diff --git a/client/README.md b/client/README.md
index 9833ce1..25a4298 100644
--- a/client/README.md
+++ b/client/README.md
@@ -117,6 +117,16 @@ Full checklist: [`docs/manual-qa/NEO-25.md`](../manual-qa/NEO-25.md).
 
 Full checklist: [`docs/manual-qa/NEO-26.md`](../docs/manual-qa/NEO-26.md).
 
+## Hotbar loadout hydration (NEO-29)
+
+`scripts/hotbar_loadout_client.gd` fetches server-owned `HotbarLoadout` state and applies it to `scripts/hotbar_state.gd`:
+
+- On `main.gd` startup, `_setup_hotbar_loadout_sync()` creates `HotbarState` + `HotbarLoadoutClient` nodes, mirrors `base_url`/`dev_player_id` from `PositionAuthorityClient`, and calls `request_sync_from_server()`.
+- `HotbarState` keeps a fixed **8-slot** local mirror (`Array` indexed `0..7`) with nullable ability ids.
+- `HotbarLoadoutClient.request_bind_slot(slot_index, ability_id)` POSTs one slot update to `/game/players/{id}/hotbar-loadout`; denials emit `loadout_update_denied(reason_code, loadout)` so future UI can surface machine-readable errors directly.
+
+This story hydrates bindings only; cast execution and cooldown behavior stay in later E1.M4 / E5.M1 stories.
+
 ### Manual check (NEO-24)
 
 1. Run the server and client as in NEO-7 / NEO-9; confirm spawn snap at `(-5, 0.9, -5)`.
diff --git a/client/scripts/hotbar_loadout_client.gd b/client/scripts/hotbar_loadout_client.gd
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..aa7fba7
--- /dev/null
+++ b/client/scripts/hotbar_loadout_client.gd
@@ -0,0 +1,112 @@
+extends Node
+
+## NEO-29: client bridge for server-owned `HotbarLoadout` v1 fetch/update.
+signal loadout_changed(loadout: Dictionary)
+signal loadout_update_denied(reason_code: String, loadout: Dictionary)
+
+@export var base_url: String = "http://127.0.0.1:5253"
+@export var dev_player_id: String = "dev-local-1"
+@export var injected_http: Node = null
+
+var _http: Node
+var _busy: bool = false
+var _last_loadout: Dictionary = {}
+var _hotbar_state: Node = null
+
+
+func _ready() -> void:
+	if injected_http != null:
+		_http = injected_http
+	else:
+		_http = HTTPRequest.new()
+		add_child(_http)
+		if _http is HTTPRequest:
+			(_http as HTTPRequest).timeout = 30.0
+	@warning_ignore("unsafe_method_access")
+	_http.request_completed.connect(_on_request_completed)
+
+
+func set_hotbar_state(state_node: Node) -> void:
+	_hotbar_state = state_node
+
+
+func request_sync_from_server() -> void:
+	if _busy:
+		return
+	_busy = true
+	var url := "%s/game/players/%s/hotbar-loadout" % [_base_root(), _player_path_segment()]
+	var err: Error = _http.request(url)
+	if err != OK:
+		push_warning("HotbarLoadoutClient: GET failed to start (%s)" % err)
+		_busy = false
+
+
+func request_bind_slot(slot_index: int, ability_id: String) -> void:
+	if _busy:
+		return
+	var payload: Dictionary = {
+		"schemaVersion": 1,
+		"slots": [{"slotIndex": slot_index, "abilityId": ability_id.strip_edges()}],
+	}
+	_post_update(payload)
+
+
+func cached_loadout() -> Dictionary:
+	return _last_loadout.duplicate(true)
+
+
+func _post_update(payload: Dictionary) -> void:
+	_busy = true
+	var url := "%s/game/players/%s/hotbar-loadout" % [_base_root(), _player_path_segment()]
+	var headers := PackedStringArray(["Content-Type: application/json"])
+	var err: Error = _http.request(url, headers, HTTPClient.METHOD_POST, JSON.stringify(payload))
+	if err != OK:
+		push_warning("HotbarLoadoutClient: POST failed to start (%s)" % err)
+		_busy = false
+
+
+func _base_root() -> String:
+	return base_url.strip_edges().rstrip("/")
+
+
+func _player_path_segment() -> String:
+	return dev_player_id.strip_edges()
+
+
+func _on_request_completed(
+	result: int, response_code: int, _headers: PackedStringArray, body: PackedByteArray
+) -> void:
+	_busy = false
+	if result != HTTPRequest.RESULT_SUCCESS:
+		push_warning("HotbarLoadoutClient: HTTP failed (result=%s)" % result)
+		return
+	var text := body.get_string_from_utf8()
+	var parsed: Variant = JSON.parse_string(text)
+	if not parsed is Dictionary:
+		if response_code != 200:
+			push_warning("HotbarLoadoutClient: HTTP %s non-JSON body" % response_code)
+		return
+	var data: Dictionary = parsed
+	var loadout: Dictionary = data
+	if data.has("loadout") and data["loadout"] is Dictionary:
+		loadout = data["loadout"]
+	if loadout.is_empty() or not loadout.has("slots"):
+		return
+	_last_loadout = loadout.duplicate(true)
+	_apply_state(loadout)
+	loadout_changed.emit(_last_loadout.duplicate(true))
+	if data.has("updated") and not bool(data.get("updated", false)):
+		var reason_variant: Variant = data.get("reasonCode", "")
+		var reason: String = reason_variant as String if reason_variant is String else ""
+		if not reason.is_empty():
+			loadout_update_denied.emit(reason, _last_loadout.duplicate(true))
+
+
+func _apply_state(loadout: Dictionary) -> void:
+	if _hotbar_state == null or not is_instance_valid(_hotbar_state):
+		return
+	if not _hotbar_state.has_method("apply_slots"):
+		return
+	var slots_variant: Variant = loadout.get("slots", [])
+	if slots_variant is Array:
+		_hotbar_state.call("apply_slots", slots_variant as Array)
diff --git a/client/scripts/hotbar_state.gd b/client/scripts/hotbar_state.gd
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..eade655
--- /dev/null
+++ b/client/scripts/hotbar_state.gd
@@ -0,0 +1,41 @@
+extends Node
+
+## Local hotbar slot state mirror for NEO-29. Holds slot -> ability mapping from
+## server-owned `HotbarLoadout` payloads.
+signal hotbar_changed(slots: Array)
+
+const SLOT_COUNT: int = 8
+
+var _slots: Array = []
+
+
+func _ready() -> void:
+	if _slots.is_empty():
+		_slots.resize(SLOT_COUNT)
+		for i in range(SLOT_COUNT):
+			_slots[i] = null
+
+
+func apply_slots(slots: Array) -> void:
+	var normalized: Array = []
+	normalized.resize(SLOT_COUNT)
+	for i in range(SLOT_COUNT):
+		normalized[i] = null
+	for slot_variant in slots:
+		if not slot_variant is Dictionary:
+			continue
+		var slot: Dictionary = slot_variant
+		var idx: int = int(slot.get("slotIndex", -1))
+		if idx < 0 or idx >= SLOT_COUNT:
+			continue
+		var ability_variant: Variant = slot.get("abilityId", null)
+		if ability_variant is String and not (ability_variant as String).is_empty():
+			normalized[idx] = ability_variant as String
+		else:
+			normalized[idx] = null
+	_slots = normalized
+	hotbar_changed.emit(_slots.duplicate())
+
+
+func slots_snapshot() -> Array:
+	return _slots.duplicate()
diff --git a/client/scripts/main.gd b/client/scripts/main.gd
index fe24e70..64ea64c 100644
--- a/client/scripts/main.gd
+++ b/client/scripts/main.gd
@@ -79,6 +79,8 @@ var _dev_obstacle_smoke: Node3D
 @onready var _target_client: Node = $TargetSelectionClient
 @onready var _interaction_client: Node = $InteractionRequestClient
 @onready var _floor: StaticBody3D = $World/NavigationRegion3D/Floor
+var _hotbar_state: Node = null
+var _hotbar_client: Node = null
 
 
 func _ready() -> void:
@@ -116,6 +118,7 @@ func _ready() -> void:
 	_catalog.call("request_catalog")
 	_authority.call("sync_from_server")
 	_target_client.call("request_sync_from_server")
+	_setup_hotbar_loadout_sync()
 
 
 func _physics_process(_delta: float) -> void:
@@ -221,6 +224,27 @@ func _on_target_state_changed(state: Dictionary) -> void:
 		_render_target_lock_label(_player.global_position)
 
 
+func _setup_hotbar_loadout_sync() -> void:
+	# NEO-29: hydrate a local hotbar state mirror from server-owned HotbarLoadout on boot.
+	_hotbar_state = load("res://scripts/hotbar_state.gd").new()
+	_hotbar_state.name = "HotbarState"
+	add_child(_hotbar_state)
+	_hotbar_client = load("res://scripts/hotbar_loadout_client.gd").new()
+	_hotbar_client.name = "HotbarLoadoutClient"
+	add_child(_hotbar_client)
+	if is_instance_valid(_authority):
+		var authority_base_url: Variant = _authority.get("base_url")
+		var authority_player_id: Variant = _authority.get("dev_player_id")
+		if authority_base_url is String and not (authority_base_url as String).is_empty():
+			_hotbar_client.set("base_url", authority_base_url)
+		if authority_player_id is String and not (authority_player_id as String).is_empty():
+			_hotbar_client.set("dev_player_id", authority_player_id)
+	if _hotbar_client.has_method("set_hotbar_state"):
+		_hotbar_client.call("set_hotbar_state", _hotbar_state)
+	if _hotbar_client.has_method("request_sync_from_server"):
+		_hotbar_client.call("request_sync_from_server")
+
+
 ## Combines cached server state (`_last_target_state`) with per-anchor horizontal
 ## distance computed from the live capsule position. Distances are a **display-only**
 ## hint — the server remains authoritative for `validity`. If the HUD shows
diff --git a/client/test/hotbar_loadout_client_test.gd b/client/test/hotbar_loadout_client_test.gd
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..bcb8680
--- /dev/null
+++ b/client/test/hotbar_loadout_client_test.gd
@@ -0,0 +1,109 @@
+extends GdUnitTestSuite
+
+const HotbarClient := preload("res://scripts/hotbar_loadout_client.gd")
+const HotbarState := preload("res://scripts/hotbar_state.gd")
+
+
+class MockHttpTransport:
+	extends Node
+	signal request_completed(
+		result: int, response_code: int, headers: PackedStringArray, body: PackedByteArray
+	)
+	var last_url: String = ""
+	var last_body: String = ""
+	var last_method: HTTPClient.Method = HTTPClient.METHOD_GET
+	var _queue: Array[Dictionary] = []
+
+	func enqueue(result: int, code: int, body: String) -> void:
+		_queue.append({"result": result, "code": code, "body": body})
+
+	func request(
+		url: String,
+		_custom_headers: PackedStringArray = PackedStringArray(),
+		method: HTTPClient.Method = HTTPClient.METHOD_GET,
+		request_data: String = ""
+	) -> Error:
+		last_url = url
+		last_method = method
+		last_body = request_data
+		if _queue.is_empty():
+			return ERR_UNAVAILABLE
+		var r: Dictionary = _queue.pop_front()
+		request_completed.emit(
+			r["result"], r["code"], PackedStringArray(), str(r["body"]).to_utf8_buffer()
+		)
+		return OK
+
+
+func _make_client(transport: Node) -> Node:
+	var c: Node = HotbarClient.new()
+	c.set("injected_http", transport)
+	auto_free(transport)
+	auto_free(c)
+	add_child(c)
+	return c
+
+
+func _sample_slots_json() -> String:
+	return (
+		'{"schemaVersion":1,"playerId":"dev-local-1","slotCount":8,"slots":['
+		+ '{"slotIndex":0,"abilityId":"prototype_pulse"},'
+		+ '{"slotIndex":1,"abilityId":null},'
+		+ '{"slotIndex":2,"abilityId":"prototype_guard"},'
+		+ '{"slotIndex":3,"abilityId":null},'
+		+ '{"slotIndex":4,"abilityId":null},'
+		+ '{"slotIndex":5,"abilityId":null},'
+		+ '{"slotIndex":6,"abilityId":null},'
+		+ '{"slotIndex":7,"abilityId":null}'
+		+ "]}"
+	)
+
+
+func test_sync_get_applies_slots_to_hotbar_state() -> void:
+	var transport := MockHttpTransport.new()
+	transport.enqueue(HTTPRequest.RESULT_SUCCESS, 200, _sample_slots_json())
+	var c := _make_client(transport)
+	var state := HotbarState.new()
+	auto_free(state)
+	add_child(state)
+	c.call("set_hotbar_state", state)
+	c.call("request_sync_from_server")
+	var slots: Array = state.call("slots_snapshot")
+	assert_that(slots.size()).is_equal(8)
+	assert_that(slots[0]).is_equal("prototype_pulse")
+	assert_that(slots[2]).is_equal("prototype_guard")
+	assert_that(slots[1]).is_null()
+
+
+func test_bind_slot_posts_expected_payload() -> void:
+	var transport := MockHttpTransport.new()
+	transport.enqueue(
+		HTTPRequest.RESULT_SUCCESS,
+		200,
+		'{"schemaVersion":1,"updated":true,"loadout":{"schemaVersion":1,"playerId":"dev-local-1","slotCount":8,"slots":[]}}'
+	)
+	var c := _make_client(transport)
+	c.call("request_bind_slot", 3, "prototype_burst")
+	assert_that(transport.last_url).contains("/hotbar-loadout")
+	assert_that(transport.last_method).is_equal(HTTPClient.METHOD_POST)
+	var parsed: Variant = JSON.parse_string(transport.last_body)
+	assert_that(parsed is Dictionary).is_true()
+	var body: Dictionary = parsed
+	assert_that(int(body.get("schemaVersion", 0))).is_equal(1)
+	var slots: Array = body.get("slots", [])
+	assert_that(slots.size()).is_equal(1)
+	assert_that(int((slots[0] as Dictionary).get("slotIndex", -1))).is_equal(3)
+	assert_that((slots[0] as Dictionary).get("abilityId")).is_equal("prototype_burst")
+
+
+func test_denied_update_emits_reason_signal() -> void:
+	var transport := MockHttpTransport.new()
+	transport.enqueue(
+		HTTPRequest.RESULT_SUCCESS,
+		200,
+		'{"schemaVersion":1,"updated":false,"reasonCode":"unknown_ability","loadout":{"schemaVersion":1,"playerId":"dev-local-1","slotCount":8,"slots":[]}}'
+	)
+	var c := _make_client(transport)
+	monitor_signals(c)
+	c.call("request_bind_slot", 1, "not_real")
+	assert_signal(c).is_emitted("loadout_update_denied")
diff --git a/docs/decomposition/modules/E1_M4_AbilityInputScaffold.md b/docs/decomposition/modules/E1_M4_AbilityInputScaffold.md
index bdb9d7c..2278d07 100644
--- a/docs/decomposition/modules/E1_M4_AbilityInputScaffold.md
+++ b/docs/decomposition/modules/E1_M4_AbilityInputScaffold.md
@@ -42,7 +42,8 @@ Epic 1 **Slice 3** — `ability_cast_requested`, `ability_cast_denied` with reas
 
 ## Implementation snapshot
 
-- **Current state:** decomposition and story scaffolding only; implementation has not started for `HotbarLoadout`, `AbilityCastRequest`, or `CooldownSnapshot` contract wiring.
+- **Current state:** NEO-29 landed prototype `HotbarLoadout` v1 contract and hydration path (`GET`/`POST /game/players/{id}/hotbar-loadout`, fixed 8 slots, deny reason codes). `AbilityCastRequest` and `CooldownSnapshot` wiring are still pending.
+- **Prototype persistence policy (NEO-29):** per-player loadout key; Postgres when `ConnectionStrings:NeonSprawl` exists, in-memory fallback otherwise.
 - **Prototype backlog:** [E1M4 prototype backlog](../../plans/E1M4-prototype-backlog.md) defines five vertical slices from hotbar loadout contract to cast telemetry hooks.
 - **Dependency expectation:** first implementation stories assume E1.M3 target selection flow exists and E5.M1 provides minimum cast accept/deny contract.
 
@@ -54,7 +55,7 @@ Parent epic: [Epic 1 — Core Player Runtime](https://linear.app/neon-sprawl/pro
 
 | Slug | Linear |
 |------|--------|
-| **E1M4-01** | TBD — `HotbarLoadout` v1 contract + baseline persistence path |
+| **E1M4-01** | [NEO-29](https://linear.app/neon-sprawl/issue/NEO-29/e1m4-01-hotbarloadout-v1-contract-baseline-persistence-path) — `HotbarLoadout` v1 contract + baseline persistence path |
 | **E1M4-02** | TBD — Input to `AbilityCastRequest` path |
 | **E1M4-03** | TBD — Combat accept/deny integration + reason-code UX |
 | **E1M4-04** | TBD — `CooldownSnapshot` sync + slot presentation |
diff --git a/docs/manual-qa/NEO-29.md b/docs/manual-qa/NEO-29.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..0e200a6
--- /dev/null
+++ b/docs/manual-qa/NEO-29.md
@@ -0,0 +1,38 @@
+# NEO-29 — Manual QA checklist
+
+| Field | Value |
+|-------|-------|
+| Key | NEO-29 |
+| Title | E1M4-01: HotbarLoadout v1 contract + baseline persistence path |
+| Linear | https://linear.app/neon-sprawl/issue/NEO-29/e1m4-01-hotbarloadout-v1-contract-baseline-persistence-path |
+| Plan | `docs/plans/NEO-29-implementation-plan.md` |
+| Branch | `NEO-29-hotbarloadout-v1-contract-baseline-persistence-path` |
+
+## 1) Setup sanity
+
+- [ ] Start server: `cd server/NeonSprawl.Server && dotnet run`.
+- [ ] Confirm health endpoint responds: `curl -s http://localhost:5253/health`.
+- [ ] Confirm baseline loadout for dev player is reachable: `curl -s http://localhost:5253/game/players/dev-local-1/hotbar-loadout`.
+
+## 2) Happy path (bind and re-read)
+
+- [ ] Bind slot 0 + slot 3 in one request:
+  `curl -s -X POST http://localhost:5253/game/players/dev-local-1/hotbar-loadout -H "Content-Type: application/json" -d '{"schemaVersion":1,"slots":[{"slotIndex":0,"abilityId":"prototype_pulse"},{"slotIndex":3,"abilityId":"prototype_burst"}]}'`
+- [ ] Verify response contains `updated=true` and `loadout.slots[0].abilityId == "prototype_pulse"` and `loadout.slots[3].abilityId == "prototype_burst"`.
+- [ ] Run GET again and verify the same two bindings are still present.
+
+## 3) Reconnect / persistence behavior
+
+- [ ] If Postgres is configured (`ConnectionStrings__NeonSprawl` set), stop and restart the server, then GET loadout and verify slot 0/3 bindings survived restart.
+- [ ] If Postgres is not configured (in-memory fallback), verify loadout behavior in the same process is stable and document that restart reset is expected for this mode.
+
+## 4) Deny paths and reason codes
+
+- [ ] Send out-of-bounds slot (`slotIndex: 8`) and confirm response has `updated=false` with `reasonCode == "slot_out_of_bounds"`.
+- [ ] Send unknown ability id (`abilityId: "not_real"`) and confirm response has `updated=false` with `reasonCode == "unknown_ability"`.
+- [ ] Send duplicate slot index entries in one POST and confirm response has `updated=false` with `reasonCode == "duplicate_slot"`.
+
+## 5) Client hydration sanity
+
+- [ ] Run `client/scenes/main.tscn` in Godot after slot bindings exist on server.
+- [ ] Confirm no startup warnings from `HotbarLoadoutClient` and verify `HotbarState` node exists under the scene root with 8-slot mirror populated from server response.
diff --git a/docs/plans/E1M4-prototype-backlog.md b/docs/plans/E1M4-prototype-backlog.md
index 3821286..5b92a0a 100644
--- a/docs/plans/E1M4-prototype-backlog.md
+++ b/docs/plans/E1M4-prototype-backlog.md
@@ -53,6 +53,8 @@ Working backlog for **Epic 1 — Slice 3** ([interaction, targeting, ability inp
 - [ ] Invalid slot/ability input is rejected with a stable machine-readable reason code.
 - [ ] Module docs and per-story implementation plan describe the chosen prototype persistence policy.
 
+**Implementation note (NEO-29):** Prototype policy is **per-player** loadout key, persisted via **Postgres when configured** with **in-memory fallback**.
+
 ---
 
 ### E1M4-02 — Input to `AbilityCastRequest` path (hotbar activation)
diff --git a/docs/plans/NEO-29-implementation-plan.md b/docs/plans/NEO-29-implementation-plan.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..3320aff
--- /dev/null
+++ b/docs/plans/NEO-29-implementation-plan.md
@@ -0,0 +1,119 @@
+# NEO-29 — Implementation plan
+
+## Story reference
+
+| Field | Value |
+|--------|--------|
+| **Key** | NEO-29 |
+| **Title** | E1M4-01: HotbarLoadout v1 contract + baseline persistence path |
+| **Linear** | [NEO-29](https://linear.app/neon-sprawl/issue/NEO-29/e1m4-01-hotbarloadout-v1-contract-baseline-persistence-path) |
+| **Slug** | E1M4-01 |
+| **Git branch** | `NEO-29-hotbarloadout-v1-contract-baseline-persistence-path` |
+| **Parent context** | [Epic 1 — Core Player Runtime](https://linear.app/neon-sprawl/project/epic-1-core-player-runtime-client-controls-character-loop-66bd590cd016) · [E1M4 prototype backlog](E1M4-prototype-backlog.md) |
+| **Decomposition** | [E1.M4 — AbilityInputScaffold](../decomposition/modules/E1_M4_AbilityInputScaffold.md), [E1.M3 — InteractionAndTargetingLayer](../decomposition/modules/E1_M3_InteractionAndTargetingLayer.md), [E5.M1 — CombatRulesEngine](../decomposition/modules/E5_M1_CombatRulesEngine.md) |
+
+## Kickoff clarifications
+
+- **Q1 (blocking):** What should prototype `HotbarLoadout` scope be keyed to (player, character, or session)?
+- **Answer:** **Per player id** for the prototype.
+- **Q2 (blocking):** What baseline persistence backend should NEO-29 use?
+- **Answer:** Mirror position persistence pattern: use **Postgres when `ConnectionStrings:NeonSprawl` exists**, otherwise **in-memory fallback**.
+- **Q3 (blocking):** What fixed slot count should v1 expose?
+- **Answer:** **8 slots**.
+
+## Goal, scope, and out-of-scope
+
+**Goal:** Define and ship a prototype `HotbarLoadout` v1 read/write contract with server-owned validation and persistence, then hydrate client hotbar state from that server contract on boot/reconnect.
+
+**In scope**
+
+- New server API surface for loadout fetch + update with explicit `slotIndex` and `abilityId`.
+- Validation denies for out-of-bounds slots and unknown ability ids with stable machine-readable `reasonCode`.
+- Prototype persistence policy documentation and implementation: per-player loadout, Postgres when configured, in-memory fallback otherwise.
+- Client bootstrap path to fetch and apply hotbar loadout state.
+
+**Out of scope**
+
+- Final account-vs-character policy hardening beyond this prototype decision.
+- Cast execution, cooldown timing, and full combat authorization flow (follow-up stories in E1.M4 / E5.M1).
+
+## Acceptance criteria checklist
+
+- [x] A player can bind at least two slots and retrieve the same bindings after reconnect/reload.
+- [x] Invalid slot/ability input is rejected with a stable machine-readable reason code.
+- [x] Module docs and this plan describe the chosen prototype persistence policy.
+
+## Technical approach
+
+1. Add a dedicated `HotbarLoadout` v1 API to the server with `GET` (current loadout) and `POST` (replace/update slots) routes under `/game/players/{id}/hotbar-loadout`.
+2. Keep the response shape versioned (`schemaVersion`) and explicit per-slot entries (`slotIndex`, `abilityId`) so E1.M4 follow-up stories can extend without breaking the v1 envelope.
+3. Validate slot index range against fixed v1 slot count (**8**) and validate `abilityId` against a prototype server-side registry/list; return deterministic `reasonCode` values on deny (for example `slot_out_of_bounds`, `unknown_ability`).
+4. Mirror `PositionState` persistence wiring: add an abstraction with in-memory and Postgres implementations selected from configuration, so reconnect/reload behavior is stable in both local-no-db and db-backed runs.
+5. Hydrate the client hotbar model on startup/reconnect by requesting the loadout from server, then applying slot->ability bindings to local state without introducing cast execution behavior in this story.
+6. Update decomposition/module docs and server/client README notes so the prototype persistence choice (per-player + Postgres-or-memory) is explicit and discoverable.
+
+## Files to add
+
+| Path | Rationale |
+|------|-----------|
+| `server/NeonSprawl.Server/Game/AbilityInput/HotbarLoadoutDtos.cs` | New v1 DTO contracts for loadout read/write API payloads. |
+| `server/NeonSprawl.Server/Game/AbilityInput/HotbarLoadoutApi.cs` | New route mapping and validation/deny response logic for loadout endpoints. |
+| `server/NeonSprawl.Server/Game/AbilityInput/IPlayerHotbarLoadoutStore.cs` | Persistence abstraction to mirror existing position store pattern. |
+| `server/NeonSprawl.Server/Game/AbilityInput/InMemoryPlayerHotbarLoadoutStore.cs` | In-memory fallback implementation for prototype/dev without DB. |
+| `server/NeonSprawl.Server/Game/AbilityInput/PostgresPlayerHotbarLoadoutStore.cs` | Postgres-backed persistence path when connection string is configured. |
+| `server/NeonSprawl.Server/Game/AbilityInput/PostgresHotbarLoadoutBootstrap.cs` | One-time migration bootstrap for hotbar table DDL. |
+| `server/NeonSprawl.Server/Game/AbilityInput/HotbarLoadoutServiceCollectionExtensions.cs` | DI registration and backend selection wiring. |
+| `server/NeonSprawl.Server/Game/AbilityInput/PrototypeAbilityRegistry.cs` | Canonical prototype ability-id allowlist for validation. |
+| `server/db/migrations/V002__player_hotbar_loadout.sql` | Postgres schema for per-player slot bindings persistence. |
+| `server/NeonSprawl.Server.Tests/Game/AbilityInput/HotbarLoadoutApiTests.cs` | Server contract + validation tests for loadout endpoints. |
+| `server/NeonSprawl.Server.Tests/Game/AbilityInput/HotbarLoadoutPersistenceIntegrationTests.cs` | Postgres persistence survives process restart for bound slots. |
+| `client/scripts/hotbar_loadout_client.gd` | Client HTTP wrapper for fetch/update loadout API. |
+| `client/scripts/hotbar_state.gd` | Client-side hotbar state holder that applies hydrated slot bindings. |
+| `client/test/hotbar_loadout_client_test.gd` | Client tests for hydration/apply and update request behavior. |
+| `docs/manual-qa/NEO-29.md` | Story-specific manual checklist for bind/reconnect/deny validation. |
+
+## Files to modify
+
+| Path | Rationale |
+|------|-----------|
+| `server/NeonSprawl.Server/Program.cs` | Register hotbar loadout store/services and map new API routes. |
+| `server/NeonSprawl.Server.Tests/InMemoryWebApplicationFactory.cs` | Keep in-memory test harness forcing both position and hotbar stores in CI/local. |
+| `server/README.md` | Document new loadout endpoints and prototype persistence behavior. |
+| `client/scripts/main.gd` | Wire initial hotbar hydration call on boot/reconnect path. |
+| `client/README.md` | Document hotbar loadout hydration/update flow and debug expectations. |
+| `docs/decomposition/modules/E1_M4_AbilityInputScaffold.md` | Record NEO-29 implementation snapshot + persistence policy decision. |
+| `docs/plans/E1M4-prototype-backlog.md` | Mark NEO-29 implementation notes/decision alignment if scope wording changes. |
+| `docs/plans/NEO-29-implementation-plan.md` | Keep decisions and file/test plan aligned as implementation choices evolve. |
+
+## Tests
+
+| File | Coverage |
+|------|----------|
+| `server/NeonSprawl.Server.Tests/Game/AbilityInput/HotbarLoadoutApiTests.cs` | `GET`/`POST` contract shape, slot bounds validation, unknown ability validation, stable deny `reasonCode`, and successful bind persistence round-trip. |
+| `server/NeonSprawl.Server.Tests/Game/AbilityInput/HotbarLoadoutPersistenceIntegrationTests.cs` | Postgres-enabled persistence survives host restart/reconnect; in-memory fallback behavior remains consistent when DB is absent. |
+| `client/test/hotbar_loadout_client_test.gd` | Client hydration applies server slot bindings, preserves empty slots, and surfaces server deny reason codes from failed updates. |
+| `docs/manual-qa/NEO-29.md` | Manual checklist for two-slot bind + reconnect/reload verification and deny-path UX/log visibility. |
+
+**Executed during implementation**
+
+- `dotnet test NeonSprawl.sln --filter "FullyQualifiedName~HotbarLoadoutApiTests"` (passed)
+- `dotnet test NeonSprawl.sln --filter "FullyQualifiedName~HotbarLoadoutPersistenceIntegrationTests"` (passed)
+- `godot --headless --path . -s res://addons/gdUnit4/bin/GdUnitCmdTool.gd --ignoreHeadlessMode -a res://test/hotbar_loadout_client_test.gd` (passed)
+
+## Open questions / risks
+
+- **Risk:** Ability-id allowlist source may drift before full E5.M1 cast contract lands; keep a single prototype registry and document ownership to avoid client/server mismatch.
+- **Risk:** First cut may choose full-replace update semantics for simplicity; if partial patch semantics are needed for E1M4-02+, call that out as a follow-up to avoid contract churn.
+
+## Decisions (implementation updates)
+
+- **Update semantics:** NEO-29 uses **slot upsert semantics** (specified slots are updated; unspecified slots remain unchanged) to keep v1 payload compact while preserving server ownership.
+- **Deny shape:** Validation denials return HTTP 200 with `updated=false`, stable `reasonCode`, and authoritative `loadout` snapshot so clients can reconcile immediately.
+
+## Decisions
+
+| Topic | Decision |
+|-------|----------|
+| Persistence scope | Per-player loadout for prototype v1. |
+| Persistence backend | Postgres when `ConnectionStrings:NeonSprawl` is configured; otherwise in-memory fallback. |
+| Slot count (v1) | Fixed 8-slot hotbar contract. |
diff --git a/server/NeonSprawl.Server.Tests/Game/AbilityInput/HotbarLoadoutApiTests.cs b/server/NeonSprawl.Server.Tests/Game/AbilityInput/HotbarLoadoutApiTests.cs
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..e89df5a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/server/NeonSprawl.Server.Tests/Game/AbilityInput/HotbarLoadoutApiTests.cs
@@ -0,0 +1,100 @@
+using System.Net;
+using System.Net.Http.Json;
+using NeonSprawl.Server.Game.AbilityInput;
+using Xunit;
+
+namespace NeonSprawl.Server.Tests.Game.AbilityInput;
+
+public sealed class HotbarLoadoutApiTests
+{
+    [Fact]
+    public async Task GetHotbarLoadout_ShouldReturnEightSlots_WhenPlayerKnown()
+    {
+        await using var factory = new InMemoryWebApplicationFactory();
+        var client = factory.CreateClient();
+
+        var response = await client.GetAsync("/game/players/dev-local-1/hotbar-loadout");
+        Assert.Equal(HttpStatusCode.OK, response.StatusCode);
+
+        var body = await response.Content.ReadFromJsonAsync<HotbarLoadoutResponse>();
+        Assert.NotNull(body);
+        Assert.Equal(HotbarLoadoutResponse.CurrentSchemaVersion, body!.SchemaVersion);
+        Assert.Equal(HotbarLoadoutResponse.SlotCountV1, body.SlotCount);
+        Assert.Equal(HotbarLoadoutResponse.SlotCountV1, body.Slots.Count);
+        Assert.All(body.Slots, slot => Assert.Null(slot.AbilityId));
+    }
+
+    [Fact]
+    public async Task PostHotbarLoadout_ShouldPersistBindings_AndRoundTripInGet()
+    {
+        await using var factory = new InMemoryWebApplicationFactory();
+        var client = factory.CreateClient();
+
+        var post = await client.PostAsJsonAsync(
+            "/game/players/dev-local-1/hotbar-loadout",
+            new HotbarLoadoutUpdateRequest
+            {
+                SchemaVersion = HotbarLoadoutUpdateRequest.CurrentSchemaVersion,
+                Slots =
+                [
+                    new HotbarSlotBindingJson { SlotIndex = 0, AbilityId = PrototypeAbilityRegistry.PrototypePulse },
+                    new HotbarSlotBindingJson { SlotIndex = 3, AbilityId = PrototypeAbilityRegistry.PrototypeBurst },
+                ],
+            });
+        Assert.Equal(HttpStatusCode.OK, post.StatusCode);
+
+        var postBody = await post.Content.ReadFromJsonAsync<HotbarLoadoutUpdateResponse>();
+        Assert.NotNull(postBody);
+        Assert.True(postBody!.Updated);
+        Assert.Null(postBody.ReasonCode);
+        Assert.Equal(PrototypeAbilityRegistry.PrototypePulse, postBody.Loadout.Slots[0].AbilityId);
+        Assert.Equal(PrototypeAbilityRegistry.PrototypeBurst, postBody.Loadout.Slots[3].AbilityId);
+
+        var get = await client.GetFromJsonAsync<HotbarLoadoutResponse>("/game/players/dev-local-1/hotbar-loadout");
+        Assert.NotNull(get);
+        Assert.Equal(PrototypeAbilityRegistry.PrototypePulse, get!.Slots[0].AbilityId);
+        Assert.Equal(PrototypeAbilityRegistry.PrototypeBurst, get.Slots[3].AbilityId);
+    }
+
+    [Fact]
+    public async Task PostHotbarLoadout_ShouldDenyOutOfBounds_WithReasonCode()
+    {
+        await using var factory = new InMemoryWebApplicationFactory();
+        var client = factory.CreateClient();
+
+        var post = await client.PostAsJsonAsync(
+            "/game/players/dev-local-1/hotbar-loadout",
+            new HotbarLoadoutUpdateRequest
+            {
+                SchemaVersion = HotbarLoadoutUpdateRequest.CurrentSchemaVersion,
+                Slots = [new HotbarSlotBindingJson { SlotIndex = 8, AbilityId = PrototypeAbilityRegistry.PrototypePulse }],
+            });
+        Assert.Equal(HttpStatusCode.OK, post.StatusCode);
+
+        var body = await post.Content.ReadFromJsonAsync<HotbarLoadoutUpdateResponse>();
+        Assert.NotNull(body);
+        Assert.False(body!.Updated);
+        Assert.Equal(HotbarLoadoutApi.ReasonSlotOutOfBounds, body.ReasonCode);
+    }
+
+    [Fact]
+    public async Task PostHotbarLoadout_ShouldDenyUnknownAbility_WithReasonCode()
+    {
+        await using var factory = new InMemoryWebApplicationFactory();
+        var client = factory.CreateClient();
+
+        var post = await client.PostAsJsonAsync(
+            "/game/players/dev-local-1/hotbar-loadout",
+            new HotbarLoadoutUpdateRequest
+            {
+                SchemaVersion = HotbarLoadoutUpdateRequest.CurrentSchemaVersion,
+                Slots = [new HotbarSlotBindingJson { SlotIndex = 2, AbilityId = "missing_ability" }],
+            });
+        Assert.Equal(HttpStatusCode.OK, post.StatusCode);
+
+        var body = await post.Content.ReadFromJsonAsync<HotbarLoadoutUpdateResponse>();
+        Assert.NotNull(body);
+        Assert.False(body!.Updated);
+        Assert.Equal(HotbarLoadoutApi.ReasonUnknownAbility, body.ReasonCode);
+    }
+}
diff --git a/server/NeonSprawl.Server.Tests/Game/AbilityInput/HotbarLoadoutPersistenceIntegrationTests.cs b/server/NeonSprawl.Server.Tests/Game/AbilityInput/HotbarLoadoutPersistenceIntegrationTests.cs
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..2811722
--- /dev/null
+++ b/server/NeonSprawl.Server.Tests/Game/AbilityInput/HotbarLoadoutPersistenceIntegrationTests.cs
@@ -0,0 +1,80 @@
+using System.Net;
+using System.Net.Http.Json;
+using NeonSprawl.Server.Game.AbilityInput;
+using NeonSprawl.Server.Tests.Game.PositionState;
+using Npgsql;
+using Xunit;
+
+namespace NeonSprawl.Server.Tests.Game.AbilityInput;
+
+[Collection("Postgres integration")]
+public sealed class HotbarLoadoutPersistenceIntegrationTests(PostgresIntegrationHarness harness)
+{
+    private PostgresWebApplicationFactory Factory => harness.Factory;
+
+    [RequirePostgresFact]
+    public async Task PostThenGetAcrossNewFactory_ShouldPersistHotbarBindings()
+    {
+        await ResetHotbarTableAsync();
+
+        using (var firstClient = Factory.CreateClient())
+        {
+            var post = await firstClient.PostAsJsonAsync(
+                "/game/players/dev-local-1/hotbar-loadout",
+                new HotbarLoadoutUpdateRequest
+                {
+                    SchemaVersion = HotbarLoadoutUpdateRequest.CurrentSchemaVersion,
+                    Slots =
+                    [
+                        new HotbarSlotBindingJson
+                        {
+                            SlotIndex = 1,
+                            AbilityId = PrototypeAbilityRegistry.PrototypePulse,
+                        },
+                        new HotbarSlotBindingJson
+                        {
+                            SlotIndex = 4,
+                            AbilityId = PrototypeAbilityRegistry.PrototypeGuard,
+                        },
+                    ],
+                });
+            Assert.Equal(HttpStatusCode.OK, post.StatusCode);
+        }
+
+        await using var secondFactory = new PostgresWebApplicationFactory();
+        using var secondClient = secondFactory.CreateClient();
+        var loadout = await secondClient.GetFromJsonAsync<HotbarLoadoutResponse>(
+            "/game/players/dev-local-1/hotbar-loadout");
+        Assert.NotNull(loadout);
+        Assert.Equal(PrototypeAbilityRegistry.PrototypePulse, loadout!.Slots[1].AbilityId);
+        Assert.Equal(PrototypeAbilityRegistry.PrototypeGuard, loadout.Slots[4].AbilityId);
+    }
+
+    private static async Task ResetHotbarTableAsync()
+    {
+        var cs = Environment.GetEnvironmentVariable("ConnectionStrings__NeonSprawl");
+        if (string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(cs))
+        {
+            throw new InvalidOperationException("ConnectionStrings__NeonSprawl is not set.");
+        }
+
+        var ddlPath = Path.Combine(AppContext.BaseDirectory, "db", "migrations", "V002__player_hotbar_loadout.sql");
+        if (!File.Exists(ddlPath))
+        {
+            throw new FileNotFoundException($"Test DDL not found at '{ddlPath}'.", ddlPath);
+        }
+
+        var ddl = await File.ReadAllTextAsync(ddlPath);
+        await using var conn = new NpgsqlConnection(cs);
+        await conn.OpenAsync();
+        await using (var apply = new NpgsqlCommand(ddl, conn))
+        {
+            await apply.ExecuteNonQueryAsync();
+        }
+
+        await using (var truncate = new NpgsqlCommand("TRUNCATE player_hotbar_loadout;", conn))
+        {
+            await truncate.ExecuteNonQueryAsync();
+        }
+    }
+}
diff --git a/server/NeonSprawl.Server.Tests/Game/PositionState/PostgresPositionStateIntegrationTests.cs b/server/NeonSprawl.Server.Tests/Game/PositionState/PostgresPositionStateIntegrationTests.cs
index 5878722..cd73678 100644
--- a/server/NeonSprawl.Server.Tests/Game/PositionState/PostgresPositionStateIntegrationTests.cs
+++ b/server/NeonSprawl.Server.Tests/Game/PositionState/PostgresPositionStateIntegrationTests.cs
@@ -128,7 +128,7 @@ public sealed class PostgresPositionStateIntegrationTests(PostgresIntegrationHar
             await apply.ExecuteNonQueryAsync();
         }
 
-        await using (var truncate = new NpgsqlCommand("TRUNCATE player_position;", conn))
+        await using (var truncate = new NpgsqlCommand("TRUNCATE player_position CASCADE;", conn))
         {
             await truncate.ExecuteNonQueryAsync();
         }
diff --git a/server/NeonSprawl.Server.Tests/InMemoryWebApplicationFactory.cs b/server/NeonSprawl.Server.Tests/InMemoryWebApplicationFactory.cs
index 210d27a..5d60c87 100644
--- a/server/NeonSprawl.Server.Tests/InMemoryWebApplicationFactory.cs
+++ b/server/NeonSprawl.Server.Tests/InMemoryWebApplicationFactory.cs
@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@ using Microsoft.AspNetCore.Mvc.Testing;
 using Microsoft.AspNetCore.TestHost;
 using Microsoft.Extensions.DependencyInjection;
 using Microsoft.Extensions.Hosting;
+using NeonSprawl.Server.Game.AbilityInput;
 using NeonSprawl.Server.Game.PositionState;
 using Npgsql;
 
@@ -19,6 +20,7 @@ public sealed class InMemoryWebApplicationFactory : WebApplicationFactory<Progra
             {
                 var d = services[i];
                 if (d.ServiceType == typeof(IPositionStateStore) ||
+                    d.ServiceType == typeof(IPlayerHotbarLoadoutStore) ||
                     d.ServiceType == typeof(NpgsqlDataSource) ||
                     (d.ServiceType == typeof(IHostedService) &&
                      (d.ImplementationType == typeof(PostgresDevPlayerSeedHostedService) ||
@@ -29,6 +31,7 @@ public sealed class InMemoryWebApplicationFactory : WebApplicationFactory<Progra
             }
 
             services.AddSingleton<IPositionStateStore, InMemoryPositionStateStore>();
+            services.AddSingleton<IPlayerHotbarLoadoutStore, InMemoryPlayerHotbarLoadoutStore>();
         });
     }
 }
diff --git a/server/NeonSprawl.Server/Game/AbilityInput/HotbarLoadoutApi.cs b/server/NeonSprawl.Server/Game/AbilityInput/HotbarLoadoutApi.cs
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..0e3dec3
--- /dev/null
+++ b/server/NeonSprawl.Server/Game/AbilityInput/HotbarLoadoutApi.cs
@@ -0,0 +1,128 @@
+using NeonSprawl.Server.Game.PositionState;
+
+namespace NeonSprawl.Server.Game.AbilityInput;
+
+/// <summary>Maps hotbar loadout read/update APIs (NEO-29).</summary>
+public static class HotbarLoadoutApi
+{
+    public const string ReasonSlotOutOfBounds = "slot_out_of_bounds";
+    public const string ReasonUnknownAbility = "unknown_ability";
+    public const string ReasonDuplicateSlot = "duplicate_slot";
+
+    public static WebApplication MapHotbarLoadoutApi(this WebApplication app)
+    {
+        app.MapGet(
+            "/game/players/{id}/hotbar-loadout",
+            (string id, IPositionStateStore positions, IPlayerHotbarLoadoutStore store) =>
+            {
+                if (!positions.TryGetPosition(id, out _))
+                {
+                    return Results.NotFound();
+                }
+
+                if (!store.TryGetBindings(id, out var bindings))
+                {
+                    return Results.NotFound();
+                }
+
+                return Results.Json(BuildLoadoutResponse(id, bindings));
+            });
+
+        app.MapPost(
+            "/game/players/{id}/hotbar-loadout",
+            (string id, HotbarLoadoutUpdateRequest? body, IPositionStateStore positions, IPlayerHotbarLoadoutStore store) =>
+            {
+                if (body is null || body.SchemaVersion != HotbarLoadoutUpdateRequest.CurrentSchemaVersion)
+                {
+                    return Results.BadRequest();
+                }
+
+                if (!positions.TryGetPosition(id, out _))
+                {
+                    return Results.NotFound();
+                }
+
+                if (!store.TryGetBindings(id, out var before))
+                {
+                    return Results.NotFound();
+                }
+
+                var updates = body.Slots ?? [];
+                var parsedUpdates = new List<HotbarSlotBinding>(updates.Count);
+                var seenSlots = new HashSet<int>();
+                foreach (var update in updates)
+                {
+                    if (update.SlotIndex < 0 || update.SlotIndex >= HotbarLoadoutResponse.SlotCountV1)
+                    {
+                        return Results.Json(
+                            new HotbarLoadoutUpdateResponse
+                            {
+                                Updated = false,
+                                ReasonCode = ReasonSlotOutOfBounds,
+                                Loadout = BuildLoadoutResponse(id, before),
+                            });
+                    }
+
+                    if (!seenSlots.Add(update.SlotIndex))
+                    {
+                        return Results.Json(
+                            new HotbarLoadoutUpdateResponse
+                            {
+                                Updated = false,
+                                ReasonCode = ReasonDuplicateSlot,
+                                Loadout = BuildLoadoutResponse(id, before),
+                            });
+                    }
+
+                    if (string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(update.AbilityId) ||
+                        !PrototypeAbilityRegistry.TryNormalizeKnown(update.AbilityId, out var normalizedAbilityId))
+                    {
+                        return Results.Json(
+                            new HotbarLoadoutUpdateResponse
+                            {
+                                Updated = false,
+                                ReasonCode = ReasonUnknownAbility,
+                                Loadout = BuildLoadoutResponse(id, before),
+                            });
+                    }
+
+                    parsedUpdates.Add(new HotbarSlotBinding(update.SlotIndex, normalizedAbilityId));
+                }
+
+                if (!store.TryUpsertBindings(id, parsedUpdates, out var after))
+                {
+                    return Results.NotFound();
+                }
+
+                return Results.Json(
+                    new HotbarLoadoutUpdateResponse
+                    {
+                        Updated = true,
+                        Loadout = BuildLoadoutResponse(id, after),
+                    });
+            });
+
+        return app;
+    }
+
+    private static HotbarLoadoutResponse BuildLoadoutResponse(string playerId, IReadOnlyDictionary<int, string> bindings)
+    {
+        var slots = new List<HotbarSlotStateJson>(HotbarLoadoutResponse.SlotCountV1);
+        for (var i = 0; i < HotbarLoadoutResponse.SlotCountV1; i++)
+        {
+            bindings.TryGetValue(i, out var abilityId);
+            slots.Add(
+                new HotbarSlotStateJson
+                {
+                    SlotIndex = i,
+                    AbilityId = abilityId,
+                });
+        }
+
+        return new HotbarLoadoutResponse
+        {
+            PlayerId = playerId.Trim(),
+            Slots = slots,
+        };
+    }
+}
diff --git a/server/NeonSprawl.Server/Game/AbilityInput/HotbarLoadoutDtos.cs b/server/NeonSprawl.Server/Game/AbilityInput/HotbarLoadoutDtos.cs
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..0a0e3e2
--- /dev/null
+++ b/server/NeonSprawl.Server/Game/AbilityInput/HotbarLoadoutDtos.cs
@@ -0,0 +1,80 @@
+using System.Text.Json.Serialization;
+
+namespace NeonSprawl.Server.Game.AbilityInput;
+
+/// <summary>Canonical hotbar loadout payload returned by loadout APIs (NEO-29).</summary>
+public sealed class HotbarLoadoutResponse
+{
+    public const int CurrentSchemaVersion = 1;
+    public const int SlotCountV1 = 8;
+
+    [JsonPropertyName("schemaVersion")]
+    public int SchemaVersion { get; init; } = CurrentSchemaVersion;
+
+    [JsonPropertyName("playerId")]
+    public required string PlayerId { get; init; }
+
+    [JsonPropertyName("slotCount")]
+    public int SlotCount { get; init; } = SlotCountV1;
+
+    /// <summary>Always includes v1 slots 0..7 in ascending order.</summary>
+    [JsonPropertyName("slots")]
+    public required IReadOnlyList<HotbarSlotStateJson> Slots { get; init; }
+}
+
+/// <summary>POST body for hotbar loadout updates.</summary>
+public sealed class HotbarLoadoutUpdateRequest
+{
+    public const int CurrentSchemaVersion = 1;
+
+    [JsonPropertyName("schemaVersion")]
+    public int SchemaVersion { get; init; }
+
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Requested slot bindings to apply. Slot entries are upserts; unspecified slots keep previous values.
+    /// </summary>
+    [JsonPropertyName("slots")]
+    public IReadOnlyList<HotbarSlotBindingJson>? Slots { get; init; }
+}
+
+/// <summary>POST response for hotbar updates (applied or denied).</summary>
+public sealed class HotbarLoadoutUpdateResponse
+{
+    public const int CurrentSchemaVersion = 1;
+
+    [JsonPropertyName("schemaVersion")]
+    public int SchemaVersion { get; init; } = CurrentSchemaVersion;
+
+    [JsonPropertyName("updated")]
+    public bool Updated { get; init; }
+
+    [JsonPropertyName("loadout")]
+    public required HotbarLoadoutResponse Loadout { get; init; }
+
+    /// <summary>Required on deny responses; omitted when <see cref="Updated"/> is true.</summary>
+    [JsonPropertyName("reasonCode")]
+    [JsonIgnore(Condition = JsonIgnoreCondition.WhenWritingNull)]
+    public string? ReasonCode { get; init; }
+}
+
+/// <summary>Wire shape for an individual slot state in GET/POST responses.</summary>
+public sealed class HotbarSlotStateJson
+{
+    [JsonPropertyName("slotIndex")]
+    public required int SlotIndex { get; init; }
+
+    /// <summary>Canonical lowercase ability id or null when the slot is unbound.</summary>
+    [JsonPropertyName("abilityId")]
+    [JsonIgnore(Condition = JsonIgnoreCondition.Never)]
+    public string? AbilityId { get; init; }
+}
+
+/// <summary>Wire shape for an individual slot update in POST requests.</summary>
+public sealed class HotbarSlotBindingJson
+{
+    [JsonPropertyName("slotIndex")]
+    public int SlotIndex { get; init; }
+
+    [JsonPropertyName("abilityId")]
+    public string? AbilityId { get; init; }
+}
diff --git a/server/NeonSprawl.Server/Game/AbilityInput/HotbarLoadoutServiceCollectionExtensions.cs b/server/NeonSprawl.Server/Game/AbilityInput/HotbarLoadoutServiceCollectionExtensions.cs
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..af0e87b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/server/NeonSprawl.Server/Game/AbilityInput/HotbarLoadoutServiceCollectionExtensions.cs
@@ -0,0 +1,20 @@
+namespace NeonSprawl.Server.Game.AbilityInput;
+
+/// <summary>Registers hotbar loadout persistence: PostgreSQL when configured, otherwise in-memory fallback (NEO-29).</summary>
+public static class HotbarLoadoutServiceCollectionExtensions
+{
+    public static IServiceCollection AddHotbarLoadoutStore(this IServiceCollection services, IConfiguration configuration)
+    {
+        var cs = configuration.GetConnectionString(PositionState.PositionStateServiceCollectionExtensions.NeonSprawlConnectionStringName);
+        if (!string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(cs))
+        {
+            services.AddSingleton<IPlayerHotbarLoadoutStore, PostgresPlayerHotbarLoadoutStore>();
+        }
+        else
+        {
+            services.AddSingleton<IPlayerHotbarLoadoutStore, InMemoryPlayerHotbarLoadoutStore>();
+        }
+
+        return services;
+    }
+}
diff --git a/server/NeonSprawl.Server/Game/AbilityInput/IPlayerHotbarLoadoutStore.cs b/server/NeonSprawl.Server/Game/AbilityInput/IPlayerHotbarLoadoutStore.cs
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..a1bc441
--- /dev/null
+++ b/server/NeonSprawl.Server/Game/AbilityInput/IPlayerHotbarLoadoutStore.cs
@@ -0,0 +1,11 @@
+namespace NeonSprawl.Server.Game.AbilityInput;
+
+/// <summary>Persistence abstraction for per-player hotbar bindings (NEO-29).</summary>
+public interface IPlayerHotbarLoadoutStore
+{
+    bool TryGetBindings(string playerId, out IReadOnlyDictionary<int, string> bindings);
+
+    bool TryUpsertBindings(string playerId, IReadOnlyList<HotbarSlotBinding> updates, out IReadOnlyDictionary<int, string> bindings);
+}
+
+public readonly record struct HotbarSlotBinding(int SlotIndex, string AbilityId);
diff --git a/server/NeonSprawl.Server/Game/AbilityInput/InMemoryPlayerHotbarLoadoutStore.cs b/server/NeonSprawl.Server/Game/AbilityInput/InMemoryPlayerHotbarLoadoutStore.cs
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..23bdbdf
--- /dev/null
+++ b/server/NeonSprawl.Server/Game/AbilityInput/InMemoryPlayerHotbarLoadoutStore.cs
@@ -0,0 +1,75 @@
+using System.Collections.Concurrent;
+using Microsoft.Extensions.Options;
+using NeonSprawl.Server.Game.PositionState;
+
+namespace NeonSprawl.Server.Game.AbilityInput;
+
+/// <summary>Thread-safe in-memory hotbar loadout store; seeds configured dev player with an empty loadout.</summary>
+public sealed class InMemoryPlayerHotbarLoadoutStore(IOptions<GamePositionOptions> options) : IPlayerHotbarLoadoutStore
+{
+    private readonly ConcurrentDictionary<string, ConcurrentDictionary<int, string>> byPlayer =
+        CreateInitialMap(options.Value);
+
+    private static ConcurrentDictionary<string, ConcurrentDictionary<int, string>> CreateInitialMap(GamePositionOptions o)
+    {
+        var id = NormalizePlayerId(o.DevPlayerId);
+        var map = new ConcurrentDictionary<string, ConcurrentDictionary<int, string>>(StringComparer.OrdinalIgnoreCase);
+        map[id] = new ConcurrentDictionary<int, string>();
+        return map;
+    }
+
+    public bool TryGetBindings(string playerId, out IReadOnlyDictionary<int, string> bindings)
+    {
+        var key = NormalizePlayerId(playerId);
+        if (key.Length == 0 || !byPlayer.TryGetValue(key, out var map))
+        {
+            bindings = EmptyBindings();
+            return false;
+        }
+
+        bindings = Clone(map);
+        return true;
+    }
+
+    public bool TryUpsertBindings(string playerId, IReadOnlyList<HotbarSlotBinding> updates, out IReadOnlyDictionary<int, string> bindings)
+    {
+        var key = NormalizePlayerId(playerId);
+        if (key.Length == 0 || !byPlayer.TryGetValue(key, out var map))
+        {
+            bindings = EmptyBindings();
+            return false;
+        }
+
+        foreach (var update in updates)
+        {
+            map[update.SlotIndex] = update.AbilityId;
+        }
+
+        bindings = Clone(map);
+        return true;
+    }
+
+    private static IReadOnlyDictionary<int, string> Clone(ConcurrentDictionary<int, string> source)
+    {
+        var copy = new Dictionary<int, string>(source.Count);
+        foreach (var kv in source)
+        {
+            copy[kv.Key] = kv.Value;
+        }
+
+        return copy;
+    }
+
+    private static IReadOnlyDictionary<int, string> EmptyBindings() => new Dictionary<int, string>();
+
+    private static string NormalizePlayerId(string? playerId)
+    {
+        var t = playerId?.Trim();
+        if (string.IsNullOrEmpty(t))
+        {
+            return string.Empty;
+        }
+
+        return t.ToLowerInvariant();
+    }
+}
diff --git a/server/NeonSprawl.Server/Game/AbilityInput/PostgresHotbarLoadoutBootstrap.cs b/server/NeonSprawl.Server/Game/AbilityInput/PostgresHotbarLoadoutBootstrap.cs
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..43ce203
--- /dev/null
+++ b/server/NeonSprawl.Server/Game/AbilityInput/PostgresHotbarLoadoutBootstrap.cs
@@ -0,0 +1,37 @@
+namespace NeonSprawl.Server.Game.AbilityInput;
+
+/// <summary>Applies NEO-29 hotbar loadout table DDL once per process.</summary>
+public static class PostgresHotbarLoadoutBootstrap
+{
+    private static readonly string DdlRelativePath = Path.Combine("db", "migrations", "V002__player_hotbar_loadout.sql");
+    private static readonly object SchemaGate = new();
+    private static int _schemaReady;
+
+    public static void EnsureSchema(Npgsql.NpgsqlDataSource dataSource)
+    {
+        if (System.Threading.Volatile.Read(ref _schemaReady) != 0)
+        {
+            return;
+        }
+
+        lock (SchemaGate)
+        {
+            if (System.Threading.Volatile.Read(ref _schemaReady) != 0)
+            {
+                return;
+            }
+
+            var ddlPath = Path.Combine(AppContext.BaseDirectory, DdlRelativePath);
+            if (!File.Exists(ddlPath))
+            {
+                throw new FileNotFoundException($"NEO-29 DDL not found at '{ddlPath}'.", ddlPath);
+            }
+
+            var ddl = File.ReadAllText(ddlPath);
+            using var conn = dataSource.OpenConnection();
+            using var cmd = new Npgsql.NpgsqlCommand(ddl, conn);
+            cmd.ExecuteNonQuery();
+            System.Threading.Volatile.Write(ref _schemaReady, 1);
+        }
+    }
+}
diff --git a/server/NeonSprawl.Server/Game/AbilityInput/PostgresPlayerHotbarLoadoutStore.cs b/server/NeonSprawl.Server/Game/AbilityInput/PostgresPlayerHotbarLoadoutStore.cs
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..1599521
--- /dev/null
+++ b/server/NeonSprawl.Server/Game/AbilityInput/PostgresPlayerHotbarLoadoutStore.cs
@@ -0,0 +1,116 @@
+namespace NeonSprawl.Server.Game.AbilityInput;
+
+/// <summary>PostgreSQL-backed hotbar loadout store keyed by normalized player id.</summary>
+public sealed class PostgresPlayerHotbarLoadoutStore(Npgsql.NpgsqlDataSource dataSource) : IPlayerHotbarLoadoutStore
+{
+    public bool TryGetBindings(string playerId, out IReadOnlyDictionary<int, string> bindings)
+    {
+        var norm = NormalizePlayerId(playerId);
+        if (norm.Length == 0)
+        {
+            bindings = EmptyBindings();
+            return false;
+        }
+
+        PostgresHotbarLoadoutBootstrap.EnsureSchema(dataSource);
+        using var conn = dataSource.OpenConnection();
+        if (!PlayerExists(conn, norm))
+        {
+            bindings = EmptyBindings();
+            return false;
+        }
+
+        bindings = ReadBindings(conn, norm);
+        return true;
+    }
+
+    public bool TryUpsertBindings(string playerId, IReadOnlyList<HotbarSlotBinding> updates, out IReadOnlyDictionary<int, string> bindings)
+    {
+        var norm = NormalizePlayerId(playerId);
+        if (norm.Length == 0)
+        {
+            bindings = EmptyBindings();
+            return false;
+        }
+
+        PostgresHotbarLoadoutBootstrap.EnsureSchema(dataSource);
+        using var conn = dataSource.OpenConnection();
+        using var tx = conn.BeginTransaction();
+
+        if (!PlayerExists(conn, norm, tx))
+        {
+            tx.Rollback();
+            bindings = EmptyBindings();
+            return false;
+        }
+
+        foreach (var update in updates)
+        {
+            using var cmd = new Npgsql.NpgsqlCommand(
+                """
+                INSERT INTO player_hotbar_loadout (player_id, slot_index, ability_id)
+                VALUES (@pid, @slot, @ability)
+                ON CONFLICT (player_id, slot_index)
+                DO UPDATE SET ability_id = EXCLUDED.ability_id, updated_at = now();
+                """,
+                conn,
+                tx);
+            cmd.Parameters.AddWithValue("pid", norm);
+            cmd.Parameters.AddWithValue("slot", update.SlotIndex);
+            cmd.Parameters.AddWithValue("ability", update.AbilityId);
+            cmd.ExecuteNonQuery();
+        }
+
+        bindings = ReadBindings(conn, norm, tx);
+        tx.Commit();
+        return true;
+    }
+
+    private static IReadOnlyDictionary<int, string> ReadBindings(
+        Npgsql.NpgsqlConnection conn,
+        string playerIdNormalized,
+        Npgsql.NpgsqlTransaction? tx = null)
+    {
+        var map = new Dictionary<int, string>();
+        using var cmd = new Npgsql.NpgsqlCommand(
+            """
+            SELECT slot_index, ability_id
+            FROM player_hotbar_loadout
+            WHERE player_id = @pid
+            ORDER BY slot_index;
+            """,
+            conn,
+            tx);
+        cmd.Parameters.AddWithValue("pid", playerIdNormalized);
+        using var reader = cmd.ExecuteReader();
+        while (reader.Read())
+        {
+            map[reader.GetInt32(0)] = reader.GetString(1);
+        }
+
+        return map;
+    }
+
+    private static bool PlayerExists(Npgsql.NpgsqlConnection conn, string playerIdNormalized, Npgsql.NpgsqlTransaction? tx = null)
+    {
+        using var cmd = new Npgsql.NpgsqlCommand(
+            "SELECT 1 FROM player_position WHERE player_id = @pid LIMIT 1;",
+            conn,
+            tx);
+        cmd.Parameters.AddWithValue("pid", playerIdNormalized);
+        return cmd.ExecuteScalar() is not null;
+    }
+
+    private static IReadOnlyDictionary<int, string> EmptyBindings() => new Dictionary<int, string>();
+
+    private static string NormalizePlayerId(string? playerId)
+    {
+        var t = playerId?.Trim();
+        if (string.IsNullOrEmpty(t))
+        {
+            return string.Empty;
+        }
+
+        return t.ToLowerInvariant();
+    }
+}
diff --git a/server/NeonSprawl.Server/Game/AbilityInput/PrototypeAbilityRegistry.cs b/server/NeonSprawl.Server/Game/AbilityInput/PrototypeAbilityRegistry.cs
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..fd1a2ca
--- /dev/null
+++ b/server/NeonSprawl.Server/Game/AbilityInput/PrototypeAbilityRegistry.cs
@@ -0,0 +1,29 @@
+namespace NeonSprawl.Server.Game.AbilityInput;
+
+/// <summary>Prototype ability allowlist for NEO-29 hotbar bindings.</summary>
+public static class PrototypeAbilityRegistry
+{
+    public const string PrototypePulse = "prototype_pulse";
+    public const string PrototypeGuard = "prototype_guard";
+    public const string PrototypeDash = "prototype_dash";
+    public const string PrototypeBurst = "prototype_burst";
+
+    private static readonly HashSet<string> Allowed = new(StringComparer.Ordinal)
+    {
+        PrototypePulse,
+        PrototypeGuard,
+        PrototypeDash,
+        PrototypeBurst,
+    };
+
+    public static bool TryNormalizeKnown(string rawAbilityId, out string normalized)
+    {
+        normalized = rawAbilityId.Trim().ToLowerInvariant();
+        if (normalized.Length == 0)
+        {
+            return false;
+        }
+
+        return Allowed.Contains(normalized);
+    }
+}
diff --git a/server/NeonSprawl.Server/Game/PositionState/PositionStateServiceCollectionExtensions.cs b/server/NeonSprawl.Server/Game/PositionState/PositionStateServiceCollectionExtensions.cs
index 0514272..f066a28 100644
--- a/server/NeonSprawl.Server/Game/PositionState/PositionStateServiceCollectionExtensions.cs
+++ b/server/NeonSprawl.Server/Game/PositionState/PositionStateServiceCollectionExtensions.cs
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@ namespace NeonSprawl.Server.Game.PositionState;
 /// <summary>Registers position authority: PostgreSQL when <c>ConnectionStrings:NeonSprawl</c> is set, otherwise in-memory (NS-15 / NS-17).</summary>
 public static class PositionStateServiceCollectionExtensions
 {
-    private const string NeonSprawlConnectionStringName = "NeonSprawl";
+    internal const string NeonSprawlConnectionStringName = "NeonSprawl";
 
     public static IServiceCollection AddPositionStateStore(this IServiceCollection services, IConfiguration configuration)
     {
diff --git a/server/NeonSprawl.Server/Program.cs b/server/NeonSprawl.Server/Program.cs
index fe7e2c7..0664a57 100644
--- a/server/NeonSprawl.Server/Program.cs
+++ b/server/NeonSprawl.Server/Program.cs
@@ -1,9 +1,11 @@
+using NeonSprawl.Server.Game.AbilityInput;
 using NeonSprawl.Server.Game.Interaction;
 using NeonSprawl.Server.Game.PositionState;
 using NeonSprawl.Server.Game.Targeting;
 
 var builder = WebApplication.CreateBuilder(args);
 builder.Services.AddPositionStateStore(builder.Configuration);
+builder.Services.AddHotbarLoadoutStore(builder.Configuration);
 builder.Services.AddSingleton<IPlayerTargetLockStore, InMemoryPlayerTargetLockStore>();
 
 var app = builder.Build();
@@ -22,5 +24,6 @@ app.MapPositionStateApi();
 app.MapInteractionApi();
 app.MapInteractablesWorldApi();
 app.MapTargetingApi();
+app.MapHotbarLoadoutApi();
 
 app.Run();
diff --git a/server/README.md b/server/README.md
index 05a505c..4ad782f 100644
--- a/server/README.md
+++ b/server/README.md
@@ -201,6 +201,28 @@ curl -s -X POST http://localhost:5253/game/players/dev-local-1/target/select \
 
 When **`selectionApplied` is `true`**, **`reasonCode` is omitted** (clients must not require it on success).
 
+## Hotbar loadout (NEO-29)
+
+Prototype server-owned hotbar bindings are available at:
+
+- **`GET /game/players/{id}/hotbar-loadout`** → returns `HotbarLoadoutResponse` v1 with fixed `slotCount` **8** and `slots` array entries (`slotIndex`, nullable `abilityId`) for every slot.
+- **`POST /game/players/{id}/hotbar-loadout`** with `HotbarLoadoutUpdateRequest` v1 (`schemaVersion`, `slots[]`) upserts one or more slot bindings and returns `HotbarLoadoutUpdateResponse` v1.
+
+**Prototype policy (kickoff decision):**
+
+- Scope is **per player id** (same keying strategy as `PositionState` / `TargetState`).
+- Persistence mirrors NEO-8/NS-17: **Postgres when `ConnectionStrings:NeonSprawl` exists**, otherwise **in-memory fallback**.
+
+**Validation deny reason codes (POST 200 with `updated=false`):**
+
+| Code | Meaning |
+|------|---------|
+| `slot_out_of_bounds` | `slotIndex` is outside v1 range `0..7`. |
+| `unknown_ability` | `abilityId` is empty/whitespace or not in the prototype allowlist. |
+| `duplicate_slot` | Request repeats the same `slotIndex` more than once. |
+
+Current prototype allowlist: `prototype_pulse`, `prototype_guard`, `prototype_dash`, `prototype_burst`.
+
 ## Solution
 
 From repo root: `dotnet build NeonSprawl.sln` and `dotnet test NeonSprawl.sln`.
diff --git a/server/db/migrations/V002__player_hotbar_loadout.sql b/server/db/migrations/V002__player_hotbar_loadout.sql
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..b1f4bb6
--- /dev/null
+++ b/server/db/migrations/V002__player_hotbar_loadout.sql
@@ -0,0 +1,10 @@
+-- NEO-29: per-player hotbar slot bindings (prototype, v1).
+CREATE TABLE IF NOT EXISTS player_hotbar_loadout (
+    player_id TEXT NOT NULL REFERENCES player_position(player_id) ON DELETE CASCADE,
+    slot_index INTEGER NOT NULL,
+    ability_id TEXT NOT NULL,
+    updated_at TIMESTAMPTZ NOT NULL DEFAULT now(),
+    PRIMARY KEY (player_id, slot_index)
+);
+
+COMMENT ON TABLE player_hotbar_loadout IS 'Persisted hotbar slot bindings per player (NEO-29).';