diff --git a/docs/07_DEVELOPMENT/Phase_1_2_Implementation_Plan.md b/docs/07_DEVELOPMENT/Phase_1_2_Implementation_Plan.md
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..831a803e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/docs/07_DEVELOPMENT/Phase_1_2_Implementation_Plan.md
@@ -0,0 +1,334 @@
+# Phase 1.2: Configuration Management Overhaul - Implementation Plan
+
+**Status**: In Progress
+**Started**: January 2025
+**Target Completion**: 2 days
+
+---
+
+## ✅ Completed (January 24, 2025)
+
+### 1. Configuration Inventory
+- Found 4 `optimization_config.json` files
+- Found 5 `workflow_config.json` files
+- Analyzed bracket_V3 (old format) vs drone_gimbal (new format)
+
+### 2. Schema Analysis
+Documented critical inconsistencies:
+- Objectives: `"goal"` (new) vs `"type"` (old)
+- Design vars: `"parameter"` + `"bounds": [min, max]` (new) vs `"name"` + `"min"/"max"` (old)
+- Constraints: `"threshold"` (new) vs `"value"` (old)
+- Location: `1_setup/` (correct) vs root directory (incorrect)
+
+### 3. JSON Schema Design
+Created [`optimization_engine/schemas/optimization_config_schema.json`](../../optimization_engine/schemas/optimization_config_schema.json):
+- Based on drone_gimbal format (cleaner, matches create-study skill)
+- Validates all required fields
+- Supports Protocol 10 (single-objective) and Protocol 11 (multi-objective)
+- Includes extraction spec validation
+
+---
+
+## 🔨 Remaining Implementation Tasks
+
+### Task 1: Implement ConfigManager Class
+**Priority**: HIGH
+**File**: `optimization_engine/config_manager.py`
+
+```python
+"""Configuration validation and management for Atomizer studies."""
+
+import json
+from pathlib import Path
+from typing import Dict, List, Any, Optional
+import jsonschema
+
+class ConfigValidationError(Exception):
+    """Raised when configuration validation fails."""
+    pass
+
+class ConfigManager:
+    """Manages and validates optimization configuration files."""
+
+    def __init__(self, config_path: Path):
+        """
+        Initialize ConfigManager with path to optimization_config.json.
+
+        Args:
+            config_path: Path to optimization_config.json file
+        """
+        self.config_path = Path(config_path)
+        self.schema_path = Path(__file__).parent / "schemas" / "optimization_config_schema.json"
+        self.config: Optional[Dict[str, Any]] = None
+        self.validation_errors: List[str] = []
+
+    def load_schema(self) -> Dict[str, Any]:
+        """Load JSON schema for validation."""
+        with open(self.schema_path, 'r') as f:
+            return json.load(f)
+
+    def load_config(self) -> Dict[str, Any]:
+        """Load configuration file."""
+        if not self.config_path.exists():
+            raise FileNotFoundError(f"Config file not found: {self.config_path}")
+
+        with open(self.config_path, 'r') as f:
+            self.config = json.load(f)
+        return self.config
+
+    def validate(self) -> bool:
+        """
+        Validate configuration against schema.
+
+        Returns:
+            True if valid, False otherwise
+        """
+        if self.config is None:
+            self.load_config()
+
+        schema = self.load_schema()
+        self.validation_errors = []
+
+        try:
+            jsonschema.validate(instance=self.config, schema=schema)
+            # Additional custom validations
+            self._validate_design_variable_bounds()
+            self._validate_multi_objective_consistency()
+            self._validate_file_locations()
+            return True
+        except jsonschema.ValidationError as e:
+            self.validation_errors.append(str(e))
+            return False
+
+    def _validate_design_variable_bounds(self):
+        """Ensure bounds are valid (min < max)."""
+        for dv in self.config.get("design_variables", []):
+            bounds = dv.get("bounds", [])
+            if len(bounds) == 2 and bounds[0] >= bounds[1]:
+                self.validation_errors.append(
+                    f"Design variable '{dv['parameter']}': min ({bounds[0]}) must be < max ({bounds[1]})"
+                )
+
+    def _validate_multi_objective_consistency(self):
+        """Validate multi-objective settings consistency."""
+        n_objectives = len(self.config.get("objectives", []))
+        protocol = self.config.get("optimization_settings", {}).get("protocol")
+        sampler = self.config.get("optimization_settings", {}).get("sampler")
+
+        if n_objectives > 1:
+            # Multi-objective must use protocol_11 and NSGA-II
+            if protocol != "protocol_11_multi_objective":
+                self.validation_errors.append(
+                    f"Multi-objective optimization ({n_objectives} objectives) requires protocol_11_multi_objective"
+                )
+            if sampler != "NSGAIISampler":
+                self.validation_errors.append(
+                    f"Multi-objective optimization requires NSGAIISampler (got {sampler})"
+                )
+
+    def _validate_file_locations(self):
+        """Check if config is in correct location (1_setup/)."""
+        if "1_setup" not in str(self.config_path.parent):
+            self.validation_errors.append(
+                f"Config should be in '1_setup/' directory, found in {self.config_path.parent}"
+            )
+
+    def get_validation_report(self) -> str:
+        """Get human-readable validation report."""
+        if not self.validation_errors:
+            return "✓ Configuration is valid"
+
+        report = "✗ Configuration validation failed:\n"
+        for i, error in enumerate(self.validation_errors, 1):
+            report += f"  {i}. {error}\n"
+        return report
+
+    # Type-safe accessor methods
+
+    def get_design_variables(self) -> List[Dict[str, Any]]:
+        """Get design variables with validated structure."""
+        if self.config is None:
+            self.load_config()
+        return self.config.get("design_variables", [])
+
+    def get_objectives(self) -> List[Dict[str, Any]]:
+        """Get objectives with validated structure."""
+        if self.config is None:
+            self.load_config()
+        return self.config.get("objectives", [])
+
+    def get_constraints(self) -> List[Dict[str, Any]]:
+        """Get constraints with validated structure."""
+        if self.config is None:
+            self.load_config()
+        return self.config.get("constraints", [])
+
+    def get_simulation_settings(self) -> Dict[str, Any]:
+        """Get simulation settings."""
+        if self.config is None:
+            self.load_config()
+        return self.config.get("simulation", {})
+
+
+# CLI tool for validation
+if __name__ == "__main__":
+    import sys
+
+    if len(sys.argv) < 2:
+        print("Usage: python config_manager.py <path_to_optimization_config.json>")
+        sys.exit(1)
+
+    config_path = Path(sys.argv[1])
+    manager = ConfigManager(config_path)
+
+    try:
+        manager.load_config()
+        is_valid = manager.validate()
+        print(manager.get_validation_report())
+        sys.exit(0 if is_valid else 1)
+    except Exception as e:
+        print(f"Error: {e}")
+        sys.exit(1)
+```
+
+**Dependencies**: Add to requirements.txt:
+```
+jsonschema>=4.17.0
+```
+
+---
+
+### Task 2: Create Configuration Migration Tool
+**Priority**: MEDIUM
+**File**: `optimization_engine/config_migrator.py`
+
+Tool to automatically migrate old-format configs to new format:
+- Convert `"type"` → `"goal"` in objectives
+- Convert `"min"/"max"` → `"bounds": [min, max]` in design variables
+- Convert `"name"` → `"parameter"` in design variables
+- Convert `"value"` → `"threshold"` in constraints
+- Move config files to `1_setup/` if in wrong location
+
+---
+
+### Task 3: Integration with run_optimization.py
+**Priority**: HIGH
+
+Add validation to optimization runners:
+```python
+# At start of run_optimization.py
+from optimization_engine.config_manager import ConfigManager
+
+# Load and validate config
+config_manager = ConfigManager(Path(__file__).parent / "1_setup" / "optimization_config.json")
+config_manager.load_config()
+
+if not config_manager.validate():
+    print(config_manager.get_validation_report())
+    sys.exit(1)
+
+print("✓ Configuration validated successfully")
+```
+
+---
+
+### Task 4: Update create-study Claude Skill
+**Priority**: HIGH
+**File**: `.claude/skills/create-study.md`
+
+Update skill to reference the JSON schema:
+- Add link to schema documentation
+- Emphasize validation after generation
+- Include validation command in "Next Steps"
+
+---
+
+### Task 5: Create Configuration Documentation
+**Priority**: HIGH
+**File**: `docs/CONFIGURATION_GUIDE.md`
+
+Comprehensive documentation covering:
+1. Standard configuration format (with drone_gimbal example)
+2. Field-by-field descriptions
+3. Validation rules and how to run validation
+4. Common validation errors and fixes
+5. Migration guide for old configs
+6. Protocol selection (10 vs 11)
+7. Extractor mapping table
+
+---
+
+### Task 6: Validate All Existing Studies
+**Priority**: MEDIUM
+
+Run validation on all existing studies:
+```bash
+# Test validation tool
+python optimization_engine/config_manager.py studies/drone_gimbal_arm_optimization/1_setup/optimization_config.json
+python optimization_engine/config_manager.py studies/bracket_stiffness_optimization_V3/optimization_config.json
+
+# Expected: drone passes, bracket_V3 fails with specific errors
+```
+
+Create migration plan for failing configs.
+
+---
+
+### Task 7: Migrate Legacy Configs
+**Priority**: LOW (can defer to Phase 1.3)
+
+Migrate all legacy configs to new format:
+- bracket_stiffness_optimization_V3
+- bracket_stiffness_optimization_V2
+- bracket_stiffness_optimization
+
+Keep old versions in `archive/` for reference.
+
+---
+
+## Success Criteria
+
+Phase 1.2 is complete when:
+- [x] JSON schema created and comprehensive
+- [ ] ConfigManager class implemented with all validation methods
+- [ ] Validation integrated into at least 1 study (drone_gimbal)
+- [ ] Configuration documentation written
+- [ ] create-study skill updated with schema reference
+- [ ] Migration tool created (basic version)
+- [ ] All tests pass on drone_gimbal study
+- [ ] Phase 1.2 changes committed with clear message
+
+---
+
+## Testing Plan
+
+1. **Schema Validation Test**:
+   - Valid config passes ✓
+   - Invalid configs fail with clear errors ✓
+
+2. **ConfigManager Test**:
+   - Load valid config
+   - Validate and get clean report
+   - Load invalid config
+   - Validate and get error details
+
+3. **Integration Test**:
+   - Run drone_gimbal study with validation enabled
+   - Verify no performance impact
+   - Check validation messages appear correctly
+
+4. **Migration Test**:
+   - Migrate bracket_V3 config
+   - Validate migrated config
+   - Compare before/after
+
+---
+
+## Next Phase Preview
+
+**Phase 1.3: Error Handling & Logging** will build on this by:
+- Adding structured logging with configuration context
+- Error recovery using validated configurations
+- Checkpoint system that validates config before saving
+
+The clean configuration management from Phase 1.2 enables reliable error handling in Phase 1.3.
diff --git a/optimization_engine/config_manager.py b/optimization_engine/config_manager.py
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..4ca0660f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/optimization_engine/config_manager.py
@@ -0,0 +1,244 @@
+"""Configuration validation and management for Atomizer studies.
+
+This module provides schema-based validation for optimization configuration files,
+ensuring consistency across all studies.
+
+Usage:
+    # In run_optimization.py
+    from optimization_engine.config_manager import ConfigManager
+
+    config_manager = ConfigManager(Path(__file__).parent / "1_setup" / "optimization_config.json")
+    config_manager.load_config()
+
+    if not config_manager.validate():
+        print(config_manager.get_validation_report())
+        sys.exit(1)
+
+    # Access validated configuration
+    design_vars = config_manager.get_design_variables()
+    objectives = config_manager.get_objectives()
+"""
+
+import json
+from pathlib import Path
+from typing import Dict, List, Any, Optional
+
+try:
+    import jsonschema
+    JSONSCHEMA_AVAILABLE = True
+except ImportError:
+    JSONSCHEMA_AVAILABLE = False
+    print("Warning: jsonschema not installed. Install with: pip install jsonschema>=4.17.0")
+
+
+class ConfigValidationError(Exception):
+    """Raised when configuration validation fails."""
+    pass
+
+
+class ConfigManager:
+    """Manages and validates optimization configuration files."""
+
+    def __init__(self, config_path: Path):
+        """
+        Initialize ConfigManager with path to optimization_config.json.
+
+        Args:
+            config_path: Path to optimization_config.json file
+        """
+        self.config_path = Path(config_path)
+        self.schema_path = Path(__file__).parent / "schemas" / "optimization_config_schema.json"
+        self.config: Optional[Dict[str, Any]] = None
+        self.validation_errors: List[str] = []
+
+    def load_schema(self) -> Dict[str, Any]:
+        """Load JSON schema for validation."""
+        if not self.schema_path.exists():
+            raise FileNotFoundError(f"Schema file not found: {self.schema_path}")
+
+        with open(self.schema_path, 'r') as f:
+            return json.load(f)
+
+    def load_config(self) -> Dict[str, Any]:
+        """Load configuration file."""
+        if not self.config_path.exists():
+            raise FileNotFoundError(f"Config file not found: {self.config_path}")
+
+        with open(self.config_path, 'r') as f:
+            self.config = json.load(f)
+        return self.config
+
+    def validate(self, strict: bool = True) -> bool:
+        """
+        Validate configuration against schema.
+
+        Args:
+            strict: If True, enforce all validations. If False, only warn on non-critical issues.
+
+        Returns:
+            True if valid, False otherwise
+        """
+        if self.config is None:
+            self.load_config()
+
+        self.validation_errors = []
+
+        # JSON Schema validation
+        if JSONSCHEMA_AVAILABLE:
+            schema = self.load_schema()
+            try:
+                jsonschema.validate(instance=self.config, schema=schema)
+            except jsonschema.ValidationError as e:
+                self.validation_errors.append(f"Schema validation failed: {e.message}")
+                if strict:
+                    return False
+        else:
+            self.validation_errors.append("jsonschema not installed - schema validation skipped")
+
+        # Custom validations
+        self._validate_design_variable_bounds()
+        self._validate_multi_objective_consistency()
+        self._validate_file_locations()
+        self._validate_extraction_consistency()
+
+        return len(self.validation_errors) == 0
+
+    def _validate_design_variable_bounds(self):
+        """Ensure bounds are valid (min < max)."""
+        for dv in self.config.get("design_variables", []):
+            bounds = dv.get("bounds", [])
+            if len(bounds) == 2 and bounds[0] >= bounds[1]:
+                self.validation_errors.append(
+                    f"Design variable '{dv.get('parameter', 'unknown')}': "
+                    f"min ({bounds[0]}) must be < max ({bounds[1]})"
+                )
+
+    def _validate_multi_objective_consistency(self):
+        """Validate multi-objective settings consistency."""
+        n_objectives = len(self.config.get("objectives", []))
+        protocol = self.config.get("optimization_settings", {}).get("protocol")
+        sampler = self.config.get("optimization_settings", {}).get("sampler")
+
+        if n_objectives > 1:
+            # Multi-objective should use protocol_11 and NSGA-II
+            if protocol and protocol != "protocol_11_multi_objective":
+                self.validation_errors.append(
+                    f"Multi-objective optimization ({n_objectives} objectives) "
+                    f"should use protocol_11_multi_objective (got {protocol})"
+                )
+            if sampler and sampler != "NSGAIISampler":
+                self.validation_errors.append(
+                    f"Multi-objective optimization should use NSGAIISampler (got {sampler})"
+                )
+        elif n_objectives == 1:
+            # Single-objective should not use NSGA-II
+            if sampler == "NSGAIISampler":
+                self.validation_errors.append(
+                    "Single-objective optimization should not use NSGAIISampler "
+                    "(use TPESampler or CmaEsSampler)"
+                )
+
+    def _validate_file_locations(self):
+        """Check if config is in correct location (1_setup/)."""
+        if "1_setup" not in str(self.config_path.parent):
+            self.validation_errors.append(
+                f"Warning: Config should be in '1_setup/' directory, "
+                f"found in {self.config_path.parent}"
+            )
+
+    def _validate_extraction_consistency(self):
+        """Validate extraction specifications."""
+        # Check objectives have extraction specs
+        for obj in self.config.get("objectives", []):
+            if "extraction" not in obj:
+                self.validation_errors.append(
+                    f"Objective '{obj.get('name', 'unknown')}' missing extraction specification"
+                )
+
+        # Check constraints have extraction specs
+        for constraint in self.config.get("constraints", []):
+            if "extraction" not in constraint:
+                self.validation_errors.append(
+                    f"Constraint '{constraint.get('name', 'unknown')}' missing extraction specification"
+                )
+
+    def get_validation_report(self) -> str:
+        """Get human-readable validation report."""
+        if not self.validation_errors:
+            return "[OK] Configuration is valid"
+
+        report = "[FAIL] Configuration validation failed:\n"
+        for i, error in enumerate(self.validation_errors, 1):
+            report += f"  {i}. {error}\n"
+        return report
+
+    # Type-safe accessor methods
+
+    def get_design_variables(self) -> List[Dict[str, Any]]:
+        """Get design variables with validated structure."""
+        if self.config is None:
+            self.load_config()
+        return self.config.get("design_variables", [])
+
+    def get_objectives(self) -> List[Dict[str, Any]]:
+        """Get objectives with validated structure."""
+        if self.config is None:
+            self.load_config()
+        return self.config.get("objectives", [])
+
+    def get_constraints(self) -> List[Dict[str, Any]]:
+        """Get constraints with validated structure."""
+        if self.config is None:
+            self.load_config()
+        return self.config.get("constraints", [])
+
+    def get_simulation_settings(self) -> Dict[str, Any]:
+        """Get simulation settings."""
+        if self.config is None:
+            self.load_config()
+        return self.config.get("simulation", {})
+
+    def get_optimization_settings(self) -> Dict[str, Any]:
+        """Get optimization settings."""
+        if self.config is None:
+            self.load_config()
+        return self.config.get("optimization_settings", {})
+
+
+# CLI tool for validation
+if __name__ == "__main__":
+    import sys
+
+    if len(sys.argv) < 2:
+        print("Usage: python config_manager.py <path_to_optimization_config.json>")
+        print("\nExample:")
+        print("  python config_manager.py studies/drone_gimbal_arm_optimization/1_setup/optimization_config.json")
+        sys.exit(1)
+
+    config_path = Path(sys.argv[1])
+
+    print(f"Validating configuration: {config_path}")
+    print("=" * 60)
+
+    manager = ConfigManager(config_path)
+
+    try:
+        manager.load_config()
+        print("[OK] Config loaded successfully")
+
+        is_valid = manager.validate()
+        print(manager.get_validation_report())
+
+        if is_valid:
+            print("\n" + "=" * 60)
+            print("Configuration Summary:")
+            print(f"  Study: {manager.config.get('study_name')}")
+            print(f"  Protocol: {manager.get_optimization_settings().get('protocol')}")
+            print(f"  Design Variables: {len(manager.get_design_variables())}")
+            print(f"  Objectives: {len(manager.get_objectives())}")
+            print(f"  Constraints: {len(manager.get_constraints())}")
+
+        sys.exit(0 if is_valid else 1)
+    except Exception as e:
+        print(f"[ERROR] {e}")
+        sys.exit(1)
diff --git a/optimization_engine/schemas/README.md b/optimization_engine/schemas/README.md
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..d4adf5cc
--- /dev/null
+++ b/optimization_engine/schemas/README.md
@@ -0,0 +1,213 @@
+# Atomizer Configuration Schemas
+
+This directory contains JSON Schema files for validating Atomizer optimization study configurations.
+
+## Files
+
+- **optimization_config_schema.json** - Schema for `optimization_config.json` files
+  - Validates study configuration including objectives, constraints, design variables
+  - Ensures consistency across all studies
+  - Based on Protocol 10 (single-objective) and Protocol 11 (multi-objective) standards
+
+## Usage
+
+### Validate a Configuration
+
+Use the ConfigManager CLI tool:
+
+```bash
+python optimization_engine/config_manager.py studies/your_study/1_setup/optimization_config.json
+```
+
+### In Python Code
+
+```python
+from pathlib import Path
+from optimization_engine.config_manager import ConfigManager
+
+config_path = Path("studies/my_study/1_setup/optimization_config.json")
+manager = ConfigManager(config_path)
+manager.load_config()
+
+if manager.validate():
+    print("Configuration is valid")
+    design_vars = manager.get_design_variables()
+    objectives = manager.get_objectives()
+else:
+    print(manager.get_validation_report())
+```
+
+## Schema Standards
+
+### Standard Configuration Format
+
+Based on the drone_gimbal_arm_optimization study, the standard format is:
+
+```json
+{
+  "study_name": "study_name_lowercase_with_underscores",
+  "description": "Brief description of optimization problem",
+  "engineering_context": "Real-world scenario and requirements",
+
+  "optimization_settings": {
+    "protocol": "protocol_11_multi_objective",  // or protocol_10_single_objective
+    "n_trials": 30,
+    "sampler": "NSGAIISampler",  // or TPESampler, CmaEsSampler
+    "pruner": null,
+    "timeout_per_trial": 600
+  },
+
+  "design_variables": [
+    {
+      "parameter": "nx_expression_name",
+      "bounds": [min, max],
+      "description": "What this parameter controls"
+    }
+  ],
+
+  "objectives": [
+    {
+      "name": "objective_name",
+      "goal": "minimize",  // or "maximize"
+      "weight": 1.0,
+      "description": "What this measures",
+      "target": 100.0,  // optional
+      "extraction": {
+        "action": "extract_mass",  // or extract_stress, extract_displacement, etc.
+        "domain": "result_extraction",
+        "params": {
+          "result_type": "mass",
+          "metric": "total"
+        }
+      }
+    }
+  ],
+
+  "constraints": [
+    {
+      "name": "constraint_name",
+      "type": "less_than",  // or "greater_than"
+      "threshold": 100.0,
+      "description": "Engineering justification",
+      "extraction": {
+        "action": "extract_displacement",
+        "domain": "result_extraction",
+        "params": {
+          "result_type": "displacement",
+          "metric": "max"
+        }
+      }
+    }
+  ],
+
+  "simulation": {
+    "model_file": "Model.prt",
+    "sim_file": "Model_sim1.sim",
+    "fem_file": "Model_fem1.fem",
+    "solver": "nastran",
+    "analysis_types": ["static", "modal"]
+  },
+
+  "reporting": {
+    "generate_plots": true,
+    "save_incremental": true,
+    "llm_summary": false
+  }
+}
+```
+
+## Field Name Standards
+
+**IMPORTANT**: Use these field names (not legacy alternatives):
+
+| Field | Standard Name | Legacy (DON'T USE) |
+|-------|--------------|-------------------|
+| Objective direction | `"goal"` | `"type"` |
+| Design var bounds | `"bounds": [min, max]` | `"min": X, "max": Y"` |
+| Design var name | `"parameter"` | `"name"` |
+| Constraint limit | `"threshold"` | `"value"` |
+
+## File Location Standard
+
+Configuration files **MUST** be in the `1_setup/` directory:
+
+```
+studies/your_study/
+├── 1_setup/
+│   ├── optimization_config.json  ← HERE
+│   └── workflow_config.json
+├── 2_results/
+└── run_optimization.py
+```
+
+## Validation Rules
+
+The schema enforces:
+
+1. **Study Name**: Lowercase with underscores, 3-100 characters
+2. **Design Variable Bounds**: min < max
+3. **Multi-Objective Consistency**:
+   - 2-3 objectives → protocol_11_multi_objective + NSGAIISampler
+   - 1 objective → protocol_10_single_objective + TPESampler/CmaEsSampler
+4. **Extraction Specs**: All objectives and constraints must have extraction blocks
+5. **File Extensions**: .prt, .sim, .fem
+6. **Analysis Types**: static, modal, thermal, or buckling
+
+## Common Validation Errors
+
+### Error: "min must be < max"
+```json
+// BAD
+{"parameter": "thickness", "bounds": [10, 5]}
+
+// GOOD
+{"parameter": "thickness", "bounds": [5, 10]}
+```
+
+### Error: "Multi-objective should use NSGAIISampler"
+```json
+// BAD
+{
+  "objectives": [{...}, {...}],  // 2 objectives
+  "optimization_settings": {"sampler": "TPESampler"}  // Wrong sampler!
+}
+
+// GOOD
+{
+  "objectives": [{...}, {...}],
+  "optimization_settings": {"sampler": "NSGAIISampler"}
+}
+```
+
+### Error: "Config should be in 1_setup/"
+Move your configuration file from study root to `1_setup/` directory.
+
+## Dependencies
+
+The ConfigManager requires:
+```bash
+pip install jsonschema>=4.17.0
+```
+
+## Migration from Legacy Format
+
+If you have old configuration files with:
+- `"type"` instead of `"goal"` in objectives
+- `"min"/"max"` instead of `"bounds"` in design variables
+- `"name"` instead of `"parameter"` in design variables
+- `"value"` instead of `"threshold"` in constraints
+
+See the migration tool (coming in Phase 1.2.1):
+```bash
+python optimization_engine/config_migrator.py studies/old_study/optimization_config.json
+```
+
+## References
+
+- [Phase 1.2 Implementation Plan](../../docs/07_DEVELOPMENT/Phase_1_2_Implementation_Plan.md)
+- [create-study Claude Skill](../../.claude/skills/create-study.md)
+- [drone_gimbal_arm Example](../../studies/drone_gimbal_arm_optimization/1_setup/optimization_config.json)
+
+## Questions?
+
+For MVP development questions, refer to [DEVELOPMENT.md](../../DEVELOPMENT.md) or the MVP plan in `docs/07_DEVELOPMENT/Today_Todo.md`.
diff --git a/optimization_engine/schemas/optimization_config_schema.json b/optimization_engine/schemas/optimization_config_schema.json
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..c2eeb345
--- /dev/null
+++ b/optimization_engine/schemas/optimization_config_schema.json
@@ -0,0 +1,279 @@
+{
+  "$schema": "http://json-schema.org/draft-07/schema#",
+  "$id": "https://atomizer.io/schemas/optimization_config.json",
+  "title": "Atomizer Optimization Configuration",
+  "description": "Schema for Atomizer optimization study configuration files",
+  "type": "object",
+  "required": ["study_name", "description", "optimization_settings", "design_variables", "objectives", "simulation"],
+
+  "properties": {
+    "study_name": {
+      "type": "string",
+      "description": "Unique identifier for this optimization study",
+      "pattern": "^[a-z0-9_]+$",
+      "minLength": 3,
+      "maxLength": 100
+    },
+
+    "description": {
+      "type": "string",
+      "description": "Brief description of the optimization problem",
+      "minLength": 10,
+      "maxLength": 500
+    },
+
+    "engineering_context": {
+      "type": "string",
+      "description": "Real-world engineering scenario and requirements (optional but recommended)",
+      "minLength": 20
+    },
+
+    "optimization_settings": {
+      "type": "object",
+      "required": ["protocol", "n_trials"],
+      "properties": {
+        "protocol": {
+          "type": "string",
+          "description": "Optimization protocol to use",
+          "enum": [
+            "protocol_10_single_objective",
+            "protocol_11_multi_objective",
+            "legacy"
+          ]
+        },
+        "n_trials": {
+          "type": "integer",
+          "description": "Number of optimization trials to run",
+          "minimum": 1,
+          "maximum": 10000
+        },
+        "sampler": {
+          "type": "string",
+          "description": "Optuna sampler algorithm",
+          "enum": ["TPESampler", "NSGAIISampler", "CmaEsSampler", "RandomSampler"]
+        },
+        "pruner": {
+          "type": ["string", "null"],
+          "description": "Optuna pruner (null for no pruning)",
+          "enum": ["MedianPruner", "HyperbandPruner", "SuccessiveHalvingPruner", null]
+        },
+        "timeout_per_trial": {
+          "type": "integer",
+          "description": "Maximum time per trial in seconds",
+          "minimum": 60,
+          "maximum": 7200
+        }
+      }
+    },
+
+    "design_variables": {
+      "type": "array",
+      "description": "List of design variables (NX expressions) to optimize",
+      "minItems": 1,
+      "maxItems": 50,
+      "items": {
+        "type": "object",
+        "required": ["parameter", "bounds", "description"],
+        "properties": {
+          "parameter": {
+            "type": "string",
+            "description": "NX expression name",
+            "pattern": "^[a-zA-Z_][a-zA-Z0-9_]*$"
+          },
+          "bounds": {
+            "type": "array",
+            "description": "[min, max] bounds for this parameter",
+            "minItems": 2,
+            "maxItems": 2,
+            "items": {
+              "type": "number"
+            }
+          },
+          "description": {
+            "type": "string",
+            "description": "What this parameter controls"
+          }
+        }
+      }
+    },
+
+    "objectives": {
+      "type": "array",
+      "description": "Optimization objectives (1 for single-objective, 2-3 for multi-objective)",
+      "minItems": 1,
+      "maxItems": 3,
+      "items": {
+        "type": "object",
+        "required": ["name", "goal", "weight", "description", "extraction"],
+        "properties": {
+          "name": {
+            "type": "string",
+            "description": "Objective name (e.g., 'mass', 'stiffness', 'frequency')"
+          },
+          "goal": {
+            "type": "string",
+            "description": "Optimization direction",
+            "enum": ["minimize", "maximize"]
+          },
+          "weight": {
+            "type": "number",
+            "description": "Relative importance weight",
+            "minimum": 0,
+            "maximum": 100
+          },
+          "description": {
+            "type": "string",
+            "description": "What this objective measures"
+          },
+          "target": {
+            "type": ["number", "null"],
+            "description": "Target value (optional)"
+          },
+          "extraction": {
+            "$ref": "#/definitions/extraction_spec"
+          }
+        }
+      }
+    },
+
+    "constraints": {
+      "type": "array",
+      "description": "Constraints that must be satisfied",
+      "items": {
+        "type": "object",
+        "required": ["name", "type", "threshold", "description", "extraction"],
+        "properties": {
+          "name": {
+            "type": "string",
+            "description": "Constraint name"
+          },
+          "type": {
+            "type": "string",
+            "description": "Constraint type",
+            "enum": ["less_than", "greater_than", "equal_to"]
+          },
+          "threshold": {
+            "type": "number",
+            "description": "Threshold value for constraint"
+          },
+          "description": {
+            "type": "string",
+            "description": "Engineering justification for this constraint"
+          },
+          "extraction": {
+            "$ref": "#/definitions/extraction_spec"
+          }
+        }
+      }
+    },
+
+    "simulation": {
+      "type": "object",
+      "required": ["model_file", "sim_file", "fem_file", "solver"],
+      "properties": {
+        "model_file": {
+          "type": "string",
+          "description": "NX Part file name (e.g., 'Beam.prt')",
+          "pattern": "\\.(prt|PRT)$"
+        },
+        "sim_file": {
+          "type": "string",
+          "description": "NX Simulation file name (e.g., 'Beam_sim1.sim')",
+          "pattern": "\\.(sim|SIM)$"
+        },
+        "fem_file": {
+          "type": "string",
+          "description": "FEM mesh file name (e.g., 'Beam_fem1.fem')",
+          "pattern": "\\.(fem|FEM)$"
+        },
+        "solver": {
+          "type": "string",
+          "description": "FEA solver type",
+          "enum": ["nastran", "NX_Nastran"]
+        },
+        "analysis_types": {
+          "type": "array",
+          "description": "Types of analysis required",
+          "items": {
+            "type": "string",
+            "enum": ["static", "modal", "thermal", "buckling"]
+          }
+        }
+      }
+    },
+
+    "reporting": {
+      "type": "object",
+      "description": "Result reporting settings (optional)",
+      "properties": {
+        "generate_plots": {
+          "type": "boolean",
+          "default": true
+        },
+        "save_incremental": {
+          "type": "boolean",
+          "default": true
+        },
+        "llm_summary": {
+          "type": "boolean",
+          "default": false,
+          "description": "Generate LLM summaries (experimental, requires API setup)"
+        }
+      }
+    }
+  },
+
+  "definitions": {
+    "extraction_spec": {
+      "type": "object",
+      "required": ["action", "domain", "params"],
+      "properties": {
+        "action": {
+          "type": "string",
+          "description": "Extractor function to call",
+          "enum": [
+            "extract_mass",
+            "extract_stress",
+            "extract_displacement",
+            "extract_frequency",
+            "extract_stiffness"
+          ]
+        },
+        "domain": {
+          "type": "string",
+          "description": "Extraction domain (always 'result_extraction' for MVP)",
+          "enum": ["result_extraction"]
+        },
+        "params": {
+          "type": "object",
+          "description": "Parameters for the extractor function",
+          "required": ["result_type"],
+          "properties": {
+            "result_type": {
+              "type": "string",
+              "description": "Type of result to extract",
+              "enum": ["mass", "stress", "displacement", "frequency", "stiffness"]
+            },
+            "metric": {
+              "type": "string",
+              "description": "Specific metric to extract (e.g., 'max', 'total', 'max_von_mises')"
+            },
+            "mode_number": {
+              "type": "integer",
+              "description": "Mode number for frequency extraction",
+              "minimum": 1
+            },
+            "subcase": {
+              "type": "integer",
+              "description": "Subcase number for result extraction"
+            },
+            "element_type": {
+              "type": "string",
+              "description": "Element type for stress extraction (e.g., 'CTETRA', 'CHEXA')"
+            }
+          }
+        }
+      }
+    }
+  }
+}