diff --git a/scripts/ci-deploy.sh b/scripts/ci-deploy.sh
index 84ab848d..dd69e842 100755
--- a/scripts/ci-deploy.sh
+++ b/scripts/ci-deploy.sh
@@ -11,6 +11,12 @@ set -o allexport
 . ./api/config.yml.env
 set +o allexport
 
+# Starter template: never deploy master to production (placeholders still present)
+if [ "${PROJECT_NAME:-}" = "__PROJECT_NAME__" ] || [[ "${PRODUCTION_PATH:-}" == *"_CUSTOMER_ID_"* ]] || [ "${LIVE_URL:-}" = "https://www" ]; then
+    echo "ci-deploy: starter template detected (PROJECT_NAME=${PROJECT_NAME:-?}), skipping production deploy."
+    exit 0
+fi
+
 # Validate required env vars
 for var in RSYNC_USER RSYNC_PASS RSYNC_HOST RSYNC_PORT; do
     if [ -z "${!var:-}" ]; then