diff --git a/.github/workflows/cla-close-stale.yml b/.github/workflows/cla-close-stale.yml
index d76ecd8c..2bd2a78a 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/cla-close-stale.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/cla-close-stale.yml
@@ -12,18 +12,18 @@ permissions:
   issues: write
 
 # Configurable intervals (days).
-#   INTERVAL_1 = grace period before the warning comment.
-#   INTERVAL_2 = further period after the warning before closing.
+#   DAYS_BEFORE_WARNING = grace period before the warning comment.
+#   DAYS_BEFORE_CLOSURE = further period after the warning before closing.
 env:
-  INTERVAL_1: 14
-  INTERVAL_2: 14
+  DAYS_BEFORE_WARNING: 7
+  DAYS_BEFORE_CLOSURE: 21
 
 jobs:
   stale:
     runs-on: ubuntu-latest
     steps:
       - name: Close stale unsigned-CLA PRs
-        uses: actions/stale@v9
+        uses: actions/stale@eb5cf3af3ac0a1aa4c9c45633dd1ae542a27a899 #v10.3.0
         with:
           # ---- Guards: only act on PRs carrying the CLA label ----
           only-labels: 'awaiting cla'
@@ -33,21 +33,22 @@ jobs:
           days-before-issue-close: -1
 
           # ---- Timing ----
-          # INTERVAL_1: days of inactivity before the warning comment.
-          days-before-pr-stale: ${{ env.INTERVAL_1 }}
-          # INTERVAL_2: days after being marked stale before closing.
-          days-before-pr-close: ${{ env.INTERVAL_2 }}
+          # DAYS_BEFORE_WARNING: days of inactivity before the warning comment.
+          days-before-pr-stale: ${{ env.DAYS_BEFORE_WARNING }}
+          # DAYS_BEFORE_CLOSURE: days after being marked stale before closing.
+          days-before-pr-close: ${{ env.DAYS_BEFORE_CLOSURE }}
 
           # ---- Warning comment (posted once when marked stale) ----
           stale-pr-message: >
-            This PR will be automatically closed if the CLA is not signed
-            within ${{ env.INTERVAL_2 }} days.
+            As we are unable to accept contributions unless the CLA has
+            been signed, this PR will be automatically closed if the CLA
+            is not signed within ${{ env.DAYS_BEFORE_CLOSURE }} days.
 
           # ---- Close comment ----
           close-pr-message: >
-            This PR has been automatically closed as the CLA has not been
-            signed. We are happy to have it reopened if the CLA is signed
-            subsequently.
+            This PR has been automatically closed as the CLA remains
+            unsigned. We will be happy to have it reopened if the CLA
+            is signed subsequently.
 
           # A dedicated marker label so we can track stale state without
           # interfering with the "awaiting cla" label.