diff --git a/docs/business/social-launch-copy.md b/docs/business/social-launch-copy.md
index 6fb13a75..637d3424 100644
--- a/docs/business/social-launch-copy.md
+++ b/docs/business/social-launch-copy.md
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@ Use these templates as launch-ready starting points. Review channel tone before
 ## X Post: Release Announcement
 
 ```text
-ECC v2.0.0-rc.1 is live.
+ECC v2.0.0-rc.1 preview pack is ready for final release review.
 
 The repo is moving from a Claude Code config pack into a cross-harness operating system for agentic work.
 
@@ -55,7 +55,7 @@ ECC v2.0.0-rc.1 pushes that further: reusable skills, thin harness adapters, and
 ## LinkedIn Post: Partner-Friendly Summary
 
 ```text
-ECC v2.0.0-rc.1 is live.
+ECC v2.0.0-rc.1 preview pack is ready for final release review.
 
 The practical shift: ECC is no longer just a Claude Code config pack. It is becoming a cross-harness operating system for agentic work.
 
diff --git a/docs/releases/2.0.0-rc.1/linkedin-post.md b/docs/releases/2.0.0-rc.1/linkedin-post.md
index e2d3d86f..38e3507a 100644
--- a/docs/releases/2.0.0-rc.1/linkedin-post.md
+++ b/docs/releases/2.0.0-rc.1/linkedin-post.md
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 # LinkedIn Draft - ECC v2.0.0-rc.1
 
-ECC v2.0.0-rc.1 is live as the first release-candidate pass at the 2.0 direction.
+ECC v2.0.0-rc.1 is ready for final release review as the first release-candidate pass at the 2.0 direction.
 
 The practical shift is simple: ECC is no longer framed as only a Claude Code plugin or config bundle.
 
diff --git a/tests/docs/ecc2-release-surface.test.js b/tests/docs/ecc2-release-surface.test.js
index 5c7637d2..3c34b258 100644
--- a/tests/docs/ecc2-release-surface.test.js
+++ b/tests/docs/ecc2-release-surface.test.js
@@ -105,6 +105,10 @@ test('release docs do not contain unresolved public-link placeholders', () => {
 test('business launch copy stays aligned with the rc.1 public surface', () => {
   const source = read('docs/business/social-launch-copy.md');
   assert.ok(source.includes('ECC v2.0.0-rc.1'), 'business launch copy should use the rc.1 release');
+  assert.ok(
+    source.includes('preview pack is ready for final release review'),
+    'business launch copy should stay pre-publication until release URLs exist'
+  );
   assert.ok(
     source.includes('https://github.com/affaan-m/everything-claude-code'),
     'business launch copy should include the public repo URL'
@@ -119,6 +123,21 @@ test('business launch copy stays aligned with the rc.1 public surface', () => {
   assert.ok(!source.includes('v1.8.0'), 'business launch copy should not stay pinned to v1.8.0');
 });
 
+test('announcement drafts avoid live-release claims before publication', () => {
+  const announcementFiles = [
+    'docs/releases/2.0.0-rc.1/linkedin-post.md',
+    'docs/business/social-launch-copy.md',
+  ];
+
+  for (const relativePath of announcementFiles) {
+    const source = read(relativePath);
+    assert.ok(
+      !/ECC v2\.0\.0-rc\.1 is live\./.test(source),
+      `${relativePath} must not claim rc.1 is live before the release gate completes`
+    );
+  }
+});
+
 test('Hermes setup uses release-candidate wording for the rc.1 surface', () => {
   const source = read('docs/HERMES-SETUP.md');
   assert.ok(source.includes('Public Release Candidate Scope'));