diff --git a/app/RSpade/Core/Ajax/Ajax_Batch_Controller.php b/app/RSpade/Core/Ajax/Ajax_Batch_Controller.php
index f96936f02..22319174d 100644
--- a/app/RSpade/Core/Ajax/Ajax_Batch_Controller.php
+++ b/app/RSpade/Core/Ajax/Ajax_Batch_Controller.php
@@ -46,20 +46,18 @@ class Ajax_Batch_Controller extends Rsx_Controller_Abstract
         \App\RSpade\Core\Debug\Debugger::disable_console_html_output();
 
         // Get batch calls from request
-        $batch_calls_json = $request->input('batch_calls');
+        // With JSON Content-Type, Laravel auto-decodes the body
+        $batch_calls = $request->input('batch_calls');
 
-        if (empty($batch_calls_json)) {
+        if (empty($batch_calls)) {
             return response()->json([
                 'error' => 'Missing batch_calls parameter'
             ], 400);
         }
 
-        // Parse batch calls
-        $batch_calls = json_decode($batch_calls_json, true);
-
         if (!is_array($batch_calls)) {
             return response()->json([
-                'error' => 'Invalid batch_calls format - must be JSON array'
+                'error' => 'Invalid batch_calls format - must be array'
             ], 400);
         }
 
diff --git a/app/RSpade/Core/Js/Ajax.js b/app/RSpade/Core/Js/Ajax.js
index 26896a855..6ab0735c1 100755
--- a/app/RSpade/Core/Js/Ajax.js
+++ b/app/RSpade/Core/Js/Ajax.js
@@ -195,7 +195,8 @@ class Ajax {
             $.ajax({
                 url: url,
                 method: 'POST',
-                data: params,
+                contentType: 'application/json',
+                data: JSON.stringify(params),
                 dataType: 'json',
                 __local_integration: true, // Bypass $.ajax override
                 success: (response) => {
@@ -364,7 +365,8 @@ class Ajax {
             const response = await $.ajax({
                 url: '/_ajax/_batch',
                 method: 'POST',
-                data: { batch_calls: JSON.stringify(calls_to_send) },
+                contentType: 'application/json',
+                data: JSON.stringify({ batch_calls: calls_to_send }),
                 dataType: 'json',
                 __local_integration: true, // Bypass $.ajax override
             });
diff --git a/app/RSpade/man/crud.txt b/app/RSpade/man/crud.txt
index be47a8ed9..4da4d21b4 100755
--- a/app/RSpade/man/crud.txt
+++ b/app/RSpade/man/crud.txt
@@ -455,12 +455,12 @@ EDIT PAGE (ADD/EDIT COMBINED)
                                 <Form_Hidden_Field $name="id" />
                             <% } %>
 
-                            <Form_Field $name="name" $label="Name" $required=true>
-                                <Text_Input />
+                            <Form_Field $label="Name" $required=true>
+                                <Text_Input $name="name" />
                             </Form_Field>
 
-                            <Form_Field $name="status" $label="Status">
-                                <Select_Input $options="<%= JSON.stringify(this.data.status_options) %>" />
+                            <Form_Field $label="Status">
+                                <Select_Input $name="status" $options="<%= JSON.stringify(this.data.status_options) %>" />
                             </Form_Field>
 
                             <button type="submit" class="btn btn-primary">Save</button>
@@ -479,11 +479,11 @@ RSX_FORM
         $method     - Ajax endpoint method name
 
     Form Fields
-        <Form_Field $name="fieldname" $label="Label" $required=true>
-            <Text_Input />
+        <Form_Field $label="Label" $required=true>
+            <Text_Input $name="fieldname" />
         </Form_Field>
 
-        The $name must match:
+        The $name on the input component must match:
         - The key in $data JSON
         - The key in server-side $params
         - The key in validation $errors array
diff --git a/app/RSpade/man/datetime_inputs.txt b/app/RSpade/man/datetime_inputs.txt
index 44b7d160a..9bdd90ec8 100755
--- a/app/RSpade/man/datetime_inputs.txt
+++ b/app/RSpade/man/datetime_inputs.txt
@@ -5,8 +5,8 @@ NAME
 
 SYNOPSIS
     Client-side (template):
-        <Form_Field $name="schedule" $label="Date & Time">
-            <Schedule_Input />
+        <Form_Field $label="Date & Time">
+            <Schedule_Input $name="schedule" />
         </Form_Field>
 
     Server-side:
@@ -42,8 +42,8 @@ DESCRIPTION
 
         Schedule_Input combines all scheduling fields into one component:
 
-            <Form_Field $name="schedule">
-                <Schedule_Input />
+            <Form_Field $label="Schedule">
+                <Schedule_Input $name="schedule" />
             </Form_Field>
 
         Submits as JSON:
@@ -90,8 +90,8 @@ SCHEDULE_INPUT COMPONENT
     Template Usage
 
         Basic usage:
-            <Form_Field $name="schedule" $label="Date & Time" $required=true>
-                <Schedule_Input />
+            <Form_Field $label="Date & Time" $required=true>
+                <Schedule_Input $name="schedule" />
             </Form_Field>
 
         Without timezone picker:
@@ -334,12 +334,12 @@ COMPLETE EXAMPLE
     Template
 
         <Rsx_Form $data=this.data.form_data $controller="Events_Controller" $method="save">
-            <Form_Field $name="title" $label="Title" $required=true>
-                <Text_Input />
+            <Form_Field $label="Title" $required=true>
+                <Text_Input $name="title" />
             </Form_Field>
 
-            <Form_Field $name="schedule" $label="Date & Time" $required=true>
-                <Schedule_Input $sid="schedule_input" />
+            <Form_Field $label="Date & Time" $required=true>
+                <Schedule_Input $name="schedule" $sid="schedule_input" />
             </Form_Field>
 
             <button type="submit" class="btn btn-primary">Save</button>
diff --git a/app/RSpade/man/form_conventions.txt b/app/RSpade/man/form_conventions.txt
index eac65d8de..1df88dfee 100755
--- a/app/RSpade/man/form_conventions.txt
+++ b/app/RSpade/man/form_conventions.txt
@@ -116,16 +116,16 @@ TEMPLATE PATTERN
                 <Form_Hidden_Field $name="id" />
             <% } %>
 
-            <Form_Field $name="title" $label="Title" $required=true>
-                <Text_Input />
+            <Form_Field $label="Title" $required=true>
+                <Text_Input $name="title" />
             </Form_Field>
 
-            <Form_Field $name="status_id" $label="Status">
-                <Select_Input $options=this.data.status_options />
+            <Form_Field $label="Status">
+                <Select_Input $name="status_id" $options=this.data.status_options />
             </Form_Field>
 
-            <Form_Field $name="team_members" $label="Team">
-                <Form_Repeater
+            <Form_Field $label="Team">
+                <Form_Repeater $name="team_members"
                     $edit_input="Team_Member_Edit"
                     $display_input="Team_Member_Display"
                 />
@@ -350,7 +350,8 @@ COMMON MISTAKES
         this.data.form_data = { name: 'Test' };
 
         // Template uses 'title' - VALUE WILL BE EMPTY
-        <Form_Field $name="title">
+        <Form_Field $label="Title">
+            <Text_Input $name="title" />
 
 SEE ALSO
     forms_and_widgets(3), jqhtml(3), ajax(3)
diff --git a/app/RSpade/man/forms_and_widgets.txt b/app/RSpade/man/forms_and_widgets.txt
index ee00eede6..340242b3f 100755
--- a/app/RSpade/man/forms_and_widgets.txt
+++ b/app/RSpade/man/forms_and_widgets.txt
@@ -8,12 +8,12 @@ SYNOPSIS
     <Rsx_Form $data="{{ json_encode($form_data) }}"
               $action="{{ Rsx::Route('Controller', 'save') }}">
 
-        <Form_Field $name="email" $label="Email Address" $required=true>
-            <Text_Input $type="email" $placeholder="user@example.com" />
+        <Form_Field $label="Email Address" $required=true>
+            <Text_Input $name="email" $type="email" $placeholder="user@example.com" />
         </Form_Field>
 
-        <Form_Field $name="bio" $label="Biography">
-            <Text_Input $type="textarea" $rows=5 />
+        <Form_Field $label="Biography">
+            <Text_Input $name="bio" $type="textarea" $rows=5 />
         </Form_Field>
 
         <button type="button" id="save-btn">Save</button>
@@ -69,12 +69,12 @@ RSX_FORM COMPONENT
     Example - Basic Form:
 
         <Rsx_Form $action="{{ Rsx::Route('Users_Controller', 'save') }}">
-            <Form_Field $name="first_name" $label="First Name">
-                <Text_Input />
+            <Form_Field $label="First Name">
+                <Text_Input $name="first_name" />
             </Form_Field>
 
-            <Form_Field $name="last_name" $label="Last Name">
-                <Text_Input />
+            <Form_Field $label="Last Name">
+                <Text_Input $name="last_name" />
             </Form_Field>
 
             <button type="button" id="save-btn">Save</button>
@@ -119,39 +119,38 @@ FORM_FIELD WRAPPER
 
     Responsibilities:
         - Display label with optional required indicator
-        - Set data-name attribute on child widget
+        - Read data-name from child widget (set by Form_Input_Abstract)
         - Display validation errors returned from server
         - Provide consistent spacing and styling
 
     Example - Basic Field:
 
-        <Form_Field $name="email" $label="Email Address">
-            <Text_Input $type="email" />
+        <Form_Field $label="Email Address">
+            <Text_Input $name="email" $type="email" />
         </Form_Field>
 
     Example - Required Field with Help Text:
 
-        <Form_Field $name="password"
-                    $label="Password"
+        <Form_Field $label="Password"
                     $required=true
                     $help="Must be at least 8 characters">
-            <Text_Input $type="password" />
+            <Text_Input $name="password" $type="password" />
         </Form_Field>
 
     Example - Field with HTML in Label:
 
-        <Form_Field $name="twitter" $label="<i class='bi bi-twitter'></i> Twitter">
-            <Text_Input $prefix="@" />
+        <Form_Field $label="<i class='bi bi-twitter'></i> Twitter">
+            <Text_Input $name="twitter" $prefix="@" />
         </Form_Field>
 
     Form_Field_Abstract:
         Use Form_Field_Abstract directly when you need field functionality
-        without visual formatting (e.g., for hidden fields or custom layouts).
+        without visual formatting (e.g., for custom layouts).
 
         Example - Unformatted Field:
 
-            <Form_Field_Abstract $name="custom_field">
-                <Custom_Widget />
+            <Form_Field_Abstract>
+                <Custom_Widget $name="custom_field" />
             </Form_Field_Abstract>
 
     Form_Hidden_Field:
@@ -388,14 +387,14 @@ DISABLED STATE
 
     Example - Disable Individual Fields:
 
-        <Form_Field $name="email" $label="Email (Cannot Edit)">
-            <Text_Input $type="email" $disabled=true />
+        <Form_Field $label="Email (Cannot Edit)">
+            <Text_Input $name="email" $type="email" $disabled=true />
         </Form_Field>
 
     Example - Conditional Disable:
 
-        <Form_Field $name="status" $label="Status">
-            <Select_Input $options="{{ json_encode($statuses) }}"
+        <Form_Field $label="Status">
+            <Select_Input $name="status" $options="{{ json_encode($statuses) }}"
                           $disabled="{{ !$can_edit_status }}" />
         </Form_Field>
 
@@ -465,31 +464,31 @@ MULTI-COLUMN LAYOUTS
 
         <div class="row">
             <div class="col-md-6">
-                <Form_Field $name="first_name" $label="First Name">
-                    <Text_Input />
+                <Form_Field $label="First Name">
+                    <Text_Input $name="first_name" />
                 </Form_Field>
             </div>
             <div class="col-md-6">
-                <Form_Field $name="last_name" $label="Last Name">
-                    <Text_Input />
+                <Form_Field $label="Last Name">
+                    <Text_Input $name="last_name" />
                 </Form_Field>
             </div>
         </div>
 
         <div class="row">
             <div class="col-md-4">
-                <Form_Field $name="city" $label="City">
-                    <Text_Input />
+                <Form_Field $label="City">
+                    <Text_Input $name="city" />
                 </Form_Field>
             </div>
             <div class="col-md-2">
-                <Form_Field $name="state" $label="State">
-                    <Text_Input $maxlength=2 />
+                <Form_Field $label="State">
+                    <Text_Input $name="state" $maxlength=2 />
                 </Form_Field>
             </div>
             <div class="col-md-6">
-                <Form_Field $name="zip" $label="ZIP Code">
-                    <Text_Input />
+                <Form_Field $label="ZIP Code">
+                    <Text_Input $name="zip" />
                 </Form_Field>
             </div>
         </div>
@@ -547,8 +546,8 @@ CREATING CUSTOM WIDGETS
 
         Usage:
 
-            <Form_Field $name="satisfaction" $label="Rate Your Experience">
-                <Rating_Input />
+            <Form_Field $label="Rate Your Experience">
+                <Rating_Input $name="satisfaction" />
             </Form_Field>
 
 EXAMPLES
@@ -573,34 +572,34 @@ EXAMPLES
                 <Form_Hidden_Field $name="id" />
             @endif
 
-            <Form_Field $name="name" $label="Company Name" $required=true>
-                <Text_Input $seeder="company_name" />
+            <Form_Field $label="Company Name" $required=true>
+                <Text_Input $name="name" $seeder="company_name" />
             </Form_Field>
 
             <div class="row">
                 <div class="col-md-6">
-                    <Form_Field $name="email" $label="Email">
-                        <Text_Input $type="email" $seeder="email" />
+                    <Form_Field $label="Email">
+                        <Text_Input $name="email" $type="email" $seeder="email" />
                     </Form_Field>
                 </div>
                 <div class="col-md-6">
-                    <Form_Field $name="phone" $label="Phone">
-                        <Text_Input $type="tel" $seeder="phone" />
+                    <Form_Field $label="Phone">
+                        <Text_Input $name="phone" $type="tel" $seeder="phone" />
                     </Form_Field>
                 </div>
             </div>
 
-            <Form_Field $name="industry" $label="Industry">
-                <Select_Input $options="{{ json_encode($industries) }}"
+            <Form_Field $label="Industry">
+                <Select_Input $name="industry" $options="{{ json_encode($industries) }}"
                               $placeholder="Select Industry..." />
             </Form_Field>
 
-            <Form_Field $name="notes" $label="Notes">
-                <Text_Input $type="textarea" $rows=5 />
+            <Form_Field $label="Notes">
+                <Text_Input $name="notes" $type="textarea" $rows=5 />
             </Form_Field>
 
-            <Form_Field $name="active" $label="&nbsp;">
-                <Checkbox_Input $label="Active Client" />
+            <Form_Field $label="&nbsp;">
+                <Checkbox_Input $name="active" $label="Active Client" />
             </Form_Field>
 
             <button type="button" class="btn btn-primary" id="save-btn">
diff --git a/app/RSpade/man/modals.txt b/app/RSpade/man/modals.txt
index 497c27372..c02a11a06 100755
--- a/app/RSpade/man/modals.txt
+++ b/app/RSpade/man/modals.txt
@@ -570,16 +570,16 @@ Full implementation showing modal class, form component, and page integration:
 2. Form Component (add_user_modal_form.jqhtml):
 
     <Define:Add_User_Modal_Form tag="div">
-        <Form_Field $name="email" $label="Email" $required=true>
-            <Text_Input $type="email" />
+        <Form_Field $label="Email" $required=true>
+            <Text_Input $name="email" $type="email" />
         </Form_Field>
 
-        <Form_Field $name="first_name" $label="First Name">
-            <Text_Input />
+        <Form_Field $label="First Name">
+            <Text_Input $name="first_name" />
         </Form_Field>
 
-        <Form_Field $name="last_name" $label="Last Name">
-            <Text_Input />
+        <Form_Field $label="Last Name">
+            <Text_Input $name="last_name" />
         </Form_Field>
     </Define:Add_User_Modal_Form>
 
diff --git a/app/RSpade/upstream_changes/form_input_abstract_12_29_2.txt b/app/RSpade/upstream_changes/form_input_abstract_12_29_2.txt
new file mode 100755
index 000000000..736da2fff
--- /dev/null
+++ b/app/RSpade/upstream_changes/form_input_abstract_12_29_2.txt
@@ -0,0 +1,100 @@
+# Form Input $name Migration
+
+**Date:** 2025-12-29
+**Affects:** All forms, all custom input components
+
+## Breaking Change
+
+The `$name` attribute now belongs on the **input component**, not on `Form_Field`.
+
+### Before (Old Pattern)
+```html
+<Form_Field $name="email" $label="Email Address" $required=true>
+    <Text_Input $placeholder="user@example.com" />
+</Form_Field>
+```
+
+### After (New Pattern)
+```html
+<Form_Field $label="Email Address" $required=true>
+    <Text_Input $name="email" $placeholder="user@example.com" />
+</Form_Field>
+```
+
+## Core Principle: Components Are Black Boxes
+
+The input component IS the input. The form system interacts with components through:
+- `data-name` attribute on the component's root element (set automatically by Form_Input_Abstract.on_create())
+- `val()` method for getting/setting values
+
+Internal elements are implementation details. The form system never looks inside components.
+
+## Migration Checklist
+
+### 1. Move $name from Form_Field to Input
+
+Find and update all forms:
+```bash
+grep -r '<Form_Field[^>]*\$name=' rsx/app --include="*.jqhtml" --include="*.blade.php"
+```
+
+### 2. Ensure extends="Form_Input_Abstract" on all input templates
+
+```html
+<Define:My_Custom_Input extends="Form_Input_Abstract">
+    ...
+</Define:My_Custom_Input>
+```
+
+Without this, `data-name` won't be set on the component root.
+
+### 3. Call super.on_create() in subclasses
+
+All input components overriding `on_create()` MUST call `super.on_create()`:
+
+```javascript
+class My_Input extends Form_Input_Abstract {
+    on_create() {
+        super.on_create();  // REQUIRED - sets data-name
+        // ... rest of initialization
+    }
+}
+```
+
+### 4. Remove name from internal elements
+
+Input components must NOT put `name` on internal elements:
+
+```html
+<!-- WRONG -->
+<input type="hidden" name="<%= this.args.name %>" />
+
+<!-- CORRECT - no name attribute, data-name is on component root -->
+<input type="hidden" $sid="hidden_input" />
+```
+
+### 5. Remove deprecated methods
+
+Remove any implementations of:
+- `_transform_value(value)` - no longer in base class
+- `seed()` - removed from Form_Input_Abstract contract
+
+## How It Works Now
+
+1. Input component receives `$name="email"` as argument
+2. `Form_Input_Abstract.on_create()` sets `data-name="email"` on component root
+3. `Form_Field` finds child `.Form_Input_Abstract` and reads its `data-name`
+4. `Rsx_Form.vals()` finds all `[data-name]` elements and calls `val()` on each
+
+## Validation
+
+After migration, verify:
+```bash
+# No $name on Form_Field
+grep -r '<Form_Field[^>]*\$name=' rsx/app --include="*.jqhtml"
+# Should return nothing
+
+# No name on internal elements
+grep -rn 'name="<%' rsx/theme/components/inputs --include="*.jqhtml"
+# Should return nothing
+```
diff --git a/docs/CLAUDE.dist.md b/docs/CLAUDE.dist.md
index 2345b8fcc..4257a8751 100644
--- a/docs/CLAUDE.dist.md
+++ b/docs/CLAUDE.dist.md
@@ -1078,7 +1078,8 @@ Detailed guidance for specific tasks is available via Claude Code skills. These
 | `migrations` | Raw SQL, make:migration:safe, forward-only |
 | `polymorphic` | Type refs, morphTo, Polymorphic_Field_Helper |
 
-Skills location: `~/.claude/skills/` (symlinked from `system/docs/skills/`)
+**Framework skills**: `~/.claude/skills/` (symlinked from `system/docs/skills/`) - READ-ONLY, do not modify
+**Project skills**: `/var/www/html/.claude/skills/` - Custom skills for this specific project go here
 
 ---
 
diff --git a/docs/skills/crud-patterns/SKILL.md b/docs/skills/crud-patterns/SKILL.md
index f868f0dc2..ec3fde83d 100755
--- a/docs/skills/crud-patterns/SKILL.md
+++ b/docs/skills/crud-patterns/SKILL.md
@@ -232,12 +232,12 @@ class Contacts_Edit_Action extends Spa_Action {
                   $data="<%= JSON.stringify(this.data.form_data) %>">
             <Form_Hidden_Field $name="id" />
 
-            <Form_Field $name="name" $label="Name" $required=true>
-                <Text_Input />
+            <Form_Field $label="Name" $required=true>
+                <Text_Input $name="name" />
             </Form_Field>
 
-            <Form_Field $name="email" $label="Email">
-                <Text_Input $type="email" />
+            <Form_Field $label="Email">
+                <Text_Input $name="email" $type="email" />
             </Form_Field>
 
             <button type="submit" class="btn btn-primary">
diff --git a/docs/skills/forms/SKILL.md b/docs/skills/forms/SKILL.md
index b7a5f9c1c..c47412b67 100755
--- a/docs/skills/forms/SKILL.md
+++ b/docs/skills/forms/SKILL.md
@@ -12,8 +12,8 @@ Forms use `<Rsx_Form>` with automatic data binding:
 ```jqhtml
 <Rsx_Form $data="<%= JSON.stringify(this.data.form_data) %>"
           $controller="Controller" $method="save">
-  <Form_Field $name="email" $label="Email" $required=true>
-    <Text_Input $type="email" />
+  <Form_Field $label="Email" $required=true>
+    <Text_Input $name="email" $type="email" />
   </Form_Field>
 
   <Form_Hidden_Field $name="id" />
@@ -84,13 +84,13 @@ Use Bootstrap grid for multi-column field layouts:
 ```jqhtml
 <div class="row">
     <div class="col-md-6">
-        <Form_Field $name="first_name" $label="First Name">
-            <Text_Input />
+        <Form_Field $label="First Name">
+            <Text_Input $name="first_name" />
         </Form_Field>
     </div>
     <div class="col-md-6">
-        <Form_Field $name="last_name" $label="Last Name">
-            <Text_Input />
+        <Form_Field $label="Last Name">
+            <Text_Input $name="last_name" />
         </Form_Field>
     </div>
 </div>