diff --git a/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/blank_issue.md b/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/blank_issue.md
deleted file mode 100644
index 38ba94634..000000000
--- a/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/blank_issue.md
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,4 +0,0 @@
----
-name: Blank Issue
-about: Create an issue with a blank template.
----
diff --git a/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/config.yml b/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/config.yml
index ef33bd219..d06f3b93a 100644
--- a/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/config.yml
+++ b/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/config.yml
@@ -1,8 +1,8 @@
-blank_issues_enabled: true
+blank_issues_enabled: false
 contact_links:
-  - name: NATS - Java Client Discussions
+  - name: Discussion
     url: https://github.com/nats-io/nats.java/discussions
-    about: Please ask usage questions here.
-  - name: NATS Slack
+    about: Ideal for ideas, feedback, or longer form questions.
+  - name: Chat
     url: https://slack.nats.io
-    about: Our Slack server is for community discussion.
+    about: Ideal for short, one-off questions, general conversation, and meeting other NATS users!
diff --git a/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/defect.md b/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/defect.md
deleted file mode 100644
index be3425761..000000000
--- a/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/defect.md
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,22 +0,0 @@
----
-name: Defect Report
-about: Report a bug found in the NATS - Java Client
-labels: 🐞 bug
----
-
-## Defect
-
-Make sure that these boxes are checked before submitting your issue -- thank you!
-
- - [ ] Included a [Minimal, Complete, and Verifiable example] (https://stackoverflow.com/help/mcve)
-
-#### Versions of `io.nats:jnats` and `nats-server`:
-
-#### OS/Container environment:
-
-#### Steps or code to reproduce the issue:
-
-#### Expected result:
-
-#### Actual result:
-
diff --git a/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/defect.yml b/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/defect.yml
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..99b4800a8
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/defect.yml
@@ -0,0 +1,41 @@
+---
+name: Defect
+description: Report a defect, such as a bug or regression.
+labels:
+  - defect
+body:
+  - type: textarea
+    id: versions
+    attributes:
+      label: What version were you using?
+      description: Include the server version (`nats-server --version`) and any client versions when observing the issue.
+    validations:
+      required: true
+  - type: textarea
+    id: environment
+    attributes:
+      label: What environment was the server running in?
+      description: This pertains to the operating system, CPU architecture, and/or Docker image that was used.
+    validations:
+      required: true
+  - type: textarea
+    id: steps
+    attributes:
+      label: Is this defect reproducible?
+      description: Provide best-effort steps to showcase the defect.
+    validations:
+      required: true
+  - type: textarea
+    id: expected
+    attributes:
+      label: Given the capability you are leveraging, describe your expectation?
+      description: This may be the expected behavior or performance characteristics.
+    validations:
+      required: true
+  - type: textarea
+    id: actual
+    attributes:
+      label: Given the expectation, what is the defect you are observing?
+      description: This may be an unexpected behavior or regression in performance.
+    validations:
+      required: true
diff --git a/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/feature_request.md b/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/feature_request.md
deleted file mode 100644
index 20696f481..000000000
--- a/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/feature_request.md
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,16 +0,0 @@
----
-name: Feature Request
-about: Request a feature for the NATS - Java Client
-labels: 🎉 enhancement
----
-
-## Feature Request
-
-#### Use Case:
-
-#### Proposed Change:
-
-#### Who Benefits From The Change(s)?
-
-#### Alternative Approaches
-
diff --git a/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/proposal.yml b/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/proposal.yml
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..d7da0ca49
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/proposal.yml
@@ -0,0 +1,34 @@
+---
+name: Proposal
+description: Propose an enhancement or new feature.
+labels:
+  - proposal
+body:
+  - type: textarea
+    id: usecase
+    attributes:
+      label: What motivated this proposal?
+      description: Describe the use case justifying this request.
+    validations:
+      required: true
+  - type: textarea
+    id: change
+    attributes:
+      label: What is the proposed change?
+      description: This could be a behavior change, enhanced API, or a branch new feature.
+    validations:
+      required: true
+  - type: textarea
+    id: benefits
+    attributes:
+      label: Who benefits from this change?
+      description: Describe how this not only benefits you.
+    validations:
+      required: false
+  - type: textarea
+    id: alternates
+    attributes:
+      label: What alternatives have you evaluated?
+      description: This could be using existing features or relying on an external dependency.
+    validations:
+      required: false