diff --git a/client/scripts/autoloads/input_mapper.gd b/client/scripts/autoloads/input_mapper.gd
index 655a632c9..eb4f7cf6e 100644
--- a/client/scripts/autoloads/input_mapper.gd
+++ b/client/scripts/autoloads/input_mapper.gd
@@ -117,6 +117,8 @@ func _process(_delta: float) -> void:
 
 # Discrete actions: fire once on key press (not held).
 func _unhandled_input(event: InputEvent) -> void:
+	if GameState.dialogue_active or GameState.free_camera_mode:
+		return
 	var action: Action = -1
 
 	if event.is_action_pressed("interact"):
diff --git a/client/scripts/main.gd b/client/scripts/main.gd
index 202253104..46a20f5c6 100644
--- a/client/scripts/main.gd
+++ b/client/scripts/main.gd
@@ -210,9 +210,11 @@ func _unhandled_key_input(event: InputEvent) -> void:
 	if not (event is InputEventKey) or not event.is_pressed() or event.is_echo():
 		return
 	var key_event := event as InputEventKey
-	# #898: F4 toggles free camera mode.
-	if key_event.physical_keycode == KEY_F4:
+	# #898: F4 toggles free camera mode. Reset zoom to 1:1 on exit.
+	if Input.is_action_just_pressed("free_camera"):
 		GameState.free_camera_mode = not GameState.free_camera_mode
+		if not GameState.free_camera_mode:
+			camera.zoom = Vector2.ONE
 		return
 	# Registry-driven toggle: each manifest declares its own default_key.
 	for manifest: ImplantAppManifest in ImplantRegistry.get_manifests():
diff --git a/client/tests/test_free_camera.gd b/client/tests/test_free_camera.gd
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..2952c6aa9
--- /dev/null
+++ b/client/tests/test_free_camera.gd
@@ -0,0 +1,88 @@
+## Free camera mode tests (#898).
+## Covers GameState flag default, InputMapper suppression, and zoom clamping.
+class_name TestFreeCamera
+extends GdUnitTestSuite
+
+
+func before_test() -> void:
+	GameState.free_camera_mode = false
+
+
+func after_test() -> void:
+	GameState.free_camera_mode = false
+
+
+# -- GameState.free_camera_mode default ----------------------------------------
+
+func test_free_camera_mode_starts_false() -> void:
+	## #898: Free camera is off by default — normal gameplay on startup.
+	assert_bool(GameState.free_camera_mode).override_failure_message(
+		"GameState.free_camera_mode must default to false"
+	).is_false()
+
+
+# -- InputMapper suppression ---------------------------------------------------
+
+func test_input_mapper_suppresses_movement_in_free_camera_mode() -> void:
+	## #898: While free camera is active, InputMapper._process() returns early so
+	## no movement actions enter the queue.
+	GameState.free_camera_mode = true
+	var before := InputMapper.input_queue.size()
+	InputMapper._process(0.016)
+	var after := InputMapper.input_queue.size()
+	assert_int(after).override_failure_message(
+		"InputMapper must not enqueue movement while free_camera_mode is true"
+	).is_equal(before)
+	InputMapper.input_queue.clear()
+
+
+func test_input_mapper_suppresses_discrete_actions_in_free_camera_mode() -> void:
+	## #898: _unhandled_input returns early in free camera — INTERACT and stance
+	## actions must not be queued.
+	GameState.free_camera_mode = true
+	var before := InputMapper.input_queue.size()
+	var fake_event := InputEventAction.new()
+	fake_event.action = "interact"
+	fake_event.pressed = true
+	InputMapper._unhandled_input(fake_event)
+	assert_int(InputMapper.input_queue.size()).override_failure_message(
+		"InputMapper must not enqueue discrete actions while free_camera_mode is true"
+	).is_equal(before)
+	InputMapper.input_queue.clear()
+
+
+func test_input_mapper_resumes_after_free_camera_off() -> void:
+	## Turning free camera off lifts the suppression — _process runs normally again.
+	GameState.free_camera_mode = true
+	GameState.free_camera_mode = false
+	## _process should no longer return early (queue may or may not grow depending
+	## on held keys, but no crash and guard is lifted).
+	InputMapper._process(0.016)
+	assert_bool(true).is_true()  # no crash = pass
+	InputMapper.input_queue.clear()
+
+
+# -- Zoom clamp contract -------------------------------------------------------
+
+func test_zoom_min_constant_is_0_5() -> void:
+	## #898: Minimum zoom keeps the world recognisable.
+	var main_script = load("res://scripts/main.gd")
+	assert_float(main_script.FREE_CAMERA_ZOOM_MIN).override_failure_message(
+		"FREE_CAMERA_ZOOM_MIN must be 0.5"
+	).is_equal_approx(0.5, 0.001)
+
+
+func test_zoom_max_constant_is_8() -> void:
+	## #898: Maximum zoom must not exceed 8× per spec.
+	var main_script = load("res://scripts/main.gd")
+	assert_float(main_script.FREE_CAMERA_ZOOM_MAX).override_failure_message(
+		"FREE_CAMERA_ZOOM_MAX must be 8.0"
+	).is_equal_approx(8.0, 0.001)
+
+
+func test_zoom_step_is_positive() -> void:
+	## Zoom step must be > 0 so scroll wheel does something.
+	var main_script = load("res://scripts/main.gd")
+	assert_float(main_script.FREE_CAMERA_ZOOM_STEP).override_failure_message(
+		"FREE_CAMERA_ZOOM_STEP must be positive"
+	).is_greater(0.0)