diff --git a/app/contract/Cargo.lock b/app/contract/Cargo.lock
index d36c03a78..52e49599d 100644
--- a/app/contract/Cargo.lock
+++ b/app/contract/Cargo.lock
@@ -2,17 +2,6 @@
 # It is not intended for manual editing.
 version = 4
 
-[[package]]
-name = "RustAcademy"
-version = "0.1.0"
-dependencies = [
- "blake3",
- "hex",
- "proptest",
- "serde_json",
- "soroban-sdk",
-]
-
 [[package]]
 name = "ahash"
 version = "0.8.12"
@@ -628,9 +617,9 @@ checksum = "2bfcf67fea2815c2fc3b90873fae90957be12ff417335dfadc7f52927feb03b2"
 
 [[package]]
 name = "ethnum"
-version = "1.5.2"
+version = "1.5.3"
 source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
-checksum = "ca81e6b4777c89fd810c25a4be2b1bd93ea034fbe58e6a75216a34c6b82c539b"
+checksum = "40404c3f5f511ec4da6fe866ddf6a717c309fdbb69fbbad7b0f3edab8f2e835f"
 
 [[package]]
 name = "ff"
@@ -1154,6 +1143,17 @@ dependencies = [
  "subtle",
 ]
 
+[[package]]
+name = "rust_academy"
+version = "0.1.0"
+dependencies = [
+ "blake3",
+ "hex",
+ "proptest",
+ "serde_json",
+ "soroban-sdk",
+]
+
 [[package]]
 name = "rustc_version"
 version = "0.4.1"
diff --git a/app/contract/contracts/Folder/src/coverage_test.rs b/app/contract/contracts/Folder/src/coverage_test.rs
index 2d4f12701..05d0ad3e9 100644
--- a/app/contract/contracts/Folder/src/coverage_test.rs
+++ b/app/contract/contracts/Folder/src/coverage_test.rs
@@ -368,7 +368,7 @@ fn test_demo_expiry_and_refund_under_10_lines() {
 /// Privacy toggle and balance privacy using TestContext in ≤ 10 lines.
 #[test]
 fn test_demo_privacy_toggle_under_10_lines() {
-    let ctx = TestContext::new(); // 1
+    let ctx = TestContext::with_admin(); // 1 — set_privacy requires initialization
     assert!(!ctx.client.get_privacy(&ctx.alice)); // 2
     ctx.client.set_privacy(&ctx.alice, &true); // 3
     assert!(ctx.client.get_privacy(&ctx.alice)); // 4
diff --git a/app/contract/contracts/Folder/src/lib.rs b/app/contract/contracts/Folder/src/lib.rs
index ec49c2f89..5bc07fb77 100644
--- a/app/contract/contracts/Folder/src/lib.rs
+++ b/app/contract/contracts/Folder/src/lib.rs
@@ -219,17 +219,24 @@ impl RustAcademyContract {
 
     /// Enable or disable privacy for an account.
     ///
+    /// Access: **owner** — `owner` must authorize the call. Gated by the
+    /// [`PauseFlag::SetPrivacy`] feature flag. The auth check is enforced
+    /// inside [`privacy::set_privacy`].
+    ///
     /// # Arguments
     /// * `env` - The contract environment
-    /// * `owner` - The account address to configure
+    /// * `owner` - The account address to configure (must authorize)
     /// * `enabled` - `true` to enable privacy, `false` to disable
     ///
     /// # Errors
-    /// * `ContractPaused` - Contract is currently paused
+    /// * `Unauthorized` - Contract is not initialized
+    /// * `OperationPaused` - The `SetPrivacy` feature is paused
     /// * `PrivacyAlreadySet` - Privacy state is already at the requested value
     pub fn set_privacy(env: Env, owner: Address, enabled: bool) -> Result<(), RustAcademyError> {
+        // guard_initialized ensures the contract is properly set up before any
+        // state is mutated. Owner auth is enforced inside privacy::set_privacy.
         admin::guard_initialized(&env)?;
-        if is_feature_paused(&env, PauseFlag::SetPrivacy) {
+        if storage::is_feature_paused(&env, PauseFlag::SetPrivacy) {
             return Err(RustAcademyError::OperationPaused);
         }
         privacy::set_privacy(&env, owner, enabled)
@@ -359,13 +366,20 @@ impl RustAcademyContract {
     /// Returns the new counter value. Parameters `_from`, `_to`, `_amount` are reserved for
     /// future use; the implementation only increments the counter.
     ///
+    /// Access: requires initialized contract. Gated by `guard_initialized` to prevent
+    /// counter manipulation on an uninitialized deployment.
+    ///
     /// # Arguments
     /// * `env` - The contract environment
     /// * `_from` - Reserved (depositor address for future use)
     /// * `_to` - Reserved (recipient address for future use)
     /// * `_amount` - Reserved (amount for future use)
-    pub fn create_escrow(env: Env, _from: Address, _to: Address, _amount: u64) -> u64 {
-        increment_escrow_counter(&env)
+    ///
+    /// # Errors
+    /// * `Unauthorized` - Contract has not been initialized
+    pub fn create_escrow(env: Env, _from: Address, _to: Address, _amount: u64) -> Result<u64, RustAcademyError> {
+        admin::guard_initialized(&env)?;
+        Ok(increment_escrow_counter(&env))
     }
 
     /// Health check for deployment and monitoring.
@@ -572,7 +586,7 @@ impl RustAcademyContract {
         env: Env,
         stealth_address: BytesN<32>,
     ) -> Result<(), RustAcademyError> {
-        admin::require_initialized(&env)?;
+        admin::guard_initialized(&env)?;
         stealth::cleanup_stealth_escrow(&env, stealth_address)
     }
 
@@ -873,13 +887,6 @@ impl RustAcademyContract {
         admin::set_paused(&env, caller, new_state)
     }
 
-    /// Check if the function is currently paused.
-    ///
-    /// Returns `true` if paused, `false` otherwise.
-    pub fn is_feature_paused(env: &Env, flag: PauseFlag) -> bool {
-        storage::is_feature_paused(env, flag)
-    }
-
     /// Pause a function in the contract (**Admin only**).
     ///
     /// When paused, the particular operations is blocked. Caller must equal the stored admin.
diff --git a/app/contract/contracts/Folder/src/role_test.rs b/app/contract/contracts/Folder/src/role_test.rs
index 49b124ada..70ba1e6dd 100644
--- a/app/contract/contracts/Folder/src/role_test.rs
+++ b/app/contract/contracts/Folder/src/role_test.rs
@@ -234,4 +234,205 @@ fn test_gated_privacy_and_commitment_work_when_unpaused() {
     let _ = ctx
         .client
         .create_amount_commitment(&ctx.alice, &1_000i128, &salt);
+}
+
+// ============================================================================
+// Issue #53 — standardized guard helper coverage
+// ============================================================================
+
+/// `set_privacy` requires the owner to authorize — succeeds when called by the owner.
+#[test]
+fn test_set_privacy_requires_owner_auth() {
+    let ctx = TestContext::with_admin();
+    // In tests all auths are mocked; calling set_privacy with alice means alice
+    // authorizes her own address, which must succeed.
+    let res = ctx.client.try_set_privacy(&ctx.alice, &true);
+    assert!(res.is_ok(), "owner should be allowed to set their own privacy");
+}
+
+/// `set_privacy` is rejected when the contract has not been initialized.
+#[test]
+fn test_set_privacy_blocked_when_uninitialized() {
+    // TestContext::new() does NOT call initialize()
+    let ctx = TestContext::new();
+    let res = ctx.client.try_set_privacy(&ctx.alice, &true);
+    assert!(
+        res.is_err(),
+        "set_privacy must be blocked before contract is initialized"
+    );
+}
+
+/// `create_escrow` is gated by `guard_initialized` and fails before initialization.
+#[test]
+fn test_create_escrow_blocked_when_uninitialized() {
+    let ctx = TestContext::new();
+    let res = ctx.client.try_create_escrow(&ctx.alice, &ctx.bob, &100u64);
+    assert!(
+        res.is_err(),
+        "create_escrow must fail when the contract is not initialized"
+    );
+}
+
+/// `create_escrow` succeeds after the contract is initialized and increments the counter.
+#[test]
+fn test_create_escrow_works_when_initialized() {
+    let ctx = TestContext::with_admin();
+    let counter = ctx.client.create_escrow(&ctx.alice, &ctx.bob, &0u64);
+    assert_eq!(counter, 1u64, "first create_escrow call should return counter = 1");
+}
+
+/// `cleanup_stealth_escrow` uses `guard_initialized` — blocked before init.
+#[test]
+fn test_cleanup_stealth_escrow_blocked_when_uninitialized() {
+    let ctx = TestContext::new();
+    let dummy: soroban_sdk::BytesN<32> = soroban_sdk::BytesN::from_array(&ctx.env, &[0u8; 32]);
+    let res = ctx.client.try_cleanup_stealth_escrow(&dummy);
+    assert!(
+        res.is_err(),
+        "cleanup_stealth_escrow must fail when contract is not initialized"
+    );
+}
+
+/// Deposit is blocked by the global pause flag (tests `guard_deposit`).
+#[test]
+fn test_deposit_blocked_when_globally_paused() {
+    let ctx = TestContext::with_admin();
+    ctx.client.set_paused(&ctx.admin, &true);
+
+    ctx.mint(&ctx.alice, 1000);
+    let res = ctx.client.try_deposit(
+        &ctx.token,
+        &1000i128,
+        &ctx.alice,
+        &ctx.salt(b"paused"),
+        &0u64,
+        &None,
+    );
+    assert!(
+        res.is_err(),
+        "deposit must be blocked when the contract is globally paused"
+    );
+}
+
+/// Deposit is blocked by the feature-level pause flag (tests `guard_deposit` feature gate).
+#[test]
+fn test_deposit_blocked_when_deposit_feature_paused() {
+    let ctx = TestContext::with_admin();
+    ctx.client
+        .pause_features(&ctx.admin, &(storage::PauseFlag::Deposit as u64));
+
+    ctx.mint(&ctx.alice, 1000);
+    let res = ctx.client.try_deposit(
+        &ctx.token,
+        &1000i128,
+        &ctx.alice,
+        &ctx.salt(b"feat_paused"),
+        &0u64,
+        &None,
+    );
+    assert!(
+        res.is_err(),
+        "deposit must be blocked when the Deposit feature flag is paused"
+    );
+}
+
+/// Deposit is blocked in emergency mode (tests that `guard_deposit` includes emergency check).
+#[test]
+fn test_deposit_blocked_in_emergency_mode() {
+    let ctx = TestContext::with_admin();
+    ctx.client.activate_emergency_mode(&ctx.admin);
+
+    ctx.mint(&ctx.alice, 1000);
+    let res = ctx.client.try_deposit(
+        &ctx.token,
+        &1000i128,
+        &ctx.alice,
+        &ctx.salt(b"emergency_deposit"),
+        &0u64,
+        &None,
+    );
+    assert!(
+        res.is_err(),
+        "deposit must be blocked in emergency mode"
+    );
+}
+
+/// Refund is blocked when the global pause flag is set (tests `guard_refund`).
+#[test]
+fn test_refund_blocked_when_globally_paused() {
+    let ctx = TestContext::with_admin();
+
+    ctx.mint(&ctx.alice, 500);
+    let commitment = ctx.client.deposit(
+        &ctx.token,
+        &500i128,
+        &ctx.alice,
+        &ctx.salt(b"refund_pause"),
+        &1u64, // 1 second timeout
+        &None,
+    );
+
+    // Advance time past expiry
+    ctx.advance_time(100);
+
+    // Now pause
+    ctx.client.set_paused(&ctx.admin, &true);
+
+    let res = ctx.client.try_refund(&commitment, &ctx.alice);
+    assert!(
+        res.is_err(),
+        "refund must be blocked when the contract is globally paused"
+    );
+}
+
+/// Dispute operations are blocked when the contract is globally paused (tests `guard_dispute`).
+#[test]
+fn test_dispute_blocked_when_globally_paused() {
+    let ctx = TestContext::with_admin();
+    let arbiter = Address::generate(&ctx.env);
+
+    ctx.mint(&ctx.alice, 1000);
+    let commitment = ctx.client.deposit(
+        &ctx.token,
+        &1000i128,
+        &ctx.alice,
+        &ctx.salt(b"dispute_pause"),
+        &0u64,
+        &Some(arbiter.clone()),
+    );
+
+    ctx.client.set_paused(&ctx.admin, &true);
+
+    let res = ctx.client.try_dispute(&commitment);
+    assert!(
+        res.is_err(),
+        "dispute must be blocked when the contract is globally paused"
+    );
+}
+
+/// Admin configuration calls are blocked in emergency mode (tests `guard_admin_config`).
+#[test]
+fn test_set_paused_blocked_in_emergency_mode() {
+    let ctx = TestContext::with_admin();
+    ctx.client.activate_emergency_mode(&ctx.admin);
+
+    let res = ctx.client.try_set_paused(&ctx.admin, &false);
+    assert!(
+        res.is_err(),
+        "set_paused must be blocked once emergency mode is active"
+    );
+}
+
+/// `guard_initialized` returns Unauthorized when the contract is not yet initialized.
+#[test]
+fn test_guard_initialized_blocks_uninitialized_ops() {
+    let ctx = TestContext::new();
+
+    // cleanup_escrow uses guard_initialized
+    let dummy: soroban_sdk::BytesN<32> = soroban_sdk::BytesN::from_array(&ctx.env, &[1u8; 32]);
+    let res = ctx.client.try_cleanup_escrow(&dummy);
+    assert!(
+        res.is_err(),
+        "cleanup_escrow must fail on an uninitialized contract"
+    );
 }
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/app/contract/contracts/Folder/src/test.rs b/app/contract/contracts/Folder/src/test.rs
index 50c232962..bbc1872ed 100644
--- a/app/contract/contracts/Folder/src/test.rs
+++ b/app/contract/contracts/Folder/src/test.rs
@@ -729,6 +729,8 @@ fn test_commitment_cycle() {
 #[test]
 fn test_create_escrow() {
     let (env, client) = setup();
+    let admin = Address::generate(&env);
+    client.initialize(&admin);
     let from = Address::generate(&env);
     let to = Address::generate(&env);
     let amount = 1_000;