+
+- [ ] as an author, I have thoroughly tested my changes and carefully followed [the review guidelines](https://github.com/theia-ide/theia/blob/master/doc/pull-requests.md#requesting-a-review)
+
+#### Reminder for reviewers
+
+- as a reviewer, I agree to behave in accordance with [the review guidelines](https://github.com/theia-ide/theia/blob/master/doc/pull-requests.md#reviewing)
 
diff --git a/CONTRIBUTING.md b/CONTRIBUTING.md
index a51db07fa24b2..3e566fa80c788 100644
--- a/CONTRIBUTING.md
+++ b/CONTRIBUTING.md
@@ -42,6 +42,9 @@ an issue. Simply choose the issue you would want to work on, and tell everyone
 that you are willing to do so and how you would approach it. The team will be
 happy to guide you and give feedback.
 
+We follow the contributing and reviewing pull request guidelines described
+[here](https://github.com/theia-ide/theia/blob/master/doc/pull-requests.md).
+
 ## Coding Guidelines
 
 We follow the coding guidelines described
diff --git a/doc/pull-requests.md b/doc/pull-requests.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000000..636f42674a7ea
--- /dev/null
+++ b/doc/pull-requests.md
@@ -0,0 +1,157 @@
+# Pull Requests
+
+This document clarifies rules and expectations of contributing and reviewing pull requests.
+It is structured as a list of rules which can be referenced on a PR to moderate and drive discussions.
+If a rule causes distress during discussions itself, it has to be reviewed on [the dev meeting](https://github.com/theia-ide/theia/wiki/Dev-Meetings) and updated.
+
+ - [**Opening a Pull Request**](#opening-a-pull-request)
+ - [**Requesting a Review**](#requesting-a-review)
+ - [**Review Checklist**](#review-checklist)
+ - [**Reviewing**](#reviewing)
+ - [**Landing**](#landing)
+ - [**Reverting**](#reverting)
+ - [**Closing**](#closing)
+
+## Opening a Pull Request
+
+<a name="pr-template"></a>
+- [1.](#pr-template) Each PR description has to follow the following template:
+```
+<!--
+Thank you for your Pull Request. Please provide a description and review
+the requirements below.
+
+Contributors guide: https://github.com/theia-ide/theia/blob/master/CONTRIBUTING.md
+-->
+
+#### What it does
+<!-- Include relevant issues and describe how they are addressed. -->
+
+#### How to test
+<!-- Explain how a reviewer can reproduce a bug, test new functionality or verify performance improvements. -->
+
+#### Review checklist
+
+- [ ] as an author, I have thoroughly tested my changes and carefully followed [the review guidelines](https://github.com/theia-ide/theia/blob/master/doc/pull-requests.md#requesting-a-review)
+
+#### Reminder for reviewers
+
+- as a reviewer, I agree to review in accordance with [the review guidelines](https://github.com/theia-ide/theia/blob/master/doc/pull-requests.md#reviewing)
+
+```
+
+<a name="design-review"></a>
+- [2.](#design-review) A PR can be opened early for the design review before going into the detailed implementation.
+  - A request on the design review should be an explicit comment.
+  - Such PR should be marked as a draft or with the WIP prefix.
+
+## Requesting a Review
+
+<a name="review-reqs"></a>
+- [1.](#review-reqs) A review can be requested when:
+  - [The PR template](#pr-template) is filled in.
+  - Changes are thoroughly tested by an author.
+  - Changes thoroughly reviewed following the [review checklist](#review-checklist) by an author.
+<a name="review-request-gh"></a>
+- [2.](#review-request-gh) A review can be requested explicitly using GitHub: https://help.github.com/en/articles/requesting-a-pull-request-reviewed
+<a name="review-request-comment"></a>
+- [3.](#review-request-comment) A review can be also requested as a comment from any GitHub users.
+  - For example to invite the person who originally filed an issue for testing.
+
+## Review Checklist
+
+<a name="checklist-build-and-test"></a>
+- [1.](#checklist-build-and-test) The new code is built and tested according to the `How to test` section of a PR description.
+<a name="checklist-project-org"></a>
+- [2.](#checklist-project-org) The new code is aligned with the [project organization](https://github.com/theia-ide/theia/wiki/Code-Organization) and [coding conventions](https://github.com/theia-ide/theia/wiki/Coding-Guidelines).
+<a name="checklist-changelog"></a>
+- [3.](#checklist-changelog) [Changelog](https://github.com/theia-ide/theia/blob/master/CHANGELOG.md) is updated.
+<a name="checklist-breaking-changes"></a>
+- [4.](#checklist-breaking-changes) Breaking changes are justified and recorded in the [changelog](https://github.com/theia-ide/theia/blob/master/CHANGELOG.md).
+<a name="checklist-dependencies"></a>
+- [5.](#checklist-dependencies) New dependencies are justified and [verified](https://github.com/theia-ide/theia/wiki/Registering-CQs#wip---new-ecd-theia-intellectual-property-clearance-approach-experimental).
+<a name="checklist-copied-code"></a>
+- [6.](#checklist-copied-code) Copied code is justified and [approved via a CQ](https://github.com/theia-ide/theia/wiki/Registering-CQs#case-3rd-party-project-code-copiedforked-from-another-project-into-eclipse-theia-maintained-by-us).
+<a name="checklist-copyright"></a>
+- [7.](#checklist-copyright) Each new file has proper copyright with the current year and the name of contributing entity (individual or company).
+<a name="checklist-sign-off"></a>
+- [8.](#checklist-sign-off) Commits are signed-off: https://github.com/theia-ide/theia/blob/master/CONTRIBUTING.md#sign-your-work.
+<a name="checklist-meaningful-commity"></a>
+- [9.](#checklist-meaningful-commit) Each commit has meaningful title and a body that explains what it does. One can take inspiration from the `What it does` section from the PR.
+<a name="checklist-commit-history"></a>
+- [10.](#checklist-commit-history) Commit history is rebased on master and contains only meaningful commits and changes (less are usually better).
+  - For example, use `git pull -r` or `git fetch && git rebase` to pick up changes from the master.
+
+## Reviewing
+
+<a name="reviewing-template"></a>
+- [1.](#eviewing-template) Reviewers should check that a PR has a [proper description](#pr-template).
+<a name="reviewing-fn"></a>
+- [2.](#eviewing-fn) Reviewers should build and verify changes according to the `How to test` section of a PR description.
+<a name="reviewing-checklist"></a>
+- [3.](#reviewing-checklist) Reviewers should ensure that all checks from [the review checklist](#review-checklist) are successful.
+<a name="reviewing-share"></a>
+- [4.](#reviewing-share) A reviewer does not need to ensure everything but can verify a part of it and provide feedback as a comment.
+
+### Requesting Changes
+
+<a name="changes-review-reqs"></a>
+- [1.](#changes-review-reqs) Changes should be requested if an author does not follow the [review requirements](#review-reqs).
+<a name="changes-no-nit"></a>
+- [2.](#changes-no-nit) Changes cannot be requested because of the personal preferences of a reviewer.
+  - Such change requests should be dismissed.
+<a name="changes-no-out-of-scope"></a>
+- [3.](#changes-no-out-of-scope) Changes cannot be requested if they address issues out of the scope of a PR.
+  - Such change requests should be dismissed and an issue should be filed to address them separately.
+<a name="changes-style-agreement"></a>
+- [4.](#changes-style-agreement) Styles and coding preferences should not be discussed on the PR, but raised in [the dev meeting](https://github.com/theia-ide/theia/wiki/Dev-Meetings),
+  agreed by the team, applied to [the coding guidelines](https://github.com/theia-ide/theia/wiki/Coding-Guidelines) and after that followed by all contributors.
+
+### Approving
+
+<a name="justifiying-approve"></a>
+- [1.](#justifiying-approve) Each approval should have supporting comments following these guidelines.
+<a name="dismissing-approve"></a>
+- [2.](#dismissing-approve) An approval without a comment should be dismissed.
+
+### Collaborating
+
+<a name="collaboration-on-pr"></a>
+- [1.](#collaboration-on-pr) If a change request is important, but cannot be elaborated by a reviewer,
+then a reviewer should be encouraged to open an alternative PR or collaborate on a current PR.
+<a name="completing-pr"></a>
+- [2.](#completing-pr) If a PR is important, but an author cannot or does not want to address outstanding issues,
+then maintainers can complete the PR with additional commits
+given that author commits are preserved, [signed-off](https://github.com/theia-ide/theia/blob/master/CONTRIBUTING.md#sign-your-work) and an author accepted the [ECA](https://github.com/theia-ide/theia/blob/master/CONTRIBUTING.md#eclipse-contributor-agreement).
+<a name="suggesting-help-on-pr"></a>
+- [3.](#suggesting-help-on-pr) Reviewers have to suggest his help via a comment to avoid intervening in an author work.
+<a name="landing-stale-pr"></a>
+- [4.](#landing-stale-pr) Such comment is not required if an author is not responsive.
+
+## Landing
+
+<a name="landing-pr"></a>
+- [1.](#landing-pr) A PR can be landed when:
+  - CI build has succeeded.
+  - The author has accepted the [Eclipse Contributor Agreement](https://github.com/theia-ide/theia/blob/master/CONTRIBUTING.md#eclipse-contributor-agreement).
+  - All checks from [the review checklist](#pull-request-review-checklist) are approved by at least one reviewer.
+  - There are no unresolved review comments.
+
+## Reverting
+
+<a name="reverting-pr"></a>
+- [1.](#reverting-pr) If a PR causes regressions after landing
+then an author and maintainers have 2 days to resolve them after that a PR has to be reverted.
+
+## Closing
+
+<a name="closing-pr"></a>
+- [1.](#closing-pr) A reviewer cannot close a PR without a reason.
+<a name="closing-pr-reasons"></a>
+- [2.](#closing-pr-reasons) A PR may be closed, for example, because of the following reasons:
+  - It introduces functionality which should be implemented as external Theia or VS Code extensions.
+  - It introduces structural or API changes between core extensions.
+  Such changes have to be done by an experienced maintainer to avoid regressions and long reviews.
+  - It should be a 3rd party component, e.g. Theia is not a logging framework or a proxy server.
+  - It changes development infrastructure, e.g. testing frameworks, packaging and so on.
+Such changes have to be done by active maintainers after agreement in [the dev meeting](https://github.com/theia-ide/theia/wiki/Dev-Meetings).