fix(ai-builder): Use placeholders for user-provided values instead of hardcoding fake addresses (#28407)

packages/@n8n/instance-ai/src/agent/system-prompt.ts

@@ -200,7 +200,7 @@ Always pass \`conversationContext\` when spawning background agents (\`build-wor
 **Credentials**: Call \`list-credentials\` first to know what's available. Build the workflow immediately — the builder auto-resolves available credentials and auto-mocks missing ones. Planned builder tasks handle their own verification and credential finalization flow.
 
 **Post-build flow** (for direct builds via \`build-workflow-with-agent\`):
-1. Builder finishes → check if the workflow has mocked credentials, missing parameters, or unconfigured triggers.
+1. Builder finishes → check if the workflow has mocked credentials, missing parameters, unresolved placeholders, or unconfigured triggers.
 2. If yes → call \`setup-workflow\` with the workflowId so the user can configure them through the setup UI.
 3. When \`setup-workflow\` returns \`deferred: true\`, respect the user's decision — do not retry with \`setup-credentials\` or any other setup tool. The user chose to set things up later.
 4. Ask the user if they want to test the workflow.

packages/@n8n/instance-ai/src/tools/orchestration/build-workflow-agent.prompt.ts

@@ -27,13 +27,23 @@ import {
 	WORKFLOW_SDK_PATTERNS,
 } from '@n8n/workflow-sdk/prompts/sdk-reference';
 
+// ── Shared placeholder guidance (single source of truth) ────────────────────
+
+// prettier-ignore
+const PLACEHOLDER_RULE =
+	"**Do NOT use `placeholder()` for discoverable resources** (spreadsheet IDs, calendar IDs, channel IDs, folder IDs) — resolve real IDs via `explore-node-resources` or create them via setup workflows. For **user-provided values** that cannot be discovered or created (email recipients, phone numbers, custom URLs, notification targets), use `placeholder('descriptive hint')` so the setup wizard prompts the user after the build. Never hardcode fake values like `user@example.com`.";
+
+// prettier-ignore
+const PLACEHOLDER_ESCALATION =
+	'When the user says "send me", "email me", "notify me", or similar and you don\'t know their specific address, use `placeholder(\'Your email address\')` for the recipient field rather than hardcoding a fake address like `user@example.com`. The setup wizard will collect this from the user after the build.';
+
 // ── Shared SDK reference sections ────────────────────────────────────────────
 
 const SDK_CODE_RULES = `## SDK Code Rules
 
 - Do NOT specify node positions — they are auto-calculated by the layout engine.
 - For credentials, see the credential rules in your specific workflow process section below.
-- **Do NOT use \`placeholder()\`** — always resolve real resource IDs via \`explore-node-resources\` or create resources via setup workflows. If a resource truly cannot be created (external system), use a descriptive string comment like \`'NEEDS: Slack channel #engineering'\` and explain in your summary.
+- ${PLACEHOLDER_RULE}
 - Use \`expr('{{ $json.field }}')\` for n8n expressions. Variables MUST be inside \`{{ }}\`.
 - Do NOT use \`as const\` assertions — the workflow parser only supports JavaScript syntax, not TypeScript-only features. Just use plain string literals.
 - Use string values directly for discriminator fields like \`resource\` and \`operation\` (e.g., \`resource: 'message'\` not \`resource: 'message' as const\`).
@@ -445,6 +455,7 @@ When called with failure details for an existing workflow, start from the pre-lo
 ## Escalation
 - If you are stuck or need information only a human can provide (e.g., a chat ID, API key, external resource name), use the \`ask-user\` tool to ask a clear question.
 - Do NOT retry the same failing approach more than twice — ask the user instead.
+- ${PLACEHOLDER_ESCALATION}
 
 ## Mandatory Process
 1. **Research**: If the workflow fits a known category (notification, chatbot, scheduling, data_transformation, etc.), call \`get-suggested-nodes\` first for curated recommendations. Then use \`search-nodes\` for service-specific nodes (use short service names: "Gmail", "Slack", not "send email SMTP"). The results include \`discriminators\` (available resources and operations) for nodes that need them. Then call \`get-node-type-definition\` with the appropriate resource/operation to get the TypeScript schema with exact parameter names and types. **Pay attention to @builderHint annotations** in search results and type definitions — they prevent common configuration mistakes.
@@ -631,7 +642,7 @@ Replace \`CHUNK_WORKFLOW_ID\` with the actual ID returned by \`submit-workflow\`
 
 ## Setup Workflows (Create Missing Resources)
 
-**NEVER use \`placeholder()\` or hardcoded placeholder strings like "YOUR_SPREADSHEET_ID".** If a resource doesn't exist, create it.
+${PLACEHOLDER_RULE}
 
 When \`explore-node-resources\` returns no results for a required resource:
 
@@ -648,6 +659,7 @@ When called with failure details for an existing workflow, start from the pre-lo
 ## Escalation
 - If you are stuck or need information only a human can provide (e.g., a chat ID, API key, external resource name), use the \`ask-user\` tool to ask a clear question.
 - Do NOT retry the same failing approach more than twice — ask the user instead.
+- ${PLACEHOLDER_ESCALATION}
 
 ## Sandbox Isolation
 
@@ -714,7 +726,7 @@ n8n normalizes column names to snake_case (e.g., \`dayName\` → \`day_name\`).
 4. **Resolve real resource IDs**: Check the node schemas from step 3 for parameters with \`searchListMethod\` or \`loadOptionsMethod\`. For EACH one, call \`explore-node-resources\` with the node type, method name, and the matching credential from step 1 to discover real resource IDs.
    - **This is mandatory for: calendars, spreadsheets, channels, folders, models, databases, and any other list-based parameter.** Do NOT assume values like "primary", "default", or "General" — always look up the real ID.
    - Example: Google Calendar's \`calendar\` parameter uses \`searchListMethod: getCalendars\`. Call \`explore-node-resources\` with \`methodName: "getCalendars"\` to get the actual calendar ID (e.g., "user@example.com"), not "primary".
-   - **NEVER use \`placeholder()\` or fake IDs.** If a resource doesn't exist, build a setup workflow to create it (see "Setup Workflows" section).
+   - **Never use \`placeholder()\` or fake IDs for discoverable resources.** Create them via a setup workflow instead (see "Setup Workflows" section). For user-provided values, follow the placeholder rules in "SDK Code Rules".
    - If the resource can't be created via n8n (e.g., Slack channels), explain clearly in your summary what the user needs to set up.
 
 5. **Write workflow code** to \`${workspaceRoot}/src/workflow.ts\`.

packages/@n8n/instance-ai/src/tools/orchestration/build-workflow-agent.tool.ts

@@ -94,12 +94,13 @@ function buildOutcome(
 		taskId,
 		workflowId: attempt.workflowId,
 		submitted: true,
-		triggerType: detectTriggerType(attempt),
+		triggerType: attempt.hasUnresolvedPlaceholders ? 'trigger_only' : detectTriggerType(attempt),
 		needsUserInput: false,
 		mockedNodeNames: attempt.mockedNodeNames,
 		mockedCredentialTypes: attempt.mockedCredentialTypes,
 		mockedCredentialsByNode: attempt.mockedCredentialsByNode,
 		verificationPinData: attempt.verificationPinData,
+		hasUnresolvedPlaceholders: attempt.hasUnresolvedPlaceholders,
 		summary: finalText,
 	};
 }

packages/@n8n/instance-ai/src/tools/workflows/setup-workflow.service.ts

@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@
  * Separated from the tool definition so the tool stays a thin suspend/resume
  * state machine, and this logic is testable independently.
  */
+import { hasPlaceholderDeep } from '@n8n/utils';
 import type { IDataObject, NodeJSON, DisplayOptions } from '@n8n/workflow-sdk';
 import { matchesDisplayOptions } from '@n8n/workflow-sdk';
 import { nanoid } from 'nanoid';
@@ -67,6 +68,13 @@ export async function buildSetupRequests(
 			.catch(() => ({}));
 	}
 
+	// Also treat placeholder values as parameter issues so the setup wizard surfaces them
+	for (const [paramName, paramValue] of Object.entries(parameters)) {
+		if (!parameterIssues[paramName] && hasPlaceholderDeep(paramValue)) {
+			parameterIssues[paramName] = ['Contains a placeholder value - please provide the real value'];
+		}
+	}
+
 	// Build editable parameter definitions for parameters that have issues
 	let editableParameters: SetupRequest['editableParameters'];
 	if (Object.keys(parameterIssues).length > 0 && nodeDesc?.properties) {

packages/@n8n/instance-ai/src/tools/workflows/submit-workflow.tool.ts

@@ -8,6 +8,7 @@
 
 import { createTool } from '@mastra/core/tools';
 import type { Workspace } from '@mastra/core/workspace';
+import { hasPlaceholderDeep } from '@n8n/utils';
 import type { WorkflowJSON } from '@n8n/workflow-sdk';
 import { validateWorkflow, layoutWorkflowJSON } from '@n8n/workflow-sdk';
 import { createHash, randomUUID } from 'node:crypto';
@@ -36,6 +37,8 @@ export interface SubmitWorkflowAttempt {
 	mockedCredentialsByNode?: Record<string, string[]>;
 	/** Verification-only pin data — scoped to this build, never persisted to workflow. */
 	verificationPinData?: Record<string, Array<Record<string, unknown>>>;
+	/** Whether any node parameters contain unresolved placeholder values. */
+	hasUnresolvedPlaceholders?: boolean;
 	errors?: string[];
 }
 
@@ -346,6 +349,10 @@ export function createSubmitWorkflowTool(
 				(n) => n.type?.endsWith?.('Trigger') || n.type?.endsWith?.('trigger'),
 			);
 			const triggerNodeTypes = triggers.map((t) => t.type).filter(Boolean);
+
+			// Scan node parameters for unresolved placeholder values
+			const hasPlaceholders = (json.nodes ?? []).some((n) => hasPlaceholderDeep(n.parameters));
+
 			await reportAttempt({
 				success: true,
 				workflowId: savedId,
@@ -359,6 +366,7 @@ export function createSubmitWorkflowTool(
 					hasMockedCredentials && Object.keys(mockResult.verificationPinData).length > 0
 						? mockResult.verificationPinData
 						: undefined,
+				hasUnresolvedPlaceholders: hasPlaceholders || undefined,
 			});
 			return {
 				success: true,

packages/@n8n/instance-ai/src/workflow-loop/__tests__/guidance.test.ts

@@ -79,6 +79,30 @@ describe('formatWorkflowLoopGuidance', () => {
 			const result = formatWorkflowLoopGuidance(action);
 			expect(result).toContain('"unknown"');
 		});
+
+		it('should trigger setup-workflow guidance when hasUnresolvedPlaceholders is true (no mocked credentials)', () => {
+			const action: WorkflowLoopAction = {
+				type: 'done',
+				summary: 'Built with placeholders',
+				workflowId: 'wf-ph-1',
+				hasUnresolvedPlaceholders: true,
+			};
+			const result = formatWorkflowLoopGuidance(action);
+			expect(result).toContain('setup-workflow');
+			expect(result).toContain('wf-ph-1');
+		});
+
+		it('should trigger setup-workflow guidance when both mocked credentials and placeholders exist', () => {
+			const action: WorkflowLoopAction = {
+				type: 'done',
+				summary: 'Built with mocks and placeholders',
+				mockedCredentialTypes: ['gmailOAuth2'],
+				hasUnresolvedPlaceholders: true,
+				workflowId: 'wf-ph-2',
+			};
+			const result = formatWorkflowLoopGuidance(action);
+			expect(result).toContain('setup-workflow');
+		});
 	});
 
 	// ── verify ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────

packages/@n8n/instance-ai/src/workflow-loop/__tests__/workflow-loop-controller.test.ts

@@ -148,6 +148,38 @@ describe('handleBuildOutcome', () => {
 
 		expect(attempt.attempt).toBe(2);
 	});
+
+	it('persists hasUnresolvedPlaceholders in state and done action', () => {
+		const state = makeState();
+		const outcome = makeOutcome({
+			workflowId: 'wf_123',
+			triggerType: 'trigger_only',
+			hasUnresolvedPlaceholders: true,
+		});
+
+		const { state: next, action } = handleBuildOutcome(state, [], outcome);
+
+		expect(next.hasUnresolvedPlaceholders).toBe(true);
+		expect(action.type).toBe('done');
+		if (action.type === 'done') {
+			expect(action.hasUnresolvedPlaceholders).toBe(true);
+		}
+	});
+
+	it('does not set hasUnresolvedPlaceholders when not present in outcome', () => {
+		const state = makeState();
+		const outcome = makeOutcome({
+			workflowId: 'wf_123',
+			triggerType: 'trigger_only',
+		});
+
+		const { state: next, action } = handleBuildOutcome(state, [], outcome);
+
+		expect(next.hasUnresolvedPlaceholders).toBeUndefined();
+		if (action.type === 'done') {
+			expect(action.hasUnresolvedPlaceholders).toBeUndefined();
+		}
+	});
 });
 
 // ── handleVerificationVerdict ───────────────────────────────────────────────
@@ -175,6 +207,22 @@ describe('handleVerificationVerdict', () => {
 		expect(action.type).toBe('done');
 	});
 
+	it('passes through hasUnresolvedPlaceholders from state on verified', () => {
+		const state = makeState({
+			phase: 'verifying',
+			workflowId: 'wf_123',
+			hasUnresolvedPlaceholders: true,
+		});
+		const verdict = makeVerdict({ verdict: 'verified' });
+
+		const { action } = handleVerificationVerdict(state, [], verdict);
+
+		expect(action.type).toBe('done');
+		if (action.type === 'done') {
+			expect(action.hasUnresolvedPlaceholders).toBe(true);
+		}
+	});
+
 	it('transitions to blocked on needs_user_input', () => {
 		const state = makeState({ phase: 'verifying', workflowId: 'wf_123' });
 		const verdict = makeVerdict({

packages/@n8n/instance-ai/src/workflow-loop/guidance.ts

@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@ export function formatWorkflowLoopGuidance(
 ): string {
 	switch (action.type) {
 		case 'done': {
-			if (action.mockedCredentialTypes?.length) {
+			if (action.mockedCredentialTypes?.length || action.hasUnresolvedPlaceholders) {
 				return (
 					'Workflow verified successfully with temporary mock data. ' +
 					`Call \`setup-workflow\` with workflowId "${action.workflowId ?? 'unknown'}" ` +

packages/@n8n/instance-ai/src/workflow-loop/workflow-loop-controller.ts

@@ -75,11 +75,13 @@ export function handleBuildOutcome(
 		outcome.mockedCredentialTypes && outcome.mockedCredentialTypes.length > 0
 			? outcome.mockedCredentialTypes
 			: undefined;
+	const hasUnresolvedPlaceholders = outcome.hasUnresolvedPlaceholders ?? undefined;
 	const updatedState: WorkflowLoopState = {
 		...state,
 		workflowId: outcome.workflowId ?? state.workflowId,
 		lastTaskId: outcome.taskId,
 		mockedCredentialTypes: mockedCredentialTypes ?? state.mockedCredentialTypes,
+		hasUnresolvedPlaceholders: hasUnresolvedPlaceholders ?? state.hasUnresolvedPlaceholders,
 	};
 
 	if (outcome.triggerType === 'trigger_only') {
@@ -90,6 +92,7 @@ export function handleBuildOutcome(
 				workflowId: outcome.workflowId,
 				summary: outcome.summary,
 				mockedCredentialTypes,
+				hasUnresolvedPlaceholders: updatedState.hasUnresolvedPlaceholders,
 			},
 			attempt,
 		};
@@ -138,6 +141,7 @@ export function handleVerificationVerdict(
 					workflowId: verdict.workflowId,
 					summary: verdict.summary,
 					mockedCredentialTypes: state.mockedCredentialTypes,
+					hasUnresolvedPlaceholders: state.hasUnresolvedPlaceholders,
 				},
 				attempt,
 			};
@@ -152,6 +156,7 @@ export function handleVerificationVerdict(
 					workflowId: verdict.workflowId,
 					summary: verdict.summary,
 					mockedCredentialTypes: state.mockedCredentialTypes,
+					hasUnresolvedPlaceholders: state.hasUnresolvedPlaceholders,
 				},
 				attempt,
 			};

packages/@n8n/instance-ai/src/workflow-loop/workflow-loop-state.ts

@@ -29,6 +29,8 @@ export const workflowLoopStateSchema = z.object({
 	rebuildAttempts: z.number().int().min(0),
 	/** Credential types that were mocked during build (persisted across phases). */
 	mockedCredentialTypes: z.array(z.string()).optional(),
+	/** Whether the submitted workflow contains unresolved placeholder values (persisted across phases). */
+	hasUnresolvedPlaceholders: z.boolean().optional(),
 });
 
 export type WorkflowLoopPhase = z.infer<typeof workflowLoopPhaseSchema>;
@@ -80,6 +82,8 @@ export const workflowBuildOutcomeSchema = z.object({
 	mockedCredentialsByNode: z.record(z.array(z.string())).optional(),
 	/** Verification-only pin data — scoped to this build, never persisted to workflow. */
 	verificationPinData: z.record(z.array(z.record(z.unknown()))).optional(),
+	/** Whether any node parameters contain unresolved placeholder values. */
+	hasUnresolvedPlaceholders: z.boolean().optional(),
 	summary: z.string(),
 });
 
@@ -124,5 +128,11 @@ export type WorkflowLoopAction =
 			diagnosis: string;
 			patch?: Record<string, unknown>;
 	  }
-	| { type: 'done'; workflowId?: string; summary: string; mockedCredentialTypes?: string[] }
+	| {
+			type: 'done';
+			workflowId?: string;
+			summary: string;
+			mockedCredentialTypes?: string[];
+			hasUnresolvedPlaceholders?: boolean;
+	  }
 	| { type: 'blocked'; reason: string };

packages/@n8n/utils/src/index.ts

@@ -10,3 +10,4 @@ export * from './sort/sortByProperty';
 export * from './string/truncate';
 export * from './files/sanitize';
 export * from './files/path';
+export * from './placeholder';

packages/@n8n/utils/src/placeholder.test.ts

@@ -0,0 +1,56 @@
+import { describe, expect, it } from 'vitest';
+
+import { isPlaceholderString, hasPlaceholderDeep } from './placeholder';
+
+describe('isPlaceholderString', () => {
+	it('returns true for a valid placeholder sentinel', () => {
+		expect(isPlaceholderString('<__PLACEHOLDER_VALUE__Your email address__>')).toBe(true);
+	});
+
+	it('returns false for a regular string', () => {
+		expect(isPlaceholderString('user@example.com')).toBe(false);
+	});
+
+	it('returns false for non-string values', () => {
+		expect(isPlaceholderString(42)).toBe(false);
+		expect(isPlaceholderString(null)).toBe(false);
+		expect(isPlaceholderString(undefined)).toBe(false);
+		expect(isPlaceholderString({})).toBe(false);
+	});
+
+	it('returns false for partial matches', () => {
+		expect(isPlaceholderString('<__PLACEHOLDER_VALUE__no suffix')).toBe(false);
+		expect(isPlaceholderString('no prefix__>')).toBe(false);
+	});
+});
+
+describe('hasPlaceholderDeep', () => {
+	it('detects placeholder in a flat string', () => {
+		expect(hasPlaceholderDeep('<__PLACEHOLDER_VALUE__hint__>')).toBe(true);
+	});
+
+	it('returns false for a regular string', () => {
+		expect(hasPlaceholderDeep('hello')).toBe(false);
+	});
+
+	it('detects placeholder nested in an array', () => {
+		expect(hasPlaceholderDeep(['a', '<__PLACEHOLDER_VALUE__hint__>'])).toBe(true);
+	});
+
+	it('detects placeholder nested in an object', () => {
+		expect(hasPlaceholderDeep({ to: '<__PLACEHOLDER_VALUE__email__>' })).toBe(true);
+	});
+
+	it('detects deeply nested placeholder', () => {
+		expect(hasPlaceholderDeep({ a: { b: [{ c: '<__PLACEHOLDER_VALUE__x__>' }] } })).toBe(true);
+	});
+
+	it('returns false when no placeholders exist', () => {
+		expect(hasPlaceholderDeep({ a: { b: [1, 'hello', null] } })).toBe(false);
+	});
+
+	it('returns false for null and undefined', () => {
+		expect(hasPlaceholderDeep(null)).toBe(false);
+		expect(hasPlaceholderDeep(undefined)).toBe(false);
+	});
+});

packages/@n8n/utils/src/placeholder.ts

@@ -0,0 +1,21 @@
+const PLACEHOLDER_PREFIX = '<__PLACEHOLDER_VALUE__';
+const PLACEHOLDER_SUFFIX = '__>';
+
+/** Check if a value is a placeholder sentinel string (format: `<__PLACEHOLDER_VALUE__hint__>`). */
+export function isPlaceholderString(value: unknown): boolean {
+	return (
+		typeof value === 'string' &&
+		value.startsWith(PLACEHOLDER_PREFIX) &&
+		value.endsWith(PLACEHOLDER_SUFFIX)
+	);
+}
+
+/** Recursively check if a value (string, array, or object) contains any placeholder sentinel strings. */
+export function hasPlaceholderDeep(value: unknown): boolean {
+	if (typeof value === 'string') return isPlaceholderString(value);
+	if (Array.isArray(value)) return value.some(hasPlaceholderDeep);
+	if (value !== null && typeof value === 'object') {
+		return Object.values(value as Record<string, unknown>).some(hasPlaceholderDeep);
+	}
+	return false;
+}

packages/frontend/editor-ui/src/features/ai/instanceAi/composables/useSetupCardParameters.ts

@@ -1,11 +1,17 @@
 import type { ComputedRef, Ref } from 'vue';
 import { ref } from 'vue';
+import { hasPlaceholderDeep } from '@n8n/utils';
 import { NodeHelpers, type INodeProperties } from 'n8n-workflow';
 import { useNodeTypesStore } from '@/app/stores/nodeTypes.store';
 import { useWorkflowsStore } from '@/app/stores/workflows.store';
 import type { IUpdateInformation } from '@/Interface';
 import { isNestedParam, isParamValueSet, type SetupCard } from '../instanceAiWorkflowSetup.utils';
 
+/** Check if the original node parameter value was a placeholder sentinel. */
+function isOriginalValuePlaceholder(req: SetupCard['nodes'][0], paramName: string): boolean {
+	return hasPlaceholderDeep(req.node.parameters[paramName]);
+}
+
 export function useSetupCardParameters(
 	cards: ComputedRef<SetupCard[]>,
 	trackedParamNames: Ref<Map<string, Set<string>>>,
@@ -112,6 +118,10 @@ export function useSetupCardParameters(
 					if (isParamValueSet(val)) {
 						merged[paramName] = val;
 						hasValues = true;
+					} else if (isOriginalValuePlaceholder(req, paramName)) {
+						// Explicitly send empty string to clear the placeholder sentinel on the backend
+						merged[paramName] = '';
+						hasValues = true;
 					}
 				}
 				if (Object.keys(merged).length > 0) {

packages/frontend/editor-ui/src/features/ai/instanceAi/composables/useSetupCards.ts

@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 import type { Ref } from 'vue';
 import { computed, ref, watch } from 'vue';
 import type { InstanceAiWorkflowSetupNode } from '@n8n/api-types';
+import { hasPlaceholderDeep } from '@n8n/utils';
 import { NodeConnectionTypes } from 'n8n-workflow';
 import { useNodeTypesStore } from '@/app/stores/nodeTypes.store';
 import { useWorkflowsStore } from '@/app/stores/workflows.store';
@@ -309,6 +310,8 @@ export function useSetupCards(
 				if (storeNode) {
 					const liveIssues = getNodeParametersIssues(nodeTypesStore, storeNode);
 					if (Object.keys(liveIssues).length > 0) return false;
+					// Also check for remaining placeholder values in node parameters
+					if (hasPlaceholderDeep(storeNode.parameters)) return false;
 				}
 			}
 		}

packages/frontend/editor-ui/src/features/ai/instanceAi/instanceAiWorkflowSetup.utils.ts

@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
 import type { InstanceAiWorkflowSetupNode } from '@n8n/api-types';
+import { isPlaceholderString } from '@n8n/utils';
 import type { INodeProperties } from 'n8n-workflow';
 import { isResourceLocatorValue } from 'n8n-workflow';
 import type { INodeUi } from '@/Interface';
@@ -65,11 +66,17 @@ export function credGroupKey(req: InstanceAiWorkflowSetupNode): string {
 	return credType;
 }
 
-/** Check if a parameter value is meaningfully set (not empty, null, or an empty resource locator). */
+/** Check if a parameter value is meaningfully set (not empty, null, placeholder, or an empty resource locator). */
 export function isParamValueSet(val: unknown): boolean {
 	if (val === undefined || val === null || val === '') return false;
+	if (isPlaceholderString(val)) return false;
 	if (isResourceLocatorValue(val)) {
-		return val.value !== '' && val.value !== null && val.value !== undefined;
+		return (
+			val.value !== '' &&
+			val.value !== null &&
+			val.value !== undefined &&
+			!isPlaceholderString(val.value)
+		);
 	}
 	return true;
 }