NEO-144: document contract catalog CI and reconcile plan

Update content README, module docs, alignment register, and backlog AC for E7M4-01 land.

content/README.md

@@ -15,6 +15,7 @@ Data-driven definitions (skills, items, recipes, quests) validated in CI with **
 | [`reward-tables/`](reward-tables/) | Reward table catalogs; each row matches [`schemas/reward-table.schema.json`](schemas/reward-table.schema.json) — **stable `id`**, **`fixedGrants`** referencing frozen item ids for [E5.M3](../docs/decomposition/modules/E5_M3_EncounterAndRewardTables.md) |
 | [`quests/`](quests/) | Quest catalogs; each row matches [`schemas/quest-def.schema.json`](schemas/quest-def.schema.json) (steps via [`quest-step-def.schema.json`](schemas/quest-step-def.schema.json), objectives via [`quest-objective-def.schema.json`](schemas/quest-objective-def.schema.json)) — **stable `id`**, **`prerequisiteQuestIds`**, optional **`factionGateRules`**, step/objective graph for [E7.M1](../docs/decomposition/modules/E7_M1_QuestStateMachine.md) / [E7.M3](../docs/decomposition/modules/E7_M3_FactionReputationLedger.md) |
 | [`factions/`](factions/) | Faction catalogs; each row matches [`schemas/faction-def.schema.json`](schemas/faction-def.schema.json) — **stable `id`**, standing band for [E7.M3](../docs/decomposition/modules/E7_M3_FactionReputationLedger.md) |
+| [`contracts/`](contracts/) | Contract template catalogs; each row matches [`schemas/contract-template.schema.json`](schemas/contract-template.schema.json) — **stable `id`**, **`zoneDifficultyBand`**, **`encounterTemplateId`**, **`minFactionStanding`**, **`completionRewardBundle`** for [E7.M4](../docs/decomposition/modules/E7_M4_ContractMissionGenerator.md) |
 | [`resource-nodes/`](resource-nodes/) | Resource node + yield catalogs; node rows match [`schemas/resource-node-def.schema.json`](schemas/resource-node-def.schema.json), yield rows match [`schemas/resource-yield-row.schema.json`](schemas/resource-yield-row.schema.json) — **stable `nodeDefId`**, **`gatherLens`**, **`maxGathers`** for [E3.M1](../docs/decomposition/modules/E3_M1_ResourceNodeAndGatherLoop.md) |
 
 **Prototype Slice 1 (NEO-33):** CI expects **exactly three** skill rows with ids **`salvage`**, **`refine`**, **`intrusion`** (gather + process + tech). Each row must declare **`allowedXpSourceKinds`** (non-empty); see [E2.M1 — Designer note: `allowedXpSourceKinds`](../docs/decomposition/modules/E2_M1_SkillDefinitionRegistry.md#designer-note-allowedxpsourcekinds-and-grant-call-sites) for what each kind means for grant wiring.
@@ -37,6 +38,8 @@ Data-driven definitions (skills, items, recipes, quests) validated in CI with **
 
 **Prototype E7 Slice 3 — factions + gated quest line (NEO-133):** CI expects **exactly two** faction ids aligned to [E7.M3 faction freeze](../docs/decomposition/modules/E7_M3_FactionReputationLedger.md#prototype-slice-3-freeze-e7m3-01) — **`prototype_faction_grid_operators`**, **`prototype_faction_rust_collective`**. Quest roster expands to **five** ids (four E7.M1 onboarding + **`prototype_quest_grid_contract`**). **`factionGateRules[].factionId`** and **`completionRewardBundle.reputationGrants[].factionId`** must resolve to the frozen faction catalog; grid contract shape is frozen in CI. See [E7M3-pre-production-backlog.md](../docs/plans/E7M3-pre-production-backlog.md) and [NEO-133 plan](../docs/plans/NEO-133-implementation-plan.md).
 
+**Prototype E7 Slice 4 — contract templates (NEO-144):** CI expects **exactly one** contract template id **`prototype_contract_clear_combat_pocket`** aligned to [E7.M4 contract freeze](../docs/decomposition/modules/E7_M4_ContractMissionGenerator.md#prototype-slice-4-freeze-e7m4-01). **`encounterTemplateId`** must resolve to **`prototype_combat_pocket`**; **`minFactionStanding.factionId`** must resolve to the frozen faction catalog; **`completionRewardBundle`** item/skill cross-refs and **`mission_reward`** allowlist match E7.M2 rules; band **1** economy caps (item qty ≤ **10**, skill XP ≤ **25**, rep ≤ **10** per grant row) are enforced in CI. Issue/audit shape: [`contract-seed.schema.json`](schemas/contract-seed.schema.json) (no catalog file yet). See [E7M4-pre-production-backlog.md](../docs/plans/E7M4-pre-production-backlog.md) and [NEO-144 plan](../docs/plans/NEO-144-implementation-plan.md).
+
 **Prototype Slice 4 (NEO-45):** CI expects **exactly one** `MasteryTrack` for **`salvage`** only (`refine` / `intrusion` have no mastery rows yet). Tier 1 @ skill level **2** is a **mutually exclusive** branch pick (`scrap_efficiency` vs `bulk_haul`) with **no** perks; tier 2 @ level **4** unlocks one perk per branch path. **Do not rename** `branchId` / `perkId` after ship—change `displayName` only. See [E2.M3 — Designer note](../docs/decomposition/modules/E2_M3_MasteryAndPerkUnlocks.md#designer-note-tiers-branches-and-level-gates) and [freeze table](../docs/decomposition/modules/E2_M3_MasteryAndPerkUnlocks.md#prototype-slice-4-freeze--salvage-flagship-neo-45).
 
 Server load path and hot-reload policy are TBD; keep files versioned here as the source of truth.

docs/decomposition/modules/CT_M1_ContentValidationPipeline.md

@@ -63,6 +63,8 @@ Content tooling **Slice 1** — schemas + CI; **Slice 4** — server parity hard
 
 **Quest completion bundles ([NEO-124](https://linear.app/neon-sprawl/issue/NEO-124)):** optional **`completionRewardBundle`** on each quest row via [`quest-reward-bundle.schema.json`](../../../content/schemas/quest-reward-bundle.schema.json) (`itemGrants` reuses [`reward-grant-row.schema.json`](../../../content/schemas/reward-grant-row.schema.json); `skillXpGrants` via [`quest-skill-xp-grant.schema.json`](../../../content/schemas/quest-skill-xp-grant.schema.json)). E7 Slice 2 requires bundles on all four frozen quest ids with exact freeze-table contents; cross-checks **`itemGrants[].itemId`** and **`skillXpGrants[].skillId`**; each skill XP target must allow **`mission_reward`** in **`allowedXpSourceKinds`**.
 
+**Contract template catalogs ([NEO-144](https://linear.app/neon-sprawl/issue/NEO-144)):** the same script validates each row in `content/contracts/*_contract_templates.json` against [`content/schemas/contract-template.schema.json`](../../../content/schemas/contract-template.schema.json) (`completionRewardBundle` via [`quest-reward-bundle.schema.json`](../../../content/schemas/quest-reward-bundle.schema.json); `minFactionStanding` via [`faction-gate-rule.schema.json`](../../../content/schemas/faction-gate-rule.schema.json)), rejects **duplicate `id`** across files, cross-checks **`encounterTemplateId`** against encounter catalogs and bundle item/skill/faction refs against frozen catalogs, enforces the **frozen one-template** id set (`prototype_contract_clear_combat_pocket`) with exact freeze-table contents, and enforces **band-1 economy caps** (item qty ≤ 10, skill XP ≤ 25, rep ≤ 10 per grant row). Issue/audit shape: [`contract-seed.schema.json`](../../../content/schemas/contract-seed.schema.json).
+
 **Decomposition vocabulary:** the same workflow runs [`scripts/check_decomposition_language.py`](../../../scripts/check_decomposition_language.py) (stdlib only) over `docs/decomposition/**/*.md` to catch wording that treats **combat** as a leveled **`SkillDef`** line instead of **gig** progression (see script docstring for patterns). Adjust the script if a future doc needs a documented exception.
 
 ## Source anchors

docs/decomposition/modules/E7_M4_ContractMissionGenerator.md

@@ -51,6 +51,8 @@ Epic 7 **Slice 4** — `contract_issued`, `contract_complete`, reward anomalies.
 
 **Idempotency:** `{playerId}:contract_complete:{contractInstanceId}`. **Active cap:** one active contract per player (prototype).
 
+**CI (NEO-144):** `content/contracts/prototype_contract_templates.json` validated by `scripts/validate_content.py` — schema, single-template roster, freeze table, encounter/item/skill/faction cross-refs, band-1 economy caps. Schemas: [`contract-template.schema.json`](../../../content/schemas/contract-template.schema.json), [`contract-seed.schema.json`](../../../content/schemas/contract-seed.schema.json).
+
 ## Source anchors
 
 - Master plan: [`neon_sprawl_vision.plan.md`](../../../neon_sprawl_vision.plan.md) — Epic 7.

docs/plans/E7M4-pre-production-backlog.md

@@ -106,9 +106,9 @@ Working backlog for **Epic 7 — Slice 4** ([contract generator](../decompositio
 
 **Acceptance criteria**
 
-- [ ] PR gate validates contract template JSON.
+- [x] PR gate validates contract template JSON.
-- [ ] Exactly one prototype template id with encounter + bundle cross-refs.
+- [x] Exactly one prototype template id with encounter + bundle cross-refs.
-- [ ] Bundle exceeding band caps fails CI.
+- [x] Bundle exceeding band caps fails CI.
 
 **Client counterpart:** none (infrastructure-only).
 

docs/plans/NEO-144-implementation-plan.md

@@ -50,9 +50,18 @@ Decisions are frozen in [E7M4-pre-production-backlog.md — Kickoff decisions](E
 
 ## Acceptance criteria checklist
 
-- [ ] PR gate validates contract template JSON.
+- [x] PR gate validates contract template JSON.
-- [ ] Exactly one prototype template id with encounter + bundle cross-refs.
+- [x] Exactly one prototype template id with encounter + bundle cross-refs.
-- [ ] Bundle exceeding band caps fails CI.
+- [x] Bundle exceeding band caps fails CI.
+
+## Implementation reconciliation (shipped)
+
+- **Schemas:** [`contract-template.schema.json`](../../content/schemas/contract-template.schema.json), [`contract-seed.schema.json`](../../content/schemas/contract-seed.schema.json) — `$ref`s to `quest-reward-bundle`, `faction-gate-rule`, grant rows.
+- **Catalog:** [`prototype_contract_templates.json`](../../content/contracts/prototype_contract_templates.json) — one frozen template per E7M4-01 freeze table.
+- **CI:** `PROTOTYPE_E7M4_*` gates in [`validate_content.py`](../../scripts/validate_content.py) — roster, freeze, cross-refs, band-1 caps; contract catalog wired into PR gate `main()`.
+- **Docs:** `content/README.md` E7 Slice 4 paragraph; E7_M4 CI line; CT.M1 contract-catalog bullet; E7M4-01 backlog checkboxes.
+- **Server:** no changes (823 tests green — no contract loader until NEO-145).
+- **Band-cap negative proof:** `_prototype_e7m4_band_cap_gate` rejects `scrap_metal_bulk` ×11 locally (not committed).
 
 ## Technical approach