diff --git a/backend/app/__init__.py b/backend/app/__init__.py
index e747eb0..350a0e2 100644
--- a/backend/app/__init__.py
+++ b/backend/app/__init__.py
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@ from pathlib import Path
 
 from flask import Flask, jsonify, send_from_directory
 
-from backend.app.api import auth_bp, engagements_bp, simulations_bp, users_bp
+from backend.app.api import auth_bp, engagements_bp, simulations_bp, templates_bp, users_bp
 from backend.app.cli import register_cli
 from backend.app.config import Config, TestConfig
 from backend.app.errors import register_error_handlers
@@ -37,6 +37,7 @@ def create_app(config_object: object | None = None) -> Flask:
     app.register_blueprint(users_bp)
     app.register_blueprint(engagements_bp)
     app.register_blueprint(simulations_bp)
+    app.register_blueprint(templates_bp)
 
     from backend.app.services import mitre as mitre_svc
     mitre_svc.load_bundle()
diff --git a/backend/app/api/__init__.py b/backend/app/api/__init__.py
index 30dd1d2..780821a 100644
--- a/backend/app/api/__init__.py
+++ b/backend/app/api/__init__.py
@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@
 from backend.app.api.auth import auth_bp
 from backend.app.api.engagements import engagements_bp
 from backend.app.api.simulations import simulations_bp
+from backend.app.api.templates import templates_bp
 from backend.app.api.users import users_bp
 
-__all__ = ["auth_bp", "users_bp", "engagements_bp", "simulations_bp"]
+__all__ = ["auth_bp", "users_bp", "engagements_bp", "simulations_bp", "templates_bp"]
diff --git a/backend/app/api/simulations.py b/backend/app/api/simulations.py
index d5a2f2a..a384577 100644
--- a/backend/app/api/simulations.py
+++ b/backend/app/api/simulations.py
@@ -46,6 +46,7 @@ def create_simulation(eid: int):
     if not name:
         return jsonify({"error": "name is required"}), 400
 
+    template_id = data.get("template_id")
     sim = Simulation(
         engagement_id=eid,
         name=name,
@@ -53,6 +54,19 @@ def create_simulation(eid: int):
         created_at=datetime.now(UTC),
         created_by_id=g.current_user.id,
     )
+
+    if template_id is not None:
+        from backend.app.models.simulation_template import SimulationTemplate
+
+        tmpl = db.session.get(SimulationTemplate, template_id)
+        if tmpl is None:
+            return jsonify({"error": "Template not found"}), 404
+        sim.description = tmpl.description
+        sim.commands = tmpl.commands
+        sim.prerequisites = tmpl.prerequisites
+        sim.techniques = list(tmpl.techniques or [])
+        sim.tactic_ids = list(tmpl.tactic_ids or [])
+
     db.session.add(sim)
     db.session.commit()
     return jsonify(serialize_simulation(sim)), 201
diff --git a/backend/app/api/templates.py b/backend/app/api/templates.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..540a31d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/backend/app/api/templates.py
@@ -0,0 +1,143 @@
+"""SimulationTemplate CRUD endpoints — admin and redteam only."""
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+from datetime import UTC, datetime
+
+import sqlalchemy.exc
+from flask import Blueprint, g, jsonify, request
+
+from backend.app.auth import role_required
+from backend.app.extensions import db
+from backend.app.models.simulation_template import SimulationTemplate
+from backend.app.serializers import serialize_template
+from backend.app.services import mitre as mitre_svc
+from backend.app.services.simulation_workflow import (
+    _resolve_tactic_ids,
+    _resolve_technique_ids,
+)
+
+templates_bp = Blueprint("templates", __name__)
+
+_MUTABLE_FIELDS = {"name", "description", "commands", "prerequisites", "technique_ids", "tactic_ids"}
+
+
+@templates_bp.get("/api/templates")
+@role_required("admin", "redteam")
+def list_templates():
+    items = SimulationTemplate.query.order_by(SimulationTemplate.name).all()
+    return jsonify([serialize_template(t) for t in items]), 200
+
+
+@templates_bp.post("/api/templates")
+@role_required("admin", "redteam")
+def create_template():
+    data = request.get_json(silent=True) or {}
+    name = (data.get("name") or "").strip()
+    if not name:
+        return jsonify({"error": "name is required"}), 400
+
+    techniques: list[dict] = []
+    tactic_ids_val: list[str] = []
+
+    if "technique_ids" in data:
+        if not mitre_svc.mitre_loaded:
+            return jsonify({"error": "mitre bundle not loaded"}), 503
+        resolved, err = _resolve_technique_ids(data["technique_ids"])
+        if err is not None:
+            return err
+        techniques = resolved or []
+
+    if "tactic_ids" in data:
+        resolved_ta, err = _resolve_tactic_ids(data["tactic_ids"])
+        if err is not None:
+            return err
+        tactic_ids_val = resolved_ta or []
+
+    tmpl = SimulationTemplate(
+        name=name,
+        description=data.get("description"),
+        commands=data.get("commands"),
+        prerequisites=data.get("prerequisites"),
+        techniques=techniques,
+        tactic_ids=tactic_ids_val,
+        created_at=datetime.now(UTC),
+        created_by_id=g.current_user.id,
+    )
+    db.session.add(tmpl)
+    try:
+        db.session.commit()
+    except sqlalchemy.exc.IntegrityError:
+        db.session.rollback()
+        return jsonify({"error": "template name already exists"}), 409
+
+    return jsonify(serialize_template(tmpl)), 201
+
+
+@templates_bp.get("/api/templates/<int:tid>")
+@role_required("admin", "redteam")
+def get_template(tid: int):
+    tmpl = db.session.get(SimulationTemplate, tid)
+    if tmpl is None:
+        return jsonify({"error": "Template not found"}), 404
+    return jsonify(serialize_template(tmpl)), 200
+
+
+@templates_bp.patch("/api/templates/<int:tid>")
+@role_required("admin", "redteam")
+def update_template(tid: int):
+    tmpl = db.session.get(SimulationTemplate, tid)
+    if tmpl is None:
+        return jsonify({"error": "Template not found"}), 404
+
+    data = request.get_json(silent=True) or {}
+    unknown = set(data.keys()) - _MUTABLE_FIELDS
+    if unknown:
+        return jsonify({"error": f"unknown fields: {sorted(unknown)}"}), 400
+
+    if not data:
+        return jsonify(serialize_template(tmpl)), 200
+
+    if "name" in data:
+        name = (data["name"] or "").strip()
+        if not name:
+            return jsonify({"error": "name cannot be empty"}), 400
+        tmpl.name = name
+
+    for field in ("description", "commands", "prerequisites"):
+        if field in data:
+            setattr(tmpl, field, data[field])
+
+    if "technique_ids" in data:
+        if not mitre_svc.mitre_loaded:
+            return jsonify({"error": "mitre bundle not loaded"}), 503
+        resolved, err = _resolve_technique_ids(data["technique_ids"])
+        if err is not None:
+            return err
+        tmpl.techniques = resolved
+
+    if "tactic_ids" in data:
+        resolved_ta, err = _resolve_tactic_ids(data["tactic_ids"])
+        if err is not None:
+            return err
+        tmpl.tactic_ids = resolved_ta
+
+    tmpl.updated_at = datetime.now(UTC)
+
+    try:
+        db.session.commit()
+    except sqlalchemy.exc.IntegrityError:
+        db.session.rollback()
+        return jsonify({"error": "template name already exists"}), 409
+
+    return jsonify(serialize_template(tmpl)), 200
+
+
+@templates_bp.delete("/api/templates/<int:tid>")
+@role_required("admin", "redteam")
+def delete_template(tid: int):
+    tmpl = db.session.get(SimulationTemplate, tid)
+    if tmpl is None:
+        return jsonify({"error": "Template not found"}), 404
+    db.session.delete(tmpl)
+    db.session.commit()
+    return "", 204
diff --git a/backend/app/models/__init__.py b/backend/app/models/__init__.py
index ab026a8..e432347 100644
--- a/backend/app/models/__init__.py
+++ b/backend/app/models/__init__.py
@@ -1,6 +1,15 @@
 """SQLAlchemy models."""
 from backend.app.models.engagement import Engagement, EngagementStatus
 from backend.app.models.simulation import Simulation, SimulationStatus
+from backend.app.models.simulation_template import SimulationTemplate
 from backend.app.models.user import User, UserRole
 
-__all__ = ["User", "UserRole", "Engagement", "EngagementStatus", "Simulation", "SimulationStatus"]
+__all__ = [
+    "User",
+    "UserRole",
+    "Engagement",
+    "EngagementStatus",
+    "Simulation",
+    "SimulationStatus",
+    "SimulationTemplate",
+]
diff --git a/backend/app/models/simulation_template.py b/backend/app/models/simulation_template.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..5bf126a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/backend/app/models/simulation_template.py
@@ -0,0 +1,32 @@
+"""SimulationTemplate model."""
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+from datetime import UTC, datetime
+
+from backend.app.extensions import db
+
+
+class SimulationTemplate(db.Model):  # type: ignore[name-defined]
+    __tablename__ = "simulation_templates"
+
+    id = db.Column(db.Integer, primary_key=True)
+    name = db.Column(db.String(255), nullable=False, unique=True)
+    description = db.Column(db.Text, nullable=True)
+    commands = db.Column(db.Text, nullable=True)
+    prerequisites = db.Column(db.Text, nullable=True)
+    techniques = db.Column(db.JSON, nullable=False, default=list)
+    tactic_ids = db.Column(db.JSON, nullable=False, default=list)
+    created_at = db.Column(
+        db.DateTime, nullable=False, default=lambda: datetime.now(UTC)
+    )
+    updated_at = db.Column(db.DateTime, nullable=True)
+    created_by_id = db.Column(
+        db.Integer,
+        db.ForeignKey("users.id", ondelete="RESTRICT"),
+        nullable=False,
+    )
+
+    created_by = db.relationship("User", lazy="joined")
+
+    def __repr__(self) -> str:
+        return f"<SimulationTemplate {self.id} {self.name!r}>"
diff --git a/backend/app/serializers.py b/backend/app/serializers.py
index 41bf4d6..3f3a8dd 100644
--- a/backend/app/serializers.py
+++ b/backend/app/serializers.py
@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@ from typing import Any
 
 from backend.app.models import Engagement, User
 from backend.app.models.simulation import Simulation
+from backend.app.models.simulation_template import SimulationTemplate
 
 
 def serialize_user(user: User) -> dict[str, Any]:
@@ -69,6 +70,23 @@ def serialize_simulation(simulation: Simulation) -> dict[str, Any]:
     }
 
 
+def serialize_template(t: SimulationTemplate) -> dict[str, Any]:
+    return {
+        "id": t.id,
+        "name": t.name,
+        "description": t.description,
+        "commands": t.commands,
+        "prerequisites": t.prerequisites,
+        "techniques": _enrich_techniques(t.techniques or []),
+        "tactics": _enrich_tactics(t.tactic_ids or []),
+        "created_at": t.created_at.isoformat() if t.created_at else None,
+        "updated_at": t.updated_at.isoformat() if t.updated_at else None,
+        "created_by": serialize_user_brief(t.created_by)  # type: ignore[arg-type]
+        if t.created_by
+        else None,
+    }
+
+
 def serialize_engagement(engagement: Engagement) -> dict[str, Any]:
     return {
         "id": engagement.id,
diff --git a/backend/migrations/versions/0005_simulation_templates.py b/backend/migrations/versions/0005_simulation_templates.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..c392357
--- /dev/null
+++ b/backend/migrations/versions/0005_simulation_templates.py
@@ -0,0 +1,40 @@
+"""create simulation_templates table
+
+Revision ID: 0005
+Revises: 0004
+Create Date: 2026-05-28 00:00:00.000000
+"""
+import sqlalchemy as sa
+from alembic import op
+
+revision = "0005"
+down_revision = "0004"
+branch_labels = None
+depends_on = None
+
+
+def upgrade() -> None:
+    op.create_table(
+        "simulation_templates",
+        sa.Column("id", sa.Integer(), primary_key=True),
+        sa.Column("name", sa.String(length=255), nullable=False, unique=True),
+        sa.Column("description", sa.Text(), nullable=True),
+        sa.Column("commands", sa.Text(), nullable=True),
+        sa.Column("prerequisites", sa.Text(), nullable=True),
+        sa.Column("techniques", sa.JSON(), nullable=False, server_default=sa.text("'[]'")),
+        sa.Column("tactic_ids", sa.JSON(), nullable=False, server_default=sa.text("'[]'")),
+        sa.Column("created_at", sa.DateTime(), nullable=False),
+        sa.Column("updated_at", sa.DateTime(), nullable=True),
+        sa.Column(
+            "created_by_id",
+            sa.Integer(),
+            sa.ForeignKey("users.id", ondelete="RESTRICT"),
+            nullable=False,
+        ),
+    )
+    op.create_index("ix_simulation_templates_name", "simulation_templates", ["name"])
+
+
+def downgrade() -> None:
+    op.drop_index("ix_simulation_templates_name", "simulation_templates")
+    op.drop_table("simulation_templates")
diff --git a/backend/tests/test_simulation_templates_crud.py b/backend/tests/test_simulation_templates_crud.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..eb6dbb3
--- /dev/null
+++ b/backend/tests/test_simulation_templates_crud.py
@@ -0,0 +1,239 @@
+"""SimulationTemplate CRUD: list, create, get, patch, delete + RBAC + dedup."""
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+from flask.testing import FlaskClient
+
+from backend.app.extensions import db
+from backend.app.models import User
+from backend.app.models.simulation_template import SimulationTemplate
+from backend.tests.conftest import auth_headers as _h  # noqa: E402
+
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# Helpers
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+
+def _make_template(client: FlaskClient, token: str, **kw) -> dict:
+    payload = {"name": "Template Alpha", **kw}
+    resp = client.post("/api/templates", headers=_h(token), json=payload)
+    assert resp.status_code == 201, resp.get_json()
+    return resp.get_json()
+
+
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# List
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+
+def test_list_templates_empty(client: FlaskClient, admin_token: str) -> None:
+    resp = client.get("/api/templates", headers=_h(admin_token))
+    assert resp.status_code == 200
+    assert resp.get_json() == []
+
+
+def test_list_templates_soc_forbidden(client: FlaskClient, soc_token: str) -> None:
+    resp = client.get("/api/templates", headers=_h(soc_token))
+    assert resp.status_code == 403
+
+
+def test_list_templates_unauthenticated(client: FlaskClient) -> None:
+    resp = client.get("/api/templates")
+    assert resp.status_code == 401
+
+
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# Create
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+
+def test_create_template_as_admin(
+    client: FlaskClient, admin_user: User, admin_token: str
+) -> None:
+    body = _make_template(
+        client,
+        admin_token,
+        description="desc",
+        commands="cmd",
+        prerequisites="prereq",
+    )
+    assert body["name"] == "Template Alpha"
+    assert body["description"] == "desc"
+    assert body["commands"] == "cmd"
+    assert body["prerequisites"] == "prereq"
+    assert body["techniques"] == []
+    assert body["tactics"] == []
+    assert body["created_by"] == {"id": admin_user.id, "username": "admin1"}
+    assert body["id"] is not None
+
+
+def test_create_template_as_redteam(
+    client: FlaskClient, redteam_user: User, redteam_token: str
+) -> None:
+    body = _make_template(client, redteam_token)
+    assert body["created_by"]["username"] == "redteam1"
+
+
+def test_create_template_soc_forbidden(client: FlaskClient, soc_token: str) -> None:
+    resp = client.post(
+        "/api/templates", headers=_h(soc_token), json={"name": "T"}
+    )
+    assert resp.status_code == 403
+
+
+def test_create_template_missing_name(client: FlaskClient, admin_token: str) -> None:
+    resp = client.post("/api/templates", headers=_h(admin_token), json={})
+    assert resp.status_code == 400
+    assert "name" in resp.get_json()["error"]
+
+
+def test_create_template_duplicate_name_409(
+    client: FlaskClient, admin_token: str
+) -> None:
+    _make_template(client, admin_token)
+    resp = client.post(
+        "/api/templates", headers=_h(admin_token), json={"name": "Template Alpha"}
+    )
+    assert resp.status_code == 409
+    assert "already exists" in resp.get_json()["error"]
+
+
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# Get single
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+
+def test_get_template(client: FlaskClient, admin_token: str) -> None:
+    created = _make_template(client, admin_token)
+    resp = client.get(f"/api/templates/{created['id']}", headers=_h(admin_token))
+    assert resp.status_code == 200
+    assert resp.get_json()["id"] == created["id"]
+
+
+def test_get_template_not_found(client: FlaskClient, admin_token: str) -> None:
+    resp = client.get("/api/templates/9999", headers=_h(admin_token))
+    assert resp.status_code == 404
+
+
+def test_get_template_soc_forbidden(
+    client: FlaskClient, admin_token: str, soc_token: str
+) -> None:
+    created = _make_template(client, admin_token)
+    resp = client.get(f"/api/templates/{created['id']}", headers=_h(soc_token))
+    assert resp.status_code == 403
+
+
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# Patch
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+
+def test_patch_template_name(client: FlaskClient, admin_token: str) -> None:
+    created = _make_template(client, admin_token)
+    resp = client.patch(
+        f"/api/templates/{created['id']}",
+        headers=_h(admin_token),
+        json={"name": "Renamed"},
+    )
+    assert resp.status_code == 200
+    assert resp.get_json()["name"] == "Renamed"
+    assert resp.get_json()["updated_at"] is not None
+
+
+def test_patch_template_empty_name_rejected(
+    client: FlaskClient, admin_token: str
+) -> None:
+    created = _make_template(client, admin_token)
+    resp = client.patch(
+        f"/api/templates/{created['id']}",
+        headers=_h(admin_token),
+        json={"name": ""},
+    )
+    assert resp.status_code == 400
+
+
+def test_patch_template_unknown_field_rejected(
+    client: FlaskClient, admin_token: str
+) -> None:
+    created = _make_template(client, admin_token)
+    resp = client.patch(
+        f"/api/templates/{created['id']}",
+        headers=_h(admin_token),
+        json={"bogus_field": "x"},
+    )
+    assert resp.status_code == 400
+    assert "unknown fields" in resp.get_json()["error"]
+
+
+def test_patch_template_duplicate_name_409(
+    client: FlaskClient, admin_token: str
+) -> None:
+    _make_template(client, admin_token, name="T1")
+    t2 = _make_template(client, admin_token, name="T2")
+    resp = client.patch(
+        f"/api/templates/{t2['id']}",
+        headers=_h(admin_token),
+        json={"name": "T1"},
+    )
+    assert resp.status_code == 409
+
+
+def test_patch_template_soc_forbidden(
+    client: FlaskClient, admin_token: str, soc_token: str
+) -> None:
+    created = _make_template(client, admin_token)
+    resp = client.patch(
+        f"/api/templates/{created['id']}",
+        headers=_h(soc_token),
+        json={"name": "X"},
+    )
+    assert resp.status_code == 403
+
+
+def test_patch_template_not_found(client: FlaskClient, admin_token: str) -> None:
+    resp = client.patch(
+        "/api/templates/9999", headers=_h(admin_token), json={"name": "X"}
+    )
+    assert resp.status_code == 404
+
+
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# Delete
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+
+def test_delete_template(
+    client: FlaskClient, app, admin_token: str
+) -> None:
+    created = _make_template(client, admin_token)
+    resp = client.delete(f"/api/templates/{created['id']}", headers=_h(admin_token))
+    assert resp.status_code == 204
+    with app.app_context():
+        assert db.session.get(SimulationTemplate, created["id"]) is None
+
+
+def test_delete_template_not_found(client: FlaskClient, admin_token: str) -> None:
+    resp = client.delete("/api/templates/9999", headers=_h(admin_token))
+    assert resp.status_code == 404
+
+
+def test_delete_template_soc_forbidden(
+    client: FlaskClient, admin_token: str, soc_token: str
+) -> None:
+    created = _make_template(client, admin_token)
+    resp = client.delete(f"/api/templates/{created['id']}", headers=_h(soc_token))
+    assert resp.status_code == 403
+
+
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# List returns ordered by name
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+
+def test_list_templates_ordered_by_name(
+    client: FlaskClient, admin_token: str
+) -> None:
+    for name in ("Zebra", "Alpha", "Midpoint"):
+        _make_template(client, admin_token, name=name)
+    body = client.get("/api/templates", headers=_h(admin_token)).get_json()
+    names = [t["name"] for t in body]
+    assert names == sorted(names)
diff --git a/backend/tests/test_simulations_from_template.py b/backend/tests/test_simulations_from_template.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..1f6a0d6
--- /dev/null
+++ b/backend/tests/test_simulations_from_template.py
@@ -0,0 +1,195 @@
+"""Tests for creating simulations from a template (POST /api/engagements/<eid>/simulations)."""
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+from pathlib import Path
+
+from alembic.operations import Operations
+from alembic.runtime.migration import MigrationContext
+from flask.testing import FlaskClient
+from sqlalchemy import create_engine, text
+
+from backend.tests.conftest import auth_headers as _h
+
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# Helpers
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+
+def _make_engagement(client: FlaskClient, token: str) -> dict:
+    resp = client.post(
+        "/api/engagements",
+        headers=_h(token),
+        json={"name": "Op Bravo", "start_date": "2026-06-01"},
+    )
+    assert resp.status_code == 201, resp.get_json()
+    return resp.get_json()
+
+
+def _make_template(client: FlaskClient, token: str, **kw) -> dict:
+    payload = {"name": "Base Template", **kw}
+    resp = client.post("/api/templates", headers=_h(token), json=payload)
+    assert resp.status_code == 201, resp.get_json()
+    return resp.get_json()
+
+
+def _make_sim(client: FlaskClient, token: str, eid: int, **kw) -> dict:
+    payload = {"name": "Sim From Template", **kw}
+    resp = client.post(
+        f"/api/engagements/{eid}/simulations", headers=_h(token), json=payload
+    )
+    assert resp.status_code == 201, resp.get_json()
+    return resp.get_json()
+
+
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# Instantiation
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+
+def test_create_simulation_from_template_copies_fields(
+    client: FlaskClient, admin_token: str
+) -> None:
+    eng = _make_engagement(client, admin_token)
+    tmpl = _make_template(
+        client,
+        admin_token,
+        description="template desc",
+        commands="template cmd",
+        prerequisites="template prereq",
+    )
+    sim = _make_sim(client, admin_token, eng["id"], template_id=tmpl["id"])
+
+    assert sim["description"] == "template desc"
+    assert sim["commands"] == "template cmd"
+    assert sim["prerequisites"] == "template prereq"
+    assert sim["techniques"] == []
+    assert sim["tactics"] == []
+    assert sim["status"] == "pending"
+
+
+def test_create_simulation_name_overrides_template(
+    client: FlaskClient, admin_token: str
+) -> None:
+    eng = _make_engagement(client, admin_token)
+    tmpl = _make_template(client, admin_token)
+    sim = _make_sim(
+        client, admin_token, eng["id"], name="Custom Name", template_id=tmpl["id"]
+    )
+    assert sim["name"] == "Custom Name"
+
+
+def test_create_simulation_template_not_found(
+    client: FlaskClient, admin_token: str
+) -> None:
+    eng = _make_engagement(client, admin_token)
+    resp = client.post(
+        f"/api/engagements/{eng['id']}/simulations",
+        headers=_h(admin_token),
+        json={"name": "S", "template_id": 9999},
+    )
+    assert resp.status_code == 404
+    assert "Template not found" in resp.get_json()["error"]
+
+
+def test_create_simulation_without_template_unaffected(
+    client: FlaskClient, admin_token: str
+) -> None:
+    eng = _make_engagement(client, admin_token)
+    sim = _make_sim(client, admin_token, eng["id"])
+    assert sim["description"] is None
+    assert sim["commands"] is None
+    assert sim["prerequisites"] is None
+
+
+def test_create_simulation_from_template_status_is_pending(
+    client: FlaskClient, admin_token: str
+) -> None:
+    eng = _make_engagement(client, admin_token)
+    tmpl = _make_template(client, admin_token)
+    sim = _make_sim(client, admin_token, eng["id"], template_id=tmpl["id"])
+    assert sim["status"] == "pending"
+
+
+def test_delete_template_does_not_cascade_to_simulations(
+    client: FlaskClient, admin_token: str
+) -> None:
+    eng = _make_engagement(client, admin_token)
+    tmpl = _make_template(client, admin_token)
+    sim = _make_sim(client, admin_token, eng["id"], template_id=tmpl["id"])
+    sid = sim["id"]
+
+    # Delete the template.
+    del_resp = client.delete(
+        f"/api/templates/{tmpl['id']}", headers=_h(admin_token)
+    )
+    assert del_resp.status_code == 204
+
+    # Simulation must still be retrievable.
+    get_resp = client.get(f"/api/simulations/{sid}", headers=_h(admin_token))
+    assert get_resp.status_code == 200
+    assert get_resp.get_json()["id"] == sid
+
+
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# Migration round-trip
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+
+def test_migration_0005_round_trip() -> None:
+    engine = create_engine("sqlite:///:memory:")
+    migration_file = (
+        Path(__file__).parent.parent
+        / "migrations"
+        / "versions"
+        / "0005_simulation_templates.py"
+    )
+
+    import importlib.util
+
+    spec = importlib.util.spec_from_file_location("m0005", migration_file)
+    assert spec is not None
+    module = importlib.util.module_from_spec(spec)
+    assert spec.loader is not None
+    spec.loader.exec_module(module)  # type: ignore[union-attr]
+
+    with engine.begin() as conn:
+        ctx = MigrationContext.configure(conn)
+        import alembic.op as op_module
+
+        op_module._proxy = Operations(ctx)  # type: ignore[attr-defined]
+
+        # Create users table (FK dependency).
+        conn.execute(
+            text(
+                "CREATE TABLE users ("
+                "id INTEGER PRIMARY KEY, "
+                "username TEXT NOT NULL, "
+                "password_hash TEXT NOT NULL, "
+                "role TEXT NOT NULL DEFAULT 'redteam', "
+                "created_at DATETIME"
+                ")"
+            )
+        )
+
+        module.upgrade()
+
+        tables_after = conn.execute(
+            text("SELECT name FROM sqlite_master WHERE type='table'")
+        ).fetchall()
+        table_names = {r[0] for r in tables_after}
+        assert "simulation_templates" in table_names
+
+        cols = conn.execute(
+            text("PRAGMA table_info(simulation_templates)")
+        ).fetchall()
+        col_names = {c[1] for c in cols}
+        for expected in ("id", "name", "techniques", "tactic_ids", "created_by_id"):
+            assert expected in col_names, f"missing column: {expected}"
+
+        module.downgrade()
+
+        tables_after_down = conn.execute(
+            text("SELECT name FROM sqlite_master WHERE type='table'")
+        ).fetchall()
+        table_names_down = {r[0] for r in tables_after_down}
+        assert "simulation_templates" not in table_names_down