diff --git a/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE.md b/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE.md
index 4f159c57c6..f71366f7bf 100644
--- a/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE.md
+++ b/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE.md
@@ -1,6 +1,8 @@
 <!-- Please, prefix the report title with the language it applies to within brackets, such as [java] or [apex].
 If not specific to a language, you can use [core]. -->
 
+<!-- NB: issues about the rule designer should be opened at https://github.com/pmd/pmd-designer/issues -->
+
 **Affects PMD Version:** 
 
 **Rule:**
diff --git a/docs/pages/release_notes.md b/docs/pages/release_notes.md
index b8f8783555..6bb82ddcaf 100644
--- a/docs/pages/release_notes.md
+++ b/docs/pages/release_notes.md
@@ -14,6 +14,10 @@ This is a {{ site.pmd.release_type }} release.
 
 ### New and noteworthy
 
+* The rule designer's codebase has been moved out of the main repository and
+will be developed at [pmd/pmd-designer](https://github.com/pmd/pmd-designer)
+from now on. The maven coordinates will stay the same for the time being.
+
 ### Fixed Issues
 
 ### API Changes