diff --git a/cabana/contracts.go b/cabana/contracts.go
index 9c040fc..9fb29f3 100644
--- a/cabana/contracts.go
+++ b/cabana/contracts.go
@@ -78,6 +78,7 @@ type CompiledController struct {
 	PluginID   string
 	Controller pact.AdminController
 	List       *ListSchema
+	Form       *FormSchema
 }
 
 // Registry is the immutable controller map keyed by controller ID.
diff --git a/cabana/form_schema.go b/cabana/form_schema.go
index 013d387..5ca008b 100644
--- a/cabana/form_schema.go
+++ b/cabana/form_schema.go
@@ -1,28 +1,471 @@
 package cabana
 
 import (
+	"bytes"
+	"encoding/json"
+	"errors"
 	"fmt"
 	"io/fs"
+	"path"
+	"strconv"
+	"strings"
 
 	"git.golem15.com/golem15/summercms/pact"
+	"github.com/goccy/go-yaml"
+	"github.com/goccy/go-yaml/ast"
 )
 
-// FormSchema is the boot-compiled form contract. The RED stub rejects every
-// asset so the ADMIN-01 tests fail on the contract, not on a missing symbol.
-type FormSchema struct{}
-
-// CompileForm will compile config_form.yaml and fields.yaml. It does not yet.
-func CompileForm(pluginID string, ctl pact.AdminController, fsys fs.FS) (*FormSchema, error) {
-	if pluginID == "" || ctl == nil || fsys == nil {
-		return nil, fmt.Errorf("cabana: form schema is not implemented")
+var (
+	formFieldTypes = map[string]struct{}{
+		"text": {}, "textarea": {}, "number": {}, "checkbox": {},
+		"switch": {}, "dropdown": {}, "relation": {}, "relation-manager": {},
 	}
-	return nil, fmt.Errorf("cabana: form schema is not implemented")
+	formSpans = map[string]struct{}{
+		"left": {}, "right": {}, "full": {}, "auto": {}, "row": {},
+	}
+	formSizes = map[string]struct{}{
+		"tiny": {}, "small": {}, "large": {}, "huge": {}, "giant": {},
+	}
+	formFieldKeys = map[string]struct{}{
+		"label": {}, "comment": {}, "span": {}, "type": {}, "required": {},
+		"tab": {}, "context": {}, "attributes": {}, "size": {}, "default": {},
+		"nameFrom": {}, "emptyOption": {}, "options": {}, "relation": {},
+	}
+)
+
+type formConfigDocument struct {
+	Name            string         `yaml:"name"`
+	Form            string         `yaml:"form"`
+	ModelClass      string         `yaml:"modelClass"`
+	DefaultRedirect string         `yaml:"defaultRedirect"`
+	Create          *formRedirects `yaml:"create"`
+	Update          *formRedirects `yaml:"update"`
 }
 
-// CanonicalJSON will emit the stable form contract. It does not yet.
+type formRedirects struct {
+	Redirect      string `yaml:"redirect"`
+	RedirectClose string `yaml:"redirectClose"`
+}
+
+type formFieldsFile struct {
+	Fields fieldMap `yaml:"fields"`
+}
+
+type fieldMap struct {
+	items []FormField
+}
+
+// CompileForm compiles config_form.yaml and the model fields.yaml it names.
+// The returned schema is safe to cache: labels stay as source keys.
+func CompileForm(pluginID string, ctl pact.AdminController, fsys fs.FS) (*FormSchema, error) {
+	if ctl == nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("cabana: admin schema %s: controller is nil", pluginID)
+	}
+	dir := strings.Trim(path.Clean(ctl.ConfigDir()), "/")
+	if dir == "." || strings.HasPrefix(dir, "..") {
+		return nil, bootErr(pluginID, ctl.ID(), ctl.ConfigDir(), fmt.Errorf("config directory escapes the plugin"))
+	}
+	cfgPath := dir + "/config_form.yaml"
+	raw, err := readAsset(fsys, cfgPath)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, bootErr(pluginID, ctl.ID(), cfgPath, err)
+	}
+	var doc formConfigDocument
+	if err := decodeStrict(raw, &doc); err != nil {
+		return nil, bootErr(pluginID, ctl.ID(), cfgPath, err)
+	}
+	if doc.ModelClass != ctl.ModelName() {
+		return nil, bootErr(pluginID, ctl.ID(), cfgPath, fmt.Errorf("modelClass %q does not match %q", doc.ModelClass, ctl.ModelName()))
+	}
+	if strings.TrimSpace(doc.Form) == "" {
+		return nil, bootErr(pluginID, ctl.ID(), cfgPath, fmt.Errorf("form file is empty"))
+	}
+	fieldsPath, err := assetPath(pluginID, doc.Form)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, bootErr(pluginID, ctl.ID(), cfgPath, err)
+	}
+	fieldsRaw, err := readAsset(fsys, fieldsPath)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, bootErr(pluginID, ctl.ID(), fieldsPath, err)
+	}
+	fields, err := decodeFields(fieldsRaw)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, bootErr(pluginID, ctl.ID(), fieldsPath, err)
+	}
+	if fields == nil {
+		fields = []FormField{}
+	}
+	return &FormSchema{
+		Name:       doc.Name,
+		ModelClass: doc.ModelClass,
+		Fields:     fields,
+	}, nil
+}
+
+// CanonicalJSON is the stable, locale-neutral form contract.
 func (s *FormSchema) CanonicalJSON() ([]byte, error) {
 	if s == nil {
-		return nil, fmt.Errorf("cabana: form schema is not implemented")
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("cabana: nil form schema")
 	}
-	return nil, fmt.Errorf("cabana: form schema is not implemented")
+	out := *s
+	if out.Fields == nil {
+		out.Fields = []FormField{}
+	}
+	return json.Marshal(out)
+}
+
+func decodeFields(raw []byte) ([]FormField, error) {
+	dec := yaml.NewDecoder(bytes.NewReader(raw), yaml.DisallowUnknownField())
+	var doc formFieldsFile
+	if err := dec.Decode(&doc); err != nil {
+		return nil, normalizeYAMLError(err)
+	}
+	if doc.Fields.items == nil {
+		return []FormField{}, nil
+	}
+	return doc.Fields.items, nil
+}
+
+func (m *fieldMap) UnmarshalYAML(node ast.Node) error {
+	node = unwrapNode(node)
+	if _, ok := node.(*ast.NullNode); ok || node == nil {
+		m.items = []FormField{}
+		return nil
+	}
+	mapping, ok := node.(*ast.MappingNode)
+	if !ok {
+		return fmt.Errorf("fields must be a mapping")
+	}
+	items := make([]FormField, 0, len(mapping.Values))
+	seen := map[string]struct{}{}
+	for _, entry := range mapping.Values {
+		name, err := nodeString(unwrapNode(entry.Key))
+		if err != nil || !identifier(name) {
+			return fmt.Errorf("field name %q is not an identifier", nodeText(entry.Key))
+		}
+		if _, dup := seen[name]; dup {
+			return fmt.Errorf("duplicate field %s", name)
+		}
+		seen[name] = struct{}{}
+		field, err := compileFieldNode(name, unwrapNode(entry.Value))
+		if err != nil {
+			return fmt.Errorf("field %s: %w", name, err)
+		}
+		items = append(items, field)
+	}
+	m.items = items
+	return nil
+}
+
+func compileFieldNode(name string, node ast.Node) (FormField, error) {
+	mapping, ok := node.(*ast.MappingNode)
+	if !ok {
+		return FormField{}, fmt.Errorf("must be a mapping")
+	}
+	values := map[string]ast.Node{}
+	for _, entry := range mapping.Values {
+		key, err := nodeString(unwrapNode(entry.Key))
+		if err != nil {
+			return FormField{}, err
+		}
+		if _, known := formFieldKeys[key]; !known {
+			return FormField{}, fmt.Errorf("unknown field %s", key)
+		}
+		if _, dup := values[key]; dup {
+			return FormField{}, fmt.Errorf("duplicate field %s", key)
+		}
+		values[key] = unwrapNode(entry.Value)
+	}
+	typ, err := nodeString(values["type"])
+	if err != nil || typ == "" {
+		return FormField{}, fmt.Errorf("type is required")
+	}
+	if typ == "partial" {
+		return FormField{}, fmt.Errorf("type partial is not supported")
+	}
+	if _, ok := formFieldTypes[typ]; !ok {
+		return FormField{}, fmt.Errorf("unsupported type %s", typ)
+	}
+	field := FormField{Name: name, Type: typ}
+	if node, ok := values["label"]; ok {
+		field.Label, err = nodeString(node)
+		if err != nil {
+			return FormField{}, fmt.Errorf("label: %w", err)
+		}
+	}
+	if node, ok := values["comment"]; ok {
+		field.Comment, err = nodeString(node)
+		if err != nil {
+			return FormField{}, fmt.Errorf("comment: %w", err)
+		}
+	}
+	if node, ok := values["span"]; ok {
+		field.Span, err = nodeString(node)
+		if err != nil {
+			return FormField{}, fmt.Errorf("span: %w", err)
+		}
+		if _, ok := formSpans[field.Span]; !ok {
+			return FormField{}, fmt.Errorf("unsupported span %s", field.Span)
+		}
+	}
+	if node, ok := values["tab"]; ok {
+		field.Tab, err = nodeString(node)
+		if err != nil {
+			return FormField{}, fmt.Errorf("tab: %w", err)
+		}
+	}
+	if node, ok := values["size"]; ok {
+		field.Size, err = nodeString(node)
+		if err != nil {
+			return FormField{}, fmt.Errorf("size: %w", err)
+		}
+		if _, ok := formSizes[field.Size]; !ok {
+			return FormField{}, fmt.Errorf("unsupported size %s", field.Size)
+		}
+	}
+	if node, ok := values["context"]; ok {
+		ctx, err := compileContext(node)
+		if err != nil {
+			return FormField{}, err
+		}
+		field.Context = ctx
+	}
+	if node, ok := values["nameFrom"]; ok {
+		field.NameFrom, err = nodeString(node)
+		if err != nil || !identifier(field.NameFrom) {
+			return FormField{}, fmt.Errorf("nameFrom %q is not an identifier", field.NameFrom)
+		}
+	}
+	if node, ok := values["emptyOption"]; ok {
+		field.EmptyOption, err = nodeString(node)
+		if err != nil {
+			return FormField{}, fmt.Errorf("emptyOption: %w", err)
+		}
+	}
+	if node, ok := values["relation"]; ok {
+		field.Relation, err = nodeString(node)
+		if err != nil || !identifier(field.Relation) {
+			return FormField{}, fmt.Errorf("relation %q is not an identifier", field.Relation)
+		}
+	}
+	if typ == "relation-manager" && field.Relation == "" {
+		return FormField{}, fmt.Errorf("relation is required")
+	}
+	if node, ok := values["required"]; ok {
+		field.Required, err = nodeBool(node)
+		if err != nil {
+			return FormField{}, fmt.Errorf("required: %w", err)
+		}
+	}
+	if node, ok := values["default"]; ok {
+		scalar, err := nodeScalar(node)
+		if err != nil {
+			return FormField{}, fmt.Errorf("default: %w", err)
+		}
+		field.Default = &scalar
+	}
+	if node, ok := values["attributes"]; ok {
+		attrs, err := compileAttributes(node)
+		if err != nil {
+			return FormField{}, fmt.Errorf("attributes: %w", err)
+		}
+		field.Attributes = attrs
+	}
+	if node, ok := values["options"]; ok {
+		if err := compileOptions(node, &field); err != nil {
+			return FormField{}, fmt.Errorf("options: %w", err)
+		}
+	}
+	return field, nil
+}
+
+func compileContext(node ast.Node) (*fieldContext, error) {
+	switch n := node.(type) {
+	case *ast.StringNode:
+		if !identifier(n.Value) {
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("context %q is not an identifier", n.Value)
+		}
+		return &fieldContext{single: true, values: []string{n.Value}}, nil
+	case *ast.SequenceNode:
+		values := sequenceValues(n)
+		out := make([]string, 0, len(values))
+		for _, item := range values {
+			text, err := nodeString(unwrapNode(item))
+			if err != nil || !identifier(text) {
+				return nil, fmt.Errorf("context %q is not an identifier", nodeText(item))
+			}
+			out = append(out, text)
+		}
+		return &fieldContext{values: out}, nil
+	default:
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("context must be a string or a list")
+	}
+}
+
+func compileAttributes(node ast.Node) (map[string]jsonScalar, error) {
+	mapping, ok := node.(*ast.MappingNode)
+	if !ok {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("must be a mapping")
+	}
+	out := make(map[string]jsonScalar, len(mapping.Values))
+	for _, entry := range mapping.Values {
+		key, err := nodeString(unwrapNode(entry.Key))
+		if err != nil || !identifier(key) {
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("key %q is not an identifier", nodeText(entry.Key))
+		}
+		scalar, err := nodeScalar(unwrapNode(entry.Value))
+		if err != nil {
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("%s: %w", key, err)
+		}
+		out[key] = scalar
+	}
+	return out, nil
+}
+
+func compileOptions(node ast.Node, field *FormField) error {
+	switch n := node.(type) {
+	case *ast.StringNode:
+		if !identifier(n.Value) {
+			return fmt.Errorf("method %q is not an identifier", n.Value)
+		}
+		field.optionsMethod = n.Value
+		return nil
+	case *ast.MappingNode:
+		options := make([]FormOption, 0, len(n.Values))
+		for _, entry := range n.Values {
+			value, err := nodeScalar(unwrapNode(entry.Key))
+			if err != nil {
+				return fmt.Errorf("value: %w", err)
+			}
+			label, err := nodeString(unwrapNode(entry.Value))
+			if err != nil {
+				return fmt.Errorf("label: %w", err)
+			}
+			options = append(options, FormOption{Value: value, Label: label})
+		}
+		field.Options = options
+		return nil
+	default:
+		return fmt.Errorf("must be a map or a method name")
+	}
+}
+
+func sequenceValues(n *ast.SequenceNode) []ast.Node {
+	if len(n.Values) > 0 {
+		return n.Values
+	}
+	out := make([]ast.Node, 0, len(n.Entries))
+	for _, entry := range n.Entries {
+		if entry != nil && entry.Value != nil {
+			out = append(out, entry.Value)
+		}
+	}
+	return out
+}
+
+func unwrapNode(node ast.Node) ast.Node {
+	for node != nil {
+		switch n := node.(type) {
+		case *ast.MappingKeyNode:
+			node = n.Value
+		case *ast.TagNode:
+			node = n.Value
+		case *ast.AnchorNode:
+			node = n.Value
+		default:
+			return node
+		}
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
+func nodeString(node ast.Node) (string, error) {
+	switch n := unwrapNode(node).(type) {
+	case *ast.StringNode:
+		return n.Value, nil
+	case nil:
+		return "", fmt.Errorf("missing string")
+	default:
+		return "", fmt.Errorf("want a string, got %T", n)
+	}
+}
+
+func nodeBool(node ast.Node) (bool, error) {
+	n, ok := unwrapNode(node).(*ast.BoolNode)
+	if !ok {
+		return false, fmt.Errorf("want a boolean")
+	}
+	return n.Value, nil
+}
+
+func nodeScalar(node ast.Node) (jsonScalar, error) {
+	switch n := unwrapNode(node).(type) {
+	case *ast.StringNode:
+		raw, err := json.Marshal(n.Value)
+		return jsonScalar{raw: raw}, err
+	case *ast.BoolNode:
+		if n.Value {
+			return jsonScalar{raw: []byte("true")}, nil
+		}
+		return jsonScalar{raw: []byte("false")}, nil
+	case *ast.IntegerNode:
+		return integerScalar(n.Value)
+	case *ast.FloatNode:
+		if n.Value == float64(int64(n.Value)) {
+			return jsonScalar{raw: []byte(strconv.FormatInt(int64(n.Value), 10))}, nil
+		}
+		raw, err := json.Marshal(n.Value)
+		return jsonScalar{raw: raw}, err
+	default:
+		return jsonScalar{}, fmt.Errorf("want a scalar, got %T", n)
+	}
+}
+
+func integerScalar(v any) (jsonScalar, error) {
+	switch n := v.(type) {
+	case int64:
+		return jsonScalar{raw: []byte(strconv.FormatInt(n, 10))}, nil
+	case uint64:
+		return jsonScalar{raw: []byte(strconv.FormatUint(n, 10))}, nil
+	case int:
+		return jsonScalar{raw: []byte(strconv.Itoa(n))}, nil
+	default:
+		return jsonScalar{}, fmt.Errorf("want an integer, got %T", v)
+	}
+}
+
+func nodeText(node ast.Node) string {
+	if node == nil {
+		return ""
+	}
+	if token := node.GetToken(); token != nil {
+		return token.Value
+	}
+	return ""
+}
+
+func normalizeYAMLError(err error) error {
+	if err == nil {
+		return nil
+	}
+	msg := err.Error()
+	if strings.Contains(msg, "already defined") {
+		return fmt.Errorf("duplicate field: %w", err)
+	}
+	return err
+}
+
+func compileFormIfPresent(pluginID string, ctl pact.AdminController, fsys fs.FS) (*FormSchema, error) {
+	dir := strings.Trim(path.Clean(ctl.ConfigDir()), "/")
+	if dir == "." || strings.HasPrefix(dir, "..") {
+		return nil, bootErr(pluginID, ctl.ID(), ctl.ConfigDir(), fmt.Errorf("config directory escapes the plugin"))
+	}
+	cfgPath := path.Join(dir, "config_form.yaml")
+	if _, err := fs.Stat(fsys, cfgPath); err != nil {
+		if errors.Is(err, fs.ErrNotExist) {
+			return nil, nil
+		}
+		return nil, bootErr(pluginID, ctl.ID(), cfgPath, err)
+	}
+	return CompileForm(pluginID, ctl, fsys)
 }
diff --git a/cabana/registry.go b/cabana/registry.go
index d85074f..d98e242 100644
--- a/cabana/registry.go
+++ b/cabana/registry.go
@@ -49,10 +49,15 @@ func compileRegistry(items []controllerRef) (*Registry, error) {
 		if err != nil {
 			return nil, err
 		}
+		form, err := compileFormIfPresent(item.plugin.ID(), item.ctl, assets.AdminFS())
+		if err != nil {
+			return nil, err
+		}
 		byID[id] = &CompiledController{
 			PluginID:   item.plugin.ID(),
 			Controller: item.ctl,
 			List:       list,
+			Form:       form,
 		}
 	}
 	return &Registry{byID: byID}, nil
diff --git a/cabana/schema_types.go b/cabana/schema_types.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..5c99ff6
--- /dev/null
+++ b/cabana/schema_types.go
@@ -0,0 +1,71 @@
+package cabana
+
+import "encoding/json"
+
+// FormSchema is the locale-neutral form contract compiled once at boot.
+// Display strings stay as source keys until a request localizes a copy.
+type FormSchema struct {
+	Name       string      `json:"name,omitempty"`
+	ModelClass string      `json:"modelClass,omitempty"`
+	Fields     []FormField `json:"fields"`
+}
+
+// FormField is one Winter field in source order. JSON keys keep Winter spelling.
+type FormField struct {
+	Name        string                `json:"name"`
+	Type        string                `json:"type"`
+	Label       string                `json:"label,omitempty"`
+	Comment     string                `json:"comment,omitempty"`
+	Span        string                `json:"span,omitempty"`
+	Tab         string                `json:"tab,omitempty"`
+	Size        string                `json:"size,omitempty"`
+	Context     *fieldContext         `json:"context,omitempty"`
+	NameFrom    string                `json:"nameFrom,omitempty"`
+	EmptyOption string                `json:"emptyOption,omitempty"`
+	Relation    string                `json:"relation,omitempty"`
+	Required    bool                  `json:"required,omitempty"`
+	Default     *jsonScalar           `json:"default,omitempty"`
+	Attributes  map[string]jsonScalar `json:"attributes,omitempty"`
+	Options     []FormOption          `json:"options,omitempty"`
+
+	optionsMethod string
+}
+
+// FormOption is one dropdown choice. Value keeps the YAML scalar's JSON type.
+type FormOption struct {
+	Value jsonScalar `json:"value"`
+	Label string     `json:"label"`
+}
+
+// jsonScalar is a JSON scalar that still emits false, 0, and empty string.
+type jsonScalar struct {
+	raw json.RawMessage
+}
+
+func (s jsonScalar) MarshalJSON() ([]byte, error) {
+	if len(s.raw) == 0 {
+		return []byte("null"), nil
+	}
+	return s.raw, nil
+}
+
+// fieldContext preserves a single Winter context string or a source-ordered list.
+type fieldContext struct {
+	single bool
+	values []string
+}
+
+func (c fieldContext) MarshalJSON() ([]byte, error) {
+	if c.single {
+		text := ""
+		if len(c.values) > 0 {
+			text = c.values[0]
+		}
+		return json.Marshal(text)
+	}
+	values := c.values
+	if values == nil {
+		values = []string{}
+	}
+	return json.Marshal(values)
+}