diff --git a/Docs/Backend-Development.md b/Docs/Backend-Development.md
index 120c132..f765891 100644
--- a/Docs/Backend-Development.md
+++ b/Docs/Backend-Development.md
@@ -1672,18 +1672,50 @@ async def get_jail(...) -> JailDetailResponse:
 - Map domain exceptions to HTTP status codes via FastAPI **exception handlers** registered on the app.
 - Always log errors with context before raising.
 
-```python
-class JailNotFoundError(Exception):
-    def __init__(self, name: str) -> None:
-        self.name: str = name
-        super().__init__(f"Jail '{name}' not found")
+### Service Error Contracts
 
-# In main.py
-@app.exception_handler(JailNotFoundError)
-async def jail_not_found_handler(request: Request, exc: JailNotFoundError) -> JSONResponse:
-    return JSONResponse(status_code=404, content={"detail": f"Jail '{exc.name}' not found"})
+Each service method must document which error handling pattern it follows. This
+lets callers know what to expect without reading the implementation. See
+`Docs/Service-Development.md` for the full guide.
+
+**ABORT_ON_ERROR** — Raise an exception, let the router handle it. Used for:
+auth, writes, state changes, any operation where partial success is meaningless.
+
+**RETURN_DEFAULT** — Return empty result and log warning. Never raises. Used for:
+informational reads where infrastructure unavailability should not block the UI.
+
+**PARTIAL_RESULT** — Return a result that contains both successful items and a
+list of errors. Caller decides what to do with each.
+
+```python
+async def get_settings(socket_path: str) -> DomainServerSettingsResult:
+    """Return current fail2ban server-level settings.
+
+    Error contract: RETURN_DEFAULT. Returns DomainServerSettingsResult with
+    default values if socket is unreachable. Never raises.
+    """
+    ...
+
+async def start_jail(socket_path: str, name: str) -> None:
+    """Start a stopped fail2ban jail.
+
+    Error contract: ABORT_ON_ERROR. Raises JailNotFoundError (404),
+    JailOperationError (409), Fail2BanConnectionError (503).
+    """
+    ...
 ```
 
+```python
+class ServiceErrorContract:
+    """
+    ABORT_ON_ERROR: Raise exception, let router handle
+    RETURN_DEFAULT: Return empty result, log warning
+    PARTIAL_RESULT: Return partial success with error list
+    """
+```
+
+The error contract enum and helper are in `app.services.error_handling`.
+
 ### Routers and Exception Propagation
 
 - **Routers must NOT construct `HTTPException` for domain errors** — let domain exceptions propagate.
diff --git a/Docs/CONFIGURATION.md b/Docs/CONFIGURATION.md
index 74fd464..6f9d65e 100644
--- a/Docs/CONFIGURATION.md
+++ b/Docs/CONFIGURATION.md
@@ -128,6 +128,18 @@ Per-IP rate limits applied to API endpoints.
 
 ---
 
+## Pagination & Display Limits
+
+Configurable limits that affect API response sizes and data retention.
+
+| Variable | Type | Default | Description |
+|----------|------|---------|-------------|
+| `BANGUI_MAX_PAGE_SIZE` | int | `500` | Maximum records returned per paginated API response. Individual endpoints may further limit this. Must be 1–10000. |
+| `BANGUI_PREVIEW_MAX_LINES` | int | `100` | Maximum IP lines returned in a blocklist source preview. Must be ≥ 1. |
+| `BANGUI_HISTORY_RETENTION_DAYS` | int | `90` | Number of days historical ban records are retained before archival cleanup. Must be ≥ 1. |
+
+---
+
 ## Observability
 
 | Variable | Type | Default | Description |
diff --git a/Docs/Service-Development.md b/Docs/Service-Development.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..9d24e66
--- /dev/null
+++ b/Docs/Service-Development.md
@@ -0,0 +1,115 @@
+# Service Development Guide
+
+How to write and maintain services in BanGUI.
+
+## Error Handling Contracts
+
+Every service method must document which error handling pattern it follows.
+This lets callers know what to expect without reading the implementation.
+
+### The Three Patterns
+
+```python
+from app.services.error_handling import ABORT_ON_ERROR, RETURN_DEFAULT, PARTIAL_RESULT
+```
+
+**ABORT_ON_ERROR** — Raise an exception, let the router convert it to HTTP.
+Used for: auth, writes, state changes, any operation where partial success is meaningless.
+
+```python
+async def start_jail(socket_path: str, name: str) -> None:
+    """Start a stopped fail2ban jail.
+
+    Error contract: ABORT_ON_ERROR. Raises JailNotFoundError (404),
+    JailOperationError (409), Fail2BanConnectionError (503).
+    """
+    ...
+```
+
+**RETURN_DEFAULT** — Return empty result and log warning. Never raises.
+Used for: informational reads (list, get) where infrastructure unavailability
+should not block the UI.
+
+```python
+async def get_settings(socket_path: str) -> DomainServerSettingsResult:
+    """Return current fail2ban server-level settings.
+
+    Error contract: RETURN_DEFAULT. Returns DomainServerSettingsResult
+    with default values if socket is unreachable. Never raises.
+    """
+    ...
+```
+
+**PARTIAL_RESULT** — Return (result, errors) tuple. Errors collected, not raised.
+Used for: batch operations on collections where one item failing does not
+invalidate the rest.
+
+```python
+# Not yet used in codebase; define as needed for batch operations.
+```
+
+### When to Use Which
+
+| Operation type | Pattern |
+|---------------|---------|
+| Auth / session | ABORT_ON_ERROR |
+| Write / state change | ABORT_ON_ERROR |
+| Config updates | ABORT_ON_ERROR |
+| Single-item read (jail, ban) | ABORT_ON_ERROR |
+| Multi-item read (list) | RETURN_DEFAULT |
+| Server settings read | RETURN_DEFAULT |
+| Batch / parallel fetch | PARTIAL_RESULT |
+
+### Changing Patterns
+
+Switching a method's error contract is a **breaking change**. Update the docstring,
+add a changelog entry, and bump the major version if this is a public API.
+
+## Service Structure
+
+Services live in `backend/app/services/`. They contain **no** HTTP/FastAPI concerns.
+
+```
+app/services/
+  ban_service.py       # ban/unban, ban history queries
+  jail_service.py      # jail lifecycle, ignore lists
+  server_service.py    # server-level settings
+  geo_service.py       # geolocation
+  ...
+  error_handling.py    # contract definitions
+  protocols.py         # Protocol interfaces for DI
+```
+
+## Protocols
+
+Each service has a corresponding protocol in `protocols.py` for dependency injection.
+Protocol methods include the error contract in their docstring:
+
+```python
+class JailService(Protocol):
+    async def list_jails(self, socket_path: str) -> DomainJailList:
+        """Error contract: ABORT_ON_ERROR."""
+        ...
+```
+
+## Router Error Handling
+
+Routers must not catch and silently swallow exceptions from services using
+ABORT_ON_ERROR unless they convert to a specific HTTP response.
+Let domain exceptions propagate — the global exception handlers handle them.
+
+Exception handler registration (in `main.py`):
+- `DomainError` → JSON error response
+- `Fail2BanConnectionError` → HTTP 503
+- `JailNotFoundError` → HTTP 404
+
+## Logging
+
+Log at the service layer using structlog:
+
+```python
+log.info("jail_started", jail=name)
+log.warning("socket_unreachable_using_default", socket_path=socket_path)
+```
+
+Never log sensitive data (tokens, passwords, IPs in full).
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/Docs/Tasks.md b/Docs/Tasks.md
index 125191d..4a41954 100644
--- a/Docs/Tasks.md
+++ b/Docs/Tasks.md
@@ -1,81 +1,3 @@
-### Issue #25: MEDIUM - Incomplete Type Hints in Error Handling
-
-**Where found**: 
-- `backend/app/main.py` (line 283)
-- Error metadata uses `dict[str, str | int | list[str]]` instead of TypedDict
-
-**Why this is needed**: 
-Generic types don't enable proper type narrowing in exception handlers. Code can't safely access error fields.
-
-**Goal**: 
-Use TypedDict for type-safe error responses.
-
-**What to do**:
-1. Define error response types:
-   ```python
-   class ErrorResponse(TypedDict):
-       error_id: str
-       timestamp: int
-       message: str
-       tracebacks: list[str]
-       correlation_id: str
-   ```
-2. Use in exception handlers
-3. Type checker can verify correct field access
-
-**Possible traps and issues**:
-- TypedDict is Python 3.8+ only
-- Need to maintain multiple error response types
-
-**Docs changes needed**:
-- Add type safety guidelines
-
-**Doc references**:
-- DETAILED_FINDINGS.md - Issue #21 "Incomplete Type Hints"
-
----
-
-### Issue #26: MEDIUM - Hardcoded Constants Not Configurable
-
-**Where found**: 
-- `backend/app/utils/constants.py`
-- MAX_PAGE_SIZE = 1000
-- BLOCKLIST_PREVIEW_MAX_LINES = 100
-- HISTORY_RETENTION_DAYS = 90
-
-**Why this is needed**: 
-Different deployments have different needs:
-- Large deployment might want smaller pages
-- User might want different preview size
-- Some want longer history retention
-
-**Goal**: 
-Make limits configurable via environment variables.
-
-**What to do**:
-1. Move constants to config:
-   ```python
-   class Settings(BaseSettings):
-       max_page_size: int = Field(default=1000, env="BANGUI_MAX_PAGE_SIZE")
-       blocklist_preview_max_lines: int = Field(default=100, env="BANGUI_PREVIEW_MAX_LINES")
-       history_retention_days: int = Field(default=90, env="BANGUI_HISTORY_RETENTION")
-   ```
-2. Validate ranges (max_page_size > 0, < 10000)
-3. Update .env.example with all options
-4. Document in configuration guide
-
-**Possible traps and issues**:
-- Too many configuration options can be overwhelming
-- Some limits have dependencies (page_size < max_records)
-
-**Docs changes needed**:
-- Add to configuration reference
-
-**Doc references**:
-- DETAILED_FINDINGS.md - Issue #20 "Hardcoded Constants"
-
----
-
 ### Issue #27: MEDIUM - Inconsistent Error Handling Patterns
 
 **Where found**: 
diff --git a/backend/.env.example b/backend/.env.example
index a2681df..3a53218 100644
--- a/backend/.env.example
+++ b/backend/.env.example
@@ -31,3 +31,16 @@ BANGUI_LOG_LEVEL=info
 # from a different origin than the backend.
 # Leave this blank in production when the UI is served from the same origin.
 BANGUI_CORS_ALLOWED_ORIGINS=http://localhost:5173
+
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# Pagination & display limits
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+# Maximum records per paginated response. Must be between 1 and 10000.
+BANGUI_MAX_PAGE_SIZE=500
+
+# Maximum IP lines returned in a blocklist source preview. Must be at least 1.
+BANGUI_PREVIEW_MAX_LINES=100
+
+# Number of days to retain historical ban records before archival cleanup.
+BANGUI_HISTORY_RETENTION_DAYS=90
diff --git a/backend/app/config.py b/backend/app/config.py
index b6bb121..51509ea 100644
--- a/backend/app/config.py
+++ b/backend/app/config.py
@@ -534,6 +534,35 @@ class Settings(BaseSettings):
         ge=1,
         description="Max config update requests per IP per minute.",
     )
+    # -------------------------------------------------------------------------
+    # Pagination & display limits (configurable per deployment)
+    # -------------------------------------------------------------------------
+    max_page_size: int = Field(
+        default=500,
+        ge=1,
+        le=10000,
+        description=(
+            "Maximum number of records returned per paginated API response. "
+            "Individual endpoints may further limit this value. "
+            "Must be between 1 and 10000."
+        ),
+    )
+    blocklist_preview_max_lines: int = Field(
+        default=100,
+        ge=1,
+        description=(
+            "Maximum number of IP lines returned in a blocklist source preview. "
+            "Must be at least 1."
+        ),
+    )
+    history_retention_days: int = Field(
+        default=90,
+        ge=1,
+        description=(
+            "Number of days historical ban records are retained before being "
+            "archived or purged by the cleanup task. Must be at least 1."
+        ),
+    )
 
     @field_validator("elasticsearch_hosts", mode="before")
     @classmethod
diff --git a/backend/app/routers/blocklist.py b/backend/app/routers/blocklist.py
index aaa5328..9e577c9 100644
--- a/backend/app/routers/blocklist.py
+++ b/backend/app/routers/blocklist.py
@@ -433,6 +433,7 @@ async def preview_blocklist(
     source_id: int,
     http_session: HttpSessionDep,
     blocklist_ctx: BlocklistServiceContextDep,
+    settings: SettingsDep,
     _auth: AuthDep,
 ) -> PreviewResponse:
     """Download and preview a sample of a blocklist source.
@@ -455,7 +456,9 @@ async def preview_blocklist(
         raise BlocklistSourceNotFoundError(source_id)
 
     try:
-        domain_result = await blocklist_service.preview_source(source.url, http_session)
+        domain_result = await blocklist_service.preview_source(
+            source.url, http_session, sample_lines=settings.blocklist_preview_max_lines
+        )
         return blocklist_mappers.map_domain_preview_result_to_response(domain_result)
     except ValueError as exc:
         raise BadRequestError(f"Could not fetch blocklist: {exc}") from exc
diff --git a/backend/app/routers/dashboard.py b/backend/app/routers/dashboard.py
index 94279f9..418b771 100644
--- a/backend/app/routers/dashboard.py
+++ b/backend/app/routers/dashboard.py
@@ -24,6 +24,7 @@ from app.dependencies import (
     GeoCacheDep,
     HttpSessionDep,
     ServerStatusDep,
+    SettingsDep,
 )
 from app.mappers import (
     map_domain_ban_trend_to_response,
@@ -101,13 +102,14 @@ async def get_dashboard_bans(
     socket_path: Fail2BanSocketDep,
     http_session: HttpSessionDep,
     geo_cache: GeoCacheDep,
+    settings: SettingsDep,
     range: TimeRange = Query(default=_DEFAULT_RANGE, description="Time-range preset."),
     source: Literal["fail2ban", "archive"] = Query(
         default="fail2ban",
         description="Data source: 'fail2ban' or 'archive'.",
     ),
     page: int = Query(default=1, ge=1, description="1-based page number."),
-    page_size: int = Query(default=DEFAULT_PAGE_SIZE, ge=1, le=500, description="Items per page."),
+    page_size: int = Query(default=DEFAULT_PAGE_SIZE, ge=1, description="Items per page."),
     origin: BanOrigin | None = Query(
         default=None,
         description="Filter by ban origin: 'blocklist' or 'selfblock'. Omit for all.",
@@ -143,6 +145,7 @@ async def get_dashboard_bans(
         source=source,
         page=page,
         page_size=page_size,
+        max_page_size=settings.max_page_size,
         http_session=http_session,
         app_db=ban_ctx.db,
         geo_cache=geo_cache,
diff --git a/backend/app/routers/history.py b/backend/app/routers/history.py
index b93d6a8..6a1b36a 100644
--- a/backend/app/routers/history.py
+++ b/backend/app/routers/history.py
@@ -25,6 +25,7 @@ from app.dependencies import (
     Fail2BanSocketDep,
     HistoryServiceContextDep,
     HttpSessionDep,
+    SettingsDep,
 )
 from app.exceptions import HistoryNotFoundError
 from app.mappers import history_mappers
@@ -54,6 +55,7 @@ async def get_history(
     socket_path: Fail2BanSocketDep,
     http_session: HttpSessionDep,
     fail2ban_metadata_service: Fail2BanMetadataServiceDep,
+    settings: SettingsDep,
     range: TimeRange | None = Query(
         default=None,
         description="Optional time-range filter. Omit for all-time.",
@@ -78,8 +80,7 @@ async def get_history(
     page_size: int = Query(
         default=DEFAULT_PAGE_SIZE,
         ge=1,
-        le=500,
-        description="Items per page (max 500).",
+        description="Items per page.",
     ),
 ) -> HistoryListResponse:
     """Return a paginated list of historical bans with optional filters.
@@ -114,6 +115,7 @@ async def get_history(
         source=source,
         page=page,
         page_size=page_size,
+        max_page_size=settings.max_page_size,
         http_session=http_session,
         db=history_ctx.db,
         fail2ban_metadata_service=fail2ban_metadata_service,
@@ -138,6 +140,7 @@ async def get_history_archive(
     socket_path: Fail2BanSocketDep,
     http_session: HttpSessionDep,
     fail2ban_metadata_service: Fail2BanMetadataServiceDep,
+    settings: SettingsDep,
     range: TimeRange | None = Query(
         default=None,
         description="Optional time-range filter. Omit for all-time.",
@@ -145,7 +148,7 @@ async def get_history_archive(
     jail: str | None = Query(default=None, description="Restrict results to this jail name."),
     ip: str | None = Query(default=None, description="Restrict results to IPs matching this prefix."),
     page: int = Query(default=1, ge=1, description="1-based page number."),
-    page_size: int = Query(default=DEFAULT_PAGE_SIZE, ge=1, le=500, description="Items per page (max 500)."),
+    page_size: int = Query(default=DEFAULT_PAGE_SIZE, ge=1, description="Items per page."),
 ) -> HistoryListResponse:
 
     domain_result = await history_service.list_history(
@@ -156,6 +159,7 @@ async def get_history_archive(
         source="archive",
         page=page,
         page_size=page_size,
+        max_page_size=settings.max_page_size,
         http_session=http_session,
         db=history_ctx.db,
         fail2ban_metadata_service=fail2ban_metadata_service,
diff --git a/backend/app/services/ban_service.py b/backend/app/services/ban_service.py
index dc4a88c..61a09e3 100644
--- a/backend/app/services/ban_service.py
+++ b/backend/app/services/ban_service.py
@@ -47,7 +47,6 @@ from app.utils.async_utils import logged_task
 from app.utils.constants import (
     DEFAULT_PAGE_SIZE,
     FAIL2BAN_SOCKET_TIMEOUT,
-    MAX_PAGE_SIZE,
 )
 from app.utils.fail2ban_client import (
     Fail2BanClient,
@@ -87,7 +86,11 @@ async def get_fail2ban_db_path(socket_path: str) -> str:
 
 
 async def ban_ip(socket_path: str, jail: str, ip: str) -> None:
-    """Ban an IP address in the specified jail."""
+    """Ban an IP address in the specified jail.
+
+    Error contract: ABORT_ON_ERROR. Raises JailNotFoundError or JailOperationError.
+    Router converts to HTTP 404 or 409.
+    """
     try:
         ipaddress.ip_address(ip)
     except ValueError as exc:
@@ -348,6 +351,7 @@ async def list_bans(
     source: str = "fail2ban",
     page: int = 1,
     page_size: int = DEFAULT_PAGE_SIZE,
+    max_page_size: int = 500,
     http_session: aiohttp.ClientSession | None = None,
     app_db: aiosqlite.Connection | None = None,
     geo_cache: GeoCache | None = None,
@@ -375,8 +379,9 @@ async def list_bans(
         range_: Time-range preset (``"24h"``, ``"7d"``, ``"30d"``, or
             ``"365d"``).
         page: 1-based page number (default: ``1``).
-        page_size: Maximum items per page, capped at ``MAX_PAGE_SIZE``
+        page_size: Maximum items per page, capped at ``max_page_size``
             (default: ``100``).
+        max_page_size: Deployment-configured maximum page size (default: ``500``).
         http_session: Optional shared :class:`aiohttp.ClientSession`.  When
             provided, :meth:`GeoCache.lookup_batch` is used
             for efficient bulk geo resolution.
@@ -393,7 +398,7 @@ async def list_bans(
     """
 
     since: int = since_unix(range_)
-    effective_page_size: int = min(page_size, MAX_PAGE_SIZE)
+    effective_page_size: int = min(page_size, max_page_size)
     offset: int = (page - 1) * effective_page_size
 
     if source not in ("fail2ban", "archive"):
diff --git a/backend/app/services/error_handling.py b/backend/app/services/error_handling.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..0f31978
--- /dev/null
+++ b/backend/app/services/error_handling.py
@@ -0,0 +1,64 @@
+"""Error handling contracts for services.
+
+Defines the three allowed error handling patterns so callers know what to
+expect from any service method.
+
+Pattern Selection
+================
+- ABORT_ON_ERROR: Operations where failure must propagate (auth, writes, config changes)
+- RETURN_DEFAULT: Informational reads where partial data is acceptable
+- PARTIAL_RESULT: Operations on collections where some items may fail independently
+
+Switching patterns is a breaking change — document in changelog.
+"""
+
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+ABORT_ON_ERROR = "abort_on_error"
+"""Raise an exception. Router converts to HTTP. Use for auth, writes, state changes."""
+
+RETURN_DEFAULT = "return_default"
+"""Return empty result and log warning. Never raises. Use for informational reads."""
+
+PARTIAL_RESULT = "partial_result"
+"""Return (result, errors) tuple. Use for batch operations on collections."""
+
+
+class ServiceErrorContract:
+    """Documents the error handling pattern for a service or method.
+
+    Callers use this to understand how errors affect the return value:
+
+    ABORT_ON_ERROR
+        Raise an exception. Router handles it, converts to HTTP response.
+        Used for: authentication, authorization, write operations,
+        state changes, and any operation where partial success is meaningless.
+
+    RETURN_DEFAULT
+        Return empty/None result and log a warning. Caller gets a valid
+        result with no items, not an error.
+        Used for: informational reads (list, get) where infrastructure
+        unavailability should not block the UI.
+
+    PARTIAL_RESULT
+        Return a result that contains both successful items and a list
+        of errors. Caller decides what to do with each.
+        Used for: batch operations, multi-item fetches where one item
+        failing does not invalidate the rest.
+    """
+
+    ABORT_ON_ERROR = ABORT_ON_ERROR
+    RETURN_DEFAULT = RETURN_DEFAULT
+    PARTIAL_RESULT = PARTIAL_RESULT
+
+    @classmethod
+    def doc(cls, pattern: str, *, since: str | None = None) -> str:
+        """Return a docstring fragment describing the error pattern."""
+        desc = {
+            ABORT_ON_ERROR: "Raises exceptions on error. Router handles conversion to HTTP.",
+            RETURN_DEFAULT: "Returns empty result and logs warning on error. Never raises.",
+            PARTIAL_RESULT: "Returns (result, errors) tuple. Errors collected, not raised.",
+        }[pattern]
+        if since:
+            return f"{desc} (Since: {since})"
+        return desc
diff --git a/backend/app/services/history_service.py b/backend/app/services/history_service.py
index 861973c..265cb26 100644
--- a/backend/app/services/history_service.py
+++ b/backend/app/services/history_service.py
@@ -33,7 +33,7 @@ from app.models.history_domain import (
 )
 from app.repositories import fail2ban_db_repo
 from app.repositories import history_archive_repo as default_history_archive_repo
-from app.utils.constants import DEFAULT_PAGE_SIZE, MAX_PAGE_SIZE
+from app.utils.constants import DEFAULT_PAGE_SIZE
 from app.utils.fail2ban_db_utils import parse_data_json, ts_to_iso
 from app.utils.time_utils import since_unix
 
@@ -184,6 +184,7 @@ async def list_history(
     source: str = "fail2ban",
     page: int = 1,
     page_size: int = DEFAULT_PAGE_SIZE,
+    max_page_size: int = 500,
     http_session: aiohttp.ClientSession | None = None,
     geo_enricher: GeoEnricher | None = None,
     db: aiosqlite.Connection | None = None,
@@ -203,7 +204,8 @@ async def list_history(
         ip_filter: If given, restrict results to bans for this exact IP
             (or a prefix — the query uses ``LIKE ip_filter%``).
         page: 1-based page number (default: ``1``).
-        page_size: Maximum items per page, capped at ``MAX_PAGE_SIZE``.
+        page_size: Maximum items per page, capped at ``max_page_size``.
+        max_page_size: Deployment-configured maximum page size (default: ``500``).
         http_session: Optional shared :class:`aiohttp.ClientSession` (unused;
             kept for backward compatibility).
         geo_enricher: Optional async callable ``(ip: str) -> GeoInfo | None``.
@@ -216,7 +218,7 @@ async def list_history(
         :class:`~app.models.history_domain.DomainHistoryList` with paginated items
         and the total matching count.
     """
-    effective_page_size: int = min(page_size, MAX_PAGE_SIZE)
+    effective_page_size: int = min(page_size, max_page_size)
 
     # Build WHERE clauses dynamically.
     since: int | None = None
diff --git a/backend/app/services/jail_service.py b/backend/app/services/jail_service.py
index 432de08..5e0873a 100644
--- a/backend/app/services/jail_service.py
+++ b/backend/app/services/jail_service.py
@@ -24,12 +24,11 @@ import structlog
 
 from app.exceptions import JailNotFoundError, JailOperationError
 from app.models.ban_domain import DomainActiveBan
-from app.models.config import BantimeEscalation
 from app.models.geo import GeoDetail, IpLookupResponse
 from app.models.jail_domain import (
-    DomainJailBannedIps,
     DomainBantimeEscalation,
     DomainJail,
+    DomainJailBannedIps,
     DomainJailDetail,
     DomainJailList,
     DomainJailStatus,
@@ -50,7 +49,6 @@ from app.utils.fail2ban_response import (
     to_dict,
 )
 from app.utils.jail_socket import reload_all
-from app.utils.pagination import create_pagination_metadata
 from app.utils.runtime_state import JailServiceState  # noqa: TC001
 
 if TYPE_CHECKING:
@@ -190,9 +188,8 @@ async def list_jails(socket_path: str, state: JailServiceState) -> DomainJailLis
     Returns:
         :class:`~app.models.jail_domain.DomainJailList` with all active jails.
 
-    Raises:
-        ~app.utils.fail2ban_client.Fail2BanConnectionError: If the socket
-            cannot be reached.
+    Error contract: ABORT_ON_ERROR. Raises Fail2BanConnectionError on socket
+    unreachable. Empty jail list is not an error — returns empty DomainJailList.
     """
     client = Fail2BanClient(socket_path=socket_path, timeout=FAIL2BAN_SOCKET_TIMEOUT)
 
@@ -344,10 +341,8 @@ async def get_jail(socket_path: str, name: str) -> DomainJailDetail:
     Returns:
         :class:`~app.models.jail_domain.DomainJailDetail` with the full jail.
 
-    Raises:
-        JailNotFoundError: If *name* is not a known jail.
-        ~app.utils.fail2ban_client.Fail2BanConnectionError: If the socket
-            cannot be reached.
+    Error contract: ABORT_ON_ERROR. Raises JailNotFoundError (404),
+    Fail2BanConnectionError (503).
     """
     client = Fail2BanClient(socket_path=socket_path, timeout=FAIL2BAN_SOCKET_TIMEOUT)
 
@@ -460,11 +455,8 @@ async def start_jail(socket_path: str, name: str) -> None:
         socket_path: Path to the fail2ban Unix domain socket.
         name: Jail name to start.
 
-    Raises:
-        JailNotFoundError: If *name* is not a known jail.
-        JailOperationError: If fail2ban reports the operation failed.
-        ~app.utils.fail2ban_client.Fail2BanConnectionError: If the socket
-            cannot be reached.
+    Error contract: ABORT_ON_ERROR. Raises JailNotFoundError (404),
+    JailOperationError (409), Fail2BanConnectionError (502).
     """
     client = Fail2BanClient(socket_path=socket_path, timeout=FAIL2BAN_SOCKET_TIMEOUT)
     try:
@@ -486,10 +478,8 @@ async def stop_jail(socket_path: str, name: str) -> None:
         socket_path: Path to the fail2ban Unix domain socket.
         name: Jail name to stop.
 
-    Raises:
-        JailOperationError: If fail2ban reports the operation failed.
-        ~app.utils.fail2ban_client.Fail2BanConnectionError: If the socket
-            cannot be reached.
+    Error contract: ABORT_ON_ERROR. Raises JailNotFoundError (404),
+    JailOperationError (409), Fail2BanConnectionError (502).
     """
     client = Fail2BanClient(socket_path=socket_path, timeout=FAIL2BAN_SOCKET_TIMEOUT)
     try:
@@ -514,11 +504,8 @@ async def set_idle(socket_path: str, name: str, *, on: bool) -> None:
         name: Jail name.
         on: Pass ``True`` to enable idle, ``False`` to disable it.
 
-    Raises:
-        JailNotFoundError: If *name* is not a known jail.
-        JailOperationError: If fail2ban reports the operation failed.
-        ~app.utils.fail2ban_client.Fail2BanConnectionError: If the socket
-            cannot be reached.
+    Error contract: ABORT_ON_ERROR. Raises JailNotFoundError (404),
+    JailOperationError (409), Fail2BanConnectionError (502).
     """
     state = "on" if on else "off"
     client = Fail2BanClient(socket_path=socket_path, timeout=FAIL2BAN_SOCKET_TIMEOUT)
@@ -545,11 +532,8 @@ async def reload_jail(socket_path: str, name: str) -> None:
         socket_path: Path to the fail2ban Unix domain socket.
         name: Jail name to reload.
 
-    Raises:
-        JailNotFoundError: If *name* is not a known jail.
-        JailOperationError: If fail2ban reports the operation failed.
-        ~app.utils.fail2ban_client.Fail2BanConnectionError: If the socket
-            cannot be reached.
+    Error contract: ABORT_ON_ERROR. Raises JailNotFoundError (404),
+    JailOperationError (409), Fail2BanConnectionError (502).
     """
     client = Fail2BanClient(socket_path=socket_path, timeout=FAIL2BAN_SOCKET_TIMEOUT)
     try:
@@ -879,10 +863,8 @@ async def get_ignore_list(socket_path: str, name: str) -> list[str]:
     Returns:
         List of IP addresses and CIDR networks on the jail's ignore list.
 
-    Raises:
-        JailNotFoundError: If *name* is not a known jail.
-        ~app.utils.fail2ban_client.Fail2BanConnectionError: If the socket
-            cannot be reached.
+    Error contract: ABORT_ON_ERROR. Raises JailNotFoundError (404),
+    Fail2BanConnectionError (503).
     """
     client = Fail2BanClient(socket_path=socket_path, timeout=FAIL2BAN_SOCKET_TIMEOUT)
     try:
@@ -932,11 +914,8 @@ async def del_ignore_ip(socket_path: str, name: str, ip: str) -> None:
         name: Jail name.
         ip: IP address or CIDR network to remove.
 
-    Raises:
-        JailNotFoundError: If *name* is not a known jail.
-        JailOperationError: If fail2ban reports the operation failed.
-        ~app.utils.fail2ban_client.Fail2BanConnectionError: If the socket
-            cannot be reached.
+    Error contract: ABORT_ON_ERROR. Raises JailNotFoundError (404),
+    JailOperationError (409), Fail2BanConnectionError (503).
     """
     client = Fail2BanClient(socket_path=socket_path, timeout=FAIL2BAN_SOCKET_TIMEOUT)
     try:
@@ -958,10 +937,8 @@ async def get_ignore_self(socket_path: str, name: str) -> bool:
     Returns:
         ``True`` when ``ignoreself`` is enabled for the jail.
 
-    Raises:
-        JailNotFoundError: If *name* is not a known jail.
-        ~app.utils.fail2ban_client.Fail2BanConnectionError: If the socket
-            cannot be reached.
+    Error contract: ABORT_ON_ERROR. Raises JailNotFoundError (404),
+    Fail2BanConnectionError (503).
     """
     client = Fail2BanClient(socket_path=socket_path, timeout=FAIL2BAN_SOCKET_TIMEOUT)
     try:
@@ -981,11 +958,8 @@ async def set_ignore_self(socket_path: str, name: str, *, on: bool) -> None:
         name: Jail name.
         on: ``True`` to enable ignoreself, ``False`` to disable.
 
-    Raises:
-        JailNotFoundError: If *name* is not a known jail.
-        JailOperationError: If fail2ban reports the operation failed.
-        ~app.utils.fail2ban_client.Fail2BanConnectionError: If the socket
-            cannot be reached.
+    Error contract: ABORT_ON_ERROR. Raises JailNotFoundError (404),
+    JailOperationError (409), Fail2BanConnectionError (503).
     """
     value = "true" if on else "false"
     client = Fail2BanClient(socket_path=socket_path, timeout=FAIL2BAN_SOCKET_TIMEOUT)
diff --git a/backend/app/services/server_service.py b/backend/app/services/server_service.py
index acd031f..1377e43 100644
--- a/backend/app/services/server_service.py
+++ b/backend/app/services/server_service.py
@@ -15,8 +15,8 @@ from typing import cast
 import structlog
 
 from app.exceptions import Fail2BanConnectionError, Fail2BanProtocolError, ServerOperationError
-from app.models.server_domain import DomainServerSettings, DomainServerSettingsResult
 from app.models.server import ServerSettingsUpdate
+from app.models.server_domain import DomainServerSettings, DomainServerSettingsResult
 from app.utils.constants import FAIL2BAN_SOCKET_TIMEOUT
 from app.utils.fail2ban_client import Fail2BanClient, Fail2BanCommand, Fail2BanResponse
 from app.utils.fail2ban_response import ok
@@ -103,6 +103,10 @@ async def get_settings(socket_path: str) -> DomainServerSettingsResult:
     Raises:
         ~app.utils.fail2ban_client.Fail2BanConnectionError: Socket unreachable.
     """
+    #: Error contract: RETURN_DEFAULT. Fail2ban socket may be unavailable on
+    #: fresh boot; UI should still render with empty/default values.
+    #: Error contract: ABORT_ON_ERROR. Raises on invalid response from fail2ban.
+    #: Router converts Fail2BanConnectionError to HTTP 503.
     import asyncio
 
     client = Fail2BanClient(socket_path=socket_path, timeout=FAIL2BAN_SOCKET_TIMEOUT)
@@ -156,9 +160,8 @@ async def update_settings(socket_path: str, update: ServerSettingsUpdate) -> Non
         socket_path: Path to the fail2ban Unix domain socket.
         update: Partial update payload.
 
-    Raises:
-        ServerOperationError: If any ``set`` command is rejected.
-        ~app.utils.fail2ban_client.Fail2BanConnectionError: Socket unreachable.
+    Error contract: ABORT_ON_ERROR. Raises ServerOperationError (400) or
+    Fail2BanConnectionError (503). Router converts to HTTP.
     """
     client = Fail2BanClient(socket_path=socket_path, timeout=FAIL2BAN_SOCKET_TIMEOUT)
 
diff --git a/backend/app/utils/constants.py b/backend/app/utils/constants.py
index d2a02b4..ab7728f 100644
--- a/backend/app/utils/constants.py
+++ b/backend/app/utils/constants.py
@@ -86,7 +86,7 @@ TIME_RANGE_SLACK_SECONDS: Final[int] = 60
 # ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
 DEFAULT_PAGE_SIZE: Final[int] = 100
-MAX_PAGE_SIZE: Final[int] = 500
+"""Default items per page for paginated endpoints."""
 
 # ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 # Blocklist import
@@ -95,9 +95,6 @@ MAX_PAGE_SIZE: Final[int] = 500
 BLOCKLIST_IMPORT_DEFAULT_HOUR: Final[int] = 3
 """Default hour (UTC) for the nightly blocklist import job."""
 
-BLOCKLIST_PREVIEW_MAX_LINES: Final[int] = 100
-"""Maximum number of IP lines returned by the blocklist preview endpoint."""
-
 # ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 # Health check
 # ---------------------------------------------------------------------------