chore(ci): add PR Sentinel compliance checks and grace-period auto-close

.github/pull_request_template.md

@@ -13,23 +13,33 @@
 > You can help us by categorizing your pull request with labels. 
 > We appreciate you working with us and will get to reviewing your contribution as soon as we can!
 
-As always, thank you for the contribution!
-
-### \~\~After reading, delete this line and the above to use the template for your pull request\~\~
+> [!NOTE]
+> **Automated PR Sentinel checks (required):** a linked issue, a Conventional Commit title, Conventional Commit 
+> messages on every commit (no `Co-authored-by:` trailers), no merge commits (rebase instead), and a completed 
+> **AI Disclosure**. PRs that stay non-compliant are **auto-closed 3 days** after the first Sentinel notice. 
+> See the [Contribution Workflow](https://github.com/thunderbird/thunderbird-android/blob/main/docs/contributing/contribution-workflow.md#-automated-pr-checks-pr-sentinel).
 
+As always, thank you for the contribution!
 
+# \~\~After reading, delete this line and the above to use the template for your pull request\~\~
+-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 ## Contribution Summary
 
-Linked Issue/Ticket: 
-RFC / Technical Design (if applicable):
+Linked Issue/Ticket: _<Please include the issue number with the closing keyword, e.g. `Closes #1234`>_
 
-#### Description
+RFC / Technical Design (if applicable): _<Remove if not applicable>_
+
+### Description
 
 _<Please provide a detailed description of your contribution here>_
 
-#### Screen Shots
+### Screenshots
+
+_<If your pull request makes any UI changes, include screenshots displaying those changes here; Remove section if not applicable>_
+
+### Testing
 
-_<If your pull request makes any UI changes, include screenshots displaying those changes here>_
+_<Please provide the steps to reproduce the issue, so we can review it properly>_
 
 ## AI Disclosure
 
@@ -41,11 +51,11 @@ Select **one** of the following (mandatory)
 
 ## Contribution Checklist
 
-- [ ] I have read and affirm that my contribution adheres to [Mozilla’s Community Participation Guidelines](https://www.mozilla.org/en-US/about/governance/policies/participation/)
+- [ ] I have read, and I affirm that my contribution adheres to [Mozilla’s Community Participation Guidelines](https://www.mozilla.org/en-US/about/governance/policies/participation/)
 - [ ] This contribution is in Kotlin where possible
 - [ ] This contribution does not use merge commits
 - [ ] This contribution adheres to the existing codestyle (run `gradlew spotlessCheck` to check and `gradlew spotlessApply` to format your source code; will be checked by CI).
 - [ ] This contribution does not break existing unit tests (run `gradlew testDebugUnitTest`; will be checked by CI).
-- [ ] This contribution includes tests for any new functionality, and maintains tests for any updated functionality.
+- [ ] This contribution includes tests for any new functionality and maintains tests for any updated functionality.
 - [ ] This contribution adheres to our [Engineering process](https://github.com/thunderbird/thunderbird-android/tree/main/docs/engineering) (RFC/Technical Design/ADR)
-- [ ] This PR has a descriptive title and body that accurately outlines all changes made, and contains a reference to any issues that it fixes (e.g. _Closes #XXX_ or _Fixes #XXX_).
+- [ ] This PR has a descriptive title and body that accurately outlines all changes made and contains a reference to any issues that it fixes (e.g. _Closes #XXX_ or _Fixes #XXX_).

.github/workflows/pr-request-report-labels.yml

@@ -54,4 +54,4 @@ jobs:
           PR_NUMBER: ${{ github.event.pull_request.number }}
           IDENTIFIER: "<!-- pr-report-label-validation-comment -->"
         run: |
-          ./scripts/ci/manage-pr-comment.sh "$PR_NUMBER" "$IDENTIFIER" "" "valid"
+          ./scripts/ci/manage-pr-comment.sh "$PR_NUMBER" "$IDENTIFIER" "" "valid" "✅ **Validation Passed**: All report and feature-flag labels are correctly set."

.github/workflows/pr-sentinel-autoclose.yml

@@ -0,0 +1,69 @@
+---
+name: PR - Sentinel Auto-Close
+
+on:
+  schedule:
+    - cron: "0 0 * * *"   # 00:00 GMT/UTC daily
+  workflow_dispatch:
+    inputs:
+      dry_run:
+        description: "Log escalate/close actions without making changes."
+        type: boolean
+        default: false
+
+permissions:
+  contents: read
+  pull-requests: write
+  issues: write
+
+jobs:
+  autoclose:
+    name: Escalate and close stale non-compliant PRs
+    if: github.repository == 'thunderbird/thunderbird-android'
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    timeout-minutes: 15
+    environment: botmobile
+    env:
+      GH_REPO: ${{ github.repository }}
+    steps:
+      - name: Checkout code
+        uses: actions/checkout@3d3c42e5aac5ba805825da76410c181273ba90b1 # v7.0.1
+        with:
+          ref: ${{ github.event.repository.default_branch }}
+          persist-credentials: false
+
+      - name: App token generate
+        uses: actions/create-github-app-token@bcd2ba49218906704ab6c1aa796996da409d3eb1  # v3.2.0
+        id: app-token
+        with:
+          client-id: ${{ vars.BOT_CLIENT_ID }}
+          private-key: ${{ secrets.BOT_PRIVATE_KEY }}
+
+      - name: Assert Sentinel label exists (fail loud)
+        env:
+          GH_TOKEN: ${{ steps.app-token.outputs.token }}
+        run: |
+          set -euo pipefail
+          # shellcheck source=scripts/ci/pr-sentinel/lib.sh disable=SC1091
+          source ./scripts/ci/pr-sentinel/lib.sh
+          require_label_needs_updates
+
+      - name: Escalate / close labeled PRs
+        env:
+          GH_TOKEN: ${{ steps.app-token.outputs.token }}
+          DRY_RUN_INPUT: ${{ github.event.inputs.dry_run }}
+        run: |
+          set -euo pipefail
+          args=()
+          if [[ "${DRY_RUN_INPUT:-false}" == "true" ]]; then
+            args+=(--dry-run)
+          fi
+          numbers="$(gh pr list --state open --label "pr-sentinel: needs updates" \
+            --json number --jq 'map(.number) | join(" ")')"
+          if [[ -z "$numbers" ]]; then
+            echo "No labeled PRs; nothing to do."
+            exit 0
+          fi
+          for pr in $numbers; do
+            ./scripts/ci/pr-sentinel/escalate-pr.sh "$pr" "${args[@]}"
+          done

.github/workflows/pr-sentinel.yml

@@ -0,0 +1,91 @@
+---
+name: PR - Sentinel Bot
+
+# Warning, this job runs on pull_request_target and therefore has access to issue content.
+# Don't add any steps that act on external (PR-head) code.
+on:
+  pull_request_target:
+    types:
+      - opened
+      - reopened
+      - synchronize
+      - edited
+      - ready_for_review
+      - converted_to_draft
+    branches:
+      - main
+  workflow_dispatch:
+    inputs:
+      pr_number:
+        description: "Single PR to evaluate; leave blank to evaluate all open PRs."
+        required: false
+        default: ""
+      dry_run:
+        description: "Log actions without posting comments, changing labels, or closing PRs."
+        type: boolean
+        default: false
+
+permissions:
+  contents: read
+  pull-requests: write
+  issues: write
+
+concurrency:
+  group: pr-sentinel-${{ github.event.pull_request.number || github.run_id }}
+  cancel-in-progress: true
+
+jobs:
+  sentinel:
+    name: PR Sentinel
+    if: github.repository == 'thunderbird/thunderbird-android'
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    timeout-minutes: 10
+    environment: botmobile
+    env:
+      GH_REPO: ${{ github.repository }}
+    steps:
+      - name: Checkout code
+        uses: actions/checkout@3d3c42e5aac5ba805825da76410c181273ba90b1 # v7.0.1
+        with:
+          ref: ${{ github.event.repository.default_branch }}
+          persist-credentials: false
+
+      - name: App token generate
+        uses: actions/create-github-app-token@bcd2ba49218906704ab6c1aa796996da409d3eb1  # v3.2.0
+        id: app-token
+        with:
+          client-id: ${{ vars.BOT_CLIENT_ID }}
+          private-key: ${{ secrets.BOT_PRIVATE_KEY }}
+
+      - name: Determine target PRs
+        id: prs
+        env:
+          GH_TOKEN: ${{ steps.app-token.outputs.token }}
+          EVENT_NAME: ${{ github.event_name }}
+          EVENT_PR: ${{ github.event.pull_request.number }}
+          INPUT_PR: ${{ github.event.inputs.pr_number }}
+        run: |
+          set -euo pipefail
+          if [[ "$EVENT_NAME" == "pull_request_target" ]]; then
+            numbers="$EVENT_PR"
+          elif [[ -n "$INPUT_PR" ]]; then
+            numbers="$INPUT_PR"
+          else
+            numbers="$(gh pr list --state open --json number --jq 'map(.number) | join(" ")')"
+          fi
+          echo "numbers=${numbers}" >> "$GITHUB_OUTPUT"
+
+      - name: Evaluate and report
+        env:
+          GH_TOKEN: ${{ steps.app-token.outputs.token }}
+          NUMBERS: ${{ steps.prs.outputs.numbers }}
+          DRY_RUN_INPUT: ${{ github.event.inputs.dry_run }}
+        run: |
+          set -euo pipefail
+          args=()
+          if [[ "${DRY_RUN_INPUT:-false}" == "true" ]]; then args+=(--dry-run); fi
+          overall=0
+          for pr in $NUMBERS; do
+            ./scripts/ci/pr-sentinel/report-pr.sh "$pr" "${args[@]}" || overall=1
+          done
+          exit "$overall"

docs/contributing/contribution-workflow.md

@@ -213,10 +213,14 @@ To submit your changes for review:
    - Base branch: `main`
    - Head repo: your fork & branch
 4. Select your fork and branch as the source
-5. Click **Create pull request**
+5. Make sure your [Pull Request Description](https://github.com/thunderbird/thunderbird-android/blob/main/docs/contributing-workflow.md#pull-request-description)
+   is compliant with our guidelines
+6. Click **Create pull request**
 
 ### Pull Request Description
 
+Before start writing the description, read the Pull Request template that will be prompted for you.
+
 Write a clear and concise description for your pull request:
 
 1. Reference the issue number (e.g., "Fixes #123", "Resolves #456")
@@ -225,12 +229,29 @@ Write a clear and concise description for your pull request:
 4. Include screenshots or videos for UI changes
 5. Mention any related issues or pull requests
 
-Example:
+#### Mandatory fields
+
+When writing your Pull Request Description, you must fill all the mandatory fields:
+
+- **Linked Issue/Ticket**
+  - Must use closing keywords, e.g. Closes, Fixes, Resolves, etc. See [Linking a pull request to an issue using a keyword](https://docs.github.com/en/issues/tracking-your-work-with-issues/using-issues/linking-a-pull-request-to-an-issue#linking-a-pull-request-to-an-issue-using-a-keyword)
+    for available keywords.
+- **Description**
+- **AI Disclosure**
+  - Must check at least one of the checkboxes
+- **Contribution Checklist**
+  - Must follow all the instructions of the checklist and then mark as completed by checking all.
+
+An automated PR Sentinel will be checking if you are following the requirements and will flag the PR if not.
+See [Automated PR checks (PR Sentinel)](https://github.com/thunderbird/thunderbird-android/blob/main/docs/contributing/contribution-workflow.md#-automated-pr-checks-pr-sentinel)
+for more details.
+
+#### Example
 
 ```markdown
 ## Contribution Summary
 
-Linked Issue/Ticket: #123
+Linked Issue/Ticket: Closes #123
 RFC / Technical Design (if applicable):
 
 #### Description
@@ -240,16 +261,36 @@ This PR adds email validation to the login form. It:
 - Shows error messages for invalid emails
 - Adds unit tests for the validation logic
 
-#### Screen Shots
+#### Screenshots
 
-[Screenshot of error message]
+[Screenshot of the error message]
 
 #### Testing
 
 1. Enter an invalid email (e.g., "test@")
 2. Verify that an error message appears
 3. Enter a valid email
 4. Verify that the error message disappears
+
+## AI Disclosure
+
+Select **one** of the following (mandatory)
+
+- [x] This contribution does not include any changes created or assisted by AI.
+- [ ] This contribution includes changes assisted by AI.
+- [ ] This contribution includes changes created by AI.
+
+## Contribution Checklist
+
+- [x] I have read, and I affirm that my contribution adheres to [Mozilla’s Community Participation Guidelines](https://www.mozilla.org/en-US/about/governance/policies/participation/)
+- [x] This contribution is in Kotlin where possible
+- [x] This contribution does not use merge commits
+- [x] This contribution adheres to the existing codestyle (run `gradlew spotlessCheck` to check and `gradlew spotlessApply` to format your source code; will be checked by CI).
+- [x] This contribution does not break existing unit tests (run `gradlew testDebugUnitTest`; will be checked by CI).
+- [x] This contribution includes tests for any new functionality, and maintains tests for any updated functionality.
+- [x] This contribution adheres to our [Engineering process](https://github.com/thunderbird/thunderbird-android/tree/main/docs/engineering) (RFC/Technical Design/ADR)
+- [x] This PR has a descriptive title and body that accurately outlines all changes made, and contains a reference to any issues that it fixes (e.g. _Closes #XXX_ or _Fixes #XXX_).
+
 ```
 
 ## 👀 Code Review Process
@@ -265,6 +306,26 @@ After submitting your pull request:
 
 👉 For expectations and etiquette, see [Code Review Guide](code-review-guide.md).
 
+### 🤖 Automated PR checks (PR Sentinel)
+
+Every PR is validated automatically to verify if the PR is ready for review. To be reviewable it must have:
+
+1. A **linked issue** in the description (e.g. `Closes #123`).
+2. A **Conventional Commit title** (see the [Git Commit Guide](git-commit-guide.md)).
+3. **Conventional Commit messages** on every commit, with **no `Co-authored-by:` trailers**.
+4. A completed **AI Disclosure** section (exactly one option selected).
+5. **No merge commits** — rebase onto the base branch instead of merging.
+
+When something is missing, PR Sentinel posts a single comment listing it and labels the PR
+`pr-sentinel: needs updates`. If it stays unresolved, the bot posts a closing warning after **1 day**
+and **auto-closes the PR after 3 days**.
+
+Push a fix (or edit the description), and the comment is removed, the `pr-sentinel: needs updates`
+label is swapped for **`pr-sentinel: ready for review`**, and the check turns green.
+
+**Draft PRs are skipped** until marked ready for review, and **bot PRs** (Dependabot, Renovate, …) are exempt.
+Everyone else — **including maintainers and members** — must comply.
+
 ## 🔄 Keeping Your Fork Updated
 
 To keep your fork in sync with the main repository:

docs/contributing/git-commit-guide.md

@@ -5,6 +5,14 @@ This makes your work easier to review, track, and maintain for everyone involved
 
 ## ✍️ Commit Message Format
 
+> [!IMPORTANT]
+> **Enforced in CI:**
+> - the PR title **and every commit subject** must match this format (checked by the [PR Sentinel workflow](https://github.com/thunderbird/thunderbird-android/blob/main/.github/workflows/pr-sentinel.yml)).
+> - The `<description>` must be 70 characters or fewer.
+>
+> See [Automated PR checks (PR Sentinel)](https://github.com/thunderbird/thunderbird-android/blob/main/docs/contributing/contribution-workflow.md#-automated-pr-checks-pr-sentinel)
+> for more details.
+
 ```git
 <type>(<scope>): <description>
 
@@ -17,7 +25,7 @@ Components:
 
 - `<type>`: The [type of change](#-commit-types) being made (e.g., feat, fix, docs).
 - `<scope>` **(optional)**: The [scope](#optional-scope) indicates the area of the codebase affected by the change (e.g., auth, ui).
-- `<description>`: Short description of the change (50 characters or less)
+- `<description>`: Short description of the change (70 characters or less)
 - `<body>` **(optional)**: Explain what changed and why, include context if helpful.
 - `<footer(s)>` **(optional)**: Include issue references, breaking changes, etc.
 
@@ -63,20 +71,21 @@ Fixes #123
 The **scope** is optional but recommended for clarity, especially for large changes or or when multiple areas of the
 codebase are involved.
 
-|   Scope    |   Use for...   |                 Example                  |
-|------------|----------------|------------------------------------------|
-| `auth`     | Authentication | `feat(auth): add login functionality`    |
-| `settings` | User settings  | `feat(settings): add dark mode toggle`   |
-| `build`    | Build system   | `fix(build): improve build performance`  |
-| `ui`       | UI/theme       | `refactor(ui): split theme into modules` |
-| `deps`     | Dependencies   | `chore(deps): bump Kotlin to 2.0.0`      |
+|   Scope    |    Use for...    |                 Example                  |
+|------------|------------------|------------------------------------------|
+| `auth`     | Authentication   | `feat(auth): add login functionality`    |
+| `settings` | User settings    | `feat(settings): add dark mode toggle`   |
+| `build`    | Build system     | `fix(build): improve build performance`  |
+| `ci`       | CI configuration | `chore(ci): add PR Sentinel workflow`    |
+| `ui`       | UI/theme         | `refactor(ui): split theme into modules` |
+| `deps`     | Dependencies     | `chore(deps): bump Kotlin to 2.0.0`      |
 
 ## 🧠 Best Practices
 
 ### 1. One Commit, One Purpose
 
 - ✅ Each commit should represent a single logical change or addition to the codebase.
-- ❌ Don’t mix unrelated changes together (e.g., fixing a bug and updating docs, or changing a style and )
+- ❌ Don’t mix unrelated changes together (e.g., fixing a bug and updating docs, or changing a style and
   adding a feature).
 
 ### 2. Keep It Manageable