diff --git a/contracts/tipstream.clar b/contracts/tipstream.clar
index 759ccc4a..75e2aa32 100644
--- a/contracts/tipstream.clar
+++ b/contracts/tipstream.clar
@@ -1,6 +1,10 @@
 ;; TipStream - Micro-tipping platform on Stacks
 ;; Version: 1.0.0
 
+;; Version Tracking
+(define-constant contract-version u1)
+(define-constant contract-name "tipstream-core")
+
 ;; Constants
 (define-constant err-owner-only (err u100))
 (define-constant err-invalid-amount (err u101))
@@ -407,3 +411,7 @@
 (define-read-only (get-multiple-user-stats (users (list 20 principal)))
     (ok (map get-user-stats users))
 )
+
+(define-read-only (get-contract-version)
+    (ok { version: contract-version, name: contract-name })
+)
diff --git a/docs/CONTRACT-UPGRADE-STRATEGY.md b/docs/CONTRACT-UPGRADE-STRATEGY.md
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..c60bc46a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/docs/CONTRACT-UPGRADE-STRATEGY.md
@@ -0,0 +1,104 @@
+# Contract Upgrade Strategy
+
+## Overview
+
+Clarity smart contracts on Stacks are immutable once deployed. This document outlines the upgrade and migration strategy for TipStream contracts.
+
+## Version Tracking
+
+Each contract includes version metadata accessible via read-only functions:
+
+```clarity
+(get-contract-version) ;; Returns { version: u1, name: "tipstream-core" }
+```
+
+All deployments should increment the version constant before deploying a new contract instance.
+
+## Upgrade Approaches
+
+### 1. Parallel Deployment (Recommended)
+
+Deploy a new contract alongside the existing one. Both contracts remain functional during the transition period.
+
+**Steps:**
+
+1. Deploy the new contract with an incremented version number
+2. Update the frontend `contracts.js` configuration to point to the new contract address
+3. Build a migration UI that reads historical data from the old contract and displays it alongside new contract data
+4. Announce the migration timeline to users
+5. After the transition period, deprecate the old contract in the UI
+
+**Advantages:**
+- Zero downtime for users
+- Old contract data remains accessible on-chain permanently
+- Users can verify both contracts independently
+
+**Limitations:**
+- User statistics (tip counts, volumes) do not carry over automatically
+- Platform-wide stats reset on the new contract
+
+### 2. Proxy Pattern
+
+Use a data-only contract for storage and a separate logic contract for operations. Upgrading means deploying a new logic contract and pointing the data contract to it.
+
+**Architecture:**
+
+```
+tipstream-data.clar    (stores all maps and data vars)
+tipstream-logic-v1.clar (current business logic)
+tipstream-logic-v2.clar (upgraded business logic)
+```
+
+The data contract accepts calls only from an authorized logic contract, which the owner can update.
+
+**Advantages:**
+- State is preserved across upgrades
+- Seamless transition for users
+
+**Limitations:**
+- Adds complexity and gas costs to every transaction
+- Requires careful access control between data and logic contracts
+- Must be designed from the start; retrofitting is not practical
+
+### 3. Accept Immutability
+
+For the current deployment, the contracts are immutable. The focus should be on:
+
+- Thorough testing before deployment (29+ automated tests currently)
+- Time-locked admin changes (144-block delay for sensitive operations)
+- Multi-sig governance to prevent unilateral changes
+- Conservative fee limits (capped at 10%)
+
+## Current Contract Addresses
+
+| Contract | Network | Address |
+|----------|---------|---------|
+| tipstream | Mainnet | SP31PKQVQZVZCK3FM3NH67CGD6G1FMR17VQVS2W5T.tipstream |
+
+## Migration Checklist
+
+When deploying a new contract version:
+
+- [ ] Increment `contract-version` constant
+- [ ] Run full test suite against the new contract
+- [ ] Deploy to testnet and verify all functions
+- [ ] Deploy to mainnet
+- [ ] Update `frontend/src/config/contracts.js` with new address
+- [ ] Update deployment documentation
+- [ ] Communicate changes to users via changelog
+- [ ] Monitor the new contract for the first 24-48 hours
+
+## Data Preservation
+
+All historical data remains on-chain permanently in the original contract. Read-only functions like `get-tip`, `get-user-stats`, and `get-platform-stats` continue to work on deprecated contracts. The frontend can aggregate data from multiple contract versions if needed.
+
+## Emergency Procedures
+
+If a critical vulnerability is discovered in the deployed contract:
+
+1. Use `set-paused` to halt all tipping operations immediately
+2. If multi-sig is configured, coordinate with signers to pause
+3. Assess the vulnerability and develop a fix
+4. Deploy a patched contract with an incremented version
+5. Follow the parallel deployment migration process
+6. Unpause the old contract only if it is safe and users still need access