diff --git a/bruno/neon-sprawl-server/contract-catalog/Health after contract template catalog load.bru b/bruno/neon-sprawl-server/contract-catalog/Health after contract template catalog load.bru
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..06a49c7
--- /dev/null
+++ b/bruno/neon-sprawl-server/contract-catalog/Health after contract template catalog load.bru	
@@ -0,0 +1,25 @@
+meta {
+  name: GET health (contract template catalog boot NEO-145)
+  type: http
+  seq: 1
+}
+
+get {
+  url: {{baseUrl}}/health
+  body: none
+  auth: none
+}
+
+docs {
+  NEO-145 loads content/contracts/*_contract_templates.json at startup (fail-fast). No contract HTTP API in this story — use this request to confirm the host started after catalog validation.
+}
+
+tests {
+  test("status 200", function () {
+    expect(res.getStatus()).to.equal(200);
+  });
+
+  test("service identity", function () {
+    expect(res.getBody().service).to.equal("NeonSprawl.Server");
+  });
+}
diff --git a/bruno/neon-sprawl-server/contract-catalog/folder.bru b/bruno/neon-sprawl-server/contract-catalog/folder.bru
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..43cced1
--- /dev/null
+++ b/bruno/neon-sprawl-server/contract-catalog/folder.bru
@@ -0,0 +1,3 @@
+meta {
+  name: contract-catalog
+}
diff --git a/server/NeonSprawl.Server.Tests/Game/Contracts/ContractCatalogTestPaths.cs b/server/NeonSprawl.Server.Tests/Game/Contracts/ContractCatalogTestPaths.cs
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..b047c25
--- /dev/null
+++ b/server/NeonSprawl.Server.Tests/Game/Contracts/ContractCatalogTestPaths.cs
@@ -0,0 +1,32 @@
+using NeonSprawl.Server.Game.Contracts;
+
+namespace NeonSprawl.Server.Tests.Game.Contracts;
+
+internal static class ContractCatalogTestPaths
+{
+    internal static string DiscoverRepoContractsDirectory() =>
+        ContractCatalogPathResolution.TryDiscoverContractsDirectory(AppContext.BaseDirectory)
+        ?? throw new InvalidOperationException(
+            "Could not discover repo content/contracts from AppContext.BaseDirectory; run tests from the neon-sprawl clone.");
+
+    internal static string DiscoverRepoContractTemplateSchemaPath() =>
+        ContractCatalogPathResolution.ResolveContractTemplateSchemaPath(
+            DiscoverRepoContractsDirectory(),
+            configuredSchemaPath: null,
+            contentRootPath: string.Empty);
+
+    internal static string DiscoverRepoRewardGrantRowSchemaPath() =>
+        ContractCatalogPathResolution.ResolveRewardGrantRowSchemaPath(DiscoverRepoContractsDirectory());
+
+    internal static string DiscoverRepoQuestSkillXpGrantSchemaPath() =>
+        ContractCatalogPathResolution.ResolveQuestSkillXpGrantSchemaPath(DiscoverRepoContractsDirectory());
+
+    internal static string DiscoverRepoQuestRewardBundleSchemaPath() =>
+        ContractCatalogPathResolution.ResolveQuestRewardBundleSchemaPath(DiscoverRepoContractsDirectory());
+
+    internal static string DiscoverRepoFactionGateRuleSchemaPath() =>
+        ContractCatalogPathResolution.ResolveFactionGateRuleSchemaPath(DiscoverRepoContractsDirectory());
+
+    internal static string DiscoverRepoReputationGrantRowSchemaPath() =>
+        ContractCatalogPathResolution.ResolveReputationGrantRowSchemaPath(DiscoverRepoContractsDirectory());
+}
diff --git a/server/NeonSprawl.Server.Tests/Game/Contracts/ContractTemplateCatalogLoaderTests.cs b/server/NeonSprawl.Server.Tests/Game/Contracts/ContractTemplateCatalogLoaderTests.cs
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..8222ad6
--- /dev/null
+++ b/server/NeonSprawl.Server.Tests/Game/Contracts/ContractTemplateCatalogLoaderTests.cs
@@ -0,0 +1,277 @@
+using System.Collections.Frozen;
+using System.Text;
+using Microsoft.Extensions.Logging.Abstractions;
+using NeonSprawl.Server.Game.Contracts;
+using NeonSprawl.Server.Game.Encounters;
+using NeonSprawl.Server.Game.Factions;
+using NeonSprawl.Server.Game.Quests;
+using NeonSprawl.Server.Game.Skills;
+using NeonSprawl.Server.Tests.Game.Skills;
+using Xunit;
+
+namespace NeonSprawl.Server.Tests.Game.Contracts;
+
+public class ContractTemplateCatalogLoaderTests
+{
+    private static readonly FrozenSet<string> KnownEncounterIds = PrototypeE5M3EncounterCatalogRules.ExpectedEncounterIds;
+
+    private static readonly FrozenSet<string> KnownFactionIds = PrototypeE7M3FactionCatalogRules.ExpectedFactionIds;
+
+    private static readonly IReadOnlyDictionary<string, SkillDefRow> RepoSkillDefs = LoadRepoSkillDefs();
+
+    private const string ValidPrototypeCatalogJson =
+        """
+        {
+          "schemaVersion": 1,
+          "contractTemplates": [
+            {
+              "id": "prototype_contract_clear_combat_pocket",
+              "displayName": "Clear Combat Pocket (Repeat)",
+              "zoneDifficultyBand": 1,
+              "objectiveKind": "encounter_clear",
+              "encounterTemplateId": "prototype_combat_pocket",
+              "minFactionStanding": {
+                "factionId": "prototype_faction_grid_operators",
+                "minStanding": 0
+              },
+              "completionRewardBundle": {
+                "itemGrants": [{ "itemId": "scrap_metal_bulk", "quantity": 5 }],
+                "skillXpGrants": [{ "skillId": "salvage", "amount": 15 }]
+              }
+            }
+          ]
+        }
+        """;
+
+    private static IReadOnlyDictionary<string, SkillDefRow> LoadRepoSkillDefs()
+    {
+        var catalog = SkillDefinitionCatalogLoader.Load(
+            SkillCatalogTestPaths.DiscoverRepoSkillsDirectory(),
+            SkillCatalogTestPaths.DiscoverRepoSkillDefSchemaPath(),
+            NullLogger.Instance);
+        return catalog.ById;
+    }
+
+    private static ContractTemplateCatalog LoadCatalog(
+        string contractsDir,
+        string contractTemplateSchemaPath,
+        IReadOnlySet<string>? knownEncounterIds = null,
+        IReadOnlySet<string>? knownFactionIds = null,
+        IReadOnlyDictionary<string, SkillDefRow>? skillDefsById = null)
+    {
+        return ContractTemplateCatalogLoader.Load(
+            contractsDir,
+            contractTemplateSchemaPath,
+            ContractCatalogTestPaths.DiscoverRepoRewardGrantRowSchemaPath(),
+            ContractCatalogTestPaths.DiscoverRepoQuestSkillXpGrantSchemaPath(),
+            ContractCatalogTestPaths.DiscoverRepoQuestRewardBundleSchemaPath(),
+            ContractCatalogTestPaths.DiscoverRepoFactionGateRuleSchemaPath(),
+            ContractCatalogTestPaths.DiscoverRepoReputationGrantRowSchemaPath(),
+            knownEncounterIds ?? KnownEncounterIds,
+            knownFactionIds ?? KnownFactionIds,
+            skillDefsById ?? RepoSkillDefs,
+            NullLogger.Instance);
+    }
+
+    private static (string Root, string ContractsDir, string SchemaPath) CreateTempContentLayout()
+    {
+        var root = Directory.CreateTempSubdirectory("neon-sprawl-contractcat-");
+        var contractsDir = Path.Combine(root.FullName, "content", "contracts");
+        var schemaDir = Path.Combine(root.FullName, "content", "schemas");
+        Directory.CreateDirectory(contractsDir);
+        Directory.CreateDirectory(schemaDir);
+        var schemaPath = Path.Combine(schemaDir, "contract-template.schema.json");
+        File.Copy(ContractCatalogTestPaths.DiscoverRepoContractTemplateSchemaPath(), schemaPath, overwrite: true);
+        File.Copy(ContractCatalogTestPaths.DiscoverRepoRewardGrantRowSchemaPath(), Path.Combine(schemaDir, "reward-grant-row.schema.json"), overwrite: true);
+        File.Copy(ContractCatalogTestPaths.DiscoverRepoQuestSkillXpGrantSchemaPath(), Path.Combine(schemaDir, "quest-skill-xp-grant.schema.json"), overwrite: true);
+        File.Copy(ContractCatalogTestPaths.DiscoverRepoQuestRewardBundleSchemaPath(), Path.Combine(schemaDir, "quest-reward-bundle.schema.json"), overwrite: true);
+        File.Copy(ContractCatalogTestPaths.DiscoverRepoFactionGateRuleSchemaPath(), Path.Combine(schemaDir, "faction-gate-rule.schema.json"), overwrite: true);
+        File.Copy(ContractCatalogTestPaths.DiscoverRepoReputationGrantRowSchemaPath(), Path.Combine(schemaDir, "reputation-grant-row.schema.json"), overwrite: true);
+        return (root.FullName, contractsDir, schemaPath);
+    }
+
+    [Fact]
+    public void Load_ShouldSucceed_WhenCatalogMatchesRepoPrototypeFile()
+    {
+        // Arrange
+        var contractsDir = ContractCatalogTestPaths.DiscoverRepoContractsDirectory();
+        var schemaPath = ContractCatalogTestPaths.DiscoverRepoContractTemplateSchemaPath();
+        // Act
+        var catalog = LoadCatalog(contractsDir, schemaPath);
+        // Assert
+        Assert.Equal(PrototypeE7M4ContractCatalogRules.ExpectedTemplateIds.Count, catalog.DistinctTemplateCount);
+    }
+
+    [Fact]
+    public void Load_ShouldSucceed_WhenCatalogMatchesPrototypeContract()
+    {
+        // Arrange
+        var (_, contractsDir, schemaPath) = CreateTempContentLayout();
+        File.WriteAllText(Path.Combine(contractsDir, "prototype_contract_templates.json"), ValidPrototypeCatalogJson, Encoding.UTF8);
+        // Act
+        var catalog = LoadCatalog(contractsDir, schemaPath);
+        // Assert
+        Assert.Equal(1, catalog.DistinctTemplateCount);
+        Assert.Equal(1, catalog.CatalogJsonFileCount);
+        Assert.True(catalog.ById.TryGetValue("prototype_contract_clear_combat_pocket", out var row));
+        Assert.NotNull(row);
+        Assert.Equal("Clear Combat Pocket (Repeat)", row!.DisplayName);
+        Assert.Equal(1, row.ZoneDifficultyBand);
+    }
+
+    [Fact]
+    public void Load_ShouldThrow_WhenContractTemplatesIsNotArray()
+    {
+        // Arrange
+        var (_, contractsDir, schemaPath) = CreateTempContentLayout();
+        File.WriteAllText(
+            Path.Combine(contractsDir, "bad_contract_templates.json"),
+            """{"schemaVersion": 1, "contractTemplates": "nope"}""",
+            Encoding.UTF8);
+        // Act
+        var ex = Record.Exception(() => LoadCatalog(contractsDir, schemaPath));
+        // Assert
+        var ioe = Assert.IsType<InvalidOperationException>(ex);
+        Assert.Contains("bad_contract_templates.json", ioe.Message, StringComparison.Ordinal);
+        Assert.Contains("expected top-level 'contractTemplates' array", ioe.Message, StringComparison.Ordinal);
+    }
+
+    [Fact]
+    public void Load_ShouldThrow_WhenDuplicateIdAcrossFiles()
+    {
+        // Arrange
+        var (_, contractsDir, schemaPath) = CreateTempContentLayout();
+        File.WriteAllText(Path.Combine(contractsDir, "a_contract_templates.json"), ValidPrototypeCatalogJson, Encoding.UTF8);
+        File.WriteAllText(Path.Combine(contractsDir, "b_contract_templates.json"), ValidPrototypeCatalogJson, Encoding.UTF8);
+        // Act
+        var ex = Record.Exception(() => LoadCatalog(contractsDir, schemaPath));
+        // Assert
+        var ioe = Assert.IsType<InvalidOperationException>(ex);
+        Assert.Contains("duplicate contract template id", ioe.Message, StringComparison.Ordinal);
+    }
+
+    [Fact]
+    public void Load_ShouldThrow_WhenRosterGateFails()
+    {
+        // Arrange
+        var (_, contractsDir, schemaPath) = CreateTempContentLayout();
+        var emptyCatalog = """{"schemaVersion": 1, "contractTemplates": []}""";
+        File.WriteAllText(Path.Combine(contractsDir, "prototype_contract_templates.json"), emptyCatalog, Encoding.UTF8);
+        // Act
+        var ex = Record.Exception(() => LoadCatalog(contractsDir, schemaPath));
+        // Assert
+        var ioe = Assert.IsType<InvalidOperationException>(ex);
+        Assert.Contains("prototype E7M4 expects exactly contract template ids", ioe.Message, StringComparison.Ordinal);
+    }
+
+    [Fact]
+    public void Load_ShouldThrow_WhenFreezeTableDiverges()
+    {
+        // Arrange
+        var (_, contractsDir, schemaPath) = CreateTempContentLayout();
+        var badDisplay = ValidPrototypeCatalogJson.Replace("Clear Combat Pocket (Repeat)", "Wrong Name", StringComparison.Ordinal);
+        File.WriteAllText(Path.Combine(contractsDir, "prototype_contract_templates.json"), badDisplay, Encoding.UTF8);
+        // Act
+        var ex = Record.Exception(() => LoadCatalog(contractsDir, schemaPath));
+        // Assert
+        var ioe = Assert.IsType<InvalidOperationException>(ex);
+        Assert.Contains("displayName must be", ioe.Message, StringComparison.Ordinal);
+    }
+
+    [Fact]
+    public void Load_ShouldThrow_WhenEncounterTemplateIdUnknown()
+    {
+        // Arrange
+        var (_, contractsDir, schemaPath) = CreateTempContentLayout();
+        File.WriteAllText(Path.Combine(contractsDir, "prototype_contract_templates.json"), ValidPrototypeCatalogJson, Encoding.UTF8);
+        var emptyEncounters = FrozenSet<string>.Empty;
+        // Act
+        var ex = Record.Exception(() => LoadCatalog(contractsDir, schemaPath, knownEncounterIds: emptyEncounters));
+        // Assert
+        var ioe = Assert.IsType<InvalidOperationException>(ex);
+        Assert.Contains("encounterTemplateId 'prototype_combat_pocket'", ioe.Message, StringComparison.Ordinal);
+        Assert.Contains("is not in the loaded encounter catalog", ioe.Message, StringComparison.Ordinal);
+    }
+
+    [Fact]
+    public void Load_ShouldThrow_WhenBundleItemIdUnknown()
+    {
+        // Arrange
+        var prototype = PrototypeE7M4ContractCatalogRules.ExpectedTemplateFreeze["prototype_contract_clear_combat_pocket"];
+        var badItemRow = prototype with
+        {
+            CompletionRewardBundle = new QuestRewardBundleRow(
+                [new RewardGrantRow("not_a_real_item", 5)],
+                prototype.CompletionRewardBundle.SkillXpGrants,
+                prototype.CompletionRewardBundle.ReputationGrants),
+        };
+        var rows = new Dictionary<string, ContractTemplateRow>(StringComparer.Ordinal)
+        {
+            [badItemRow.Id] = badItemRow,
+        };
+        // Act
+        var error = PrototypeE7M4ContractCatalogRules.TryGetCrossRefError(
+            rows,
+            KnownEncounterIds,
+            KnownFactionIds,
+            RepoSkillDefs);
+        // Assert
+        Assert.NotNull(error);
+        Assert.Contains("itemId 'not_a_real_item'", error, StringComparison.Ordinal);
+    }
+
+    [Fact]
+    public void Load_ShouldThrow_WhenSkillXpMissingMissionRewardAllowlist()
+    {
+        // Arrange
+        var (_, contractsDir, schemaPath) = CreateTempContentLayout();
+        File.WriteAllText(Path.Combine(contractsDir, "prototype_contract_templates.json"), ValidPrototypeCatalogJson, Encoding.UTF8);
+        var salvageNoMission = new Dictionary<string, SkillDefRow>(StringComparer.Ordinal)
+        {
+            ["salvage"] = new("salvage", "gather", "Salvage", ["activity"]),
+            ["refine"] = RepoSkillDefs["refine"],
+            ["intrusion"] = RepoSkillDefs["intrusion"],
+        };
+        // Act
+        var ex = Record.Exception(() => LoadCatalog(contractsDir, schemaPath, skillDefsById: salvageNoMission));
+        // Assert
+        var ioe = Assert.IsType<InvalidOperationException>(ex);
+        Assert.Contains("must allow sourceKind 'mission_reward' in allowedXpSourceKinds", ioe.Message, StringComparison.Ordinal);
+    }
+
+    [Fact]
+    public void TryGetBandCapGateError_ShouldReturnError_WhenItemQuantityExceedsBandCap()
+    {
+        // Arrange
+        var prototype = PrototypeE7M4ContractCatalogRules.ExpectedTemplateFreeze["prototype_contract_clear_combat_pocket"];
+        var overCapRow = prototype with
+        {
+            CompletionRewardBundle = new QuestRewardBundleRow(
+                [new RewardGrantRow("scrap_metal_bulk", 11)],
+                prototype.CompletionRewardBundle.SkillXpGrants,
+                prototype.CompletionRewardBundle.ReputationGrants),
+        };
+        var rows = new Dictionary<string, ContractTemplateRow>(StringComparer.Ordinal)
+        {
+            [overCapRow.Id] = overCapRow,
+        };
+        // Act
+        var error = PrototypeE7M4ContractCatalogRules.TryGetBandCapGateError(rows);
+        // Assert
+        Assert.NotNull(error);
+        Assert.Contains("quantity 11 exceeds band 1 cap 10", error, StringComparison.Ordinal);
+    }
+
+    [Fact]
+    public void Load_ShouldThrow_WhenMissingContractsDirectory()
+    {
+        // Arrange
+        var missingDir = Path.Combine(Path.GetTempPath(), "neon-sprawl-missing-contracts-" + Guid.NewGuid().ToString("N"));
+        var schemaPath = ContractCatalogTestPaths.DiscoverRepoContractTemplateSchemaPath();
+        // Act
+        var ex = Record.Exception(() => LoadCatalog(missingDir, schemaPath));
+        // Assert
+        var ioe = Assert.IsType<InvalidOperationException>(ex);
+        Assert.Contains("missing directory", ioe.Message, StringComparison.Ordinal);
+    }
+}
diff --git a/server/NeonSprawl.Server.Tests/Game/Contracts/ContractTemplateRegistryTests.cs b/server/NeonSprawl.Server.Tests/Game/Contracts/ContractTemplateRegistryTests.cs
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..89fc36c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/server/NeonSprawl.Server.Tests/Game/Contracts/ContractTemplateRegistryTests.cs
@@ -0,0 +1,113 @@
+using System.Collections.Frozen;
+using System.Text;
+using Microsoft.Extensions.DependencyInjection;
+using Microsoft.Extensions.Logging.Abstractions;
+using NeonSprawl.Server.Game.Contracts;
+using NeonSprawl.Server.Game.Encounters;
+using NeonSprawl.Server.Game.Factions;
+using NeonSprawl.Server.Game.Skills;
+using NeonSprawl.Server.Tests;
+using NeonSprawl.Server.Tests.Game.Skills;
+using Xunit;
+
+namespace NeonSprawl.Server.Tests.Game.Contracts;
+
+public class ContractTemplateRegistryTests
+{
+    private static ContractTemplateRegistry CreateRegistryFromRows(IReadOnlyDictionary<string, ContractTemplateRow> byId)
+    {
+        var catalog = new ContractTemplateCatalog("/tmp/catalog", byId, catalogJsonFileCount: 1);
+        return new ContractTemplateRegistry(catalog);
+    }
+
+    [Fact]
+    public void TryGetDefinition_ShouldReturnTrue_WhenIdExists()
+    {
+        // Arrange
+        var expected = PrototypeE7M4ContractCatalogRules.ExpectedTemplateFreeze["prototype_contract_clear_combat_pocket"];
+        var rows = new Dictionary<string, ContractTemplateRow>(StringComparer.Ordinal)
+        {
+            [expected.Id] = expected,
+        };
+        var registry = CreateRegistryFromRows(rows);
+        // Act
+        var found = registry.TryGetDefinition("prototype_contract_clear_combat_pocket", out var def);
+        // Assert
+        Assert.True(found);
+        Assert.NotNull(def);
+        Assert.Equal("Clear Combat Pocket (Repeat)", def!.DisplayName);
+        Assert.Equal("prototype_combat_pocket", def.EncounterTemplateId);
+    }
+
+    [Fact]
+    public void TryGetDefinition_ShouldReturnFalse_WhenTemplateIdIsNull()
+    {
+        // Arrange
+        var expected = PrototypeE7M4ContractCatalogRules.ExpectedTemplateFreeze["prototype_contract_clear_combat_pocket"];
+        var rows = new Dictionary<string, ContractTemplateRow>(StringComparer.Ordinal)
+        {
+            [expected.Id] = expected,
+        };
+        var registry = CreateRegistryFromRows(rows);
+        // Act
+        var found = registry.TryGetDefinition(null, out var def);
+        // Assert
+        Assert.False(found);
+        Assert.Null(def);
+    }
+
+    [Fact]
+    public void TryGetDefinition_ShouldReturnFalse_WhenIdUnknown()
+    {
+        // Arrange
+        var expected = PrototypeE7M4ContractCatalogRules.ExpectedTemplateFreeze["prototype_contract_clear_combat_pocket"];
+        var rows = new Dictionary<string, ContractTemplateRow>(StringComparer.Ordinal)
+        {
+            [expected.Id] = expected,
+        };
+        var registry = CreateRegistryFromRows(rows);
+        // Act
+        var found = registry.TryGetDefinition("not_a_real_template", out var def);
+        // Assert
+        Assert.False(found);
+        Assert.Null(def);
+    }
+
+    [Fact]
+    public void GetDefinitionsInIdOrder_ShouldListAllRowsOrderedById_WhenMultipleTemplates()
+    {
+        // Arrange
+        var prototype = PrototypeE7M4ContractCatalogRules.ExpectedTemplateFreeze["prototype_contract_clear_combat_pocket"];
+        var other = prototype with { Id = "zzz_other_template" };
+        var rows = new Dictionary<string, ContractTemplateRow>(StringComparer.Ordinal)
+        {
+            [other.Id] = other,
+            [prototype.Id] = prototype,
+        };
+        var registry = CreateRegistryFromRows(rows);
+        // Act
+        var list = registry.GetDefinitionsInIdOrder();
+        // Assert
+        Assert.Equal(2, list.Count);
+        Assert.Equal("prototype_contract_clear_combat_pocket", list[0].Id);
+        Assert.Equal("zzz_other_template", list[1].Id);
+    }
+
+    [Fact]
+    public async Task Host_ShouldResolveContractCatalogFromDi_WhenStartupSucceeds()
+    {
+        // Arrange
+        await using var factory = new InMemoryWebApplicationFactory();
+        using var client = factory.CreateClient();
+        _ = await client.GetAsync("/health");
+        // Act
+        var registry = factory.Services.GetRequiredService<IContractTemplateRegistry>();
+        var found = registry.TryGetDefinition("prototype_contract_clear_combat_pocket", out var template);
+        // Assert
+        Assert.True(found);
+        Assert.NotNull(template);
+        Assert.Equal("Clear Combat Pocket (Repeat)", template!.DisplayName);
+        Assert.Equal("encounter_clear", template.ObjectiveKind);
+        Assert.Equal("prototype_combat_pocket", template.EncounterTemplateId);
+    }
+}
diff --git a/server/NeonSprawl.Server.Tests/InMemoryWebApplicationFactory.cs b/server/NeonSprawl.Server.Tests/InMemoryWebApplicationFactory.cs
index 4f9a577..cd8fb67 100644
--- a/server/NeonSprawl.Server.Tests/InMemoryWebApplicationFactory.cs
+++ b/server/NeonSprawl.Server.Tests/InMemoryWebApplicationFactory.cs
@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@ using Microsoft.Extensions.Hosting;
 using Microsoft.Extensions.Time.Testing;
 using NeonSprawl.Server.Game.AbilityInput;
 using NeonSprawl.Server.Game.Combat;
+using NeonSprawl.Server.Game.Contracts;
 using NeonSprawl.Server.Game.Crafting;
 using NeonSprawl.Server.Game.Encounters;
 using NeonSprawl.Server.Game.Factions;
@@ -66,6 +67,9 @@ public sealed class InMemoryWebApplicationFactory : WebApplicationFactory<Progra
         var factionsDir = FactionCatalogPathResolution.TryDiscoverFactionsDirectory(AppContext.BaseDirectory)
             ?? throw new InvalidOperationException(
                 "Could not discover repo content/factions from AppContext.BaseDirectory; run tests from the neon-sprawl clone.");
+        var contractsDir = ContractCatalogPathResolution.TryDiscoverContractsDirectory(AppContext.BaseDirectory)
+            ?? throw new InvalidOperationException(
+                "Could not discover repo content/contracts from AppContext.BaseDirectory; run tests from the neon-sprawl clone.");
         builder.UseSetting("Content:SkillsDirectory", skillsDir);
         builder.UseSetting("Content:MasteryDirectory", masteryDir);
         builder.UseSetting("Content:ItemsDirectory", itemsDir);
@@ -77,6 +81,7 @@ public sealed class InMemoryWebApplicationFactory : WebApplicationFactory<Progra
         builder.UseSetting("Content:EncountersDirectory", encountersDir);
         builder.UseSetting("Content:FactionsDirectory", factionsDir);
         builder.UseSetting("Content:QuestsDirectory", questsDir);
+        builder.UseSetting("Content:ContractsDirectory", contractsDir);
         builder.UseSetting("Game:EnableMasteryFixtureApi", "true");
         builder.UseSetting("Game:EnableQuestFixtureApi", "true");
         builder.UseSetting("Game:EnableResourceNodeFixtureApi", "true");
diff --git a/server/NeonSprawl.Server/Game/Contracts/ContractCatalogPathResolution.cs b/server/NeonSprawl.Server/Game/Contracts/ContractCatalogPathResolution.cs
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..2f9aff6
--- /dev/null
+++ b/server/NeonSprawl.Server/Game/Contracts/ContractCatalogPathResolution.cs
@@ -0,0 +1,80 @@
+namespace NeonSprawl.Server.Game.Contracts;
+
+/// <summary>Resolves contract catalog paths for local dev, tests, and container layouts (NEO-145).</summary>
+public static class ContractCatalogPathResolution
+{
+    /// <summary>Walks <paramref name="startDirectory"/> and parents for an existing <c>content/contracts</c> directory.</summary>
+    public static string? TryDiscoverContractsDirectory(string startDirectory)
+    {
+        for (var dir = new DirectoryInfo(startDirectory); dir is not null; dir = dir.Parent)
+        {
+            var candidate = Path.Combine(dir.FullName, "content", "contracts");
+            if (Directory.Exists(candidate))
+                return Path.GetFullPath(candidate);
+        }
+
+        return null;
+    }
+
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Resolves the contracts catalog directory.
+    /// Empty <paramref name="configuredContractsDirectory"/> triggers discovery from <see cref="AppContext.BaseDirectory"/>.
+    /// </summary>
+    public static string ResolveContractsDirectory(string? configuredContractsDirectory, string contentRootPath)
+    {
+        if (string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(configuredContractsDirectory))
+        {
+            var discovered = TryDiscoverContractsDirectory(AppContext.BaseDirectory);
+            if (discovered is not null)
+                return discovered;
+
+            throw new InvalidOperationException(
+                "Content:ContractsDirectory is not set and auto-discovery failed (no ancestor of AppContext.BaseDirectory contains 'content/contracts'). " +
+                "Set Content:ContractsDirectory in configuration or environment (e.g. Content__ContractsDirectory).");
+        }
+
+        var trimmed = configuredContractsDirectory.Trim();
+        if (Path.IsPathRooted(trimmed))
+            return Path.GetFullPath(trimmed);
+
+        return Path.GetFullPath(Path.Combine(contentRootPath, trimmed));
+    }
+
+    /// <summary>Resolves JSON Schema path for a single contract template row (Draft 2020-12).</summary>
+    public static string ResolveContractTemplateSchemaPath(
+        string contractsDirectory,
+        string? configuredSchemaPath,
+        string contentRootPath)
+    {
+        if (!string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(configuredSchemaPath))
+        {
+            var trimmed = configuredSchemaPath.Trim();
+            if (Path.IsPathRooted(trimmed))
+                return Path.GetFullPath(trimmed);
+
+            return Path.GetFullPath(Path.Combine(contentRootPath, trimmed));
+        }
+
+        return Path.GetFullPath(Path.Combine(contractsDirectory, "..", "schemas", "contract-template.schema.json"));
+    }
+
+    /// <summary>Resolves JSON Schema path for a reward grant row (shared by quest bundles and contract templates).</summary>
+    public static string ResolveRewardGrantRowSchemaPath(string contractsDirectory) =>
+        Path.GetFullPath(Path.Combine(contractsDirectory, "..", "schemas", "reward-grant-row.schema.json"));
+
+    /// <summary>Resolves JSON Schema path for a quest skill XP grant row.</summary>
+    public static string ResolveQuestSkillXpGrantSchemaPath(string contractsDirectory) =>
+        Path.GetFullPath(Path.Combine(contractsDirectory, "..", "schemas", "quest-skill-xp-grant.schema.json"));
+
+    /// <summary>Resolves JSON Schema path for a completion reward bundle.</summary>
+    public static string ResolveQuestRewardBundleSchemaPath(string contractsDirectory) =>
+        Path.GetFullPath(Path.Combine(contractsDirectory, "..", "schemas", "quest-reward-bundle.schema.json"));
+
+    /// <summary>Resolves JSON Schema path for a faction gate rule row.</summary>
+    public static string ResolveFactionGateRuleSchemaPath(string contractsDirectory) =>
+        Path.GetFullPath(Path.Combine(contractsDirectory, "..", "schemas", "faction-gate-rule.schema.json"));
+
+    /// <summary>Resolves JSON Schema path for a reputation grant row.</summary>
+    public static string ResolveReputationGrantRowSchemaPath(string contractsDirectory) =>
+        Path.GetFullPath(Path.Combine(contractsDirectory, "..", "schemas", "reputation-grant-row.schema.json"));
+}
diff --git a/server/NeonSprawl.Server/Game/Contracts/ContractCatalogServiceCollectionExtensions.cs b/server/NeonSprawl.Server/Game/Contracts/ContractCatalogServiceCollectionExtensions.cs
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..813bb8a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/server/NeonSprawl.Server/Game/Contracts/ContractCatalogServiceCollectionExtensions.cs
@@ -0,0 +1,64 @@
+using Microsoft.Extensions.Configuration;
+using Microsoft.Extensions.Hosting;
+using Microsoft.Extensions.Options;
+using NeonSprawl.Server.Game.Encounters;
+using NeonSprawl.Server.Game.Factions;
+using NeonSprawl.Server.Game.Skills;
+
+namespace NeonSprawl.Server.Game.Contracts;
+
+/// <summary>DI registration for the fail-fast contract template catalog (NEO-145).</summary>
+public static class ContractCatalogServiceCollectionExtensions
+{
+    /// <summary>Binds <see cref="ContentPathsOptions"/> and registers <see cref="ContractTemplateCatalog"/> and <see cref="IContractTemplateRegistry"/> as singletons.</summary>
+    public static IServiceCollection AddContractTemplateCatalog(this IServiceCollection services, IConfiguration configuration)
+    {
+        services.AddOptions<ContentPathsOptions>()
+            .Bind(configuration.GetSection(ContentPathsOptions.SectionName));
+
+        services.AddSingleton<ContractTemplateCatalog>(sp =>
+        {
+            var hostEnv = sp.GetRequiredService<IHostEnvironment>();
+            var opts = sp.GetRequiredService<IOptions<ContentPathsOptions>>().Value;
+            var encounterCatalog = sp.GetRequiredService<EncounterDefinitionCatalog>();
+            var skillCatalog = sp.GetRequiredService<SkillDefinitionCatalog>();
+            var factionCatalog = sp.GetRequiredService<FactionDefinitionCatalog>();
+            var logger = sp.GetRequiredService<ILoggerFactory>()
+                .CreateLogger("NeonSprawl.Server.Game.Contracts.ContractCatalog");
+
+            var contractsDir = ContractCatalogPathResolution.ResolveContractsDirectory(
+                opts.ContractsDirectory,
+                hostEnv.ContentRootPath);
+            var contractTemplateSchemaPath = ContractCatalogPathResolution.ResolveContractTemplateSchemaPath(
+                contractsDir,
+                opts.ContractTemplateSchemaPath,
+                hostEnv.ContentRootPath);
+            var rewardGrantRowSchemaPath = ContractCatalogPathResolution.ResolveRewardGrantRowSchemaPath(contractsDir);
+            var questSkillXpGrantSchemaPath = ContractCatalogPathResolution.ResolveQuestSkillXpGrantSchemaPath(contractsDir);
+            var questRewardBundleSchemaPath = ContractCatalogPathResolution.ResolveQuestRewardBundleSchemaPath(contractsDir);
+            var factionGateRuleSchemaPath = ContractCatalogPathResolution.ResolveFactionGateRuleSchemaPath(contractsDir);
+            var reputationGrantRowSchemaPath = ContractCatalogPathResolution.ResolveReputationGrantRowSchemaPath(contractsDir);
+
+            var knownEncounterIds = encounterCatalog.ById.Keys.ToHashSet(StringComparer.Ordinal);
+            var knownFactionIds = factionCatalog.ById.Keys.ToHashSet(StringComparer.Ordinal);
+
+            return ContractTemplateCatalogLoader.Load(
+                contractsDir,
+                contractTemplateSchemaPath,
+                rewardGrantRowSchemaPath,
+                questSkillXpGrantSchemaPath,
+                questRewardBundleSchemaPath,
+                factionGateRuleSchemaPath,
+                reputationGrantRowSchemaPath,
+                knownEncounterIds,
+                knownFactionIds,
+                skillCatalog.ById,
+                logger);
+        });
+
+        services.AddSingleton<IContractTemplateRegistry>(sp =>
+            new ContractTemplateRegistry(sp.GetRequiredService<ContractTemplateCatalog>()));
+
+        return services;
+    }
+}
diff --git a/server/NeonSprawl.Server/Game/Contracts/ContractTemplateCatalog.cs b/server/NeonSprawl.Server/Game/Contracts/ContractTemplateCatalog.cs
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..fdbc861
--- /dev/null
+++ b/server/NeonSprawl.Server/Game/Contracts/ContractTemplateCatalog.cs
@@ -0,0 +1,27 @@
+using System.Collections.ObjectModel;
+
+namespace NeonSprawl.Server.Game.Contracts;
+
+/// <summary>In-memory contract template catalog loaded at startup (NEO-145). Game code should prefer <see cref="IContractTemplateRegistry"/> for lookups.</summary>
+public sealed class ContractTemplateCatalog
+{
+    public ContractTemplateCatalog(
+        string contractsDirectory,
+        IReadOnlyDictionary<string, ContractTemplateRow> byId,
+        int catalogJsonFileCount)
+    {
+        ContractsDirectory = contractsDirectory;
+        ById = new ReadOnlyDictionary<string, ContractTemplateRow>(new Dictionary<string, ContractTemplateRow>(byId, StringComparer.Ordinal));
+        CatalogJsonFileCount = catalogJsonFileCount;
+    }
+
+    /// <summary>Absolute path to the directory that was enumerated for <c>*_contract_templates.json</c> catalogs.</summary>
+    public string ContractsDirectory { get; }
+
+    public IReadOnlyDictionary<string, ContractTemplateRow> ById { get; }
+
+    public int DistinctTemplateCount => ById.Count;
+
+    /// <summary>Number of <c>*_contract_templates.json</c> files under <see cref="ContractsDirectory"/>.</summary>
+    public int CatalogJsonFileCount { get; }
+}
diff --git a/server/NeonSprawl.Server/Game/Contracts/ContractTemplateCatalogLoader.cs b/server/NeonSprawl.Server/Game/Contracts/ContractTemplateCatalogLoader.cs
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..52126e8
--- /dev/null
+++ b/server/NeonSprawl.Server/Game/Contracts/ContractTemplateCatalogLoader.cs
@@ -0,0 +1,353 @@
+using System.Text;
+using System.Text.Json;
+using System.Text.Json.Nodes;
+using Json.Schema;
+using Microsoft.Extensions.Logging;
+using NeonSprawl.Server.Game.Encounters;
+using NeonSprawl.Server.Game.Quests;
+using NeonSprawl.Server.Game.Skills;
+
+namespace NeonSprawl.Server.Game.Contracts;
+
+/// <summary>Loads and validates <c>content/contracts/*_contract_templates.json</c> using the same rules as <c>scripts/validate_content.py</c> (NEO-145).</summary>
+public static class ContractTemplateCatalogLoader
+{
+    private static JsonSchema? _contractTemplateSchema;
+
+    /// <summary>Loads catalogs from disk or throws <see cref="InvalidOperationException"/> with actionable messages.</summary>
+    public static ContractTemplateCatalog Load(
+        string contractsDirectory,
+        string contractTemplateSchemaPath,
+        string rewardGrantRowSchemaPath,
+        string questSkillXpGrantSchemaPath,
+        string questRewardBundleSchemaPath,
+        string factionGateRuleSchemaPath,
+        string reputationGrantRowSchemaPath,
+        IReadOnlySet<string> knownEncounterIds,
+        IReadOnlySet<string> knownFactionIds,
+        IReadOnlyDictionary<string, SkillDefRow> skillDefsById,
+        ILogger logger)
+    {
+        contractsDirectory = Path.GetFullPath(contractsDirectory);
+        contractTemplateSchemaPath = Path.GetFullPath(contractTemplateSchemaPath);
+        rewardGrantRowSchemaPath = Path.GetFullPath(rewardGrantRowSchemaPath);
+        questSkillXpGrantSchemaPath = Path.GetFullPath(questSkillXpGrantSchemaPath);
+        questRewardBundleSchemaPath = Path.GetFullPath(questRewardBundleSchemaPath);
+        factionGateRuleSchemaPath = Path.GetFullPath(factionGateRuleSchemaPath);
+        reputationGrantRowSchemaPath = Path.GetFullPath(reputationGrantRowSchemaPath);
+
+        var errors = new List<string>();
+
+        if (!File.Exists(contractTemplateSchemaPath))
+            errors.Add($"error: missing schema file {contractTemplateSchemaPath}");
+
+        if (!File.Exists(rewardGrantRowSchemaPath))
+            errors.Add($"error: missing schema file {rewardGrantRowSchemaPath}");
+
+        if (!File.Exists(questSkillXpGrantSchemaPath))
+            errors.Add($"error: missing schema file {questSkillXpGrantSchemaPath}");
+
+        if (!File.Exists(questRewardBundleSchemaPath))
+            errors.Add($"error: missing schema file {questRewardBundleSchemaPath}");
+
+        if (!File.Exists(factionGateRuleSchemaPath))
+            errors.Add($"error: missing schema file {factionGateRuleSchemaPath}");
+
+        if (!File.Exists(reputationGrantRowSchemaPath))
+            errors.Add($"error: missing schema file {reputationGrantRowSchemaPath}");
+
+        if (!Directory.Exists(contractsDirectory))
+            errors.Add($"error: missing directory {contractsDirectory}");
+
+        if (errors.Count > 0)
+            ThrowIfAny(errors);
+
+        var jsonFiles = Directory.GetFiles(contractsDirectory, "*_contract_templates.json", SearchOption.TopDirectoryOnly)
+            .OrderBy(p => p, StringComparer.Ordinal)
+            .ToArray();
+        if (jsonFiles.Length == 0)
+            errors.Add($"error: no *_contract_templates.json files under {contractsDirectory}");
+
+        if (errors.Count > 0)
+            ThrowIfAny(errors);
+
+        EnsureContractSchemasLoaded(
+            contractTemplateSchemaPath,
+            rewardGrantRowSchemaPath,
+            questSkillXpGrantSchemaPath,
+            questRewardBundleSchemaPath,
+            factionGateRuleSchemaPath,
+            reputationGrantRowSchemaPath);
+        var templateSchema = _contractTemplateSchema!;
+
+        var evalOptions = new EvaluationOptions { OutputFormat = OutputFormat.List };
+
+        var templateIdToSourceFile = new Dictionary<string, string>(StringComparer.Ordinal);
+        var rows = new Dictionary<string, ContractTemplateRow>(StringComparer.Ordinal);
+
+        foreach (var path in jsonFiles)
+        {
+            JsonNode? root;
+            try
+            {
+                root = JsonNode.Parse(File.ReadAllText(path));
+            }
+            catch (JsonException ex)
+            {
+                errors.Add($"error: {path}: invalid JSON: {ex.Message}");
+                continue;
+            }
+
+            if (root is not JsonObject rootObj)
+            {
+                errors.Add($"error: {path}: expected JSON object at root");
+                continue;
+            }
+
+            var schemaVersionNode = rootObj["schemaVersion"];
+            if (schemaVersionNode is not JsonValue schemaVersionValue ||
+                !schemaVersionValue.TryGetValue<int>(out var schemaVersion) ||
+                schemaVersion != 1)
+            {
+                var got = schemaVersionNode?.ToJsonString() ?? "null";
+                errors.Add($"error: {path}: expected schemaVersion 1, got {got}");
+                continue;
+            }
+
+            var templatesNode = rootObj["contractTemplates"];
+            if (templatesNode is not JsonArray templatesArray)
+            {
+                errors.Add($"error: {path}: expected top-level 'contractTemplates' array");
+                continue;
+            }
+
+            for (var i = 0; i < templatesArray.Count; i++)
+            {
+                var item = templatesArray[i];
+                if (item is not JsonObject rowObj)
+                {
+                    errors.Add($"error: {path}: contractTemplates[{i}] must be an object");
+                    continue;
+                }
+
+                var eval = templateSchema.Evaluate(rowObj, evalOptions);
+                var schemaMsgs = CollectSchemaMessages(eval, path, i).OrderBy(m => m, StringComparer.Ordinal).ToList();
+                if (!eval.IsValid)
+                {
+                    if (schemaMsgs.Count == 0)
+                        schemaMsgs.Add($"error: {path} contractTemplates[{i}] (root): schema validation failed");
+
+                    errors.AddRange(schemaMsgs);
+                }
+
+                var tid = (rowObj["id"] as JsonValue)?.GetValue<string>();
+                if (tid is not null && eval.IsValid)
+                {
+                    if (templateIdToSourceFile.TryGetValue(tid, out var prevPath))
+                    {
+                        errors.Add($"error: duplicate contract template id '{tid}' in {prevPath} and {path}");
+                        continue;
+                    }
+
+                    templateIdToSourceFile[tid] = path;
+                    rows[tid] = ParseRow(rowObj);
+                }
+            }
+        }
+
+        ThrowIfAny(errors);
+
+        var roster = PrototypeE7M4ContractCatalogRules.TryGetRosterGateError(templateIdToSourceFile);
+        if (roster is not null)
+        {
+            errors.Add(roster);
+            ThrowIfAny(errors);
+        }
+
+        var freeze = PrototypeE7M4ContractCatalogRules.TryGetFreezeGateError(rows);
+        if (freeze is not null)
+        {
+            errors.Add(freeze);
+            ThrowIfAny(errors);
+        }
+
+        var crossRef = PrototypeE7M4ContractCatalogRules.TryGetCrossRefError(
+            rows,
+            knownEncounterIds,
+            knownFactionIds,
+            skillDefsById);
+        if (crossRef is not null)
+        {
+            errors.Add(crossRef);
+            ThrowIfAny(errors);
+        }
+
+        var bandCap = PrototypeE7M4ContractCatalogRules.TryGetBandCapGateError(rows);
+        if (bandCap is not null)
+        {
+            errors.Add(bandCap);
+            ThrowIfAny(errors);
+        }
+
+        if (logger.IsEnabled(LogLevel.Information))
+        {
+            logger.LogInformation(
+                "Loaded contract template catalog from {ContractsDirectory}: {TemplateCount} template(s) across {CatalogFileCount} JSON catalog file(s).",
+                contractsDirectory,
+                rows.Count,
+                jsonFiles.Length);
+        }
+
+        return new ContractTemplateCatalog(contractsDirectory, rows, jsonFiles.Length);
+    }
+
+    private static ContractTemplateRow ParseRow(JsonObject rowObj)
+    {
+        var id = (rowObj["id"] as JsonValue)!.GetValue<string>();
+        var displayName = (rowObj["displayName"] as JsonValue)!.GetValue<string>();
+        var zoneDifficultyBand = (rowObj["zoneDifficultyBand"] as JsonValue)!.GetValue<int>();
+        var objectiveKind = (rowObj["objectiveKind"] as JsonValue)!.GetValue<string>();
+        var encounterTemplateId = (rowObj["encounterTemplateId"] as JsonValue)!.GetValue<string>();
+        var minStandingObj = rowObj["minFactionStanding"] as JsonObject;
+        var factionId = (minStandingObj!["factionId"] as JsonValue)!.GetValue<string>();
+        var minStanding = (minStandingObj["minStanding"] as JsonValue)!.GetValue<int>();
+        var completionRewardBundle = ParseCompletionRewardBundle(rowObj["completionRewardBundle"] as JsonObject)!;
+        return new ContractTemplateRow(
+            id,
+            displayName,
+            zoneDifficultyBand,
+            objectiveKind,
+            encounterTemplateId,
+            new FactionGateRuleRow(factionId, minStanding),
+            completionRewardBundle);
+    }
+
+    private static QuestRewardBundleRow? ParseCompletionRewardBundle(JsonObject? bundleObj)
+    {
+        if (bundleObj is null)
+            return null;
+
+        var itemGrants = ParseItemGrantRows(bundleObj["itemGrants"] as JsonArray);
+        var skillXpGrants = ParseSkillXpGrantRows(bundleObj["skillXpGrants"] as JsonArray);
+        var reputationGrants = ParseReputationGrantRows(bundleObj["reputationGrants"] as JsonArray);
+        return new QuestRewardBundleRow(itemGrants, skillXpGrants, reputationGrants);
+    }
+
+    private static IReadOnlyList<ReputationGrantRow> ParseReputationGrantRows(JsonArray? array)
+    {
+        if (array is null || array.Count == 0)
+            return [];
+
+        var rows = new List<ReputationGrantRow>(array.Count);
+        foreach (var node in array)
+        {
+            if (node is not JsonObject grantObj)
+                continue;
+
+            var factionId = (grantObj["factionId"] as JsonValue)!.GetValue<string>();
+            var amount = (grantObj["amount"] as JsonValue)!.GetValue<int>();
+            rows.Add(new ReputationGrantRow(factionId, amount));
+        }
+
+        return rows;
+    }
+
+    private static IReadOnlyList<RewardGrantRow> ParseItemGrantRows(JsonArray? array)
+    {
+        if (array is null || array.Count == 0)
+            return [];
+
+        var rows = new List<RewardGrantRow>(array.Count);
+        foreach (var node in array)
+        {
+            if (node is not JsonObject grantObj)
+                continue;
+
+            var itemId = (grantObj["itemId"] as JsonValue)!.GetValue<string>();
+            var quantity = (grantObj["quantity"] as JsonValue)!.GetValue<int>();
+            rows.Add(new RewardGrantRow(itemId, quantity));
+        }
+
+        return rows;
+    }
+
+    private static IReadOnlyList<QuestSkillXpGrantRow> ParseSkillXpGrantRows(JsonArray? array)
+    {
+        if (array is null || array.Count == 0)
+            return [];
+
+        var rows = new List<QuestSkillXpGrantRow>(array.Count);
+        foreach (var node in array)
+        {
+            if (node is not JsonObject grantObj)
+                continue;
+
+            var skillId = (grantObj["skillId"] as JsonValue)!.GetValue<string>();
+            var amount = (grantObj["amount"] as JsonValue)!.GetValue<int>();
+            rows.Add(new QuestSkillXpGrantRow(skillId, amount));
+        }
+
+        return rows;
+    }
+
+    private static List<string> CollectSchemaMessages(EvaluationResults eval, string filePath, int index)
+    {
+        var sink = new List<string>();
+        AppendSchemaMessages(eval, filePath, index, sink);
+        return sink;
+    }
+
+    private static void AppendSchemaMessages(EvaluationResults r, string filePath, int index, List<string> sink)
+    {
+        if (r.HasDetails)
+        {
+            foreach (var d in r.Details!)
+                AppendSchemaMessages(d, filePath, index, sink);
+        }
+
+        if (!r.HasErrors)
+            return;
+
+        foreach (var kv in r.Errors!)
+        {
+            var loc = r.InstanceLocation?.ToString();
+            if (string.IsNullOrEmpty(loc) || loc == "#")
+                loc = "(root)";
+
+            sink.Add($"error: {filePath} contractTemplates[{index}] {loc}: {kv.Key} — {kv.Value}");
+        }
+    }
+
+    /// <summary>Registers bundle + gate schemas in <see cref="SchemaRegistry.Global"/> once per process (NEO-145).</summary>
+    private static void EnsureContractSchemasLoaded(
+        string contractTemplateSchemaPath,
+        string rewardGrantRowSchemaPath,
+        string questSkillXpGrantSchemaPath,
+        string questRewardBundleSchemaPath,
+        string factionGateRuleSchemaPath,
+        string reputationGrantRowSchemaPath)
+    {
+        if (_contractTemplateSchema is not null)
+            return;
+
+        CatalogSchemaRegistry.GetOrRegisterFromFile(factionGateRuleSchemaPath);
+        CatalogSchemaRegistry.GetOrRegisterFromFile(reputationGrantRowSchemaPath);
+        CatalogSchemaRegistry.GetOrRegisterFromFile(rewardGrantRowSchemaPath);
+        CatalogSchemaRegistry.GetOrRegisterFromFile(questSkillXpGrantSchemaPath);
+        CatalogSchemaRegistry.GetOrRegisterFromFile(questRewardBundleSchemaPath);
+        _contractTemplateSchema = CatalogSchemaRegistry.GetOrRegisterFromFile(contractTemplateSchemaPath);
+    }
+
+    private static void ThrowIfAny(List<string> errors)
+    {
+        if (errors.Count == 0)
+            return;
+
+        var sb = new StringBuilder();
+        sb.AppendLine("Contract template catalog validation failed:");
+        foreach (var e in errors.OrderBy(x => x, StringComparer.Ordinal))
+            sb.AppendLine(e);
+
+        throw new InvalidOperationException(sb.ToString().TrimEnd());
+    }
+}
diff --git a/server/NeonSprawl.Server/Game/Contracts/ContractTemplateRegistry.cs b/server/NeonSprawl.Server/Game/Contracts/ContractTemplateRegistry.cs
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..b9056f7
--- /dev/null
+++ b/server/NeonSprawl.Server/Game/Contracts/ContractTemplateRegistry.cs
@@ -0,0 +1,37 @@
+using System.Diagnostics.CodeAnalysis;
+
+namespace NeonSprawl.Server.Game.Contracts;
+
+/// <summary>Adapter over <see cref="ContractTemplateCatalog"/> (NEO-145).</summary>
+public sealed class ContractTemplateRegistry(ContractTemplateCatalog catalog) : IContractTemplateRegistry
+{
+    /// <inheritdoc />
+    public bool TryGetDefinition(string? templateId, [NotNullWhen(true)] out ContractTemplateRow? definition)
+    {
+        if (templateId is null)
+        {
+            definition = null;
+            return false;
+        }
+
+        if (catalog.ById.TryGetValue(templateId, out var row))
+        {
+            definition = row;
+            return true;
+        }
+
+        definition = null;
+        return false;
+    }
+
+    /// <inheritdoc />
+    public IReadOnlyList<ContractTemplateRow> GetDefinitionsInIdOrder()
+    {
+        var ids = catalog.ById.Keys.OrderBy(k => k, StringComparer.Ordinal).ToArray();
+        var list = new List<ContractTemplateRow>(ids.Length);
+        foreach (var id in ids)
+            list.Add(catalog.ById[id]);
+
+        return list;
+    }
+}
diff --git a/server/NeonSprawl.Server/Game/Contracts/ContractTemplateRow.cs b/server/NeonSprawl.Server/Game/Contracts/ContractTemplateRow.cs
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..0a40adc
--- /dev/null
+++ b/server/NeonSprawl.Server/Game/Contracts/ContractTemplateRow.cs
@@ -0,0 +1,13 @@
+using NeonSprawl.Server.Game.Quests;
+
+namespace NeonSprawl.Server.Game.Contracts;
+
+/// <summary>Load-time contract template row (NEO-145).</summary>
+public sealed record ContractTemplateRow(
+    string Id,
+    string DisplayName,
+    int ZoneDifficultyBand,
+    string ObjectiveKind,
+    string EncounterTemplateId,
+    FactionGateRuleRow MinFactionStanding,
+    QuestRewardBundleRow CompletionRewardBundle);
diff --git a/server/NeonSprawl.Server/Game/Contracts/IContractTemplateRegistry.cs b/server/NeonSprawl.Server/Game/Contracts/IContractTemplateRegistry.cs
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..a4fe10d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/server/NeonSprawl.Server/Game/Contracts/IContractTemplateRegistry.cs
@@ -0,0 +1,15 @@
+using System.Diagnostics.CodeAnalysis;
+
+namespace NeonSprawl.Server.Game.Contracts;
+
+/// <summary>
+/// Read-only access to validated <see cref="ContractTemplateRow"/> entries loaded at startup (<see cref="ContractTemplateCatalog"/>).
+/// </summary>
+public interface IContractTemplateRegistry
+{
+    /// <summary>Attempts to resolve a contract template by stable <c>id</c>. Unknown ids and <c>null</c> return <c>false</c> without throwing.</summary>
+    bool TryGetDefinition(string? templateId, [NotNullWhen(true)] out ContractTemplateRow? definition);
+
+    /// <summary>Every loaded definition, ordered by <see cref="ContractTemplateRow.Id"/> (ordinal).</summary>
+    IReadOnlyList<ContractTemplateRow> GetDefinitionsInIdOrder();
+}
diff --git a/server/NeonSprawl.Server/Game/Contracts/PrototypeE7M4ContractCatalogRules.cs b/server/NeonSprawl.Server/Game/Contracts/PrototypeE7M4ContractCatalogRules.cs
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..a0cb3f7
--- /dev/null
+++ b/server/NeonSprawl.Server/Game/Contracts/PrototypeE7M4ContractCatalogRules.cs
@@ -0,0 +1,314 @@
+using System.Collections.Frozen;
+using NeonSprawl.Server.Game.Encounters;
+using NeonSprawl.Server.Game.Items;
+using NeonSprawl.Server.Game.Quests;
+using NeonSprawl.Server.Game.Skills;
+
+namespace NeonSprawl.Server.Game.Contracts;
+
+/// <summary>
+/// Prototype E7M4 contract template catalog gates (NEO-145), mirrored from
+/// <c>scripts/validate_content.py</c> <c>PROTOTYPE_E7M4_*</c> and <c>_prototype_e7m4_*</c> gate functions.
+/// </summary>
+public static class PrototypeE7M4ContractCatalogRules
+{
+    /// <summary>Keep in sync with <c>scripts/validate_content.py</c> <c>PROTOTYPE_E7M4_TEMPLATE_IDS</c>.</summary>
+    public static readonly FrozenSet<string> ExpectedTemplateIds = FrozenSet.ToFrozenSet(
+        ["prototype_contract_clear_combat_pocket"],
+        StringComparer.Ordinal);
+
+    /// <summary>Keep in sync with <c>scripts/validate_content.py</c> <c>PROTOTYPE_E7M4_BAND_CAPS</c>; NEO-147 ports to issue-time validation.</summary>
+    public static readonly FrozenDictionary<int, BandCapPolicy> BandCapsByDifficultyBand =
+        new Dictionary<int, BandCapPolicy>
+        {
+            [1] = new BandCapPolicy(MaxItemQuantity: 10, MaxSkillXpAmount: 25, MaxReputationAmount: 10),
+        }.ToFrozenDictionary();
+
+    /// <summary>Keep in sync with <c>scripts/validate_content.py</c> <c>PROTOTYPE_E7M4_TEMPLATE_FREEZE</c>.</summary>
+    public static readonly FrozenDictionary<string, ContractTemplateRow> ExpectedTemplateFreeze =
+        new Dictionary<string, ContractTemplateRow>(StringComparer.Ordinal)
+        {
+            ["prototype_contract_clear_combat_pocket"] = new(
+                "prototype_contract_clear_combat_pocket",
+                "Clear Combat Pocket (Repeat)",
+                1,
+                "encounter_clear",
+                "prototype_combat_pocket",
+                new FactionGateRuleRow("prototype_faction_grid_operators", 0),
+                new QuestRewardBundleRow(
+                    [new RewardGrantRow("scrap_metal_bulk", 5)],
+                    [new QuestSkillXpGrantRow("salvage", 15)],
+                    [])),
+        }.ToFrozenDictionary(StringComparer.Ordinal);
+
+    /// <summary>Returns a human-readable error if the prototype template roster fails, otherwise <see langword="null"/>.</summary>
+    public static string? TryGetRosterGateError(IReadOnlyDictionary<string, string> templateIdToSourceFile)
+    {
+        var ids = templateIdToSourceFile.Keys.ToFrozenSet(StringComparer.Ordinal);
+        if (!ids.SetEquals(ExpectedTemplateIds))
+        {
+            return
+                "error: prototype E7M4 expects exactly contract template ids " +
+                $"[{string.Join(", ", ExpectedTemplateIds.Order(StringComparer.Ordinal).Select(s => "'" + s + "'"))}], " +
+                $"got [{string.Join(", ", ids.Order(StringComparer.Ordinal).Select(s => "'" + s + "'"))}]";
+        }
+
+        return null;
+    }
+
+    /// <summary>Returns a human-readable error if template rows diverge from the E7M4 freeze table, otherwise <see langword="null"/>.</summary>
+    public static string? TryGetFreezeGateError(IReadOnlyDictionary<string, ContractTemplateRow> rowsById)
+    {
+        foreach (var (tid, expected) in ExpectedTemplateFreeze)
+        {
+            if (!rowsById.TryGetValue(tid, out var actual))
+                return $"error: missing contract template '{tid}'";
+
+            if (actual.DisplayName != expected.DisplayName)
+            {
+                return
+                    $"error: contract template '{tid}' displayName must be '{expected.DisplayName}', got '{actual.DisplayName}'";
+            }
+
+            if (actual.ZoneDifficultyBand != expected.ZoneDifficultyBand)
+            {
+                return
+                    $"error: contract template '{tid}' zoneDifficultyBand must be {expected.ZoneDifficultyBand}, got {actual.ZoneDifficultyBand}";
+            }
+
+            if (actual.ObjectiveKind != expected.ObjectiveKind)
+            {
+                return
+                    $"error: contract template '{tid}' objectiveKind must be '{expected.ObjectiveKind}', got '{actual.ObjectiveKind}'";
+            }
+
+            if (actual.EncounterTemplateId != expected.EncounterTemplateId)
+            {
+                return
+                    $"error: contract template '{tid}' encounterTemplateId must be '{expected.EncounterTemplateId}', got '{actual.EncounterTemplateId}'";
+            }
+
+            if (actual.MinFactionStanding.FactionId != expected.MinFactionStanding.FactionId ||
+                actual.MinFactionStanding.MinStanding != expected.MinFactionStanding.MinStanding)
+            {
+                return
+                    $"error: contract template '{tid}' minFactionStanding must be {{ factionId: '{expected.MinFactionStanding.FactionId}', minStanding: {expected.MinFactionStanding.MinStanding} }}, " +
+                    $"got {{ factionId: '{actual.MinFactionStanding.FactionId}', minStanding: {actual.MinFactionStanding.MinStanding} }}";
+            }
+
+            var actualBundle = NormalizeBundle(actual.CompletionRewardBundle);
+            var expectedBundle = NormalizeBundle(expected.CompletionRewardBundle);
+            if (!BundlesEqual(actualBundle, expectedBundle))
+            {
+                return
+                    $"error: contract template '{tid}' completionRewardBundle must match E7M4 freeze table " +
+                    $"(expected {FormatBundle(expectedBundle)}, got {FormatBundle(actualBundle)})";
+            }
+        }
+
+        return null;
+    }
+
+    /// <summary>Returns a human-readable error when cross-refs fail, otherwise <see langword="null"/>.</summary>
+    public static string? TryGetCrossRefError(
+        IReadOnlyDictionary<string, ContractTemplateRow> rowsById,
+        IReadOnlySet<string> knownEncounterIds,
+        IReadOnlySet<string> knownFactionIds,
+        IReadOnlyDictionary<string, SkillDefRow> skillDefsById)
+    {
+        foreach (var tid in rowsById.Keys.Order(StringComparer.Ordinal))
+        {
+            var row = rowsById[tid];
+            if (!knownEncounterIds.Contains(row.EncounterTemplateId))
+            {
+                return
+                    $"error: contract template '{tid}' encounterTemplateId '{row.EncounterTemplateId}' " +
+                    "is not in the loaded encounter catalog";
+            }
+
+            if (!knownFactionIds.Contains(row.MinFactionStanding.FactionId))
+            {
+                return
+                    $"error: contract template '{tid}' minFactionStanding.factionId " +
+                    $"'{row.MinFactionStanding.FactionId}' is not in the frozen prototype faction catalog";
+            }
+
+            var bundle = row.CompletionRewardBundle;
+            for (var gi = 0; gi < bundle.ItemGrants.Count; gi++)
+            {
+                var grant = bundle.ItemGrants[gi];
+                if (!PrototypeSlice1ItemCatalogRules.ExpectedItemIds.Contains(grant.ItemId))
+                {
+                    return
+                        $"error: contract template '{tid}' completionRewardBundle.itemGrants[{gi}]: itemId " +
+                        $"'{grant.ItemId}' is not in the frozen prototype item catalog";
+                }
+            }
+
+            for (var gi = 0; gi < bundle.SkillXpGrants.Count; gi++)
+            {
+                var grant = bundle.SkillXpGrants[gi];
+                if (!PrototypeSlice1SkillCatalogRules.ExpectedSkillIds.Contains(grant.SkillId))
+                {
+                    return
+                        $"error: contract template '{tid}' completionRewardBundle.skillXpGrants[{gi}]: skillId " +
+                        $"'{grant.SkillId}' is not in the frozen prototype skill catalog";
+                }
+
+                skillDefsById.TryGetValue(grant.SkillId, out var skill);
+                var allowedKinds = skill?.AllowedXpSourceKinds ?? [];
+                if (!allowedKinds.Contains(PrototypeE7M2QuestCatalogRules.MissionRewardSourceKind, StringComparer.Ordinal))
+                {
+                    var kindsDisplay = allowedKinds.Count == 0
+                        ? "[]"
+                        : $"[{string.Join(", ", allowedKinds.Select(k => $"'{k}'"))}]";
+                    return
+                        $"error: contract template '{tid}' completionRewardBundle.skillXpGrants[{gi}]: skillId " +
+                        $"'{grant.SkillId}' must allow sourceKind '{PrototypeE7M2QuestCatalogRules.MissionRewardSourceKind}' " +
+                        $"in allowedXpSourceKinds (got {kindsDisplay})";
+                }
+            }
+
+            for (var gi = 0; gi < bundle.ReputationGrants.Count; gi++)
+            {
+                var grant = bundle.ReputationGrants[gi];
+                if (!knownFactionIds.Contains(grant.FactionId))
+                {
+                    return
+                        $"error: contract template '{tid}' completionRewardBundle.reputationGrants[{gi}]: factionId " +
+                        $"'{grant.FactionId}' is not in the frozen prototype faction catalog";
+                }
+            }
+        }
+
+        return null;
+    }
+
+    /// <summary>Returns a human-readable error if a template bundle exceeds band caps, otherwise <see langword="null"/>.</summary>
+    public static string? TryGetBandCapGateError(IReadOnlyDictionary<string, ContractTemplateRow> rowsById)
+    {
+        foreach (var tid in rowsById.Keys.Order(StringComparer.Ordinal))
+        {
+            var row = rowsById[tid];
+            if (!BandCapsByDifficultyBand.TryGetValue(row.ZoneDifficultyBand, out var caps))
+            {
+                return
+                    $"error: contract template '{tid}' zoneDifficultyBand {row.ZoneDifficultyBand} has no " +
+                    "prototype economy cap policy";
+            }
+
+            var bundle = row.CompletionRewardBundle;
+            for (var gi = 0; gi < bundle.ItemGrants.Count; gi++)
+            {
+                var grant = bundle.ItemGrants[gi];
+                if (grant.Quantity > caps.MaxItemQuantity)
+                {
+                    return
+                        $"error: contract template '{tid}' completionRewardBundle.itemGrants[{gi}] " +
+                        $"quantity {grant.Quantity} exceeds band {row.ZoneDifficultyBand} cap {caps.MaxItemQuantity}";
+                }
+            }
+
+            for (var gi = 0; gi < bundle.SkillXpGrants.Count; gi++)
+            {
+                var grant = bundle.SkillXpGrants[gi];
+                if (grant.Amount > caps.MaxSkillXpAmount)
+                {
+                    return
+                        $"error: contract template '{tid}' completionRewardBundle.skillXpGrants[{gi}] " +
+                        $"amount {grant.Amount} exceeds band {row.ZoneDifficultyBand} cap {caps.MaxSkillXpAmount}";
+                }
+            }
+
+            for (var gi = 0; gi < bundle.ReputationGrants.Count; gi++)
+            {
+                var grant = bundle.ReputationGrants[gi];
+                if (Math.Abs(grant.Amount) > caps.MaxReputationAmount)
+                {
+                    return
+                        $"error: contract template '{tid}' completionRewardBundle.reputationGrants[{gi}] " +
+                        $"amount {grant.Amount} exceeds band {row.ZoneDifficultyBand} rep cap {caps.MaxReputationAmount}";
+                }
+            }
+        }
+
+        return null;
+    }
+
+    private static NormalizedBundle NormalizeBundle(QuestRewardBundleRow bundle) =>
+        new(
+            bundle.ItemGrants
+                .OrderBy(g => g.ItemId, StringComparer.Ordinal)
+                .ThenBy(g => g.Quantity)
+                .ToArray(),
+            bundle.SkillXpGrants
+                .OrderBy(g => g.SkillId, StringComparer.Ordinal)
+                .ThenBy(g => g.Amount)
+                .ToArray(),
+            bundle.ReputationGrants
+                .OrderBy(g => g.FactionId, StringComparer.Ordinal)
+                .ThenBy(g => g.Amount)
+                .ToArray());
+
+    private static bool BundlesEqual(NormalizedBundle left, NormalizedBundle right)
+    {
+        if (left.ItemGrants.Length != right.ItemGrants.Length ||
+            left.SkillXpGrants.Length != right.SkillXpGrants.Length ||
+            left.ReputationGrants.Length != right.ReputationGrants.Length)
+        {
+            return false;
+        }
+
+        for (var i = 0; i < left.ItemGrants.Length; i++)
+        {
+            if (left.ItemGrants[i].ItemId != right.ItemGrants[i].ItemId ||
+                left.ItemGrants[i].Quantity != right.ItemGrants[i].Quantity)
+            {
+                return false;
+            }
+        }
+
+        for (var i = 0; i < left.SkillXpGrants.Length; i++)
+        {
+            if (left.SkillXpGrants[i].SkillId != right.SkillXpGrants[i].SkillId ||
+                left.SkillXpGrants[i].Amount != right.SkillXpGrants[i].Amount)
+            {
+                return false;
+            }
+        }
+
+        for (var i = 0; i < left.ReputationGrants.Length; i++)
+        {
+            if (left.ReputationGrants[i].FactionId != right.ReputationGrants[i].FactionId ||
+                left.ReputationGrants[i].Amount != right.ReputationGrants[i].Amount)
+            {
+                return false;
+            }
+        }
+
+        return true;
+    }
+
+    private static string FormatBundle(NormalizedBundle bundle)
+    {
+        var itemGrants = string.Join(
+            ", ",
+            bundle.ItemGrants.Select(g => $"{{ itemId: '{g.ItemId}', quantity: {g.Quantity} }}"));
+        var skillXpGrants = string.Join(
+            ", ",
+            bundle.SkillXpGrants.Select(g => $"{{ skillId: '{g.SkillId}', amount: {g.Amount} }}"));
+        var reputationGrants = string.Join(
+            ", ",
+            bundle.ReputationGrants.Select(g => $"{{ factionId: '{g.FactionId}', amount: {g.Amount} }}"));
+        return
+            $"{{ itemGrants: [{itemGrants}], skillXpGrants: [{skillXpGrants}], reputationGrants: [{reputationGrants}] }}";
+    }
+
+    private sealed record NormalizedBundle(
+        RewardGrantRow[] ItemGrants,
+        QuestSkillXpGrantRow[] SkillXpGrants,
+        ReputationGrantRow[] ReputationGrants);
+}
+
+/// <summary>Prototype economy caps keyed by zone difficulty band (NEO-145).</summary>
+public sealed record BandCapPolicy(int MaxItemQuantity, int MaxSkillXpAmount, int MaxReputationAmount);
diff --git a/server/NeonSprawl.Server/Game/Skills/ContentPathsOptions.cs b/server/NeonSprawl.Server/Game/Skills/ContentPathsOptions.cs
index 50f87ad..a73508e 100644
--- a/server/NeonSprawl.Server/Game/Skills/ContentPathsOptions.cs
+++ b/server/NeonSprawl.Server/Game/Skills/ContentPathsOptions.cs
@@ -166,4 +166,16 @@ public sealed class ContentPathsOptions
     /// When unset, resolved as <c>{parent of factions directory}/schemas/faction-def.schema.json</c>.
     /// </summary>
     public string? FactionDefSchemaPath { get; set; }
+
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Optional. Absolute path, or path relative to <see cref="Microsoft.Extensions.Hosting.IHostEnvironment.ContentRootPath"/>.
+    /// When unset, the host walks ancestors of <see cref="AppContext.BaseDirectory"/> for a <c>content/contracts</c> directory.
+    /// </summary>
+    public string? ContractsDirectory { get; set; }
+
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Optional override for <c>contract-template.schema.json</c>.
+    /// When unset, resolved as <c>{parent of contracts directory}/schemas/contract-template.schema.json</c>.
+    /// </summary>
+    public string? ContractTemplateSchemaPath { get; set; }
 }
diff --git a/server/NeonSprawl.Server/Program.cs b/server/NeonSprawl.Server/Program.cs
index 6aa6483..0f6a688 100644
--- a/server/NeonSprawl.Server/Program.cs
+++ b/server/NeonSprawl.Server/Program.cs
@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 using NeonSprawl.Server.Game.AbilityInput;
 using NeonSprawl.Server.Game.Combat;
+using NeonSprawl.Server.Game.Contracts;
 using NeonSprawl.Server.Game.Crafting;
 using NeonSprawl.Server.Game.Encounters;
 using NeonSprawl.Server.Game.Factions;
@@ -32,6 +33,7 @@ builder.Services.AddAbilityDefinitionCatalog(builder.Configuration);
 builder.Services.AddNpcBehaviorDefinitionCatalog(builder.Configuration);
 builder.Services.AddEncounterAndRewardCatalogs(builder.Configuration);
 builder.Services.AddQuestDefinitionCatalog(builder.Configuration);
+builder.Services.AddContractTemplateCatalog(builder.Configuration);
 builder.Services.AddPlayerQuestStateStore(builder.Configuration);
 builder.Services.AddRewardDeliveryStore();
 builder.Services.AddFactionStandingStores(builder.Configuration);
@@ -51,6 +53,7 @@ _ = app.Services.GetRequiredService<NpcBehaviorDefinitionCatalog>();
 _ = app.Services.GetRequiredService<RewardTableDefinitionCatalog>();
 _ = app.Services.GetRequiredService<EncounterDefinitionCatalog>();
 _ = app.Services.GetRequiredService<QuestDefinitionCatalog>();
+_ = app.Services.GetRequiredService<ContractTemplateCatalog>();
 _ = app.Services.GetRequiredService<MasteryCatalog>();
 _ = app.Services.GetRequiredService<ISkillLevelCurve>();
 
diff --git a/server/README.md b/server/README.md
index a1d05f0..f608cd1 100644
--- a/server/README.md
+++ b/server/README.md
@@ -254,6 +254,21 @@ Bundle-related schemas (**`quest-reward-bundle.schema.json`**, **`quest-skill-xp
 
 On success, **Information** logs include the resolved quests directory path, distinct quest count, and catalog file count. Game code should use **`IQuestDefinitionRegistry`** for lookups (`TryGetDefinition`, `TryNormalizeKnown`, `GetDefinitionsInIdOrder`; NEO-114). The catalog singleton remains for fail-fast startup only; do not inject **`QuestDefinitionCatalog`** in new game code. **`TryGetDefinition`** is case-sensitive on catalog keys; HTTP and game callers validating wire ids should use **`TryNormalizeKnown`** (trim + lowercase + fail-closed lookup), same as encounter/ability routes.
 
+## Contract template catalog (`content/contracts`, NEO-145)
+
+On startup the host loads every **`*_contract_templates.json`** under the contracts directory **after** the item, recipe, encounter, skill, faction, and quest catalogs, validates each row against **`content/schemas/contract-template.schema.json`** (with **`quest-reward-bundle.schema.json`**, **`quest-skill-xp-grant.schema.json`**, **`reward-grant-row.schema.json`**, **`faction-gate-rule.schema.json`**, and **`reputation-grant-row.schema.json`** for nested `$ref`s), requires **`schemaVersion` 1** per file, rejects **duplicate template `id`** values across files, cross-checks **`encounterTemplateId`** against the loaded encounter catalog and bundle item/skill/faction refs against frozen prototype catalogs, enforces the **prototype E7M4** one-template roster and freeze table (including empty **`reputationGrants`**), and enforces **band-1 economy caps** (item qty ≤ **10**, skill XP ≤ **25**, rep ≤ **10** per grant row — same rules as **`scripts/validate_content.py`**). If anything is missing or invalid, the process **exits during startup** with an actionable error—there is no silent fallback.
+
+| Config | Meaning |
+|--------|---------|
+| **`Content:ContractsDirectory`** | Optional. Absolute path, or path relative to the server **content root**. When unset, walks **ancestors of `AppContext.BaseDirectory`** until it finds **`content/contracts`**. |
+| **`Content:ContractTemplateSchemaPath`** | Optional override for **`contract-template.schema.json`**. When unset, **`{parent of contracts directory}/schemas/contract-template.schema.json`**. |
+
+Bundle- and gate-related schemas resolve as siblings under **`{parent of contracts directory}/schemas/`** only — there are no separate **`Content:*`** override keys yet; custom layouts must keep those files next to the contract template schema (NEO-145).
+
+**Docker / CI:** include **`content/contracts`**, upstream catalogs (**`content/encounters`**, **`content/skills`**, **`content/factions`**, **`content/items`**), and contract/bundle/faction schemas in the mounted **`content/`** tree; set **`Content__ContractsDirectory`** when layout differs.
+
+On success, **Information** logs include the resolved contracts directory path, distinct template count, and catalog file count. Game code should use **`IContractTemplateRegistry`** for lookups (`TryGetDefinition`, `GetDefinitionsInIdOrder`; NEO-145). The catalog singleton remains for fail-fast startup only; do not inject **`ContractTemplateCatalog`** in new game code.
+
 ## Quest definitions (NEO-115)
 
 **`GET /game/world/quest-definitions`** returns a versioned JSON body (`schemaVersion` **1**, **`quests`**) backed by **`IQuestDefinitionRegistry`** — the same prototype rows loaded at startup (no second source of truth). Each row includes **`id`**, **`displayName`**, **`prerequisiteQuestIds`**, optional **`factionGateRules`** (`factionId`, `minStanding` — omitted when the quest has no gates), and nested **`steps`** (`id`, `displayName`, **`objectives`** with flat objective fields per kind — unused keys omitted). Plan: [NEO-115 implementation plan](../../docs/plans/NEO-115-implementation-plan.md); gate projection: [NEO-140 implementation plan](../../docs/plans/NEO-140-implementation-plan.md); Bruno: `bruno/neon-sprawl-server/quest-definitions/`.