diff --git a/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/bug-report.md b/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/bug-report.md
deleted file mode 100644
index 5c4db1e2e..000000000
--- a/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/bug-report.md
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,50 +0,0 @@
----
-name: "Bug report"
-about: Report a bug in SearXNG"
-labels: ["bug"]
-type: "bug"
----
-
-_Replace this placeholder with a meaningful and precise description of the bug._
-
-<!-- FILL IN THESE FIELDS .. and delete the comments after reading.
-
-     Use Markdown for formatting ->  https://www.markdowntools.io/cheat-sheet
--->
-
-### How To Reproduce?
-
-<!-- How can we reproduce this issue? (as minimally and as precisely as
-     possible) -->
-
-### Expected behavior
-
-<!-- A clear and concise description of what you expected to happen. -->
-
-### Screenshots & Logs
-
-<!-- If applicable, add screenshots, logs to help explain your problem. -->
-
-### Version of SearXNG
-
-<!-- Commit number if you are using on master branch and stipulate if you forked
-     SearXNG -->
-
-<!-- Look at the bottom of the SearXNG page and check for the version after
-     "Powered by SearXNG" If you are using a forked version of SearXNG include a
-     link to the fork source code. -->
-
-### How did you install SearXNG?
-
-<!-- Did you install SearXNG using the official documentation or using
-     searxng-docker? -->
-
-### Additional context
-
-<!-- Add any other context about the problem here. -->
-
-### Code of Conduct
-
-[AI Policy]: https://github.com/searxng/searxng/blob/master/AI_POLICY.rst
-
-- [ ] I read the [AI Policy] and hereby confirm that this issue conforms with the policy.
diff --git a/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/bug-report.yml b/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/bug-report.yml
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..c68c85640
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/bug-report.yml
@@ -0,0 +1,62 @@
+name: Bug report
+description: Report a bug in SearXNG
+labels: ["bug"]
+type: bug
+body:
+  - type: textarea
+    id: description
+    attributes:
+      label: Description
+      description: A meaningful and precise description of the bug.
+    validations:
+      required: true
+
+  - type: textarea
+    id: reproduce
+    attributes:
+      label: How to reproduce
+      description: How can we reproduce this issue? As minimally and as precisely as possible.
+    validations:
+      required: true
+
+  - type: textarea
+    id: logs
+    attributes:
+      label: Screenshots & Logs
+      description: If applicable, add screenshots or logs to help explain your problem.
+
+  - type: input
+    id: version
+    attributes:
+      label: Version of SearXNG
+      description: >
+        Look at the bottom of the SearXNG page after "Powered by SearXNG".
+        If you are on master, use the commit. If you forked SearXNG, include a link to the fork.
+      placeholder: e.g. 2026.9.13+96479fff6
+    validations:
+      required: true
+
+  - type: dropdown
+    id: install
+    attributes:
+      label: How did you install SearXNG?
+      description: https://docs.searxng.org/admin/installation.html
+      options:
+        - Public instance
+        - Installation script
+        - Docker Compose
+        - Docker (docker run)
+        - Podman
+        - Other
+    validations:
+      required: true
+
+  - type: checkboxes
+    id: ai-policy
+    attributes:
+      label: Code of Conduct
+      options:
+        - label: >
+            I read the [AI Policy](https://github.com/searxng/searxng/blob/master/AI_POLICY.rst)
+            and hereby confirm that this issue conforms with the policy.
+          required: true
diff --git a/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/engine-request.md b/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/engine-request.md
deleted file mode 100644
index d27417e47..000000000
--- a/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/engine-request.md
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,46 +0,0 @@
----
-name: Engine request"
-about: Request a new engine in SearXNG"
-labels: ["engine request"]
-type: "feature"
----
-
-<!-- FILL IN THESE FIELDS .. and delete the comments after reading.
-
-     Use Markdown for formatting ->  https://www.markdowntools.io/cheat-sheet
--->
-
-### Working URL to the engine
-
-<!-- Please check if the engine is responding correctly before submitting -->
-
-### Why do you want to add this engine?
-
-<!-- What's special about this engine?  -->
-
-### Features of this engine
-
-<!-- Features of this engine: Serves special content, is fast, is easy to
-     integrate, ... ? -->
-
-### How can SearXNG fetch results from this engine?
-
-<!-- List API URL, example code and more that could be useful for the developers
-     in order to implement this engine.  If you don't know what to write, let
-     this part blank. -->
-
-### Applicable category of this engine
-
-<!-- Where should this new engine fit in SearXNG?  Current categories in
-     SearXNG: general, files, images, it, map, music, news, science, social
-     media and videos. -->
-
-### Additional context
-
-<!-- Add any other context about the problem here. -->
-
-### Code of Conduct
-
-[AI Policy]: https://github.com/searxng/searxng/blob/master/AI_POLICY.rst
-
-- [ ] I read the [AI Policy] and hereby confirm that this issue conforms with the policy.
diff --git a/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/engine-request.yml b/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/engine-request.yml
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..ce4efc2ae
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/engine-request.yml
@@ -0,0 +1,56 @@
+name: Engine request
+description: Request a new engine in SearXNG
+labels: ["engine request"]
+type: feature
+body:
+  - type: input
+    id: url
+    attributes:
+      label: Working URL to the engine
+      description: Please check if the engine is responding correctly before submitting.
+      placeholder: https://example.com/search?q=foobar
+    validations:
+      required: true
+
+  - type: textarea
+    id: why
+    attributes:
+      label: Why do you want to add this engine?
+      description: What's special about this engine?
+    validations:
+      required: true
+
+  - type: dropdown
+    id: category
+    attributes:
+      label: Category
+      description: Where should this new engine fit in SearXNG?
+      options:
+        - general
+        - files
+        - images
+        - it
+        - map
+        - music
+        - news
+        - science
+        - social media
+        - videos
+    validations:
+      required: true
+
+  - type: textarea
+    id: fetch
+    attributes:
+      label: How can SearXNG fetch results?
+      description: API URL, example code, etc... anything that you think could be useful. Leave blank if you don't know.
+
+  - type: checkboxes
+    id: ai-policy
+    attributes:
+      label: Code of Conduct
+      options:
+        - label: >
+            I read the [AI Policy](https://github.com/searxng/searxng/blob/master/AI_POLICY.rst)
+            and hereby confirm that this issue conforms with the policy.
+          required: true
diff --git a/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/feature-request.md b/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/feature-request.md
deleted file mode 100644
index d488a4e74..000000000
--- a/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/feature-request.md
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,32 +0,0 @@
----
-name: "Feature request"
-about: "Request a new feature in SearXNG"
-labels: ["new feature"]
-type: "feature"
----
-
-_Replace this placeholder with a concise description of the feature._
-
-<!-- FILL IN THESE FIELDS .. and delete the comments after reading.
-
-     Use Markdown for formatting ->  https://www.markdowntools.io/cheat-sheet
--->
-
-### Is your feature request related to a problem?
-
-<!-- A clear and concise description of what the problem is. Ex. I'm always
-     frustrated when [...] -->
-
-### Describe the solution you'd like
-
-<!-- A clear and concise description of what you want to happen. -->
-
-### Describe alternatives you've considered
-
-<!-- A clear and concise description of any alternative solutions or features you've considered. -->
-
-### Code of Conduct
-
-[AI Policy]: https://github.com/searxng/searxng/blob/master/AI_POLICY.rst
-
-- [ ] I read the [AI Policy] and hereby confirm that this issue conforms with the policy.
diff --git a/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/feature-request.yml b/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/feature-request.yml
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..a657ca850
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/feature-request.yml
@@ -0,0 +1,45 @@
+name: Feature request
+description: Request a new feature in SearXNG
+labels: ["new feature"]
+type: feature
+body:
+  - type: textarea
+    id: description
+    attributes:
+      label: Description
+      description: A concise description of the feature.
+    validations:
+      required: true
+
+  - type: textarea
+    id: problem
+    attributes:
+      label: Is your feature request related to a problem?
+      description: A clear and concise description of what the problem is.
+      placeholder: I'm always frustrated when [...]
+
+  - type: textarea
+    id: solution
+    attributes:
+      label: Describe the solution you'd like
+      description: A clear and concise description of what you want to happen.
+      placeholder: I want to be able to [...]
+    validations:
+      required: true
+
+  - type: textarea
+    id: alternatives
+    attributes:
+      label: Describe alternatives you've considered
+      description: A clear and concise description of any alternative solutions or features you've considered.
+      placeholder: I've considered [...]
+
+  - type: checkboxes
+    id: ai-policy
+    attributes:
+      label: Code of Conduct
+      options:
+        - label: >
+            I read the [AI Policy](https://github.com/searxng/searxng/blob/master/AI_POLICY.rst)
+            and hereby confirm that this issue conforms with the policy.
+          required: true
diff --git a/.github/scripts/ai_policy.cjs b/.github/scripts/ai_policy.cjs
index 626deb1ce..5a5e49e71 100644
--- a/.github/scripts/ai_policy.cjs
+++ b/.github/scripts/ai_policy.cjs
@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@ module.exports = async ({ github, context }) => {
 
   // https://github.com/searxng/searxng/pull/6476#discussion_r3683782481
   const hasBox = /\[[Xx]\].*AI Policy/.test(body);
-  const hasRef = /\[AI Policy\]:\s*https:\/\/github\.com\/searxng\/searxng\/.*AI_POLICY/.test(body);
+  const hasRef = /\[AI Policy\](?::\s*|\()https:\/\/github\.com\/searxng\/searxng\/.*AI_POLICY/.test(body);
   if (hasBox && hasRef) {
     return;
   }