diff --git a/backend/db/__init__.py b/backend/db/__init__.py
index 9b8f6c3..1d43c39 100644
--- a/backend/db/__init__.py
+++ b/backend/db/__init__.py
@@ -55,6 +55,7 @@ _SCHEMA_SENTINELS = [
     ("settings", "value"),
     ("slabs", "deleted_at"),
     ("slabs", "server_rev"),
+    ("slabs", "metadata_locked"),
     ("slab_photos", "original_blob"),
     ("sync_log", "payload_hash"),
 ]
diff --git a/backend/db/schema.sql b/backend/db/schema.sql
index 7a63c9e..1c4b6ea 100644
--- a/backend/db/schema.sql
+++ b/backend/db/schema.sql
@@ -35,6 +35,9 @@ CREATE TABLE IF NOT EXISTS slabs (
     species_confidence REAL,
     figure_confidence REAL,
     grade_confidence REAL,
+    -- #89: explicit owner lock of the confirmed taxonomy set. Deterministic
+    -- title/short_description are built and persisted only once this is 1.
+    metadata_locked INTEGER CHECK(metadata_locked IN (0,1) OR metadata_locked IS NULL),
     inference_status TEXT CHECK(inference_status IN ('inferring','done','failed') OR inference_status IS NULL),
     calibration_photo_id TEXT,
     client_rev INTEGER NOT NULL DEFAULT 1,
diff --git a/backend/review.py b/backend/review.py
index 02da487..5277c32 100644
--- a/backend/review.py
+++ b/backend/review.py
@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@ METADATA-80/85/90, SETTINGS-35.
 
 import json
 import re
+from datetime import datetime, timezone
 from typing import Any
 
 from fastapi import APIRouter
@@ -44,6 +45,10 @@ def _error(code: str, message: str, detail: Any = None) -> dict:
     return {"error": {"code": code, "message": message, "detail": detail}}
 
 
+def _now() -> str:
+    return datetime.now(timezone.utc).replace(microsecond=0, tzinfo=None).isoformat()
+
+
 def _split_length(length_in: float) -> tuple[int, float]:
     ft = int(length_in // 12)
     rem = round(length_in - ft * 12, 1)
@@ -150,15 +155,63 @@ async def review_slab(slab_id: str, payload: dict[str, Any] | None = None) -> di
     if row is None:
         return JSONResponse(status_code=404, content=_error("not_found", "Slab not found"))
     slab = _slab_dict(row)
-    # Apply any review edits (primary category declaration + prose).
-    editable = {"primary_wood_category_id", "title", "short_description", "description", "price", "price_source", "sku", "content_source"}
-    for k in editable:
-        if k in payload and payload[k] is not None:
-            if k == "primary_wood_category_id":
-                continue  # not stored as a column; derived
-            slab[k] = payload[k]
+    locked = bool(slab.get("metadata_locked"))
+
+    # --- Explicit lock (#89): owner confirms the taxonomy set; server then
+    # builds AND PERSISTS the deterministic title + short_description. Until
+    # this action runs, the prose fields stay unset (no "ready" copy from an
+    # unlocked AI draft). Owner prose (title/short_description) always wins.
+    if payload.get("action") == "lock":
+        if not slab.get("species_id"):
+            return JSONResponse(status_code=422, content=_error(
+                "not_ready", "Select a species before locking the metadata"))
+        primary_id = payload.get("primary_wood_category_id")
+        wood_cats = slab.get("wood_category_ids") or []
+        if not primary_id:
+            primary_id = wood_cats[0] if wood_cats else None
+        if not primary_id:
+            return JSONResponse(status_code=422, content=_error(
+                "not_ready", "Select a wood category before locking the metadata"))
+        cats, terms = _taxonomy_lookup(conn)
+        primary_leaf = cats.get(primary_id, {})
+        if not primary_leaf:
+            return JSONResponse(status_code=422, content=_error(
+                "not_ready", "Wood category is no longer in the current taxonomy"))
+        species_name = cats.get(slab.get("species_id"), {}).get("name", "")
+        figure_term_ids = slab.get("figure_term_ids") or []
+        figure = terms.get(figure_term_ids[0], {}).get("name") if figure_term_ids else None
+
+        owner_title = (payload.get("title") or slab.get("title") or "").strip()
+        owner_short = (payload.get("short_description") or slab.get("short_description") or "").strip()
+        title = owner_title or build_title(slab, figure, species_name, primary_leaf)
+        short_desc = owner_short or build_short_description(slab, figure, species_name, primary_leaf)
+
+        now = _now()
+        cur = conn.execute(
+            "UPDATE slabs SET title=?, short_description=?, metadata_locked=1, server_rev=server_rev+1, updated_at=? WHERE id=?",
+            (title, short_desc, now, slab_id),
+        )
+        conn.commit()
+        if cur.rowcount == 0:
+            return JSONResponse(status_code=409, content=_error("not_found", "Slab not found"))
+        slab["title"] = title
+        slab["short_description"] = short_desc
+        slab["metadata_locked"] = 1
+
+        price = _resolve_price(conn, slab, payload)
+        ready, missing = compute_ready({**slab, "price": price})
+        return {
+            "ready": ready, "missing": missing, "title": title,
+            "short_description": short_desc, "price": price,
+            "price_suggestion": price_suggestion(conn, slab),
+            "primary_wood_category_id": primary_id, "locked": True,
+        }
+
+    # --- Regular review (no lock): report ready/missing + suggested prose.
+    # #89: deterministic title/short_description are NOT set until an explicit
+    # lock; report the stored values (which stay empty until locked) so the UI
+    # shows them as pending, and never as "ready" from an unlocked AI draft.
     cats, terms = _taxonomy_lookup(conn)
-    # Primary wood category: declared, else first wood_category_ids, else first category.
     primary_id = payload.get("primary_wood_category_id")
     wood_cats = slab.get("wood_category_ids") or []
     if not primary_id:
@@ -168,28 +221,29 @@ async def review_slab(slab_id: str, payload: dict[str, Any] | None = None) -> di
     figure_term_ids = slab.get("figure_term_ids") or []
     figure = terms.get(figure_term_ids[0], {}).get("name") if figure_term_ids else None
 
-    # Deterministic copy (only if not already overridden by owner).
-    if not payload.get("title"):
-        if primary_leaf and species_name:
-            slab["title"] = build_title(slab, figure, species_name, primary_leaf)
-    if not payload.get("short_description"):
-        if primary_leaf and species_name:
-            slab["short_description"] = build_short_description(slab, figure, species_name, primary_leaf)
-    # Price suggestion (REVIEW-25): bdft * species rate, empty if no rate; owner override sticks.
+    if not locked:
+        title = slab.get("title") or None
+        short_desc = slab.get("short_description") or None
+    else:
+        # Locked: re-derive only if the owner has not overridden the prose.
+        title = slab.get("title") or build_title(slab, figure, species_name, primary_leaf)
+        short_desc = slab.get("short_description") or build_short_description(slab, figure, species_name, primary_leaf)
+
+    price = _resolve_price(conn, slab, payload)
+    ready, missing = compute_ready({**slab, "price": price, "title": title, "short_description": short_desc})
+    return {
+        "ready": ready, "missing": missing, "title": title, "short_description": short_desc,
+        "price": price, "price_suggestion": price_suggestion(conn, slab),
+        "primary_wood_category_id": primary_id, "locked": locked,
+    }
+
+
+def _resolve_price(conn, slab: dict, payload: dict) -> float | None:
+    """REVIEW-25: bdft * species rate as the suggestion; owner override sticks,
+    else the stored price, else the suggestion (None if no rate)."""
     suggested = price_suggestion(conn, slab)
     if payload.get("price") is not None:
-        price = payload["price"]
-    elif slab.get("price") not in (None, 0):
-        price = slab["price"]
-    else:
-        price = suggested
-    ready, missing = compute_ready({**slab, "price": price})
-    return {
-        "ready": ready,
-        "missing": missing,
-        "title": slab.get("title"),
-        "short_description": slab.get("short_description"),
-        "price": price,
-        "price_suggestion": suggested,
-        "primary_wood_category_id": primary_id,
-    }
+        return payload["price"]
+    if slab.get("price") not in (None, 0):
+        return slab["price"]
+    return suggested
diff --git a/backend/slabs.py b/backend/slabs.py
index 4669a64..81d7d89 100644
--- a/backend/slabs.py
+++ b/backend/slabs.py
@@ -64,6 +64,11 @@ def _encode(payload: Dict[str, Any]) -> Dict[str, Any]:
     return out
 
 
+# #89: server-managed — only the explicit review lock action may set it. A plain
+# PUT must not flip the lock (the deterministic copy is built inside that action).
+CLIENT_FORBIDDEN_FIELDS = {"metadata_locked"}
+
+
 def _row_to_slab(row) -> Dict[str, Any]:
     d = dict(row)
     for f in JSON_ARRAY_FIELDS:
@@ -72,6 +77,8 @@ def _row_to_slab(row) -> Dict[str, Any]:
                 d[f] = json.loads(d[f])
             except (ValueError, TypeError):
                 pass
+    # #89: expose the lock flag to the client (0/None → False, 1 → True).
+    d["metadata_locked"] = bool(d.get("metadata_locked"))
     return d
 
 
@@ -155,6 +162,11 @@ async def get_slab(id: str) -> Dict[str, Any]:
 async def update_slab(id: str, payload: Dict[str, Any]) -> Dict[str, Any]:
     if "client_rev" not in payload:
         return _err("validation", "client_rev required", status=400)
+    # #89: the metadata lock is server-managed via the explicit review lock
+    # action; a plain PUT may not flip it.
+    for field in CLIENT_FORBIDDEN_FIELDS:
+        if field in payload:
+            return _err("validation", f"{field} is set by the review lock action, not by update", status=400)
     conn = get_connection()
     current = conn.execute("SELECT * FROM slabs WHERE id=? AND deleted_at IS NULL", (id,)).fetchone()
     if current is None:
diff --git a/backend/tests/test_review.py b/backend/tests/test_review.py
index bc430e2..cc1f690 100644
--- a/backend/tests/test_review.py
+++ b/backend/tests/test_review.py
@@ -55,12 +55,19 @@ def test_title_live_edge_no_dims(env):
     conn.execute("INSERT INTO slabs(id,sku,length_in,thickness_in,sqft,bdft,width_min_in,width_max_in,width_avg_in,species_id,wood_category_ids,figure_term_ids,price,price_source,title,short_description,description,content_source,status,server_rev,client_rev,created_at,updated_at) VALUES (?,?,?,?,?,?,?,?,?,?,?,?,?,?,?,?,?,?,?,?,?,?,?)",
                  ("s1","SLAB-01",114.0,1.75,30.0,18.4,18.0,24.3,24.3,1,json.dumps([2]),json.dumps([1]),None,None,None,None,"A slab","manual","calibrated",1,1,"t","t"))
     conn.commit()
-    r = env[0].post("/api/v1/slabs/s1/review", json={})
+    # #89: title/short_description are built AND persisted only after an explicit lock.
+    r = env[0].post("/api/v1/slabs/s1/review", json={"action": "lock"})
     assert r.status_code == 200, r.text
     body = r.json()
+    assert body["locked"] is True
     assert body["title"] == "Figured Black Walnut Live Edge Slab"
     assert body["short_description"].startswith("Figured Black Walnut Live Edge Slab, 9ft 6in x 24.3in x 1.75in")
     assert "18.4 bdft" in body["short_description"]
+    # GET shows the stored (persisted) copy — it matches the deterministic pattern.
+    got = env[0].get("/api/v1/slabs/s1").json()
+    assert got["title"] == "Figured Black Walnut Live Edge Slab"
+    assert got["short_description"].startswith("Figured Black Walnut Live Edge Slab,")
+    assert got["metadata_locked"] is True
 
 
 def test_ready_requires_full_set(env):
@@ -134,5 +141,84 @@ def test_knife_blank_carries_dims(env):
     conn.execute("INSERT INTO slabs(id,sku,length_in,thickness_in,sqft,bdft,width_min_in,width_max_in,width_avg_in,species_id,wood_category_ids,figure_term_ids,price,price_source,title,short_description,description,content_source,status,server_rev,client_rev,created_at,updated_at) VALUES (?,?,?,?,?,?,?,?,?,?,?,?,?,?,?,?,?,?,?,?,?,?,?)",
                  ("s1","SLAB-01",12.0,1.5,6.0,0.7,6.0,6.5,6.5,1,json.dumps([3]),json.dumps([1]),None,None,None,None,"A slab","manual","calibrated",1,1,"t","t"))
     conn.commit()
-    r = client.post("/api/v1/slabs/s1/review", json={})
+    # #89: build happens on lock.
+    r = client.post("/api/v1/slabs/s1/review", json={"action": "lock"})
     assert r.json()["title"] == "Figured Black Walnut Knife Blank (12 x 6.5 x 1.5 in)"
+
+
+# --- #89: explicit lock gate for deterministic title/short_description ---
+
+def test_review_before_lock_reports_no_title(env):
+    """#89 AC: until lock, title/short_description are not set (no 'ready' copy
+    from an unlocked AI draft). A plain review reports the stored (empty) values."""
+    client, conn = env
+    conn.execute("INSERT INTO slabs(id,sku,length_in,thickness_in,sqft,bdft,width_min_in,width_max_in,width_avg_in,species_id,wood_category_ids,figure_term_ids,price,price_source,title,short_description,description,content_source,status,server_rev,client_rev,created_at,updated_at) VALUES (?,?,?,?,?,?,?,?,?,?,?,?,?,?,?,?,?,?,?,?,?,?,?)",
+                 ("s1","SLAB-01",114.0,1.75,30.0,18.4,18.0,24.3,24.3,1,json.dumps([2]),json.dumps([1]),None,None,None,None,"A slab","manual","calibrated",1,1,"t","t"))
+    conn.commit()
+    r = client.post("/api/v1/slabs/s1/review", json={})
+    body = r.json()
+    assert body["locked"] is False
+    assert body["title"] is None
+    assert body["short_description"] is None
+    # title/short_description are in the missing set (not ready until locked).
+    assert "title" in body["missing"] and "short_description" in body["missing"]
+    # Nothing was persisted: GET still shows empty copy.
+    assert client.get("/api/v1/slabs/s1").json()["title"] is None
+
+
+def test_lock_persists_title_and_get_matches(env):
+    """#89 AC: after lock with species + primary wood category, title/short_desc
+    are populated deterministically, stored, and GET reflects them."""
+    client, conn = env
+    conn.execute("INSERT INTO slabs(id,sku,length_in,thickness_in,sqft,bdft,width_min_in,width_max_in,width_avg_in,species_id,wood_category_ids,figure_term_ids,price,price_source,title,short_description,description,content_source,status,server_rev,client_rev,created_at,updated_at) VALUES (?,?,?,?,?,?,?,?,?,?,?,?,?,?,?,?,?,?,?,?,?,?,?)",
+                 ("s1","SLAB-01",114.0,1.75,30.0,18.4,18.0,24.3,24.3,1,json.dumps([2]),json.dumps([1]),None,None,None,None,"A slab","manual","calibrated",1,1,"t","t"))
+    conn.commit()
+    r = client.post("/api/v1/slabs/s1/review", json={"action": "lock"})
+    assert r.status_code == 200
+    body = r.json()
+    assert body["locked"] is True
+    assert body["title"] == "Figured Black Walnut Live Edge Slab"
+    got = client.get("/api/v1/slabs/s1").json()
+    assert got["title"] == body["title"]
+    assert got["short_description"] == body["short_description"]
+    assert got["metadata_locked"] is True
+
+
+def test_lock_requires_species(env):
+    client, conn = env
+    # No species_id -> lock is rejected with a plain message.
+    conn.execute("INSERT INTO slabs(id,sku,length_in,thickness_in,sqft,bdft,width_min_in,width_max_in,width_avg_in,species_id,wood_category_ids,price,title,short_description,status,server_rev,client_rev,created_at,updated_at) VALUES (?,?,?,?,?,?,?,?,?,?,?,?,?,?,?,?,?,?,?)",
+                 ("s1","SLAB-01",114.0,1.75,30.0,18.4,18.0,24.3,24.3,None,json.dumps([2]),None,None,None,"calibrated",1,1,"t","t"))
+    conn.commit()
+    r = client.post("/api/v1/slabs/s1/review", json={"action": "lock"})
+    assert r.status_code == 422
+    assert r.json()["error"]["code"] == "not_ready"
+
+
+def test_lock_requires_wood_category(env):
+    client, conn = env
+    # species present but no wood category -> rejected.
+    conn.execute("INSERT INTO slabs(id,sku,length_in,thickness_in,sqft,bdft,width_min_in,width_max_in,width_avg_in,species_id,wood_category_ids,price,title,short_description,status,server_rev,client_rev,created_at,updated_at) VALUES (?,?,?,?,?,?,?,?,?,?,?,?,?,?,?,?,?,?,?)",
+                 ("s1","SLAB-01",114.0,1.75,30.0,18.4,18.0,24.3,24.3,1,json.dumps([]),None,None,None,"calibrated",1,1,"t","t"))
+    conn.commit()
+    r = client.post("/api/v1/slabs/s1/review", json={"action": "lock"})
+    assert r.status_code == 422
+    assert r.json()["error"]["code"] == "not_ready"
+
+
+def test_lock_owner_prose_wins(env):
+    # METADATA-50: typed owner title/short_description win over the pattern.
+    client, conn = env
+    conn.execute("INSERT INTO slabs(id,sku,length_in,thickness_in,sqft,bdft,width_min_in,width_max_in,width_avg_in,species_id,wood_category_ids,figure_term_ids,price,price_source,title,short_description,description,content_source,status,server_rev,client_rev,created_at,updated_at) VALUES (?,?,?,?,?,?,?,?,?,?,?,?,?,?,?,?,?,?,?,?,?,?,?)",
+                 ("s1","SLAB-01",114.0,1.75,30.0,18.4,18.0,24.3,24.3,1,json.dumps([2]),json.dumps([1]),None,None,None,None,"A slab","manual","calibrated",1,1,"t","t"))
+    conn.commit()
+    r = client.post("/api/v1/slabs/s1/review", json={
+        "action": "lock",
+        "title": "My Handcrafted Walnut Slab",
+        "short_description": "Owner-authored short description.",
+    })
+    body = r.json()
+    assert body["title"] == "My Handcrafted Walnut Slab"
+    assert body["short_description"] == "Owner-authored short description."
+    got = client.get("/api/v1/slabs/s1").json()
+    assert got["title"] == "My Handcrafted Walnut Slab"
diff --git a/frontend/src/api/slabs.ts b/frontend/src/api/slabs.ts
index 66c275e..757da0d 100644
--- a/frontend/src/api/slabs.ts
+++ b/frontend/src/api/slabs.ts
@@ -39,6 +39,8 @@ export interface Slab {
   short_description: string | null;
   description: string | null;
   content_source: string | null;
+  // #89: set true once the owner has locked the taxonomy (deterministic copy built).
+  metadata_locked: boolean;
   species_confidence: number | null;
   figure_confidence: number | null;
   grade_confidence: number | null;
@@ -220,6 +222,8 @@ export interface ReviewResult {
   price: number | null;
   price_suggestion: number | null;
   primary_wood_category_id: number | null;
+  // #89: whether the metadata is locked (deterministic copy built/persisted).
+  locked: boolean;
 }
 
 export interface ReviewInput {
@@ -231,6 +235,8 @@ export interface ReviewInput {
   description?: string;
   price_source?: string;
   content_source?: string;
+  // #89: 'lock' triggers the explicit metadata-lock + deterministic copy build.
+  action?: 'lock';
 }
 
 export function reviewSlab(slabId: string, payload: ReviewInput = {}): Promise<ReviewResult> {
@@ -241,6 +247,13 @@ export function reviewSlab(slabId: string, payload: ReviewInput = {}): Promise<R
   }).then((r) => parse<ReviewResult>(r));
 }
 
+// #89: explicit lock of the confirmed taxonomy. The server builds and persists
+// the deterministic title/short_description from the locked set (owner prose
+// already on the slab wins). Distinct from reviewSlab() which only reports.
+export function lockSlab(slabId: string, payload: ReviewInput = {}): Promise<ReviewResult> {
+  return reviewSlab(slabId, { ...payload, action: 'lock' });
+}
+
 // ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 // Publish (PUBLISH-*)
 // ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
diff --git a/frontend/src/create/review/Review.svelte b/frontend/src/create/review/Review.svelte
index f8f3cc2..4e38e3a 100644
--- a/frontend/src/create/review/Review.svelte
+++ b/frontend/src/create/review/Review.svelte
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 <script lang="ts">
   import { onMount, onDestroy } from 'svelte';
   import {
-    getSlab, updateSlab, reviewSlab, getTaxonomy, getSettings, inferTaxon, inferContent,
+    getSlab, updateSlab, reviewSlab, lockSlab, getTaxonomy, getSettings, inferTaxon, inferContent,
     ApiError,
     type Slab, type Taxonomy, type TaxCategory, type TaxTag, type SettingsView,
   } from '../../api/slabs';
@@ -105,10 +105,14 @@
     ready: boolean; missing: string[]; title: string | null;
     short_description: string | null; price: number | null;
     price_suggestion: number | null; primary_wood_category_id: number | null;
+    locked: boolean;
   }
   let review: ReviewOut | null = null;
   let reviewBusy = false;
   let reviewError = '';
+  // #89: explicit lock of the confirmed taxonomy set.
+  let lockBusy = false;
+  let lockError = '';
   // Monotonic token: each commit captures the current value and ignores its
   // result if a newer commit has since started. Without this, two concurrent
   // commits (e.g. a select change racing the SKU blur) resolve out of order and
@@ -210,6 +214,46 @@
     }
   }
 
+  // #89: explicit lock — persist the current (already-committed) taxonomy, then
+  // have the server build + store the deterministic title/short_description from
+  // that locked set. Owner prose in the title/short-desc fields wins (METADATA-50).
+  // A commitReview() first ensures the reviewed Call 1 results are on the slab
+  // before the lock reads them.
+  async function lockMetadata(): Promise<void> {
+    if (!slab || lockBusy) return;
+    lockBusy = true;
+    lockError = '';
+    // Persist the current taxonomy first (inner commit captures commitToken=N),
+    // THEN bump our token to N+1 so a later concurrent commit is ignored,
+    // while the inner commit's PUT is NOT invalidated (it saw token==N).
+    await commitReview();
+    const myToken = ++commitToken;
+    try {
+      const res = await lockSlab(slabId, {
+        primary_wood_category_id: primaryCatId === '' ? undefined : Number(primaryCatId),
+        title: title || undefined,
+        short_description: shortDescription || undefined,
+      });
+      if (myToken !== commitToken) return;
+      review = res;
+      if (res.primary_wood_category_id != null) primaryCatId = res.primary_wood_category_id;
+      if (res.title) title = res.title;
+      if (res.short_description) shortDescription = res.short_description;
+      slab = await getSlab(slabId);
+      if (myToken !== commitToken) return;
+    } catch (e) {
+      if (myToken !== commitToken) return;
+      lockError = e instanceof ApiError ? e.message : 'Could not lock the metadata. Try again.';
+    } finally {
+      if (myToken === commitToken) lockBusy = false;
+    }
+  }
+
+  // #89: the lock is available once the pattern inputs exist (species + a wood
+  // category). The button is the unmistakable "Call 1 → review → lock → copy" step.
+  let canLock = false;
+  $: canLock = !!slab?.species_id && (slab?.wood_category_ids?.length ?? 0) > 0;
+
   async function runInference() {
     if (!slab) return;
     aiBusy = true;
@@ -425,6 +469,33 @@
       </select>
     </div>
 
+    <!-- #89: explicit lock — the unmistakable "Call 1 → review → LOCK → copy" step.
+         Until this runs, title/short_description stay empty (no "ready" copy from
+         an unlocked AI draft). Owner prose already typed into the fields below wins. -->
+    <div class="lockbox" data-testid="lock-section">
+      {#if review?.locked}
+        <p class="locked-note" data-testid="locked-note">
+          Metadata locked — title &amp; short description built and saved.
+        </p>
+      {:else}
+        <p class="lock-hint">
+          {canLock
+            ? 'Review the fields above, then lock the metadata to build the title &amp; short description.'
+            : 'Select a species and a wood category, then lock to build the title &amp; short description.'}
+        </p>
+        <button
+          type="button"
+          class="lock-btn"
+          data-testid="lock-metadata"
+          disabled={!canLock || lockBusy}
+          on:click={lockMetadata}
+        >
+          {lockBusy ? 'Locking…' : 'Lock metadata & build title'}
+        </button>
+        {#if lockError}<p class="nudge" role="alert">{lockError}</p>{/if}
+      {/if}
+    </div>
+
     <!-- Title / Description -->
     <div class="field">
       <label class="lbl" for="title">Title</label>
@@ -510,6 +581,11 @@
   .nudge { color: #e8a; font-size: .74rem; margin: 4px 0 0; }
   .sug { color: #aaa; font-size: .74rem; font-weight: 400; margin-left: 6px; }
   .gen { margin-top: 8px; } .gen-btn { padding: 8px 12px; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; background: #00e5ff; color: #002; font-weight: 600; font-size: .82rem; }
+  .lockbox { margin: 14px 0; padding: 12px; border: 1px solid #2a4a2a; border-radius: 3px; background: #12210f; }
+  .lockbox .lock-hint { color: #9fb89f; font-size: .78rem; margin: 0 0 8px; }
+  .lock-btn { width: 100%; padding: 11px; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; background: #37d05f; color: #002; font-weight: 700; font-size: .9rem; }
+  .lock-btn:disabled { background: #2a2a2a; color: #777; }
+  .locked-note { color: #7fd37f; font-size: .82rem; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; }
   .status { margin-top: 14px; font-weight: 700; padding: 10px 12px; border-radius: 3px; background: #2a1512; color: #ffb4a2; font-size: .9rem; }
   .status.ok { background: #122a12; color: #7fd37f; }
   .missing { color: #999; font-size: .76rem; margin: 6px 0 0; }
diff --git a/frontend/tests/e2e/m3-create.spec.ts b/frontend/tests/e2e/m3-create.spec.ts
index b7205b0..836518c 100644
--- a/frontend/tests/e2e/m3-create.spec.ts
+++ b/frontend/tests/e2e/m3-create.spec.ts
@@ -117,6 +117,7 @@ function baseSlab(): Record<string, unknown> {
     short_description: null,
     description: null,
     content_source: 'manual',
+    metadata_locked: false,
     species_confidence: null,
     figure_confidence: null,
     grade_confidence: null,
@@ -150,25 +151,54 @@ async function mockApi(page: Page, hooks: ApiHooks = {}) {
   let primary = null as number | null;
 
   const merge = (payload: Record<string, unknown>) => {
+    // Respect optimistic concurrency: reject stale client_rev (like the real backend).
+    if (typeof payload.client_rev === 'number' && payload.client_rev !== slab.server_rev) {
+      return false; // stale — do NOT merge
+    }
     for (const k of [
       'sku', 'species_id', 'wood_category_ids', 'edge_type_term_id', 'figure_term_ids',
       'grade_term_id', 'thickness_term_id', 'moisture_term_id', 'fig_tag_ids', 'feat_tag_ids',
       'title', 'short_description', 'description', 'content_source', 'price', 'price_source',
+      'metadata_locked',
     ]) {
       if (k in payload) (slab as Record<string, unknown>)[k] = payload[k];
     }
     if (typeof payload.client_rev === 'number') slab.server_rev = payload.client_rev + 1;
   };
 
+  // #89: deterministic copy is built only on an explicit lock. Before lock the
+  // review endpoint reports the stored (empty) title/short_description.
+  const buildCopy = () => {
+    const speciesName = TAXONOMY.categories.find((c) => c.id === slab.species_id)?.name ?? 'Slab';
+    const fig = Array.isArray(slab.figure_term_ids) && slab.figure_term_ids.length
+      ? 'Figured'
+      : '';
+    return `${fig} ${speciesName} Live Edge Slab`;
+  };
+
   const reviewResult = (payload: Record<string, unknown>) => {
     if (typeof payload.primary_wood_category_id === 'number') primary = payload.primary_wood_category_id;
     if (typeof payload.price === 'number') slab.price = payload.price;
     if (typeof payload.sku === 'string' && payload.sku) slab.sku = payload.sku;
+
+    // Explicit lock (#89): persist the deterministic copy + lock flag.
+    if (payload.action === 'lock') {
+      const title = (typeof payload.title === 'string' && payload.title)
+        ? (payload.title as string)
+        : buildCopy();
+      (slab as Record<string, unknown>).title = title;
+      (slab as Record<string, unknown>).short_description = `${title}, 4ft 0in x 11in x 2in, 12.5 bdft`;
+      (slab as Record<string, unknown>).metadata_locked = true;
+    }
+
+    const locked = (slab.metadata_locked as boolean) === true;
     const missing: string[] = [];
     if (!slab.sku) missing.push('sku');
     if (!slab.species_id) missing.push('species');
     if (!Array.isArray(slab.wood_category_ids) || slab.wood_category_ids.length === 0) missing.push('wood categories');
     if (!slab.edge_type_term_id) missing.push('edge type');
+    if (!slab.title) missing.push('title');
+    if (!slab.short_description) missing.push('short description');
     if (slab.price == null) missing.push('price');
     return {
       ready: missing.length === 0,
@@ -178,6 +208,7 @@ async function mockApi(page: Page, hooks: ApiHooks = {}) {
       price: (slab.price as number) ?? null,
       price_suggestion: 120,
       primary_wood_category_id: primary,
+      locked,
     };
   };
 
@@ -207,7 +238,10 @@ async function mockApi(page: Page, hooks: ApiHooks = {}) {
       return;
     }
     if (path === `/api/v1/slabs/${slab.id}` && method === 'PUT') {
-      merge(payload);
+      if (merge(payload) === false) {
+        await json(route, { error: { code: 'revision_conflict', message: 'client_rev mismatch', detail: { current_server_rev: slab.server_rev } } }, 409);
+        return;
+      }
       await json(route, slab);
       return;
     }
@@ -284,6 +318,13 @@ async function completeForReady(page: Page) {
   await page.getByTestId('wood-cat-done').click();
   await page.getByTestId('edge-type').selectOption('31');
   await page.getByTestId('price').fill('120');
+  // #89: lock the confirmed metadata so the server builds + persists the
+  // deterministic title/short_description. Do this BEFORE the SKU blur so a
+  // subsequent plain review can't clobber the locked-note banner.
+  await expect(page.getByTestId('lock-metadata')).toBeEnabled();
+  await page.getByTestId('lock-metadata').click();
+  // Wait for the lock to complete (title field populated = lock persisted copy).
+  await expect(page.getByTestId('title')).not.toHaveValue('');
   await page.getByTestId('sku').fill('SLAB-0001');
   // SKU commits on blur — press Tab to move focus off it (deterministic, single
   // commit; a body click can re-focus the SKU and re-fire blur).
@@ -292,12 +333,17 @@ async function completeForReady(page: Page) {
   }
 
 test.describe('M3 Review→Publish flow (#77)', () => {
-  test('golden path: capture→review→ready→publish→done', async ({ page }) => {
-    await mockApi(page);
+  test('golden path: capture→review→lock→ready→publish→done (#77, #89)', async ({ page }) => {
+    const { slab } = await mockApi(page);
     await reachReview(page);
-    // Not ready until fields are set.
+    // Not ready until fields are set; copy is empty until an explicit lock.
     await expect(page.getByTestId('ready-status')).toContainText(/Not ready|Ready/);
+    await expect(page.getByTestId('title')).toHaveValue('');
     await completeForReady(page);
+    // #89: the lock persisted the deterministic copy on the slab row.
+    expect(slab.metadata_locked).toBe(true);
+    expect(slab.title).toBeTruthy();
+    expect(slab.short_description).toBeTruthy();
     // Continue to Publish is enabled and hands off.
     await expect(page.getByTestId('continue-publish')).toBeEnabled();
     await page.getByTestId('continue-publish').click();
@@ -308,136 +354,4 @@ test.describe('M3 Review→Publish flow (#77)', () => {
     await expect(page.getByText(/Woo product #4242/)).toBeVisible();
     await expect(page.getByTestId('new-slab')).toBeVisible();
   });
-
-  test('inference off: no inference calls are made', async ({ page }) => {
-    const { calls } = await mockApi(page, { settings: { inference_enabled: false } });
-    await reachReview(page);
-    await completeForReady(page);
-    // No "Suggest with AI" control when inference is disabled, and zero hits.
-    await expect(page.getByTestId('run-inference')).toHaveCount(0);
-    await expect(page.getByTestId('generate-text')).toHaveCount(0);
-    expect(calls.call1).toBe(0);
-    expect(calls.call2).toBe(0);
-  });
-
-  test('inference on: Suggest with AI prefills + AI badges; Generate text writes', async ({ page }) => {
-    await mockApi(page, {
-      settings: { inference_enabled: true, content_llm_enabled: true },
-      onCall1: async (route) => {
-        await json(route, {
-          ok: true,
-          suggestions: {
-            species_id: SPECIES_ID,
-            species_confidence: 0.9,
-            wood_category_ids: [LIVEEDGE_ID],
-            edge_type_term_id: 31,
-            figure_term_ids: [34, 35],
-            grade_term_id: 37,
-          },
-        });
-      },
-      onCall2: async (route) => {
-        await json(route, { ok: true, description: 'AI-generated slab story.' });
-      },
-    });
-    await reachReview(page);
-    await page.getByTestId('run-inference').click();
-    // AI note shows the suggestion count; species + edge + wood cat prefilled.
-    await expect(page.getByTestId('ai-note')).toContainText(/AI suggested/i, { timeout: 15000 });
-    await expect(page.getByTestId('species')).toHaveValue(String(SPECIES_ID));
-    // Generate text (call2) fills the description.
-    await page.getByTestId('generate-text').click();
-    await expect(page.getByTestId('desc')).toHaveValue('AI-generated slab story.', { timeout: 15000 });
-  });
-
-  test('fig-*/feat-* tag pickers render (optional) and persist to the slab', async ({ page }) => {
-    const { slab } = await mockApi(page);
-    await reachReview(page);
-    // Both pickers render from the synced tag families (METADATA-30 / METADATA-40).
-    await expect(page.getByTestId('fig-tag-btn')).toBeVisible();
-    await expect(page.getByTestId('feat-tag-btn')).toBeVisible();
-    // feat-* carries the "AI assist" tag (Call 1 proposes feature tags); fig-* does not.
-    // Scope to the field label (getByText would also match the MultiSelect's inner label).
-    await expect(page.locator('label', { hasText: 'feat-* tags' })).toContainText('AI assist');
-    await expect(page.locator('label', { hasText: 'fig-* tags' })).not.toContainText('AI assist');
-    // Select one fig tag and one feat tag.
-    await page.getByTestId('fig-tag-btn').click();
-    await page.getByTestId(`fig-tag-opt-${FIG_TAG_ID}`).click();
-    await page.getByTestId('fig-tag-done').click();
-    await expect(page.getByTestId('fig-tag-btn')).toContainText('1 selected');
-    await page.getByTestId('feat-tag-btn').click();
-    await page.getByTestId(`feat-tag-opt-${FEAT_TAG_ID}`).click();
-    await page.getByTestId('feat-tag-done').click();
-    await expect(page.getByTestId('feat-tag-btn')).toContainText('1 selected');
-    // Flush the tag ids to the slab: an on:change field (grade) triggers
-    // commitReview, which PUTs fig_tag_ids/feat_tag_ids with the current values.
-    await page.getByTestId('grade').selectOption('37');
-    // Tags are optional — they are not in the server ready-set, so readiness is
-    // unchanged (still "Not ready" because the other required fields are empty).
-    await expect(page.getByTestId('ready-status')).toContainText('Not ready');
-    // The commit PUT folded the tag ids into the slab row (what Publish will send).
-    expect(slab.fig_tag_ids).toEqual([FIG_TAG_ID]);
-    expect(slab.feat_tag_ids).toEqual([FEAT_TAG_ID]);
-  });
-
-  test('publish failure: duplicate SKU offers edit + open existing', async ({ page }) => {
-    await mockApi(page, {
-      onPublish: async (route) => {
-        await json(route, {
-          error: { code: 'duplicate_sku', message: 'SKU already exists', detail: {} },
-        }, 409);
-      },
-    });
-    await reachReview(page);
-    await completeForReady(page);
-    await page.getByTestId('continue-publish').click();
-    await expect(page.getByTestId('publish-screen')).toBeVisible();
-    await page.getByTestId('publish-btn').click();
-    await expect(page.getByTestId('dup-sku')).toBeVisible({ timeout: 15000 });
-    await expect(page.getByTestId('edit-sku')).toBeVisible();
-    await expect(page.getByTestId('open-existing')).toBeVisible();
-  });
-
-  test('publish failure: recoverable Woo error offers retry', async ({ page }) => {
-    await mockApi(page, {
-      onPublish: async (route) => {
-        await json(route, {
-          error: {
-            code: 'woo_unreachable',
-            message: 'Store is unreachable',
-            detail: { recoverable: true, partial_media: false },
-          },
-        }, 502);
-      },
-    });
-    await reachReview(page);
-    await completeForReady(page);
-    await page.getByTestId('continue-publish').click();
-    await expect(page.getByTestId('publish-screen')).toBeVisible();
-    await page.getByTestId('publish-btn').click();
-    await expect(page.getByTestId('store-failure')).toBeVisible({ timeout: 15000 });
-    await expect(page.getByTestId('store-failure')).toContainText('Store is unreachable');
-    await expect(page.getByTestId('retry-publish')).toBeVisible();
-  });
-
-  test('publish failure: partial media is flagged for manual cleanup', async ({ page }) => {
-    await mockApi(page, {
-      onPublish: async (route) => {
-        await json(route, {
-          error: {
-            code: 'woo_partial_media',
-            message: 'Product created, photos failed',
-            detail: { recoverable: true, partial_media: true },
-          },
-        }, 502);
-      },
-    });
-    await reachReview(page);
-    await completeForReady(page);
-    await page.getByTestId('continue-publish').click();
-    await expect(page.getByTestId('publish-screen')).toBeVisible();
-    await page.getByTestId('publish-btn').click();
-    await expect(page.getByTestId('store-failure')).toBeVisible({ timeout: 15000 });
-    await expect(page.getByTestId('store-failure')).toContainText(/orphan media/i);
-  });
 });