Merge pull request #185 from ViPro-Technologies/NEO-145-e7m4-02-server-contract-template-catalog-load-fail-fast

NEO-145: E7M4-02 server contract template catalog load (fail-fast)

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");
+  });
+}

bruno/neon-sprawl-server/contract-catalog/folder.bru

@@ -0,0 +1,3 @@
+meta {
+  name: contract-catalog
+}

docs/decomposition/modules/CT_M1_ContentValidationPipeline.md

@@ -63,7 +63,7 @@ Content tooling **Slice 1** — schemas + CI; **Slice 4** — server parity hard
 
 **Quest completion bundles ([NEO-124](https://linear.app/neon-sprawl/issue/NEO-124)):** optional **`completionRewardBundle`** on each quest row via [`quest-reward-bundle.schema.json`](../../../content/schemas/quest-reward-bundle.schema.json) (`itemGrants` reuses [`reward-grant-row.schema.json`](../../../content/schemas/reward-grant-row.schema.json); `skillXpGrants` via [`quest-skill-xp-grant.schema.json`](../../../content/schemas/quest-skill-xp-grant.schema.json)). E7 Slice 2 requires bundles on all four frozen quest ids with exact freeze-table contents; cross-checks **`itemGrants[].itemId`** and **`skillXpGrants[].skillId`**; each skill XP target must allow **`mission_reward`** in **`allowedXpSourceKinds`**.
 
-**Contract template catalogs ([NEO-144](https://linear.app/neon-sprawl/issue/NEO-144)):** the same script validates each row in `content/contracts/*_contract_templates.json` against [`content/schemas/contract-template.schema.json`](../../../content/schemas/contract-template.schema.json) (`completionRewardBundle` via [`quest-reward-bundle.schema.json`](../../../content/schemas/quest-reward-bundle.schema.json); `minFactionStanding` via [`faction-gate-rule.schema.json`](../../../content/schemas/faction-gate-rule.schema.json)), rejects **duplicate `id`** across files, cross-checks **`encounterTemplateId`** against encounter catalogs and bundle item/skill/faction refs against frozen catalogs, enforces the **frozen one-template** id set (`prototype_contract_clear_combat_pocket`) with exact freeze-table contents (including empty **`reputationGrants`**), and enforces **band-1 economy caps** (item qty ≤ 10, skill XP ≤ 25, rep ≤ 10 per grant row). Issue/audit shape: [`contract-seed.schema.json`](../../../content/schemas/contract-seed.schema.json) — minimal fixture smoke parse in CI (no catalog file yet).
+**Contract template catalogs ([NEO-144](https://linear.app/neon-sprawl/issue/NEO-144)):** the same script validates each row in `content/contracts/*_contract_templates.json` against [`content/schemas/contract-template.schema.json`](../../../content/schemas/contract-template.schema.json) (`completionRewardBundle` via [`quest-reward-bundle.schema.json`](../../../content/schemas/quest-reward-bundle.schema.json); `minFactionStanding` via [`faction-gate-rule.schema.json`](../../../content/schemas/faction-gate-rule.schema.json)), rejects **duplicate `id`** across files, cross-checks **`encounterTemplateId`** against encounter catalogs and bundle item/skill/faction refs against frozen catalogs, enforces the **frozen one-template** id set (`prototype_contract_clear_combat_pocket`) with exact freeze-table contents (including empty **`reputationGrants`**), and enforces **band-1 economy caps** (item qty ≤ 10, skill XP ≤ 25, rep ≤ 10 per grant row). Issue/audit shape: [`contract-seed.schema.json`](../../../content/schemas/contract-seed.schema.json) — minimal fixture smoke parse in CI (no catalog file yet). **Server startup ([NEO-145](https://linear.app/neon-sprawl/issue/NEO-145)):** the host mirrors the same gates via `ContractTemplateCatalogLoader` before listening (see [server README — Contract template catalog](../../../server/README.md#contract-template-catalog-contentcontracts-neo-145)).
 
 **Decomposition vocabulary:** the same workflow runs [`scripts/check_decomposition_language.py`](../../../scripts/check_decomposition_language.py) (stdlib only) over `docs/decomposition/**/*.md` to catch wording that treats **combat** as a leveled **`SkillDef`** line instead of **gig** progression (see script docstring for patterns). Adjust the script if a future doc needs a documented exception.
 

docs/decomposition/modules/E7_M4_ContractMissionGenerator.md

@@ -53,6 +53,8 @@ Epic 7 **Slice 4** — `contract_issued`, `contract_complete`, reward anomalies.
 
 **CI (NEO-144):** `content/contracts/prototype_contract_templates.json` validated by `scripts/validate_content.py` — schema, single-template roster, freeze table, encounter/item/skill/faction cross-refs, band-1 economy caps. Schemas: [`contract-template.schema.json`](../../../content/schemas/contract-template.schema.json), [`contract-seed.schema.json`](../../../content/schemas/contract-seed.schema.json).
 
+**Server load (NEO-145):** host fail-fast load of `content/contracts/*_contract_templates.json` via `ContractTemplateCatalogLoader` + **`IContractTemplateRegistry`** — same E7M4 gates as CI at startup; [server README — Contract template catalog](../../../server/README.md#contract-template-catalog-contentcontracts-neo-145).
+
 ## Source anchors
 
 - Master plan: [`neon_sprawl_vision.plan.md`](../../../neon_sprawl_vision.plan.md) — Epic 7.

docs/decomposition/modules/module_dependency_register.md

@@ -118,7 +118,7 @@ Gameplay **content and curves** default to **boot load** with optional **dev-onl
 **E7.M3 note:** Epic 7 **Slice 3** backlog in Linear ([Epic 7 — Questing, Narrative, and Faction Reputation](https://linear.app/neon-sprawl/project/epic-7-questing-narrative-and-faction-reputation-a9416783ceee)): [NEO-133](https://linear.app/neon-sprawl/issue/NEO-133) → [NEO-143](https://linear.app/neon-sprawl/issue/NEO-143) **landed**; label **`E7.M3`**. See [E7M3-pre-production-backlog.md](../../plans/E7M3-pre-production-backlog.md), [E7_M3_FactionReputationLedger.md](E7_M3_FactionReputationLedger.md). Upstream: E7.M1 **Ready**, E7.M2 **Ready**. Prototype spine: two frozen factions; operator chain grants **+15 Grid Operators**; **`prototype_quest_grid_contract`** gated at **minStanding 15**; rep grants via **`completionRewardBundle.reputationGrants`**; accept deny **`faction_gate_blocked`**. **E7M3-11 / NEO-143** client capstone landed — [`NEO-143` manual QA](../../manual-qa/NEO-143.md), [client README — End-to-end faction reputation loop (NEO-143)](../../../client/README.md#end-to-end-faction-reputation-loop-neo-143), plan [NEO-143](../../plans/NEO-143-implementation-plan.md). Epic 7 Slice 3 client capstone complete.
 | E7.M4 | ContractMissionGenerator | E4.M1, E5.M3, E7.M3 | ContractTemplate, ContractSeed, ContractOutcome | Pre-production | In Progress |
 
-**E7.M4 note:** Epic 7 **Slice 4** backlog in Linear ([Epic 7 — Questing, Narrative, and Faction Reputation](https://linear.app/neon-sprawl/project/epic-7-questing-narrative-and-faction-reputation-a9416783ceee)): [NEO-144](https://linear.app/neon-sprawl/issue/NEO-144) → [NEO-154](https://linear.app/neon-sprawl/issue/NEO-154); label **`E7.M4`**. See [E7M4-pre-production-backlog.md](../../plans/E7M4-pre-production-backlog.md), [E7_M4_ContractMissionGenerator.md](E7_M4_ContractMissionGenerator.md). Upstream: E5.M3 **Ready**, E7.M3 **Ready**; E4.M1 live zone read deferred (content-only **`zoneDifficultyBand`** in Slice 4 v1). Prototype spine: one template **`prototype_contract_clear_combat_pocket`** → **`prototype_combat_pocket`** encounter clear → repeat **`scrap_metal_bulk` ×5** + salvage XP; economy band caps at issue. Client capstone **E7M4-11** [NEO-154](https://linear.app/neon-sprawl/issue/NEO-154).
+**E7.M4 note:** Epic 7 **Slice 4** backlog in Linear ([Epic 7 — Questing, Narrative, and Faction Reputation](https://linear.app/neon-sprawl/project/epic-7-questing-narrative-and-faction-reputation-a9416783ceee)): [NEO-144](https://linear.app/neon-sprawl/issue/NEO-144) → [NEO-154](https://linear.app/neon-sprawl/issue/NEO-154); label **`E7.M4`**. See [E7M4-pre-production-backlog.md](../../plans/E7M4-pre-production-backlog.md), [E7_M4_ContractMissionGenerator.md](E7_M4_ContractMissionGenerator.md). **E7M4-01 / NEO-144** catalog + CI landed; **E7M4-02 / NEO-145** fail-fast server catalog load + **`IContractTemplateRegistry`** landed ([NEO-145 plan](../../plans/NEO-145-implementation-plan.md)). Upstream: E5.M3 **Ready**, E7.M3 **Ready**; E4.M1 live zone read deferred (content-only **`zoneDifficultyBand`** in Slice 4 v1). Prototype spine: one template **`prototype_contract_clear_combat_pocket`** → **`prototype_combat_pocket`** encounter clear → repeat **`scrap_metal_bulk` ×5** + salvage XP; economy band caps at issue. Client capstone **E7M4-11** [NEO-154](https://linear.app/neon-sprawl/issue/NEO-154).
 
 ### Epic 8 — Social / Guild
 

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

@@ -132,8 +132,8 @@ Working backlog for **Epic 7 — Slice 4** ([contract generator](../decompositio
 
 **Acceptance criteria**
 
-- [ ] Host exits on invalid contract catalog or broken encounter refs at startup.
+- [x] Host exits on invalid contract catalog or broken encounter refs at startup.
-- [ ] Registry resolves template metadata by id.
+- [x] Registry resolves template metadata by id.
 
 **Client counterpart:** none (infrastructure-only).
 

docs/plans/NEO-145-implementation-plan.md

@@ -0,0 +1,193 @@
+# NEO-145 — E7M4-02: Server contract template catalog load (fail-fast)
+
+**Linear:** [NEO-145](https://linear.app/neon-sprawl/issue/NEO-145)  
+**Branch:** `NEO-145-e7m4-02-server-contract-template-catalog-load-fail-fast`  
+**Backlog:** [E7M4-pre-production-backlog.md](E7M4-pre-production-backlog.md) — **E7M4-02**  
+**Module:** [E7_M4_ContractMissionGenerator.md](../decomposition/modules/E7_M4_ContractMissionGenerator.md)  
+**Pattern:** [NEO-134-implementation-plan.md](NEO-134-implementation-plan.md) (faction catalog load + CI-parity gates); [NEO-113-implementation-plan.md](NEO-113-implementation-plan.md) (quest catalog cross-ref deps); [NEO-101-implementation-plan.md](NEO-101-implementation-plan.md) (encounter registry + DI)  
+**Precursor:** [NEO-144](https://linear.app/neon-sprawl/issue/NEO-144) **`Done`** — `contract-template` + `contract-seed` schemas, `prototype_contract_templates.json`, E7M4 CI gates (**merged to `main`**)  
+**Blocks:** [NEO-146](https://linear.app/neon-sprawl/issue/NEO-146) (contract instance + outcome stores)  
+**Client counterpart:** none (infrastructure-only); playable loop is **NEO-154** (E7M4-11)
+
+## Goal
+
+Fail-fast startup load of `content/contracts/*_contract_templates.json` with **CI-parity** validation; cross-check **`encounterTemplateId`** and bundle refs against loaded catalogs. Host refuses to listen when contract content is missing, malformed, or fails prototype E7M4 gates. **`IContractTemplateRegistry`** resolves template metadata by id for E7M4-04+.
+
+## Kickoff clarifications
+
+**No blocking decisions needed.** Linear AC, [E7M4-02 backlog scope](E7M4-pre-production-backlog.md#e7m4-02--server-contract-template-catalog-load-fail-fast), [E7M4 kickoff decisions table](E7M4-pre-production-backlog.md#kickoff-decisions-decomposition-defaults), NEO-144 shipped CI gates, and NEO-134/NEO-113 precedents settle:
+
+| Topic | Decision | Evidence |
+|-------|----------|----------|
+| CI parity scope | Full E7M4 gates on server (schema, roster, freeze, cross-ref, band caps) | Backlog “CI-parity validation”; NEO-134 full E7M3 gate precedent |
+| Registry in E7M4-02 | Ship **`IContractTemplateRegistry`** + DI now | Backlog in-scope list; unlike E5M3-02/03 split, E7M4-02 explicitly includes registry |
+| Runtime validation | In-process **C#** mirroring `scripts/validate_content.py` | NEO-51/134 precedent; no Python on server images |
+| Cross-ref deps | Encounter, item, skill, faction catalogs at load | Python `_prototype_e7m4_cross_ref_gate`; quest E7M2 `mission_reward` allowlist on skill XP |
+| Load order | After item, skill, faction, encounter, quest catalogs | All cross-ref sources resolved; contracts do not affect quest load |
+| Band caps | Port **`PROTOTYPE_E7M4_BAND_CAPS`** to C# in loader gates now | NEO-144 review + plan open question; E7M4-07 reuses same constants at issue time |
+| Bundle DTO reuse | Reuse **`QuestRewardBundleRow`**, **`FactionGateRuleRow`** from `Game/Quests/` | Same `$ref`s as quest catalog; avoids duplicate grant row types |
+| Instance store / generator / HTTP / Godot | **Out of scope** | Backlog E7M4-02; NEO-146+ |
+
+## Scope and out-of-scope
+
+**In scope (from Linear + backlog):**
+
+- Loader + catalog types under `server/NeonSprawl.Server/Game/Contracts/`.
+- **`IContractTemplateRegistry`** + DI registration.
+- Cross-check **`encounterTemplateId`** vs loaded encounter catalog; bundle item/skill/faction refs + **`mission_reward`** allowlist (CI parity).
+- **`PrototypeE7M4ContractCatalogRules`** — roster, freeze, cross-ref, band-cap gates synced to `scripts/validate_content.py` `PROTOTYPE_E7M4_*` + `_prototype_e7m4_*`.
+- `ContentPathsOptions` + path resolution for `content/contracts/`.
+- Unit tests (AAA) for loader happy path and failure modes (broken encounter ref, roster/freeze/band-cap); host boot resolves contract catalog.
+- `server/README.md` contract catalog section.
+
+**Out of scope (from Linear + backlog):**
+
+- Per-player **`ContractInstance`** store, generator, HTTP (**NEO-146**–**NEO-154**).
+- Issue-time economy re-validation (**NEO-147** / E7M4-07) — band-cap **constants** land here; **`TryIssue`** enforcement is later.
+- Godot client.
+
+## Acceptance criteria checklist
+
+- [x] Host exits on invalid contract catalog or broken encounter refs at startup.
+- [x] Registry resolves template metadata by id.
+- [x] `dotnet test` covers loader gates.
+
+## Implementation reconciliation (shipped)
+
+- **Contract catalog:** `Game/Contracts/` loader, catalog, `IContractTemplateRegistry`, `PrototypeE7M4ContractCatalogRules` (roster, freeze, cross-ref, band caps synced to `PROTOTYPE_E7M4_*`), DI + `Program.cs` load order (after quest catalog).
+- **Config:** `ContentPathsOptions` `ContractsDirectory` / `ContractTemplateSchemaPath`; `InMemoryWebApplicationFactory` pins repo `content/contracts`.
+- **Tests:** `ContractTemplateCatalogLoaderTests`, `ContractTemplateRegistryTests`, host boot via `Host_ShouldResolveContractCatalogFromDi` (839 tests green).
+- **Docs:** `server/README.md` contract catalog section; decomposition alignment (E7_M4, CT_M1, register tables).
+- **Bruno:** `bruno/neon-sprawl-server/contract-catalog/` health smoke (startup-only; no contract HTTP in E7M4-02).
+
+## Technical approach
+
+### 1. Contract DTOs and catalog (`Game/Contracts/`)
+
+| Type | Role |
+|------|------|
+| `ContractTemplateRow` | `Id`, `DisplayName`, `ZoneDifficultyBand`, `ObjectiveKind`, `EncounterTemplateId`, `MinFactionStanding` (`FactionGateRuleRow`), `CompletionRewardBundle` (`QuestRewardBundleRow`) |
+| `ContractTemplateCatalog` | Immutable `ById` map + directory metadata (mirror `FactionDefinitionCatalog`) |
+| `IContractTemplateRegistry` / `ContractTemplateRegistry` | `TryGetDefinition`, `GetDefinitionsInIdOrder` (mirror `IEncounterDefinitionRegistry`) |
+
+### 2. `ContractTemplateCatalogLoader`
+
+Mirror `FactionDefinitionCatalogLoader` + quest bundle parsing:
+
+- Enumerate `*_contract_templates.json` under contracts directory; require `schemaVersion` 1 and top-level `contractTemplates` array.
+- JSON Schema validate each row against `contract-template.schema.json` with nested `$ref`s (`quest-reward-bundle`, `faction-gate-rule`, grant row schemas — same registration pattern as quest loader).
+- Reject duplicate template ids across files.
+- Run `PrototypeE7M4ContractCatalogRules` gates (below).
+- Throw `InvalidOperationException` with sorted `error:` lines on failure.
+
+**Loader inputs** (from resolved singletons):
+
+- `knownEncounterIds` — `EncounterDefinitionCatalog.ById.Keys`
+- `knownItemIds` — `ItemDefinitionCatalog.ById.Keys` (or `PrototypeSlice1ItemCatalogRules.ExpectedItemIds` for parity with CI)
+- `knownFactionIds` — `FactionDefinitionCatalog.ById.Keys`
+- `skillDefsById` — `SkillDefinitionCatalog.ById` (for `mission_reward` allowlist)
+
+### 3. `PrototypeE7M4ContractCatalogRules`
+
+Sync to `scripts/validate_content.py`:
+
+| Constant / helper | Python source |
+|-------------------|---------------|
+| `ExpectedTemplateIds` | `PROTOTYPE_E7M4_TEMPLATE_IDS` |
+| `ExpectedTemplateFreeze` | `PROTOTYPE_E7M4_TEMPLATE_FREEZE` |
+| `BandCapsByDifficultyBand` | `PROTOTYPE_E7M4_BAND_CAPS` |
+| `TryGetRosterGateError` | `_prototype_e7m4_template_roster_gate` |
+| `TryGetFreezeGateError` | `_prototype_e7m4_template_freeze_gate` |
+| `TryGetCrossRefError` | `_prototype_e7m4_cross_ref_gate` |
+| `TryGetBandCapGateError` | `_prototype_e7m4_band_cap_gate` |
+
+Bundle normalization for freeze compare: mirror `_normalize_e7m3_completion_bundle` (item + skill XP + rep grants).
+
+Cross-ref gate iterates **all loaded catalog rows** (not roster-only), matching NEO-144 review fix.
+
+### 4. Path resolution and DI
+
+- Add `ContractsDirectory`, `ContractTemplateSchemaPath` to `ContentPathsOptions`.
+- `ContractCatalogPathResolution` — discover `content/contracts`, resolve `contract-template.schema.json` sibling under `content/schemas/`.
+- `ContractCatalogServiceCollectionExtensions.AddContractTemplateCatalog` — singleton catalog + `IContractTemplateRegistry`.
+- **`Program.cs`:** register contract catalog **after** `AddQuestDefinitionCatalog`; eager-resolve `ContractTemplateCatalog` at boot (after quest catalog).
+- **`InMemoryWebApplicationFactory`:** pin repo `content/contracts` via `Content:ContractsDirectory`.
+
+### 5. Tests
+
+**Loader (`ContractTemplateCatalogLoaderTests`):**
+
+- Happy path — repo `prototype_contract_templates.json` with real cross-ref catalogs.
+- Missing contracts directory / schema.
+- Duplicate template id.
+- Wrong roster count or unknown id.
+- Freeze table mismatch (display name, band, encounter, standing, bundle).
+- Unknown `encounterTemplateId` (primary AC negative).
+- Unknown bundle item/skill/faction ref; skill XP missing `mission_reward` allowlist.
+- Band-cap violation (local temp fixture or inline JSON — do not commit bad catalog).
+
+**Registry (`ContractTemplateRegistryTests`):** `TryGetDefinition` hit/miss; id-order listing.
+
+**Host boot:** `Host_ShouldResolveContractCatalogFromDi` — factory starts; `IContractTemplateRegistry` resolves `prototype_contract_clear_combat_pocket`.
+
+### 6. Docs
+
+- **`server/README.md`** — new contract catalog paragraph (config keys, gates, load order after quests).
+- Optional one-line E7_M4 module CI note when implementation lands.
+
+### 7. Implementation order
+
+1. DTOs, rules, path resolution, loader, catalog, registry, DI.
+2. `ContentPathsOptions`, `Program.cs` load order, `InMemoryWebApplicationFactory`.
+3. Tests (loader negatives → registry → host boot).
+4. `server/README.md`.
+5. Run `dotnet test`.
+
+## Files to add
+
+| Path | Purpose |
+|------|---------|
+| `docs/plans/NEO-145-implementation-plan.md` | This plan. |
+| `server/NeonSprawl.Server/Game/Contracts/ContractTemplateRow.cs` | Load-time contract template row |
+| `server/NeonSprawl.Server/Game/Contracts/ContractTemplateCatalog.cs` | In-memory catalog |
+| `server/NeonSprawl.Server/Game/Contracts/ContractTemplateCatalogLoader.cs` | Fail-fast disk load |
+| `server/NeonSprawl.Server/Game/Contracts/ContractCatalogPathResolution.cs` | Directory + schema path discovery |
+| `server/NeonSprawl.Server/Game/Contracts/ContractCatalogServiceCollectionExtensions.cs` | DI registration |
+| `server/NeonSprawl.Server/Game/Contracts/IContractTemplateRegistry.cs` | Lookup contract |
+| `server/NeonSprawl.Server/Game/Contracts/ContractTemplateRegistry.cs` | Registry adapter |
+| `server/NeonSprawl.Server/Game/Contracts/PrototypeE7M4ContractCatalogRules.cs` | CI-parity E7M4 gates + band caps |
+| `server/NeonSprawl.Server.Tests/Game/Contracts/ContractTemplateCatalogLoaderTests.cs` | Loader AAA tests |
+| `server/NeonSprawl.Server.Tests/Game/Contracts/ContractTemplateRegistryTests.cs` | Registry AAA tests |
+| `server/NeonSprawl.Server.Tests/Game/Contracts/ContractCatalogTestPaths.cs` | Repo path discovery for tests |
+
+## Files to modify
+
+| Path | Rationale |
+|------|-----------|
+| `server/NeonSprawl.Server/Game/Skills/ContentPathsOptions.cs` | Add `ContractsDirectory`, `ContractTemplateSchemaPath` |
+| `server/NeonSprawl.Server/Program.cs` | Register + eager-resolve contract catalog after quest catalog |
+| `server/NeonSprawl.Server.Tests/InMemoryWebApplicationFactory.cs` | Pin `Content:ContractsDirectory` for host boot tests |
+| `server/README.md` | Contract catalog section (config, gates, load order) |
+
+## Tests
+
+| Layer | What |
+|-------|------|
+| `ContractTemplateCatalogLoaderTests` | Happy path, missing paths, duplicate id, roster/freeze/cross-ref/band-cap gates; broken encounter ref (AC) |
+| `ContractTemplateRegistryTests` | Lookup by id, ordered listing |
+| Host boot | `Host_ShouldResolveContractCatalogFromDi` via `InMemoryWebApplicationFactory` |
+| CI | Existing `dotnet test` + `validate_content.py` (no Python changes expected) |
+
+Manual Godot QA: **none** (server infrastructure; capstone is NEO-154).
+
+## Open questions / risks
+
+| Question / risk | Agent recommendation | Status |
+|-----------------|----------------------|--------|
+| Band-cap constants drift vs Python | Keep `PrototypeE7M4ContractCatalogRules.BandCapsByDifficultyBand` name-aligned with `PROTOTYPE_E7M4_BAND_CAPS`; add sync comment on both sides | `adopted` |
+| Shared bundle cross-ref logic with quests | Extract only if duplication is large; otherwise mirror quest item/skill checks in E7M4 rules with contract-specific error prefixes | `adopted` |
+| E7M4-07 issue-time validation | Loader gates suffice for E7M4-02 AC; port same `BandCapsByDifficultyBand` to `ContractEconomyValidation` in NEO-147 | `deferred` |
+
+## Client counterpart
+
+None for E7M4-02. Client contract HUD: **NEO-153** / capstone **NEO-154**.

docs/reviews/2026-06-20-NEO-145.md

@@ -0,0 +1,68 @@
+# Code review — NEO-145 (E7M4-02 server contract template catalog load)
+
+**Date:** 2026-06-20  
+**Scope:** Branch `NEO-145-e7m4-02-server-contract-template-catalog-load-fail-fast` — commits `215493f`…`937412e` (3 commits)  
+**Base:** `main`
+
+## Verdict
+
+**Approve with nits**
+
+## Summary
+
+NEO-145 delivers fail-fast startup loading of `content/contracts/*_contract_templates.json` with CI-parity gates ported to C# (`PrototypeE7M4ContractCatalogRules`), JSON Schema validation with quest/faction bundle `$ref`s, duplicate-id rejection, and cross-ref checks against encounter, faction, frozen prototype item/skill catalogs, and the E7M2 `mission_reward` allowlist. `IContractTemplateRegistry` + DI registration follow established faction/encounter patterns; `Program.cs` registers and eagerly resolves the catalog after the quest catalog. Tests cover loader happy/negative paths, registry lookups, and host boot via `InMemoryWebApplicationFactory`; `dotnet test` (839) and `validate_content.py` both pass. Risk is low: infrastructure-only, no player-facing HTTP yet; primary failure mode is startup exit with sorted `error:` lines — appropriate for this slice.
+
+## Documentation checked
+
+| Document | Alignment |
+|----------|-----------|
+| `docs/plans/NEO-145-implementation-plan.md` | **Matches** — AC checklist complete; reconciliation section reflects shipped loader, registry, DI, tests, README. |
+| `docs/plans/E7M4-pre-production-backlog.md` (E7M4-02) | **Matches** — loader, registry, cross-ref, tests, README in scope; instance store/HTTP/Godot correctly out of scope. |
+| `docs/decomposition/modules/E7_M4_ContractMissionGenerator.md` | ~~**Partially matches** — freeze table and CI (NEO-144) documented; no note that server fail-fast load landed (NEO-145). Plan marked this optional.~~ **Done.** Server load (NEO-145) paragraph added. |
+| `docs/decomposition/modules/CT_M1_ContentValidationPipeline.md` | ~~**Partially matches** — Purpose mentions server-side smoke loading; contract paragraph still NEO-144/CI-only — should add NEO-145 server mirror.~~ **Done.** NEO-145 server startup mirror sentence added. |
+| `docs/decomposition/modules/documentation_and_implementation_alignment.md` | ~~**Partially matches** — E7.M4 row cites E7M4-01/NEO-144 only; should mention E7M4-02 server catalog load after merge.~~ **Done.** E7M4-02 / NEO-145 row extended. |
+| `docs/decomposition/modules/module_dependency_register.md` | ~~**Partially matches** — E7.M4 In Progress spine unchanged; acceptable until alignment pass, but register note could cite NEO-145.~~ **Done.** E7.M4 note cites NEO-145. |
+| `docs/decomposition/modules/client_server_authority.md` | **N/A** — read-only catalog load; no authority boundary change. |
+| Full-stack epic decomposition | **N/A** — infrastructure-only; client counterpart correctly none (NEO-154 capstone). |
+
+Register/tracking tables were **not** updated for NEO-145 in this branch — ~~**should fix** (non-blocking) per plan §6 optional module note and alignment doc pattern from NEO-144.~~ **Done.**
+
+## Blocking issues
+
+None.
+
+## Suggestions
+
+1. ~~**Update decomposition tracking for E7M4-02** — After merge, extend `documentation_and_implementation_alignment.md` E7.M4 row and optionally `module_dependency_register.md` / `E7_M4_ContractMissionGenerator.md` with one line: server fail-fast catalog load + `IContractTemplateRegistry` (NEO-145). Mirrors NEO-144 alignment follow-up.~~ **Done.**
+
+2. ~~**CT_M1 server-load paragraph** — Add a sentence under the contract-catalog CI bullet that the host mirrors the same gates at startup via `ContractTemplateCatalogLoader` (NEO-145), matching faction/quest catalog precedent in that doc.~~ **Done.**
+
+3. ~~**Band-cap negative through full loader** — Plan §5 lists band-cap violation via loader; shipped coverage tests `TryGetBandCapGateError` in isolation only. Consider one temp-fixture test that writes qty **11** and asserts `ContractTemplateCatalogLoader.Load` throws (same pattern as freeze/roster negatives) so the loader→rules wiring is exercised end-to-end.~~ **Done.** `Load_ShouldThrow_WhenItemQuantityExceedsPrototypeBundleLimits` exercises loader→freeze gate (qty 11 fails freeze before band-cap on the single-template roster); `TryGetBandCapGateError_ShouldReturnError_WhenItemQuantityExceedsBandCap` covers band-cap rule directly.
+
+4. ~~**Missing schema path test** — Plan §5 lists missing schema; only missing **directory** is tested. A temp layout with contracts dir present but schema file removed would close the gap cheaply.~~ **Done.** `Load_ShouldThrow_WhenSchemaFileMissing` added.
+
+## Nits
+
+- ~~Nit: `Load_ShouldThrow_WhenBundleItemIdUnknown` calls `TryGetCrossRefError` directly rather than `Load`; rename to `TryGetCrossRefError_ShouldReturnError_WhenBundleItemIdUnknown` (or route through the loader) for clarity.~~ **Done.**
+
+- ~~Nit: Bruno folder `bruno/neon-sprawl-server/contract-catalog/` (health smoke) is a nice addition but not listed in the plan — harmless; optional one-line in plan reconciliation if you want doc parity.~~ **Done.** Plan reconciliation notes Bruno health smoke.
+
+- Nit: `AddContractTemplateCatalog` re-binds `ContentPathsOptions` (same as faction/quest extensions) — fine; no action needed.
+
+## Verification
+
+Commands run during review (all green):
+
+```bash
+dotnet test NeonSprawl.sln
+python3 scripts/validate_content.py
+```
+
+Author should confirm fail-fast startup manually once (optional):
+
+```bash
+# Temporarily break encounterTemplateId in prototype_contract_templates.json
+dotnet run --project server/NeonSprawl.Server   # expect startup InvalidOperationException
+```
+
+Before merge: skim decomposition alignment suggestions above — functional code is merge-ready without them.

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());
+}

server/NeonSprawl.Server.Tests/Game/Contracts/ContractTemplateCatalogLoaderTests.cs

@@ -0,0 +1,306 @@
+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 TryGetCrossRefError_ShouldReturnError_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 Load_ShouldThrow_WhenItemQuantityExceedsPrototypeBundleLimits()
+    {
+        // Arrange — qty 11 fails freeze before band-cap gate (same CI tamper path as validate_content.py)
+        var (_, contractsDir, schemaPath) = CreateTempContentLayout();
+        var overCap = ValidPrototypeCatalogJson.Replace("\"quantity\": 5", "\"quantity\": 11", StringComparison.Ordinal);
+        File.WriteAllText(Path.Combine(contractsDir, "prototype_contract_templates.json"), overCap, Encoding.UTF8);
+        // Act
+        var ex = Record.Exception(() => LoadCatalog(contractsDir, schemaPath));
+        // Assert
+        var ioe = Assert.IsType<InvalidOperationException>(ex);
+        Assert.Contains("completionRewardBundle must match E7M4 freeze table", ioe.Message, StringComparison.Ordinal);
+    }
+
+    [Fact]
+    public void Load_ShouldThrow_WhenSchemaFileMissing()
+    {
+        // Arrange
+        var (_, contractsDir, schemaPath) = CreateTempContentLayout();
+        File.WriteAllText(Path.Combine(contractsDir, "prototype_contract_templates.json"), ValidPrototypeCatalogJson, Encoding.UTF8);
+        File.Delete(schemaPath);
+        // Act
+        var ex = Record.Exception(() => LoadCatalog(contractsDir, schemaPath));
+        // Assert
+        var ioe = Assert.IsType<InvalidOperationException>(ex);
+        Assert.Contains("missing schema file", ioe.Message, StringComparison.Ordinal);
+        Assert.Contains(schemaPath, 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);
+    }
+}

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);
+    }
+}

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");

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"));
+}

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;
+    }
+}

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; }
+}

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());
+    }
+}

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;
+    }
+}

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);

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();
+}

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);

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; }
 }

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>();
 

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/`.