diff --git a/strix/tools/finish/tool.py b/strix/tools/finish/tool.py
index 9484a4539..dd2bb1cec 100644
--- a/strix/tools/finish/tool.py
+++ b/strix/tools/finish/tool.py
@@ -33,15 +33,26 @@ def _do_finish(
             ),
         }
 
+    report_sections = (
+        ("Executive summary", executive_summary, "Business-level summary for leadership."),
+        ("Methodology", methodology, "Frameworks, scope, and approach."),
+        (
+            "Technical analysis",
+            technical_analysis,
+            "Consolidated findings + systemic themes.",
+        ),
+        (
+            "Recommendations",
+            recommendations,
+            "Prioritized, actionable remediation.",
+        ),
+    )
     errors: list[str] = []
-    if not executive_summary.strip():
-        errors.append("Executive summary cannot be empty")
-    if not methodology.strip():
-        errors.append("Methodology cannot be empty")
-    if not technical_analysis.strip():
-        errors.append("Technical analysis cannot be empty")
-    if not recommendations.strip():
-        errors.append("Recommendations cannot be empty")
+    for section_name, section_text, schema_description in report_sections:
+        if not section_text.strip():
+            errors.append(f"{section_name} cannot be empty")
+        elif " ".join(section_text.split()) == schema_description:
+            errors.append(f"{section_name} cannot be a schema description placeholder")
     if errors:
         return {"success": False, "error": "Validation failed", "errors": errors}
 
diff --git a/tests/test_finish_coverage_gate.py b/tests/test_finish_coverage_gate.py
index 52a19a7d9..3ad69e61f 100644
--- a/tests/test_finish_coverage_gate.py
+++ b/tests/test_finish_coverage_gate.py
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@ from typing import TYPE_CHECKING
 import pytest
 
 from strix.tools.coverage.tools import _record_impl, hydrate_coverage_from_disk
-from strix.tools.finish.tool import _coverage_summary
+from strix.tools.finish.tool import _coverage_summary, _do_finish, finish_scan
 
 
 if TYPE_CHECKING:
@@ -63,3 +63,28 @@ def test_an_empty_ledger_still_warns_first() -> None:
 
     assert summary["coverage_recorded"] == 0
     assert "No coverage was recorded" in summary["coverage_warning"]
+
+
+@pytest.mark.parametrize(
+    "field_name",
+    [
+        "executive_summary",
+        "methodology",
+        "technical_analysis",
+        "recommendations",
+    ],
+)
+def test_finish_rejects_schema_description_placeholders(field_name: str) -> None:
+    report_fields = {
+        "executive_summary": "No material exposure was confirmed.",
+        "methodology": "The scoped paths were reviewed and exercised.",
+        "technical_analysis": "Observed controls held under the tested cases.",
+        "recommendations": "Retest after material changes.",
+    }
+    placeholder = finish_scan.params_json_schema["properties"][field_name]["description"]
+    report_fields[field_name] = f" \n{placeholder}\t"
+
+    result = _do_finish(parent_id=None, agent_graph={}, **report_fields)
+
+    assert result["success"] is False
+    assert "placeholder" in " ".join(result["errors"]).lower()