diff --git a/.github/PULL_REQUEST_TEMPLATE.md b/.github/PULL_REQUEST_TEMPLATE.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..b946d56
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.github/PULL_REQUEST_TEMPLATE.md
@@ -0,0 +1,15 @@
+## Problem and change
+
+Describe the concrete problem and resulting behavior. Link an issue if applicable.
+
+## Validation
+
+List the commands or manual checks run and their results. Explain checks not run.
+
+## Review checklist
+
+- [ ] The branch targets the current default branch and preserves unrelated work.
+- [ ] Documentation and configuration match the implemented behavior.
+- [ ] Tests cover changed behavior where appropriate.
+- [ ] No credentials, personal records, or client data are included.
+- [ ] Deployment, migration, dependency, and rollback implications are documented where relevant.
diff --git a/.github/workflows/quality.yml b/.github/workflows/quality.yml
index 8d100e4..febd1b7 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/quality.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/quality.yml
@@ -38,5 +38,8 @@ jobs:
       - name: Import smoke test
         run: python -c "import app; import engine.pipeline; import engine.lead_scraper; import engine.followup_engine; import engine.social_manager"
 
+      - name: Import regression tests
+        run: python -m unittest discover -s tests -v
+
       - name: Check required configuration files
         run: python -c "from pathlib import Path; assert Path('.env.example').exists(); assert Path('README.md').exists(); assert Path('SECURITY.md').exists(); assert Path('CONTRIBUTING.md').exists()"
diff --git a/engine/followup_engine.py b/engine/followup_engine.py
index c39fbf2..93a3bdc 100644
--- a/engine/followup_engine.py
+++ b/engine/followup_engine.py
@@ -29,10 +29,10 @@
 from typing import Optional, List, Dict, Tuple, Any
 
 # Ensure we can import from pipeline.py
-try:
+if __package__:
+    from .pipeline import load_and_validate_env, detect_smtp_provider, is_valid_email
+else:
     from pipeline import load_and_validate_env, detect_smtp_provider, is_valid_email
-except ImportError:
-    sys.exit("❌  Could not import from pipeline.py. Make sure pipeline.py is in the same directory.")
 
 # ════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════
 #  LOGGING SETUP
diff --git a/tests/test_imports.py b/tests/test_imports.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..191f4ff
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/test_imports.py
@@ -0,0 +1,22 @@
+"""Import regression tests; never run outbound sales workflows."""
+import subprocess
+import sys
+import unittest
+from pathlib import Path
+
+ROOT = Path(__file__).resolve().parents[1]
+
+
+class ImportTests(unittest.TestCase):
+    def check_import(self, code):
+        result = subprocess.run([sys.executable, "-c", code], cwd=ROOT,
+                                capture_output=True, text=True, timeout=30, check=False)
+        self.assertEqual(result.returncode, 0, result.stderr or result.stdout)
+
+    def test_package_import(self):
+        self.check_import("from engine import followup_engine, pipeline; "
+                          "assert followup_engine.is_valid_email is pipeline.is_valid_email")
+
+    def test_script_import(self):
+        self.check_import("import sys, runpy; sys.path.insert(0, 'engine'); "
+                          "runpy.run_path('engine/followup_engine.py', run_name='import_check')")