GitHub’s changelog from today says you can configure pull request limits so drafts count. Previously they didn’t, which was the loophole. The community post names the checkbox under Repository settings → Moderation → Interaction Limits → Pull request limits: Count draft pull requests toward the limit.

I fetched the live repository and organization how-to markdown (HTTP Date Thu, 08 Oct 2026 21:02:51 GMT, no last-modified). Both still say “Draft pull requests do not count toward a user’s limit.” The configure steps still only pick a maximum and an optional bypass list.

The GET response schema for .../interaction-limits/pulls/creation-cap includes include_drafts. PATCH accepts it as a body field (boolean, not required). The PATCH example sets it true. I queried the docs; I did not set a cap.