diff --git a/app/(app)/create/CreateFlowLayoutClient.tsx b/app/(app)/create/CreateFlowLayoutClient.tsx
index 9230b57..0499c88 100644
--- a/app/(app)/create/CreateFlowLayoutClient.tsx
+++ b/app/(app)/create/CreateFlowLayoutClient.tsx
@@ -593,7 +593,7 @@ function CreateFlowLayoutContent({
           key: "publish",
           status: "danger" as const,
           title:
-            messages.create.reviewAndComplete.publish.finalizeBannerTitle,
+            messages.create.reviewAndComplete.publish.publishBannerTitle,
           description: publishBannerMessage,
           onClose: () => setPublishBannerMessage(null),
         }
@@ -956,8 +956,8 @@ function CreateFlowLayoutContent({
                 {isFinalReviewLike
                   ? isPublishing
                     ? messages.create.reviewAndComplete.publish
-                        .finalizeButtonPublishing
-                    : footer.finalizeCommunityRule
+                        .publishButtonPublishing
+                    : footer.publishCommunityRule
                   : getDefaultFooterLabel(currentStep, footer)}
               </Button>
             ) : null
diff --git a/app/(app)/create/hooks/useCreateFlowFinalize.ts b/app/(app)/create/hooks/useCreateFlowFinalize.ts
index 849d4a0..52a007c 100644
--- a/app/(app)/create/hooks/useCreateFlowFinalize.ts
+++ b/app/(app)/create/hooks/useCreateFlowFinalize.ts
@@ -47,7 +47,7 @@ export function useCreateFlowFinalize({
   /** Session gate return path (`?syncDraft=1`) — differs for `/create/edit-rule` vs `/create/final-review`. */
   loginReturnPath: string;
   /**
-   * `undefined` while `/api/auth/session` is in flight — finalize is a no-op
+   * `undefined` while `/api/auth/session` is in flight — publish is a no-op
    * until it resolves. `null` is a guest (anonymous publish).
    */
   sessionUser: SessionUser | null | undefined;
diff --git a/app/(app)/create/types.ts b/app/(app)/create/types.ts
index 56f4798..8ac929e 100644
--- a/app/(app)/create/types.ts
+++ b/app/(app)/create/types.ts
@@ -222,7 +222,7 @@ export interface CreateFlowState {
    */
   templateReviewEntryFromCreateFlow?: boolean;
   /**
-   * When set, **Finalize** and signed-in **Save & Exit** update this published
+   * When set, **Publish** and signed-in **Save & Exit** update this published
    * rule (PATCH) instead of POSTing a new rule or only saving a draft.
    */
   editingPublishedRuleId?: string;
diff --git a/app/(app)/create/utils/createFlowFooterLabels.ts b/app/(app)/create/utils/createFlowFooterLabels.ts
index be3a82a..2d045b7 100644
--- a/app/(app)/create/utils/createFlowFooterLabels.ts
+++ b/app/(app)/create/utils/createFlowFooterLabels.ts
@@ -10,8 +10,8 @@ type FooterMessages = typeof footerMessages;
  * from this map fall back to `footer.next`.
  *
  * `final-review` is handled separately by the caller because its label
- * also depends on the in-flight publish flag (`finalizeButtonPublishing`
- * vs `finalizeCommunityRule`).
+ * also depends on the in-flight publish flag (`publishButtonPublishing`
+ * vs `publishCommunityRule`).
  */
 const DEFAULT_FOOTER_LABEL_BY_STEP: ReadonlyMap<
   CreateFlowStep,
diff --git a/app/(app)/create/utils/flowSteps.ts b/app/(app)/create/utils/flowSteps.ts
index 2251e1d..ac476d0 100644
--- a/app/(app)/create/utils/flowSteps.ts
+++ b/app/(app)/create/utils/flowSteps.ts
@@ -202,7 +202,7 @@ export const TEMPLATE_REVIEW_FROM_CREATE_FLOW_VALUE = "1" as const;
 export const TEMPLATES_FACET_RECOMMEND_QUERY = "recommendTemplates" as const;
 export const TEMPLATES_FACET_RECOMMEND_VALUE = "1" as const;
 
-/** `/create/completed?celebrate=1` — post-finalize toast; set only after **initial** POST publish, not PATCH updates. */
+/** `/create/completed?celebrate=1` — post-publish toast; set only after **initial** POST publish, not PATCH updates. */
 export const CREATE_FLOW_COMPLETED_CELEBRATE_QUERY = "celebrate" as const;
 export const CREATE_FLOW_COMPLETED_CELEBRATE_VALUE = "1" as const;
 
diff --git a/docs/create-flow.md b/docs/create-flow.md
index a5498bf..31e2880 100644
--- a/docs/create-flow.md
+++ b/docs/create-flow.md
@@ -105,8 +105,8 @@ Only one `?fromFlow=1` marker exists, on one hop (`/create/review` → `/templat
 
 | Mode | Where progress lives | Save & Exit / publish |
 | --- | --- | --- |
-| **Anonymous** | `localStorage` key **`create-flow-anonymous`** | **Save & Exit** (from `community-structure` onward, plus `edit-rule`) opens the save-progress magic-link modal; after verify, optional **PUT** `/api/drafts/me` when `NEXT_PUBLIC_ENABLE_BACKEND_SYNC=true` (see Tickets 4–5 in [guides/backend-linear-tickets.md](guides/backend-linear-tickets.md)). **Finalize** `POST`s `/api/rules` without a session (`userId` null) and sets httpOnly **`cr_rule_claim`**. Landing on **`/create/completed`** opens a **keep-this-rule** magic-link modal (no draft transfer); the top nav stays **Save & Exit** so they can reopen it (**Continue without saving** from that control leaves the flow). After Finalize, skip on the auto-opened modal stays on completed. **Edit** shows when a last-published rule is in session storage. The public URL works; the row is omitted from `GET /api/rules` until claimed. Signing in on the same browser attaches `userId` (profile, edit, invites). |
-| **Signed-in** | In-memory React state in **`CreateFlowContext`** | **Save & Exit** from the **`community-structure`** step onward (and `edit-rule`) may **PUT** `/api/drafts/me` when sync is on. **Completed** is **Exit**. **Finalize** stores the rule with **`userId`**. **Sign out** is on profile, not in the create top nav. |
+| **Anonymous** | `localStorage` key **`create-flow-anonymous`** | **Save & Exit** (from `community-structure` onward, plus `edit-rule`) opens the save-progress magic-link modal; after verify, optional **PUT** `/api/drafts/me` when `NEXT_PUBLIC_ENABLE_BACKEND_SYNC=true` (see Tickets 4–5 in [guides/backend-linear-tickets.md](guides/backend-linear-tickets.md)). **Publish** `POST`s `/api/rules` without a session (`userId` null) and sets httpOnly **`cr_rule_claim`**. Landing on **`/create/completed`** opens a **keep-this-rule** magic-link modal (no draft transfer); the top nav stays **Save & Exit** so they can reopen it (**Continue without saving** from that control leaves the flow). After Publish, skip on the auto-opened modal stays on completed. **Edit** shows when a last-published rule is in session storage. The public URL works; the row is omitted from `GET /api/rules` until claimed. Signing in on the same browser attaches `userId` (profile, edit, invites). |
+| **Signed-in** | In-memory React state in **`CreateFlowContext`** | **Save & Exit** from the **`community-structure`** step onward (and `edit-rule`) may **PUT** `/api/drafts/me` when sync is on. **Completed** is **Exit**. **Publish** stores the rule with **`userId`**. **Sign out** is on profile, not in the create top nav. |
 
 Details and edge cases (conflict confirm, banners, `?syncDraft=1`) match **Ticket 4**, **Ticket 5**, and [`docs/guides/backend-roadmap.md`](guides/backend-roadmap.md) §12.
 
diff --git a/docs/guides/backend-linear-tickets.md b/docs/guides/backend-linear-tickets.md
index 61440c4..c982d18 100644
--- a/docs/guides/backend-linear-tickets.md
+++ b/docs/guides/backend-linear-tickets.md
@@ -218,19 +218,19 @@ Optional: **Docker image deploy** using the repo [Dockerfile](Dockerfile)—admi
 
 **Goal:** Completing the flow persists a **PublishedRule** via existing [publishRule](lib/create/api.ts).
 
-**Context:** [lib/create/api.ts](lib/create/api.ts) wraps `POST /api/rules` with Zod-validated body (Ticket 2). Finalize flows through [useCreateFlowFinalize](app/(app)/create/hooks/useCreateFlowFinalize.ts) from [CreateFlowLayoutClient](app/(app)/create/CreateFlowLayoutClient.tsx) (`final-review` → `publishRule` → `/create/completed`).
+**Context:** [lib/create/api.ts](lib/create/api.ts) wraps `POST /api/rules` with Zod-validated body (Ticket 2). Publish flows through [useCreateFlowFinalize](app/(app)/create/hooks/useCreateFlowFinalize.ts) from [CreateFlowLayoutClient](app/(app)/create/CreateFlowLayoutClient.tsx) (`final-review` → `publishRule` → `/create/completed`).
 
 **Implementation (shipped):**
 
 1. Map `CreateFlowState` → `title` / `summary` / `document` via [buildPublishPayload](lib/create/buildPublishPayload.ts) (and related builders).
-2. Call `publishRule` on explicit **Finalize** from `final-review` ([useCreateFlowFinalize](app/(app)/create/hooks/useCreateFlowFinalize.ts)).
+2. Call `publishRule` on explicit **Publish** from `final-review` ([useCreateFlowFinalize](app/(app)/create/hooks/useCreateFlowFinalize.ts)).
 3. **401** → `openLogin` with return path (Ticket 3 / `AuthModalProvider`).
 4. Success: navigate to `completed` with rule id in query string.
 
 **Acceptance criteria:**
 
 - [x] Published row appears in Postgres (`PublishedRule`) and `GET /api/rules` lists it.
-- [x] User sees clear success/failure (banner / flow state; see finalize hook).
+- [x] User sees clear success/failure (banner / flow state; see publish hook).
 
 **Files:** [app/(app)/create/hooks/useCreateFlowFinalize.ts](app/(app)/create/hooks/useCreateFlowFinalize.ts), [CreateFlowLayoutClient.tsx](app/(app)/create/CreateFlowLayoutClient.tsx), [app/api/rules/route.ts](app/api/rules/route.ts), [lib/create/api.ts](lib/create/api.ts), [lib/create/buildPublishPayload.ts](lib/create/buildPublishPayload.ts).
 
diff --git a/lib/create/pendingKeepRuleLogin.ts b/lib/create/pendingKeepRuleLogin.ts
index 145461d..9ca652c 100644
--- a/lib/create/pendingKeepRuleLogin.ts
+++ b/lib/create/pendingKeepRuleLogin.ts
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 /**
- * Guest finalize → `/create/completed` keep-this-rule login. Stored in
+ * Guest publish → `/create/completed` keep-this-rule login. Stored in
  * sessionStorage so the prompt survives create-layout remounts and is not
- * tied to the Finalize click (that click would otherwise dismiss the overlay).
+ * tied to the Publish click (that click would otherwise dismiss the overlay).
  */
 export const CREATE_FLOW_PENDING_KEEP_RULE_LOGIN_KEY =
   "createFlow.pendingKeepRuleLogin";
diff --git a/messages/en/create/footer.json b/messages/en/create/footer.json
index bb9573d..2f228e0 100644
--- a/messages/en/create/footer.json
+++ b/messages/en/create/footer.json
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@
   "confirmDetails": "Confirm details",
   "confirmDescription": "Confirm description",
   "confirmMembers": "Confirm members",
-  "finalizeCommunityRule": "Finalize CommunityRule",
+  "publishCommunityRule": "Publish CommunityRule",
   "confirmStakeholders": "Confirm Stakeholders",
   "confirmCoreValues": "Confirm values",
   "confirmCommunication": "Confirm",
diff --git a/messages/en/create/reviewAndComplete/finalReview.json b/messages/en/create/reviewAndComplete/finalReview.json
index 460378c..6a9deae 100644
--- a/messages/en/create/reviewAndComplete/finalReview.json
+++ b/messages/en/create/reviewAndComplete/finalReview.json
@@ -1,8 +1,8 @@
 {
   "title": "Review your CommunityRule",
-  "description": "Here's what other people will see. Make sure everything looks good before you finalize everything. Once the rule is finalized, you must use one of your decision-making mechanisms to edit it again.",
+  "description": "Here's what other people will see. Make sure everything looks good before you publish. Once the rule is published, you must use one of your decision-making mechanisms to edit it again.",
   "editPublishedTitle": "Edit your CommunityRule",
-  "editPublishedDescription": "Update what others see on your public rule. Save & Exit or Finalize applies changes to your published CommunityRule.",
+  "editPublishedDescription": "Update what others see on your public rule. Save & Exit or Publish applies changes to your published CommunityRule.",
   "ruleCardTitleFallback": "Your community",
   "chipEditModal": {
     "saveButton": "Save",
diff --git a/messages/en/create/reviewAndComplete/publish.json b/messages/en/create/reviewAndComplete/publish.json
index f428743..34362e9 100644
--- a/messages/en/create/reviewAndComplete/publish.json
+++ b/messages/en/create/reviewAndComplete/publish.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
-  "finalizeBannerTitle": "Couldn't publish",
-  "missingCommunityName": "Add a community name before finalizing.",
-  "finalizeButtonPublishing": "Publishing…",
+  "publishBannerTitle": "Couldn't publish",
+  "missingCommunityName": "Add a community name before publishing.",
+  "publishButtonPublishing": "Publishing…",
   "genericPublishFailed": "Something went wrong. Try again."
 }
diff --git a/stories/pages/FinalReviewPage.stories.js b/stories/pages/FinalReviewPage.stories.js
index 03a0e03..2019c2b 100644
--- a/stories/pages/FinalReviewPage.stories.js
+++ b/stories/pages/FinalReviewPage.stories.js
@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@ export default {
     docs: {
       description: {
         component:
-          "Pre-finalize review: HeaderLockup + expanded Rule sections.",
+          "Pre-publish review: HeaderLockup + expanded Rule sections.",
       },
     },
   },
diff --git a/tests/components/CompletedPage.test.tsx b/tests/components/CompletedPage.test.tsx
index 710ef06..aefdff6 100644
--- a/tests/components/CompletedPage.test.tsx
+++ b/tests/components/CompletedPage.test.tsx
@@ -84,7 +84,7 @@ describe("CompletedScreen", () => {
     expect(screen.getByText("Fixture value title")).toBeInTheDocument();
   });
 
-  it("does not show post-finalize toast without celebrate query", () => {
+  it("does not show post-publish toast without celebrate query", () => {
     render(<CompletedScreen />);
     expect(
       screen.queryByText(
@@ -98,7 +98,7 @@ describe("CompletedScreen", () => {
     ).not.toBeInTheDocument();
   });
 
-  it("shows post-finalize toast in status region when celebrate query is set", () => {
+  it("shows post-publish toast in status region when celebrate query is set", () => {
     mockSearchParams({
       [CREATE_FLOW_COMPLETED_CELEBRATE_QUERY]:
         CREATE_FLOW_COMPLETED_CELEBRATE_VALUE,
diff --git a/tests/components/FinalReviewPage.test.tsx b/tests/components/FinalReviewPage.test.tsx
index 178e3f8..1b64789 100644
--- a/tests/components/FinalReviewPage.test.tsx
+++ b/tests/components/FinalReviewPage.test.tsx
@@ -79,7 +79,7 @@ describe("FinalReviewScreen", () => {
     render(<FinalReviewScreen />);
     expect(
       screen.getByText(
-        /Here's what other people will see. Make sure everything looks good before you finalize everything. Once the rule is finalized, you must use one of your decision-making mechanisms to edit it again./i,
+        /Here's what other people will see. Make sure everything looks good before you publish. Once the rule is published, you must use one of your decision-making mechanisms to edit it again./i,
       ),
     ).toBeInTheDocument();
   });
@@ -1004,6 +1004,18 @@ function FinalReviewEditPublishedWithStateProbe({
 }
 
 describe("FinalReviewScreen — edit published title and description", () => {
+  it("renders edit-published lockup copy", () => {
+    render(<FinalReviewScreen variant="editPublished" />);
+    expect(
+      screen.getByRole("heading", { name: "Edit your CommunityRule" }),
+    ).toBeInTheDocument();
+    expect(
+      screen.getByText(
+        /Update what others see on your public rule. Save & Exit or Publish applies changes to your published CommunityRule./i,
+      ),
+    ).toBeInTheDocument();
+  });
+
   it("does not expose click-to-edit title or description on default final review", () => {
     render(
       <FinalReviewWithFlowState
diff --git a/tests/unit/createFooterMessages.test.ts b/tests/unit/createFooterMessages.test.ts
index 5ab1a44..12dd0ef 100644
--- a/tests/unit/createFooterMessages.test.ts
+++ b/tests/unit/createFooterMessages.test.ts
@@ -19,4 +19,10 @@ describe("create footer messages", () => {
   it("exposes confirmMembers for the community-size footer CTA", () => {
     expect(messages.create.footer.confirmMembers).toBe("Confirm members");
   });
+
+  it("exposes publishCommunityRule for the final-review footer CTA", () => {
+    expect(messages.create.footer.publishCommunityRule).toBe(
+      "Publish CommunityRule",
+    );
+  });
 });
diff --git a/tests/unit/hooks/useCreateFlowFinalize.test.tsx b/tests/unit/hooks/useCreateFlowFinalize.test.tsx
index 965d505..7a18b7f 100644
--- a/tests/unit/hooks/useCreateFlowFinalize.test.tsx
+++ b/tests/unit/hooks/useCreateFlowFinalize.test.tsx
@@ -258,7 +258,7 @@ describe("useCreateFlowFinalize", () => {
     });
   });
 
-  it("does not PATCH when a guest finalizes an already-published rule", async () => {
+  it("does not PATCH when a guest publishes an already-published rule", async () => {
     const { result } = renderHook(() =>
       useCreateFlowFinalize({
         state: {