diff --git a/scripts/validate_content.py b/scripts/validate_content.py
index f69ea29..1c2fba2 100644
--- a/scripts/validate_content.py
+++ b/scripts/validate_content.py
@@ -20,6 +20,7 @@ Validates:
 - faction catalogs: content/factions/*_factions.json rows vs content/schemas/faction-def.schema.json (NEO-133)
 - contract template catalogs: content/contracts/*_contract_templates.json rows vs
   content/schemas/contract-template.schema.json (NEO-144); completionRewardBundle via quest-reward-bundle.schema.json
+- contract-seed schema smoke: content/schemas/contract-seed.schema.json minimal fixture parse (NEO-144)
 """
 
 from __future__ import annotations
@@ -276,7 +277,8 @@ PROTOTYPE_E7M3_COMPLETION_BUNDLES: dict[str, dict] = {
 }
 
 # Epic 7 Slice 4 prototype lock (NEO-144): one contract template + band-1 economy caps.
-# Keep in sync with E7.M4 freeze table and future NEO-145 server loader.
+# Keep in sync with E7.M4 freeze table, future NEO-145 server loader, and NEO-147
+# ContractEconomyValidation (port PROTOTYPE_E7M4_BAND_CAPS keys to C# in E7M4-07).
 PROTOTYPE_E7M4_TEMPLATE_IDS = frozenset({"prototype_contract_clear_combat_pocket"})
 PROTOTYPE_E7M4_TEMPLATE_FREEZE: dict[str, dict] = {
     "prototype_contract_clear_combat_pocket": {
@@ -291,6 +293,7 @@ PROTOTYPE_E7M4_TEMPLATE_FREEZE: dict[str, dict] = {
         "completionRewardBundle": {
             "itemGrants": [{"itemId": "scrap_metal_bulk", "quantity": 5}],
             "skillXpGrants": [{"skillId": "salvage", "amount": 15}],
+            "reputationGrants": [],
         },
     },
 }
@@ -1064,6 +1067,22 @@ def _contract_template_validator() -> Draft202012Validator:
     return Draft202012Validator(template_schema, registry=registry)
 
 
+def _contract_seed_schema_smoke_gate() -> str | None:
+    """Return a human-readable error if contract-seed.schema.json fails a minimal fixture parse, else None."""
+    seed_schema = json.loads(CONTRACT_SEED_SCHEMA.read_text(encoding="utf-8"))
+    validator = Draft202012Validator(seed_schema)
+    fixture = {
+        "playerId": "prototype_player",
+        "templateId": "prototype_contract_clear_combat_pocket",
+        "seedBucket": "2026-06-20",
+    }
+    errors = sorted(validator.iter_errors(fixture), key=lambda err: err.path)
+    if errors:
+        loc = ".".join(str(part) for part in errors[0].path) or "(root)"
+        return f"error: contract-seed schema smoke fixture {loc}: {errors[0].message}"
+    return None
+
+
 def _validate_faction_catalogs(
     *,
     faction_files: list[Path],
@@ -1649,8 +1668,8 @@ def _prototype_e7m4_template_freeze_gate(id_to_row: dict[str, dict]) -> str | No
         bundle = row.get("completionRewardBundle")
         if not isinstance(bundle, dict):
             return f"error: contract template {tid!r} must include completionRewardBundle object"
-        actual_bundle = _normalize_completion_bundle(bundle)
-        expected_bundle = _normalize_completion_bundle(expected["completionRewardBundle"])
+        actual_bundle = _normalize_e7m3_completion_bundle(bundle)
+        expected_bundle = _normalize_e7m3_completion_bundle(expected["completionRewardBundle"])
         if actual_bundle != expected_bundle:
             return (
                 f"error: contract template {tid!r} completionRewardBundle must match E7M4 freeze table "
@@ -1666,7 +1685,7 @@ def _prototype_e7m4_cross_ref_gate(
     skill_id_to_allowed_kinds: dict[str, list[str]],
 ) -> str | None:
     """Return a human-readable error if contract template refs fail cross-checks, else None."""
-    for tid in sorted(PROTOTYPE_E7M4_TEMPLATE_IDS):
+    for tid in sorted(id_to_row.keys()):
         row = id_to_row.get(tid)
         if not isinstance(row, dict):
             continue
@@ -1733,7 +1752,7 @@ def _prototype_e7m4_cross_ref_gate(
 
 def _prototype_e7m4_band_cap_gate(id_to_row: dict[str, dict]) -> str | None:
     """Return a human-readable error if a template bundle exceeds band caps, else None."""
-    for tid in sorted(PROTOTYPE_E7M4_TEMPLATE_IDS):
+    for tid in sorted(id_to_row.keys()):
         row = id_to_row.get(tid)
         if not isinstance(row, dict):
             continue
@@ -2590,6 +2609,11 @@ def main() -> int:
         print(f"content validation failed with {contract_errors} error(s)", file=sys.stderr)
         return 1
 
+    contract_seed_smoke_err = _contract_seed_schema_smoke_gate()
+    if contract_seed_smoke_err:
+        print(contract_seed_smoke_err, file=sys.stderr)
+        return 1
+
     e7m4_template_roster_err = _prototype_e7m4_template_roster_gate(contract_seen_ids)
     if e7m4_template_roster_err:
         print(e7m4_template_roster_err, file=sys.stderr)