NEO-51: Document item catalog boot and mark plan complete.

README, alignment register, and acceptance checklist updated.

docs/decomposition/modules/documentation_and_implementation_alignment.md

@@ -54,7 +54,7 @@ Rows appear when work starts; default for unlisted modules is **Planned** / not
 | E2.M3 | In Progress | **NEO-45 landed:** prototype **`salvage`** mastery catalog + CI gates (see [NEO-45 plan](../../plans/NEO-45-implementation-plan.md)). **NEO-46 landed:** fail-fast server load under `server/NeonSprawl.Server/Game/Mastery/` — `MasteryCatalogLoader`, `IMasteryCatalogRegistry`, cross-check vs `ISkillDefinitionRegistry`, Slice 4 + **`tierIndex`** 1..N gate; see [NEO-46 plan](../../plans/NEO-46-implementation-plan.md). **NEO-47 landed:** `PerkUnlockEngine`, `IPlayerPerkStateStore` + **`V004`**, level-up hook in skill XP grants; see [NEO-47 plan](../../plans/NEO-47-implementation-plan.md). **NEO-49 landed:** comment-only **`perk_unlock`** telemetry hook site in [`PerkUnlockEngine.TryUnlockPerks`](../../../server/NeonSprawl.Server/Game/Mastery/PerkUnlockEngine.cs) ([NEO-49 plan](../../plans/NEO-49-implementation-plan.md), [`NEO-49` manual QA](../../manual-qa/NEO-49.md)); [server README — Perk unlock telemetry (NEO-49)](../../../server/README.md#perk-unlock-engine-and-telemetry-hooks-neo-47-neo-49). **NEO-48 landed:** **`GET`/`POST /game/players/{id}/perk-state`** — `PerkStateApi` + DTOs in `Game/Mastery/` ([NEO-48](../../plans/NEO-48-implementation-plan.md), [`NEO-48` manual QA](../../manual-qa/NEO-48.md)); [server README — Perk state (NEO-48)](../../../server/README.md#perk-state-neo-48); Bruno `bruno/neon-sprawl-server/perk-state/`. | [NEO-45](../../plans/NEO-45-implementation-plan.md), [NEO-46](../../plans/NEO-46-implementation-plan.md), [NEO-47](../../plans/NEO-47-implementation-plan.md), [NEO-48](../../plans/NEO-48-implementation-plan.md), [NEO-49](../../plans/NEO-49-implementation-plan.md), [E2M3-pre-production-backlog](../../plans/E2M3-pre-production-backlog.md), [E2_M3](E2_M3_MasteryAndPerkUnlocks.md) |
 | E2.M2 | In Progress | **NEO-37 landed:** versioned **`GET /game/players/{id}/skill-progression`** ([NEO-37](../../plans/NEO-37-implementation-plan.md)) — read model for every registered skill; known-player gate via `IPositionStateStore`; [server README — Skill progression snapshot (NEO-37)](../../../server/README.md#skill-progression-snapshot-neo-37); manual QA [`NEO-37`](../../manual-qa/NEO-37.md). **NEO-38 landed:** **`POST`** same path — grant apply, persistence (`IPlayerSkillProgressionStore`, `V003` migration), structured denies + **`levelUps`** ([NEO-38](../../plans/NEO-38-implementation-plan.md)); manual QA [`NEO-38`](../../manual-qa/NEO-38.md); Bruno `bruno/neon-sprawl-server/skill-progression/`; [server README — Skill progression grant (NEO-38)](../../../server/README.md#skill-progression-grant-neo-38). **NEO-39 landed:** data-driven `LevelCurve` content + schema + CI validation (`*_level_curve.json`) with fail-fast startup schema checks; progression GET/POST level resolution now uses `ISkillLevelCurve` content-backed thresholds ([NEO-39](../../plans/NEO-39-implementation-plan.md)); manual QA [`NEO-39`](../../manual-qa/NEO-39.md). **NEO-40 landed:** comment-only telemetry hook sites in [`SkillProgressionSnapshotApi.cs`](../../../server/NeonSprawl.Server/Game/Skills/SkillProgressionSnapshotApi.cs) on **`POST …/skill-progression`** for future **`xp_grant`** / **`level_up`** ([NEO-40](../../plans/NEO-40-implementation-plan.md), [`NEO-40` manual QA](../../manual-qa/NEO-40.md)). **NEO-41 landed:** gather prototype — **`POST …/interact`** with **`kind: resource_node`** grants **`salvage`** + **`activity`** (10 XP) via [`SkillProgressionGrantOperations`](../../../server/NeonSprawl.Server/Game/Skills/SkillProgressionGrantOperations.cs) ([NEO-41](../../plans/NEO-41-implementation-plan.md), [`NEO-41` manual QA](../../manual-qa/NEO-41.md)); [server README — Interaction](../../../server/README.md#interaction-neo-9). **NEO-42 landed (prep):** **`RefineActivitySkillXpGrant`** / **`RefineSkillXpConstants`** + deny-registry factory + tests — same NEO-38 grant stack; **E3.M2** must invoke on craft/refine success ([NEO-42](../../plans/NEO-42-implementation-plan.md), [`NEO-42` manual QA](../../manual-qa/NEO-42.md)); [server README — Craft / refine hook (NEO-42)](../../../server/README.md#craft--refine-hook--skill-xp-neo-42). **NEO-43 landed (prep):** **`MissionRewardSkillXpGrant`** / **`MissionRewardSkillXpConstants`** + deny-registry factory + tests — same NEO-38 grant stack with fixed **`sourceKind: mission_reward`**; **E7.M2** must invoke from quest hand-in ([NEO-43](../../plans/NEO-43-implementation-plan.md), [`NEO-43` manual QA](../../manual-qa/NEO-43.md)); [server README — Mission / quest reward (NEO-43)](../../../server/README.md#mission--quest-reward--skill-xp-neo-43). **Slice 3 still open:** [NEO-44](https://linear.app/neon-sprawl/issue/NEO-44). See [epic_02 — E2.M2 + Slice 3](../epics/epic_02_skills_and_progression.md). | [NEO-37](../../plans/NEO-37-implementation-plan.md), [NEO-38](../../plans/NEO-38-implementation-plan.md), [NEO-39](../../plans/NEO-39-implementation-plan.md), [NEO-40](../../plans/NEO-40-implementation-plan.md), [NEO-41](../../plans/NEO-41-implementation-plan.md), [NEO-42](../../plans/NEO-42-implementation-plan.md), [NEO-43](../../plans/NEO-43-implementation-plan.md), [E2_M2](E2_M2_XpAwardAndLevelEngine.md); label **`E2.M2`** on NEO-37–NEO-41, NEO-42–NEO-44 |
 | E3.M1 | In Progress | **NEO-41 landed (prototype):** `POST …/interact` success on **`resource_node`** (`prototype_resource_node_alpha`) applies **`salvage`** skill XP (**`sourceKind: activity`**, 10 XP) via shared NEO-38 grant operations. **Still planned:** `GatherResult`, yields, inventory per [E3_M1](E3_M1_ResourceNodeAndGatherLoop.md). | [NEO-41](../../plans/NEO-41-implementation-plan.md), [E3_M1](E3_M1_ResourceNodeAndGatherLoop.md); `server/NeonSprawl.Server/Game/Interaction/`, `Game/Skills/` |
-| E3.M3 | In Progress | **NEO-50 landed:** frozen prototype six-item catalog in [`content/items/prototype_items.json`](../../../content/items/prototype_items.json); [`item-def.schema.json`](../../../content/schemas/item-def.schema.json); PR gate + [`validate_content.py`](../../../scripts/validate_content.py) enforce schema, duplicate `id`, exact six ids, and **`prototypeRole`** coverage; designer note in [E3_M3](E3_M3_ItemizationAndInventorySchema.md) + [`content/README.md`](../../../content/README.md). **Still planned:** server load (NEO-51+), inventory store, HTTP. | [NEO-50](../../plans/NEO-50-implementation-plan.md), [E3M3-prototype-backlog](../../plans/E3M3-prototype-backlog.md), [E3_M3](E3_M3_ItemizationAndInventorySchema.md) |
+| E3.M3 | In Progress | **NEO-50 landed:** frozen prototype six-item catalog in [`content/items/prototype_items.json`](../../../content/items/prototype_items.json); [`item-def.schema.json`](../../../content/schemas/item-def.schema.json); PR gate + [`validate_content.py`](../../../scripts/validate_content.py). **NEO-51 landed:** fail-fast server load of `content/items/*_items.json` at startup — `server/NeonSprawl.Server/Game/Items/` ([NEO-51](../../plans/NEO-51-implementation-plan.md)); [server README — Item catalog](../../../server/README.md#item-catalog-contentitems-neo-51). **Still planned:** `IItemDefinitionRegistry` (NEO-52+), inventory store, HTTP. | [NEO-50](../../plans/NEO-50-implementation-plan.md), [NEO-51](../../plans/NEO-51-implementation-plan.md), [E3M3-prototype-backlog](../../plans/E3M3-prototype-backlog.md), [E3_M3](E3_M3_ItemizationAndInventorySchema.md) |
 
 ---
 

docs/plans/NEO-51-implementation-plan.md

@@ -40,10 +40,10 @@
 
 ## Acceptance criteria checklist
 
-- [ ] Server refuses boot when item catalog invalid (missing dir, no `*_items.json`, bad JSON, `schemaVersion` ≠ 1, schema violation, duplicate `id`, Slice 1 gate failure).
-- [ ] `ItemDefinitionCatalog` resolves prototype rows by `id` (e.g. `scrap_metal_bulk`, `prototype_armor_shell`).
-- [ ] Unit tests (AAA): loader happy path + failure modes; host resolves catalog on success; host fails startup on invalid catalog directory.
-- [ ] Success log includes **item count**, **catalog directory**, and **file count** (Information).
+- [x] Server refuses boot when item catalog invalid (missing dir, no `*_items.json`, bad JSON, `schemaVersion` ≠ 1, schema violation, duplicate `id`, Slice 1 gate failure).
+- [x] `ItemDefinitionCatalog` resolves prototype rows by `id` (e.g. `scrap_metal_bulk`, `prototype_armor_shell`).
+- [x] Unit tests (AAA): loader happy path + failure modes; host resolves catalog on success; host fails startup on invalid catalog directory.
+- [x] Success log includes **item count**, **catalog directory**, and **file count** (Information).
 
 ## Technical approach
 

server/README.md

@@ -37,6 +37,19 @@ On startup the host loads every **`*_skills.json`** under the skills directory,
 
 On success, **Information** logs include the resolved skills directory path and distinct skill count.
 
+## Item catalog (`content/items`, NEO-51)
+
+On startup the host loads every **`*_items.json`** under the items directory, validates each row against **`content/schemas/item-def.schema.json`**, requires **`schemaVersion` 1** per file, rejects **duplicate `id`** values across files, and enforces the **prototype Slice 1** roster gate (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:ItemsDirectory`** | Optional. Absolute path, or path relative to the server **content root**. When unset, walks **ancestors of `AppContext.BaseDirectory`** until it finds **`content/items`**. |
+| **`Content:ItemDefSchemaPath`** | Optional override for **`item-def.schema.json`**. When unset, **`{parent of items directory}/schemas/item-def.schema.json`**. |
+
+**Docker / CI:** include **`content/items`** and **`content/schemas/item-def.schema.json`** in the mounted **`content/`** tree; set **`Content__ItemsDirectory`** when layout differs.
+
+On success, **Information** logs include the resolved items directory path, distinct item count, and catalog file count. Game code should use **`IItemDefinitionRegistry`** for lookups after **NEO-52**; until then use **`ItemDefinitionCatalog.TryGetItem`**.
+
 ## Mastery catalog (`content/mastery`, NEO-46)
 
 After the skill catalog loads, the host loads every **`*_mastery.json`** under the mastery directory, validates each file against **`content/schemas/mastery-catalog.schema.json`**, cross-checks track **`skillId`** values against **`ISkillDefinitionRegistry`**, and enforces the same post-schema gates as **`scripts/validate_content.py`** (unknown perk references, duplicate perk ids, branch-set equality tier-to-tier, unreferenced perks, prototype **Slice 4** single **`salvage`** track). The server also requires **`tierIndex`** values per track to be **unique and sequential 1..N** (stricter than CI today). Invalid data **exits during startup**—no silent fallback.