app/(app)/create/CreateFlowLayoutClient.tsx

@@ -84,6 +84,7 @@ import { SignedInDraftHydration } from "./SignedInDraftHydration";
 import { CreateFlowPendingAvatarFlush } from "./components/CreateFlowPendingAvatarFlush";
 import Alert from "../../components/modals/Alert";
 import Create from "../../components/modals/Create";
+import { MODAL_FOOTER_START_SLOT_CLASS } from "../../components/modals/ModalFooter";
 import Share from "../../components/modals/Share";
 import {
   CreateFlowDraftSaveBannerProvider,
@@ -637,6 +638,7 @@ function CreateFlowLayoutContent({
         nextButtonText={messages.create.topNav.leaveConfirmProceed}
         onNext={() => closeLeaveConfirm(true)}
         footerContent={
+          <div className={MODAL_FOOTER_START_SLOT_CLASS}>
             <Button
               buttonType="ghost"
               palette="default"
@@ -645,6 +647,7 @@ function CreateFlowLayoutContent({
             >
               {messages.create.topNav.leaveConfirmCancel}
             </Button>
+          </div>
         }
         backdropVariant="blurredYellow"
         ariaLabel={messages.create.topNav.leaveConfirmTitle}

app/(app)/create/components/methodEditFields/CoreValueEditFields.tsx

@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@ import type { CoreValueDetailEntry } from "../../types";
 export interface CoreValueEditFieldsProps {
   value: CoreValueDetailEntry;
   onChange: (_next: CoreValueDetailEntry) => void;
-  /** View mode until the user taps **Customize**. */
+  /** Disable meaning/signals. Create-flow core-values omits this; final-review locks until Customize. */
   readOnly?: boolean;
 }
 

app/(app)/create/screens/select/CoreValuesSelectScreen.tsx

@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@ import ContentLockup from "../../../../components/type/ContentLockup";
 import { useMessages } from "../../../../contexts/MessagesContext";
 import { buildCoreValueChipOptionsFromDraft } from "../../../../../lib/create/coreValueChipOptionsFromDraft";
 import { useCreateFlow } from "../../context/CreateFlowContext";
-import { useDiscardCustomizeConfirm } from "../../hooks/useDiscardCustomizeConfirm";
+import { useAsyncConfirm } from "../../../../hooks/useAsyncConfirm";
 import type {
   CommunityStructureChipSnapshotRow,
   CoreValueDetailEntry,
@@ -16,14 +16,7 @@ import type {
 import { CreateFlowHeaderLockup } from "../../components/CreateFlowHeaderLockup";
 import { CreateFlowTwoColumnSelectShell } from "../../components/CreateFlowTwoColumnSelectShell";
 import { CoreValueEditFields } from "../../components/methodEditFields";
-import MethodCardCustomizeModalHeader from "../../components/MethodCardCustomizeModalHeader";
 import { buildCustomRuleModalKebabMenu } from "../../components/customRuleModalKebabMenu";
-import {
-  captureMethodCardCustomizeSnapshot,
-  isMethodCardCustomizeSessionDirty,
-  type MethodCardCustomizeSnapshot,
-  type MethodCardHeaderDraft,
-} from "../../../../../lib/create/methodCardCustomizeSession";
 import {
   duplicateCoreValueChipInDraft,
   MAX_SELECTED_CORE_VALUES,
@@ -37,8 +30,7 @@ const MAX_CORE_VALUES = MAX_SELECTED_CORE_VALUES;
  * Why three sessions, not two:
  *
  * - `pending` — preset chip just selected; modal opened to capture
- *   meaning/signals. Dismiss = unselect the chip (keep it in the
+ *   meaning/signals. Close (X) confirms, then unselects the chip.
- *   preset row, just not selected).
  * - `customPending` — brand-new custom chip just created via the Add
  *   value flow; modal opened with empty fields. Dismiss = drop the
  *   chip entirely (it was never confirmed via the Add Value button).
@@ -101,13 +93,11 @@ export function CoreValuesSelectScreen() {
     [cv.values],
   );
 
-  const { confirmDiscard, confirmDirtyCustomizeCancel, confirmDialog } =
+  const { requestConfirm, confirmDialog } = useAsyncConfirm();
-    useDiscardCustomizeConfirm();
   const { markCreateFlowInteraction, updateState, replaceState, state } =
     useCreateFlow();
 
-  const coreCustomizeSnapshotRef =
+  const initialDraftRef = useRef<CoreValueDetailEntry | null>(null);
-    useRef<MethodCardCustomizeSnapshot<CoreValueDetailEntry> | null>(null);
   const pendingEphemeralCoreDuplicateRef = useRef<string | null>(null);
 
   const [coreValueOptions, setCoreValueOptions] = useState<ChipOption[]>(() =>
@@ -123,9 +113,6 @@ export function CoreValuesSelectScreen() {
   );
   const [modalSession, setModalSession] = useState<ModalSession | null>(null);
   const [draft, setDraft] = useState<CoreValueDetailEntry>(EMPTY_DETAIL);
-  const [modalEditUnlocked, setModalEditUnlocked] = useState(false);
-  const [customizeHeaderDraft, setCustomizeHeaderDraft] =
-    useState<MethodCardHeaderDraft | null>(null);
 
   useEffect(() => {
     setCoreValueOptions(
@@ -190,12 +177,11 @@ export function CoreValuesSelectScreen() {
       valueLabel: string,
       seedDetail?: CoreValueDetailEntry,
     ) => {
-      setDraft(seedDetail ?? getInitialTexts(chipId, valueLabel));
+      const initial = seedDetail ?? getInitialTexts(chipId, valueLabel);
+      initialDraftRef.current = { ...initial };
+      setDraft(initial);
       setActiveModalChipId(chipId);
       setModalSession(session);
-      setModalEditUnlocked(false);
-      setCustomizeHeaderDraft(null);
-      coreCustomizeSnapshotRef.current = null;
       markCreateFlowInteraction();
     },
     [getInitialTexts, markCreateFlowInteraction],
@@ -209,87 +195,36 @@ export function CoreValuesSelectScreen() {
     [markCreateFlowInteraction],
   );
 
-  const resetCustomizeSession = useCallback(() => {
-    coreCustomizeSnapshotRef.current = null;
-    setModalEditUnlocked(false);
-    setCustomizeHeaderDraft(null);
-  }, []);
-
   const finalizeModalDismiss = useCallback(() => {
     pendingEphemeralCoreDuplicateRef.current = null;
-    resetCustomizeSession();
+    initialDraftRef.current = null;
     setActiveModalChipId(null);
     setModalSession(null);
-  }, [resetCustomizeSession]);
+  }, []);
 
-  const handleCustomize = useCallback(() => {
+  const confirmLeaveWithoutSaving = useCallback(async () => {
-    if (!activeModalChipId) return;
+    const isPendingAdd =
-    const chipLabelNow =
+      modalSession === "pending" || modalSession === "customPending";
-      coreValueOptions.find((o) => o.id === activeModalChipId)?.label ?? "";
+    const initial = initialDraftRef.current;
-    if (!chipLabelNow) return;
+    const editingDirty =
-    markCreateFlowInteraction();
+      modalSession === "editing" &&
-    const headerDraft: MethodCardHeaderDraft = {
+      initial != null &&
-      title: chipLabelNow,
+      (draft.meaning !== initial.meaning || draft.signals !== initial.signals);
-      description: "",
+    if (!isPendingAdd && !editingDirty) {
-    };
+      return true;
-    coreCustomizeSnapshotRef.current = captureMethodCardCustomizeSnapshot(
-      draft,
-      null,
-      headerDraft,
-    );
-    setCustomizeHeaderDraft(headerDraft);
-    setModalEditUnlocked(true);
-  }, [activeModalChipId, coreValueOptions, draft, markCreateFlowInteraction]);
-
-  const handleCancelCustomize = useCallback(async () => {
-    if (!modalEditUnlocked) return;
-    const snap = coreCustomizeSnapshotRef.current;
-    if (!snap) {
-      resetCustomizeSession();
-      return;
     }
-    if (
+    return requestConfirm({
-      !(await confirmDirtyCustomizeCancel(
+      title: cv.detailModal.discardTitle,
-        snap,
+      description: isPendingAdd
-        draft,
+        ? cv.detailModal.discardPendingDescription
-        null,
+        : cv.detailModal.discardEditsDescription,
-        customizeHeaderDraft,
+      proceedText: cv.detailModal.discardProceed,
-      ))
+      cancelText: cv.detailModal.discardKeepEditing,
-    ) {
+    });
-      return;
+  }, [cv.detailModal, draft, modalSession, requestConfirm]);
-    }
-    setDraft(structuredClone(snap.pendingDraft));
-    resetCustomizeSession();
-  }, [
-    confirmDirtyCustomizeCancel,
-    customizeHeaderDraft,
-    draft,
-    modalEditUnlocked,
-    resetCustomizeSession,
-  ]);
 
-  const syncLabelFromCustomizeHeaderToOptions = useCallback(() => {
+  const handleDuplicateCoreChip = useCallback(() => {
-    if (!activeModalChipId || !customizeHeaderDraft) return coreValueOptions;
-    const trimmed = customizeHeaderDraft.title.trim();
-    if (!trimmed) return coreValueOptions;
-    return coreValueOptions.map((opt) =>
-      opt.id === activeModalChipId ? { ...opt, label: trimmed } : opt,
-    );
-  }, [activeModalChipId, customizeHeaderDraft, coreValueOptions]);
-
-  const handleDuplicateCoreChip = useCallback(async () => {
     if (!activeModalChipId || !modalSession) return;
-    if (
-      !(await confirmDiscard(
-        modalEditUnlocked,
-        coreCustomizeSnapshotRef.current,
-        draft,
-        null,
-        customizeHeaderDraft,
-      ))
-    ) {
-      return;
-    }
     markCreateFlowInteraction();
     const priorEphemeral = pendingEphemeralCoreDuplicateRef.current;
     let outcome: ReturnType<typeof duplicateCoreValueChipInDraft> | null = null;
@@ -312,7 +247,6 @@ export function CoreValuesSelectScreen() {
     if (!outcome) {
       return;
     }
-    resetCustomizeSession();
     pendingEphemeralCoreDuplicateRef.current = outcome.newId;
     openModal(
       outcome.newId,
@@ -322,30 +256,15 @@ export function CoreValuesSelectScreen() {
     );
   }, [
     activeModalChipId,
-    confirmDiscard,
-    customizeHeaderDraft,
     draft,
     markCreateFlowInteraction,
-    modalEditUnlocked,
     modalKebabMenu.duplicateTitleSuffix,
     modalSession,
     openModal,
     replaceState,
-    resetCustomizeSession,
   ]);
 
-  const handleRemoveFromKebab = useCallback(async () => {
+  const handleRemoveFromKebab = useCallback(() => {
-    if (
-      !(await confirmDiscard(
-        modalEditUnlocked,
-        coreCustomizeSnapshotRef.current,
-        draft,
-        null,
-        customizeHeaderDraft,
-      ))
-    ) {
-      return;
-    }
     markCreateFlowInteraction();
 
     const ep = pendingEphemeralCoreDuplicateRef.current;
@@ -386,28 +305,16 @@ export function CoreValuesSelectScreen() {
     finalizeModalDismiss();
   }, [
     activeModalChipId,
-    confirmDiscard,
     coreValueOptions,
-    customizeHeaderDraft,
-    draft,
     finalizeModalDismiss,
     markCreateFlowInteraction,
-    modalEditUnlocked,
     modalSession,
     persistCoreValues,
     replaceState,
   ]);
 
   const handleModalDismiss = useCallback(async () => {
-    if (
+    if (!(await confirmLeaveWithoutSaving())) {
-      !(await confirmDiscard(
-        modalEditUnlocked,
-        coreCustomizeSnapshotRef.current,
-        draft,
-        null,
-        customizeHeaderDraft,
-      ))
-    ) {
       return;
     }
 
@@ -436,51 +343,16 @@ export function CoreValuesSelectScreen() {
     finalizeModalDismiss();
   }, [
     activeModalChipId,
-    confirmDiscard,
+    confirmLeaveWithoutSaving,
     coreValueOptions,
-    customizeHeaderDraft,
-    draft,
     finalizeModalDismiss,
-    modalEditUnlocked,
     modalSession,
     persistCoreValues,
     replaceState,
   ]);
 
-  const coreCustomizeSaveDisabled = useMemo(() => {
-    if (!modalEditUnlocked) return false;
-    const snap = coreCustomizeSnapshotRef.current;
-    if (!snap) return true;
-    return !isMethodCardCustomizeSessionDirty(
-      snap,
-      draft,
-      null,
-      customizeHeaderDraft,
-    );
-  }, [customizeHeaderDraft, draft, modalEditUnlocked]);
-
   const handleModalConfirm = useCallback(() => {
     if (!activeModalChipId || !modalSession) return;
-
-    if (modalEditUnlocked && customizeHeaderDraft) {
-      if (coreCustomizeSaveDisabled) {
-        return;
-      }
-      markCreateFlowInteraction();
-      pendingEphemeralCoreDuplicateRef.current = null;
-      const nextOpts = syncLabelFromCustomizeHeaderToOptions();
-      persistCoreValues(nextOpts);
-      updateState({
-        coreValueDetailsByChipId: {
-          ...(state.coreValueDetailsByChipId ?? {}),
-          [activeModalChipId]: draft,
-        },
-      });
-      resetCustomizeSession();
-      return;
-    }
-
-    if (modalSession === "pending" || modalSession === "customPending") {
     markCreateFlowInteraction();
     pendingEphemeralCoreDuplicateRef.current = null;
     updateState({
@@ -489,40 +361,21 @@ export function CoreValuesSelectScreen() {
         [activeModalChipId]: draft,
       },
     });
-      resetCustomizeSession();
+    finalizeModalDismiss();
-      setActiveModalChipId(null);
-      setModalSession(null);
-    }
   }, [
     activeModalChipId,
-    coreCustomizeSaveDisabled,
-    customizeHeaderDraft,
     draft,
+    finalizeModalDismiss,
     markCreateFlowInteraction,
-    modalEditUnlocked,
     modalSession,
-    persistCoreValues,
-    resetCustomizeSession,
     state.coreValueDetailsByChipId,
-    syncLabelFromCustomizeHeaderToOptions,
     updateState,
   ]);
 
   const modalChipLabel =
     coreValueOptions.find((o) => o.id === activeModalChipId)?.label ?? "";
 
-  const modalFieldsLocked =
+  const showFooterPrimary = Boolean(modalSession);
-    !modalEditUnlocked &&
-    Boolean(
-      modalSession === "pending" ||
-        modalSession === "customPending" ||
-        modalSession === "editing",
-    );
-
-  const showFooterPrimary =
-    modalEditUnlocked ||
-    modalSession === "pending" ||
-    modalSession === "customPending";
 
   const kebabMenuItems = useMemo(() => {
     if (!modalSession || !activeModalChipId) return [];
@@ -530,8 +383,6 @@ export function CoreValuesSelectScreen() {
       (o) => o.state === "selected",
     ).length;
     return buildCustomRuleModalKebabMenu(modalKebabMenu, {
-      showCustomize: !modalEditUnlocked,
-      onCustomize: handleCustomize,
       onDuplicate:
         modalSession !== "editing" || selectedCount >= MAX_CORE_VALUES
           ? undefined
@@ -542,10 +393,8 @@ export function CoreValuesSelectScreen() {
   }, [
     activeModalChipId,
     coreValueOptions,
-    handleCustomize,
     handleDuplicateCoreChip,
     handleRemoveFromKebab,
-    modalEditUnlocked,
     modalKebabMenu,
     modalSession,
   ]);
@@ -675,21 +524,6 @@ export function CoreValuesSelectScreen() {
           onClose={handleModalDismiss}
           backdropVariant="blurredYellow"
           headerContent={
-            modalEditUnlocked && customizeHeaderDraft ? (
-              <MethodCardCustomizeModalHeader
-                titleLabel={detailModal.customizeValueNameLabel}
-                descriptionLabel=""
-                titleValue={customizeHeaderDraft.title}
-                descriptionValue=""
-                onTitleChange={(title) =>
-                  setCustomizeHeaderDraft((prev) =>
-                    prev ? { ...prev, title } : null,
-                  )
-                }
-                onDescriptionChange={() => {}}
-                showDescription={false}
-              />
-            ) : (
             <div className="bg-[var(--color-surface-default-primary)] px-[24px] py-[12px] shrink-0">
               <ContentLockup
                 title={modalChipLabel}
@@ -698,18 +532,14 @@ export function CoreValuesSelectScreen() {
                 alignment="left"
               />
             </div>
-            )
           }
-          showBackButton={modalEditUnlocked}
+          showBackButton={false}
-          onBack={handleCancelCustomize}
-          backButtonText={modalKebabMenu.cancelCustomize}
           showNextButton={showFooterPrimary}
-          nextButtonDisabled={
-            modalEditUnlocked && coreCustomizeSaveDisabled
-          }
           onNext={handleModalConfirm}
           nextButtonText={
-            modalEditUnlocked ? modalKebabMenu.saveEdits : detailModal.addValueButton
+            modalSession === "editing"
+              ? modalKebabMenu.saveEdits
+              : detailModal.addValueButton
           }
           kebabTriggerAriaLabel={modalKebabMenu.triggerAriaLabel}
           kebabMenuAriaLabel={modalKebabMenu.menuAriaLabel}
@@ -719,7 +549,6 @@ export function CoreValuesSelectScreen() {
           ariaLabel={modalChipLabel || "Core value details"}
         >
           <CoreValueEditFields
-            readOnly={modalFieldsLocked}
             value={draft}
             onChange={handleDraftChange}
           />

app/components/modals/ModalFooter/ModalFooter.types.ts

@@ -23,3 +23,7 @@ export interface ModalFooterProps {
   footerContent?: React.ReactNode;
   className?: string;
 }
+
+/** Left footer slot for confirm-dialog cancel; matches Back (`left` / `top` 16 / 12). */
+export const MODAL_FOOTER_START_SLOT_CLASS =
+  "absolute left-[16px] top-[12px] flex min-h-[40px] items-center";

app/components/modals/ModalFooter/index.tsx

@@ -1,2 +1,3 @@
 export { default } from "./ModalFooter.container";
 export type { ModalFooterProps } from "./ModalFooter.types";
+export { MODAL_FOOTER_START_SLOT_CLASS } from "./ModalFooter.types";

app/hooks/useAsyncConfirm.tsx

@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@
 import { useCallback, useRef, useState } from "react";
 import Button from "../components/buttons/Button";
 import Create from "../components/modals/Create";
+import { MODAL_FOOTER_START_SLOT_CLASS } from "../components/modals/ModalFooter";
 import type { CreateModalBackdropVariant } from "../components/modals/Create/CreateModalFrame.view";
 
 export type AsyncConfirmOptions = {
@@ -58,6 +59,7 @@ export function useAsyncConfirm() {
         nextButtonText={options.proceedText}
         onNext={() => close(true)}
         footerContent={
+          <div className={MODAL_FOOTER_START_SLOT_CLASS}>
             <Button
               buttonType="ghost"
               palette="default"
@@ -66,6 +68,7 @@ export function useAsyncConfirm() {
             >
               {options.cancelText}
             </Button>
+          </div>
         }
         backdropVariant={options.backdropVariant ?? "blurredYellow"}
         ariaLabel={options.ariaLabel ?? options.title}

messages/en/create/customRule/coreValues.json

@@ -13,7 +13,12 @@
     "meaningLabel": "What does this value mean to your group?",
     "signalsLabel": "Signals of Violation",
     "addValueButton": "Add Value",
-    "customizeValueNameLabel": "Value name"
+    "customizeValueNameLabel": "Value name",
+    "discardTitle": "Discard unsaved changes?",
+    "discardPendingDescription": "This value will not be added.",
+    "discardEditsDescription": "Your edits will not be saved.",
+    "discardProceed": "Discard",
+    "discardKeepEditing": "Keep editing"
   },
   "values": [
     {

tests/components/CommunicationMethodsScreenPersistence.test.tsx

@@ -263,7 +263,14 @@ describe("CommunicationMethodsScreen — Add Platform persistence", () => {
     fireEvent.change(textboxes[2], { target: { value: "Edited principle" } });
 
     fireEvent.keyDown(document, { key: "Escape" });
-    await screen.findByRole("button", { name: "Keep editing" });
+    const keepEditing = await screen.findByRole("button", {
+      name: "Keep editing",
+    });
+    expect(keepEditing.parentElement).toHaveClass(
+      "absolute",
+      "left-[16px]",
+      "top-[12px]",
+    );
     await declineDiscardCustomizeEdits();
 
     expect(screen.getByRole("dialog")).toBeInTheDocument();

tests/components/CoreValuesSelectScreen.test.tsx

@@ -9,6 +9,10 @@ describe("CoreValuesSelectScreen", () => {
     vi.clearAllMocks();
   });
 
+  async function discardPendingValue() {
+    fireEvent.click(await screen.findByRole("button", { name: "Discard" }));
+  }
+
   it("opens core value detail modal when a preset chip is clicked", async () => {
     renderWithProviders(<CoreValuesSelectScreen />);
     fireEvent.click(screen.getByText("Accessibility"));
@@ -16,18 +20,41 @@ describe("CoreValuesSelectScreen", () => {
     expect(
       within(dialog).getByRole("button", { name: "Add Value" }),
     ).toBeInTheDocument();
+    expect(
+      screen.queryByRole("menuitem", { name: "Customize" }),
+    ).not.toBeInTheDocument();
+    fireEvent.click(within(dialog).getByRole("button", { name: "More options" }));
+    expect(
+      screen.queryByRole("menuitem", { name: "Customize" }),
+    ).not.toBeInTheDocument();
   });
 
-  it("closes modal and reverts pending selection when Escape is pressed", async () => {
+  it("asks to discard when closing a pending value, then unselects on Discard", async () => {
     renderWithProviders(<CoreValuesSelectScreen />);
     fireEvent.click(screen.getByText("Accessibility"));
     await screen.findByRole("dialog");
     fireEvent.keyDown(document, { key: "Escape" });
+    expect(
+      await screen.findByRole("button", { name: "Keep editing" }),
+    ).toBeInTheDocument();
+    await discardPendingValue();
     await waitFor(() => {
       expect(screen.queryByRole("dialog")).not.toBeInTheDocument();
     });
   });
 
+  it("keeps the pending value modal open when Keep editing is chosen", async () => {
+    renderWithProviders(<CoreValuesSelectScreen />);
+    fireEvent.click(screen.getByText("Accessibility"));
+    await screen.findByRole("dialog");
+    fireEvent.keyDown(document, { key: "Escape" });
+    fireEvent.click(await screen.findByRole("button", { name: "Keep editing" }));
+    const dialog = await screen.findByRole("dialog");
+    expect(
+      within(dialog).getByRole("button", { name: "Add Value" }),
+    ).toBeInTheDocument();
+  });
+
   it("saves details when Add Value is clicked", async () => {
     renderWithProviders(<CoreValuesSelectScreen />);
     fireEvent.click(screen.getByText("Accessibility"));
@@ -40,6 +67,17 @@ describe("CoreValuesSelectScreen", () => {
     });
   });
 
+  it("opens meaning and signals fields editable without Customize", async () => {
+    renderWithProviders(<CoreValuesSelectScreen />);
+    fireEvent.click(screen.getByText("Accessibility"));
+    const dialog = await screen.findByRole("dialog");
+    const fields = within(dialog).getAllByRole("textbox");
+    expect(fields.length).toBeGreaterThanOrEqual(2);
+    for (const field of fields) {
+      expect(field).toBeEnabled();
+    }
+  });
+
   // The "Add value" → custom-chip → modal flow uses a `customPending`
   // session: dismissing the modal must drop the brand-new chip entirely
   // (not just unselect it), because the user never confirmed it via
@@ -80,6 +118,7 @@ describe("CoreValuesSelectScreen", () => {
       expect(countCustomChips(CUSTOM_LABEL)).toBe(1);
 
       fireEvent.keyDown(document, { key: "Escape" });
+      fireEvent.click(await screen.findByRole("button", { name: "Discard" }));
       await waitFor(() => {
         expect(screen.queryByRole("dialog")).not.toBeInTheDocument();
       });