diff --git a/templates/commands/constitution.md b/templates/commands/constitution.md
index 7b2f3684fb..0eff198043 100644
--- a/templates/commands/constitution.md
+++ b/templates/commands/constitution.md
@@ -109,7 +109,9 @@ Follow this execution flow:
    - Ensure each Principle section: succinct name line, paragraph (or bullet list) capturing non‑negotiable rules, explicit rationale if not obvious.
    - Ensure Governance section lists amendment procedure, versioning policy, and compliance review expectations.
 
-4. Produce a Sync Impact Report (prepend as an HTML comment at top of the constitution file after update):
+4. Produce a Sync Impact Report as an HTML comment at the top of the constitution file after update.
+   This report is temporary scratch material for human review of the amendment, not governance
+   content; it is expected to be removed before the amended constitution file is committed.
    - Version change: old → new
    - List of modified principles (old title → new title if renamed)
    - Added sections
diff --git a/tests/test_constitution_template_sync_report.py b/tests/test_constitution_template_sync_report.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..6900eb1c07
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/test_constitution_template_sync_report.py
@@ -0,0 +1,25 @@
+"""Covers #4431: /constitution's Sync Impact Report must be documented as
+temporary, review-only material rather than committed governance content.
+
+The Outline step that produces the Sync Impact Report must state that it is
+scratch material for human review and is expected to be removed before the
+amended constitution file is committed.
+"""
+
+from pathlib import Path
+
+REPO_ROOT = Path(__file__).parent.parent
+CONSTITUTION_TEMPLATE = REPO_ROOT / "templates" / "commands" / "constitution.md"
+
+
+def test_sync_impact_report_step_documents_temporary_lifecycle():
+    content = CONSTITUTION_TEMPLATE.read_text(encoding="utf-8")
+    step = content.split("Produce a Sync Impact Report", 1)[1].split("\n\n", 1)[0]
+    assert "temporary" in step.lower(), (
+        "Step 4 must document that the Sync Impact Report is temporary, "
+        "review-only material, not governance content"
+    )
+    assert "removed before" in step.lower() and "committed" in step.lower(), (
+        "Step 4 must state the report is expected to be removed before the "
+        "amended constitution file is committed"
+    )