diff --git a/.github/workflows/require_issue_link.yml b/.github/workflows/require_issue_link.yml
index 0d524cada4d..c878d74faa4 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/require_issue_link.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/require_issue_link.yml
@@ -7,6 +7,8 @@
 # - Also re-checks on PR edits/reopens for PRs that already have the label.
 # - Validates the PR author is an assignee on at least one linked issue.
 # - Adds a "missing-issue-link" label on failure; removes it on pass.
+# - Automatically reopens PRs that were closed by this workflow once the
+#   check passes (e.g. author edits the body to add a valid issue link).
 # - Posts a comment explaining the requirement on failure.
 # - Deduplicates comments via an HTML marker so re-runs don't spam.
 #
@@ -92,7 +94,7 @@ jobs:
               owner, repo, issue_number: prNumber, labels: ['missing-issue-link'],
             });
 
-      - name: Remove missing-issue-link label
+      - name: Remove missing-issue-link label and reopen PR
         if: steps.check-link.outputs.has-link == 'true' && steps.check-link.outputs.is-assigned == 'true'
         uses: actions/github-script@v8
         with:
@@ -107,6 +109,18 @@ jobs:
               if (error.status !== 404) throw error;
             }
 
+            // Reopen PR only if it was previously closed by this workflow
+            const labels = context.payload.pull_request.labels.map(l => l.name);
+            if (context.payload.pull_request.state === 'closed' && labels.includes('missing-issue-link')) {
+              await github.rest.pulls.update({
+                owner,
+                repo,
+                pull_number: prNumber,
+                state: 'open',
+              });
+              console.log(`Reopened PR #${prNumber}`);
+            }
+
       - name: Post comment, close PR, and fail
         if: steps.check-link.outputs.has-link != 'true' || steps.check-link.outputs.is-assigned != 'true'
         uses: actions/github-script@v8
@@ -127,8 +141,7 @@ jobs:
                 'All external contributions must reference an approved issue or discussion. Please:',
                 '1. Find or [open an issue](https://github.com/' + owner + '/' + repo + '/issues/new/choose) describing the change',
                 '2. Wait for a maintainer to approve and assign you',
-                '3. Add `Fixes #<issue_number>`, `Closes #<issue_number>`, or `Resolves #<issue_number>` to your PR description',
-                '4. Ask a maintainer to reopen this PR',
+                '3. Add `Fixes #<issue_number>`, `Closes #<issue_number>`, or `Resolves #<issue_number>` to your PR description and the PR will be reopened automatically',
               ];
             } else {
               lines = [
@@ -137,7 +150,7 @@ jobs:
                 '',
                 'External contributors must be assigned to an issue before opening a PR for it. Please:',
                 '1. Comment on the linked issue to request assignment from a maintainer',
-                '2. Once assigned, ask a maintainer to reopen this PR',
+                '2. Once assigned, edit your PR description and the PR will be reopened automatically',
               ];
             }
 
diff --git a/.github/workflows/tag-external-contributions.yml b/.github/workflows/tag-external-contributions.yml
index 0cb941f6fa2..577ac67d6a4 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/tag-external-contributions.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/tag-external-contributions.yml
@@ -16,8 +16,7 @@
 # Without it, the workflow will fail.
 #
 # Contributor tier thresholds:
-#   - trusted-contributor: >= 4 merged PRs
-#   - experienced-contributor: >= 10 merged PRs
+#   - trusted-contributor: >= 5 merged PRs
 
 name: Tag External Contributions
 
@@ -184,8 +183,7 @@ jobs:
             const author = item.user.login;
             const issueNumber = item.number;
 
-            const TRUSTED_THRESHOLD = 4;
-            const EXPERIENCED_THRESHOLD = 10;
+            const TRUSTED_THRESHOLD = 5;
 
             const mergedQuery = `repo:${owner}/${repo} is:pr is:merged author:"${author}"`;
             let mergedCount = 0;
@@ -201,12 +199,7 @@ jobs:
               return;
             }
 
-            let label = null;
-            if (mergedCount >= EXPERIENCED_THRESHOLD) {
-              label = 'experienced-contributor';
-            } else if (mergedCount >= TRUSTED_THRESHOLD) {
-              label = 'trusted-contributor';
-            }
+            const label = mergedCount >= TRUSTED_THRESHOLD ? 'trusted-contributor' : null;
 
             if (label) {
               await github.rest.issues.addLabels({
@@ -244,12 +237,11 @@ jobs:
             const maxItems = parseInt('${{ inputs.max_items }}') || 100;
             const backfillType = '${{ inputs.backfill_type }}';
 
-            const TRUSTED_THRESHOLD = 4;
-            const EXPERIENCED_THRESHOLD = 10;
+            const TRUSTED_THRESHOLD = 5;
             const LABEL_COLOR = 'b76e79';
 
             const sizeLabels = ['size: XS', 'size: S', 'size: M', 'size: L', 'size: XL'];
-            const tierLabels = ['trusted-contributor', 'experienced-contributor'];
+            const tierLabels = ['trusted-contributor'];
 
             // Ensure tier and size labels exist
             for (const name of [...tierLabels, ...sizeLabels]) {
@@ -303,9 +295,7 @@ jobs:
             }
 
             function getTierLabel(mergedCount) {
-              if (mergedCount >= EXPERIENCED_THRESHOLD) return 'experienced-contributor';
-              if (mergedCount >= TRUSTED_THRESHOLD) return 'trusted-contributor';
-              return null;
+              return mergedCount >= TRUSTED_THRESHOLD ? 'trusted-contributor' : null;
             }
 
             function getSizeLabel(totalChangedLines) {