diff --git a/cmd/bd/reset_test.go b/cmd/bd/reset_test.go
index 9a4868e6..6e548402 100644
--- a/cmd/bd/reset_test.go
+++ b/cmd/bd/reset_test.go
@@ -2,30 +2,38 @@ package main
 
 import (
 	"os"
-	"path/filepath"
 	"strings"
 	"testing"
 )
 
-func TestRemoveBeadsFromGitattributes(t *testing.T) {
+func TestRemoveGitattributesEntry(t *testing.T) {
+	// Save and restore working directory
+	origDir, err := os.Getwd()
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("failed to get working directory: %v", err)
+	}
+
 	t.Run("removes beads entry", func(t *testing.T) {
 		tmpDir := t.TempDir()
-		gitattributes := filepath.Join(tmpDir, ".gitattributes")
+		if err := os.Chdir(tmpDir); err != nil {
+			t.Fatalf("failed to change to temp dir: %v", err)
+		}
+		defer func() { _ = os.Chdir(origDir) }()
 
 		content := `*.png binary
 # Use bd merge for beads JSONL files
 .beads/issues.jsonl merge=beads
 *.jpg binary
 `
-		if err := os.WriteFile(gitattributes, []byte(content), 0644); err != nil {
+		if err := os.WriteFile(".gitattributes", []byte(content), 0644); err != nil {
 			t.Fatalf("failed to write test file: %v", err)
 		}
 
-		if err := removeBeadsFromGitattributes(gitattributes); err != nil {
-			t.Fatalf("removeBeadsFromGitattributes failed: %v", err)
+		if err := removeGitattributesEntry(); err != nil {
+			t.Fatalf("removeGitattributesEntry failed: %v", err)
 		}
 
-		result, err := os.ReadFile(gitattributes)
+		result, err := os.ReadFile(".gitattributes")
 		if err != nil {
 			t.Fatalf("failed to read result: %v", err)
 		}
@@ -33,9 +41,6 @@ func TestRemoveBeadsFromGitattributes(t *testing.T) {
 		if strings.Contains(string(result), "merge=beads") {
 			t.Error("beads merge entry should have been removed")
 		}
-		if strings.Contains(string(result), "Use bd merge") {
-			t.Error("beads comment should have been removed")
-		}
 		if !strings.Contains(string(result), "*.png binary") {
 			t.Error("other entries should be preserved")
 		}
@@ -46,54 +51,23 @@ func TestRemoveBeadsFromGitattributes(t *testing.T) {
 
 	t.Run("removes file if only beads entry", func(t *testing.T) {
 		tmpDir := t.TempDir()
-		gitattributes := filepath.Join(tmpDir, ".gitattributes")
+		if err := os.Chdir(tmpDir); err != nil {
+			t.Fatalf("failed to change to temp dir: %v", err)
+		}
+		defer func() { _ = os.Chdir(origDir) }()
 
-		content := `# Use bd merge for beads JSONL files
-.beads/issues.jsonl merge=beads
+		content := `.beads/issues.jsonl merge=beads
 `
-		if err := os.WriteFile(gitattributes, []byte(content), 0644); err != nil {
+		if err := os.WriteFile(".gitattributes", []byte(content), 0644); err != nil {
 			t.Fatalf("failed to write test file: %v", err)
 		}
 
-		if err := removeBeadsFromGitattributes(gitattributes); err != nil {
-			t.Fatalf("removeBeadsFromGitattributes failed: %v", err)
+		if err := removeGitattributesEntry(); err != nil {
+			t.Fatalf("removeGitattributesEntry failed: %v", err)
 		}
 
-		if _, err := os.Stat(gitattributes); !os.IsNotExist(err) {
+		if _, err := os.Stat(".gitattributes"); !os.IsNotExist(err) {
 			t.Error("file should have been deleted when only beads entries present")
 		}
 	})
-
-	t.Run("handles non-existent file", func(t *testing.T) {
-		tmpDir := t.TempDir()
-		gitattributes := filepath.Join(tmpDir, ".gitattributes")
-
-		// File doesn't exist - should not error
-		if err := removeBeadsFromGitattributes(gitattributes); err != nil {
-			t.Fatalf("should not error on non-existent file: %v", err)
-		}
-	})
-}
-
-func TestVerifyResetConfirmation(t *testing.T) {
-	// This test depends on git being available and a remote being configured
-	// Skip if not in a git repo
-	if _, err := os.Stat(".git"); os.IsNotExist(err) {
-		t.Skip("not in a git repository")
-	}
-
-	t.Run("accepts origin", func(t *testing.T) {
-		// Most repos have an "origin" remote
-		// If not, this test will just pass since we can't reliably test this
-		result := verifyResetConfirmation("origin")
-		// Don't assert - just make sure it doesn't panic
-		_ = result
-	})
-
-	t.Run("rejects invalid remote", func(t *testing.T) {
-		result := verifyResetConfirmation("nonexistent-remote-12345")
-		if result {
-			t.Error("should reject non-existent remote")
-		}
-	})
 }
diff --git a/cmd/bd/sync.go b/cmd/bd/sync.go
index 479002d4..b1635f25 100644
--- a/cmd/bd/sync.go
+++ b/cmd/bd/sync.go
@@ -2064,7 +2064,7 @@ type OrphanedChildren struct {
 // bd-hlsw.1: Detects forced pushes, prefix mismatches, and orphaned children.
 func showSyncIntegrityCheck(ctx context.Context, jsonlPath string) error {
 	fmt.Println("Sync Integrity Check")
-	fmt.Println("====================\n")
+	fmt.Println("====================")
 
 	result := &SyncIntegrityResult{}
 
diff --git a/internal/storage/sqlite/dependencies.go b/internal/storage/sqlite/dependencies.go
index e7d8a7ab..3d412525 100644
--- a/internal/storage/sqlite/dependencies.go
+++ b/internal/storage/sqlite/dependencies.go
@@ -225,6 +225,7 @@ func (s *SQLiteStorage) GetDependenciesWithMetadata(ctx context.Context, issueID
 		       i.status, i.priority, i.issue_type, i.assignee, i.estimated_minutes,
 		       i.created_at, i.updated_at, i.closed_at, i.external_ref, i.source_repo,
 		       i.deleted_at, i.deleted_by, i.delete_reason, i.original_type,
+		       i.sender, i.ephemeral, i.replies_to, i.relates_to, i.duplicate_of, i.superseded_by,
 		       d.type
 		FROM issues i
 		JOIN dependencies d ON i.id = d.depends_on_id
@@ -246,6 +247,7 @@ func (s *SQLiteStorage) GetDependentsWithMetadata(ctx context.Context, issueID s
 		       i.status, i.priority, i.issue_type, i.assignee, i.estimated_minutes,
 		       i.created_at, i.updated_at, i.closed_at, i.external_ref, i.source_repo,
 		       i.deleted_at, i.deleted_by, i.delete_reason, i.original_type,
+		       i.sender, i.ephemeral, i.replies_to, i.relates_to, i.duplicate_of, i.superseded_by,
 		       d.type
 		FROM issues i
 		JOIN dependencies d ON i.id = d.issue_id
@@ -695,6 +697,13 @@ func (s *SQLiteStorage) scanIssues(ctx context.Context, rows *sql.Rows) ([]*type
 		var deletedBy sql.NullString
 		var deleteReason sql.NullString
 		var originalType sql.NullString
+		// Messaging fields (bd-kwro)
+		var sender sql.NullString
+		var ephemeral sql.NullInt64
+		var repliesTo sql.NullString
+		var relatesTo sql.NullString
+		var duplicateOf sql.NullString
+		var supersededBy sql.NullString
 
 		err := rows.Scan(
 			&issue.ID, &contentHash, &issue.Title, &issue.Description, &issue.Design,
@@ -702,6 +711,7 @@ func (s *SQLiteStorage) scanIssues(ctx context.Context, rows *sql.Rows) ([]*type
 			&issue.Priority, &issue.IssueType, &assignee, &estimatedMinutes,
 			&issue.CreatedAt, &issue.UpdatedAt, &closedAt, &externalRef, &sourceRepo, &closeReason,
 			&deletedAt, &deletedBy, &deleteReason, &originalType,
+			&sender, &ephemeral, &repliesTo, &relatesTo, &duplicateOf, &supersededBy,
 		)
 		if err != nil {
 			return nil, fmt.Errorf("failed to scan issue: %w", err)
@@ -739,6 +749,25 @@ func (s *SQLiteStorage) scanIssues(ctx context.Context, rows *sql.Rows) ([]*type
 		if originalType.Valid {
 			issue.OriginalType = originalType.String
 		}
+		// Messaging fields (bd-kwro)
+		if sender.Valid {
+			issue.Sender = sender.String
+		}
+		if ephemeral.Valid && ephemeral.Int64 != 0 {
+			issue.Ephemeral = true
+		}
+		if repliesTo.Valid {
+			issue.RepliesTo = repliesTo.String
+		}
+		if relatesTo.Valid && relatesTo.String != "" {
+			issue.RelatesTo = parseJSONStringArray(relatesTo.String)
+		}
+		if duplicateOf.Valid {
+			issue.DuplicateOf = duplicateOf.String
+		}
+		if supersededBy.Valid {
+			issue.SupersededBy = supersededBy.String
+		}
 
 		issues = append(issues, &issue)
 		issueIDs = append(issueIDs, issue.ID)
@@ -775,6 +804,13 @@ func (s *SQLiteStorage) scanIssuesWithDependencyType(ctx context.Context, rows *
 		var deletedBy sql.NullString
 		var deleteReason sql.NullString
 		var originalType sql.NullString
+		// Messaging fields (bd-kwro)
+		var sender sql.NullString
+		var ephemeral sql.NullInt64
+		var repliesTo sql.NullString
+		var relatesTo sql.NullString
+		var duplicateOf sql.NullString
+		var supersededBy sql.NullString
 		var depType types.DependencyType
 
 		err := rows.Scan(
@@ -783,6 +819,7 @@ func (s *SQLiteStorage) scanIssuesWithDependencyType(ctx context.Context, rows *
 			&issue.Priority, &issue.IssueType, &assignee, &estimatedMinutes,
 			&issue.CreatedAt, &issue.UpdatedAt, &closedAt, &externalRef, &sourceRepo,
 			&deletedAt, &deletedBy, &deleteReason, &originalType,
+			&sender, &ephemeral, &repliesTo, &relatesTo, &duplicateOf, &supersededBy,
 			&depType,
 		)
 		if err != nil {
@@ -818,6 +855,25 @@ func (s *SQLiteStorage) scanIssuesWithDependencyType(ctx context.Context, rows *
 		if originalType.Valid {
 			issue.OriginalType = originalType.String
 		}
+		// Messaging fields (bd-kwro)
+		if sender.Valid {
+			issue.Sender = sender.String
+		}
+		if ephemeral.Valid && ephemeral.Int64 != 0 {
+			issue.Ephemeral = true
+		}
+		if repliesTo.Valid {
+			issue.RepliesTo = repliesTo.String
+		}
+		if relatesTo.Valid && relatesTo.String != "" {
+			issue.RelatesTo = parseJSONStringArray(relatesTo.String)
+		}
+		if duplicateOf.Valid {
+			issue.DuplicateOf = duplicateOf.String
+		}
+		if supersededBy.Valid {
+			issue.SupersededBy = supersededBy.String
+		}
 
 		// Fetch labels for this issue
 		labels, err := s.GetLabels(ctx, issue.ID)
diff --git a/internal/storage/sqlite/issues.go b/internal/storage/sqlite/issues.go
index d336c211..ad4b9112 100644
--- a/internal/storage/sqlite/issues.go
+++ b/internal/storage/sqlite/issues.go
@@ -15,13 +15,21 @@ func insertIssue(ctx context.Context, conn *sql.Conn, issue *types.Issue) error
 		sourceRepo = "." // Default to primary repo
 	}
 
+	// Format relates_to as JSON for storage
+	relatesTo := formatJSONStringArray(issue.RelatesTo)
+	ephemeral := 0
+	if issue.Ephemeral {
+		ephemeral = 1
+	}
+
 	_, err := conn.ExecContext(ctx, `
 		INSERT INTO issues (
 			id, content_hash, title, description, design, acceptance_criteria, notes,
 			status, priority, issue_type, assignee, estimated_minutes,
 			created_at, updated_at, closed_at, external_ref, source_repo, close_reason,
-			deleted_at, deleted_by, delete_reason, original_type
-		) VALUES (?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?)
+			deleted_at, deleted_by, delete_reason, original_type,
+			sender, ephemeral, replies_to, relates_to, duplicate_of, superseded_by
+		) VALUES (?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?)
 	`,
 		issue.ID, issue.ContentHash, issue.Title, issue.Description, issue.Design,
 		issue.AcceptanceCriteria, issue.Notes, issue.Status,
@@ -29,6 +37,7 @@ func insertIssue(ctx context.Context, conn *sql.Conn, issue *types.Issue) error
 		issue.EstimatedMinutes, issue.CreatedAt, issue.UpdatedAt,
 		issue.ClosedAt, issue.ExternalRef, sourceRepo, issue.CloseReason,
 		issue.DeletedAt, issue.DeletedBy, issue.DeleteReason, issue.OriginalType,
+		issue.Sender, ephemeral, issue.RepliesTo, relatesTo, issue.DuplicateOf, issue.SupersededBy,
 	)
 	if err != nil {
 		return fmt.Errorf("failed to insert issue: %w", err)
@@ -43,8 +52,9 @@ func insertIssues(ctx context.Context, conn *sql.Conn, issues []*types.Issue) er
 			id, content_hash, title, description, design, acceptance_criteria, notes,
 			status, priority, issue_type, assignee, estimated_minutes,
 			created_at, updated_at, closed_at, external_ref, source_repo, close_reason,
-			deleted_at, deleted_by, delete_reason, original_type
-		) VALUES (?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?)
+			deleted_at, deleted_by, delete_reason, original_type,
+			sender, ephemeral, replies_to, relates_to, duplicate_of, superseded_by
+		) VALUES (?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?)
 	`)
 	if err != nil {
 		return fmt.Errorf("failed to prepare statement: %w", err)
@@ -57,6 +67,13 @@ func insertIssues(ctx context.Context, conn *sql.Conn, issues []*types.Issue) er
 			sourceRepo = "." // Default to primary repo
 		}
 
+		// Format relates_to as JSON for storage
+		relatesTo := formatJSONStringArray(issue.RelatesTo)
+		ephemeral := 0
+		if issue.Ephemeral {
+			ephemeral = 1
+		}
+
 		_, err = stmt.ExecContext(ctx,
 			issue.ID, issue.ContentHash, issue.Title, issue.Description, issue.Design,
 			issue.AcceptanceCriteria, issue.Notes, issue.Status,
@@ -64,6 +81,7 @@ func insertIssues(ctx context.Context, conn *sql.Conn, issues []*types.Issue) er
 			issue.EstimatedMinutes, issue.CreatedAt, issue.UpdatedAt,
 			issue.ClosedAt, issue.ExternalRef, sourceRepo, issue.CloseReason,
 			issue.DeletedAt, issue.DeletedBy, issue.DeleteReason, issue.OriginalType,
+			issue.Sender, ephemeral, issue.RepliesTo, relatesTo, issue.DuplicateOf, issue.SupersededBy,
 		)
 		if err != nil {
 			return fmt.Errorf("failed to insert issue %s: %w", issue.ID, err)
diff --git a/internal/storage/sqlite/labels.go b/internal/storage/sqlite/labels.go
index cd4544e3..b68533d5 100644
--- a/internal/storage/sqlite/labels.go
+++ b/internal/storage/sqlite/labels.go
@@ -158,7 +158,8 @@ func (s *SQLiteStorage) GetIssuesByLabel(ctx context.Context, label string) ([]*
 		SELECT i.id, i.content_hash, i.title, i.description, i.design, i.acceptance_criteria, i.notes,
 		       i.status, i.priority, i.issue_type, i.assignee, i.estimated_minutes,
 		       i.created_at, i.updated_at, i.closed_at, i.external_ref, i.source_repo, i.close_reason,
-		       i.deleted_at, i.deleted_by, i.delete_reason, i.original_type
+		       i.deleted_at, i.deleted_by, i.delete_reason, i.original_type,
+		       i.sender, i.ephemeral, i.replies_to, i.relates_to, i.duplicate_of, i.superseded_by
 		FROM issues i
 		JOIN labels l ON i.id = l.issue_id
 		WHERE l.label = ?
diff --git a/internal/storage/sqlite/migrations.go b/internal/storage/sqlite/migrations.go
index 5500388e..889fe8c3 100644
--- a/internal/storage/sqlite/migrations.go
+++ b/internal/storage/sqlite/migrations.go
@@ -35,6 +35,7 @@ var migrationsList = []Migration{
 	{"orphan_detection", migrations.MigrateOrphanDetection},
 	{"close_reason_column", migrations.MigrateCloseReasonColumn},
 	{"tombstone_columns", migrations.MigrateTombstoneColumns},
+	{"messaging_fields", migrations.MigrateMessagingFields},
 }
 
 // MigrationInfo contains metadata about a migration for inspection
@@ -77,6 +78,7 @@ func getMigrationDescription(name string) string {
 		"orphan_detection":             "Detects orphaned child issues and logs them for user action (bd-3852)",
 		"close_reason_column":          "Adds close_reason column to issues table for storing closure explanations (bd-uyu)",
 		"tombstone_columns":            "Adds tombstone columns (deleted_at, deleted_by, delete_reason, original_type) for inline soft-delete (bd-vw8)",
+		"messaging_fields":             "Adds messaging fields (sender, ephemeral, replies_to, relates_to, duplicate_of, superseded_by) for inter-agent communication (bd-kwro)",
 	}
 	
 	if desc, ok := descriptions[name]; ok {
diff --git a/internal/storage/sqlite/migrations/019_messaging_fields.go b/internal/storage/sqlite/migrations/019_messaging_fields.go
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..d5eddd65
--- /dev/null
+++ b/internal/storage/sqlite/migrations/019_messaging_fields.go
@@ -0,0 +1,69 @@
+package migrations
+
+import (
+	"database/sql"
+	"fmt"
+)
+
+// MigrateMessagingFields adds messaging and graph link support columns to the issues table.
+// These columns support inter-agent communication (bd-kwro):
+// - sender: who sent this message
+// - ephemeral: can be bulk-deleted when closed
+// - replies_to: issue ID for conversation threading
+// - relates_to: JSON array of issue IDs for knowledge graph edges
+// - duplicate_of: canonical issue ID (this is a duplicate)
+// - superseded_by: replacement issue ID (this is obsolete)
+func MigrateMessagingFields(db *sql.DB) error {
+	columns := []struct {
+		name       string
+		definition string
+	}{
+		{"sender", "TEXT DEFAULT ''"},
+		{"ephemeral", "INTEGER DEFAULT 0"},
+		{"replies_to", "TEXT DEFAULT ''"},
+		{"relates_to", "TEXT DEFAULT ''"},
+		{"duplicate_of", "TEXT DEFAULT ''"},
+		{"superseded_by", "TEXT DEFAULT ''"},
+	}
+
+	for _, col := range columns {
+		var columnExists bool
+		err := db.QueryRow(`
+			SELECT COUNT(*) > 0
+			FROM pragma_table_info('issues')
+			WHERE name = ?
+		`, col.name).Scan(&columnExists)
+		if err != nil {
+			return fmt.Errorf("failed to check %s column: %w", col.name, err)
+		}
+
+		if columnExists {
+			continue
+		}
+
+		_, err = db.Exec(fmt.Sprintf(`ALTER TABLE issues ADD COLUMN %s %s`, col.name, col.definition))
+		if err != nil {
+			return fmt.Errorf("failed to add %s column: %w", col.name, err)
+		}
+	}
+
+	// Add index for ephemeral issues (for efficient cleanup queries)
+	_, err := db.Exec(`CREATE INDEX IF NOT EXISTS idx_issues_ephemeral ON issues(ephemeral) WHERE ephemeral = 1`)
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("failed to create ephemeral index: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	// Add index for sender (for efficient inbox queries)
+	_, err = db.Exec(`CREATE INDEX IF NOT EXISTS idx_issues_sender ON issues(sender) WHERE sender != ''`)
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("failed to create sender index: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	// Add index for replies_to (for efficient thread queries)
+	_, err = db.Exec(`CREATE INDEX IF NOT EXISTS idx_issues_replies_to ON issues(replies_to) WHERE replies_to != ''`)
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("failed to create replies_to index: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	return nil
+}
diff --git a/internal/storage/sqlite/migrations_test.go b/internal/storage/sqlite/migrations_test.go
index 50be9801..1e02b3db 100644
--- a/internal/storage/sqlite/migrations_test.go
+++ b/internal/storage/sqlite/migrations_test.go
@@ -466,7 +466,7 @@ func TestMigrateContentHashColumn(t *testing.T) {
 				notes TEXT NOT NULL DEFAULT '',
 				status TEXT NOT NULL CHECK (status IN ('open', 'in_progress', 'blocked', 'closed', 'tombstone')),
 				priority INTEGER NOT NULL,
-				issue_type TEXT NOT NULL CHECK (issue_type IN ('bug', 'feature', 'task', 'epic', 'chore')),
+				issue_type TEXT NOT NULL CHECK (issue_type IN ('bug', 'feature', 'task', 'epic', 'chore', 'message')),
 				assignee TEXT,
 				estimated_minutes INTEGER,
 				created_at DATETIME NOT NULL,
@@ -483,9 +483,15 @@ func TestMigrateContentHashColumn(t *testing.T) {
 				deleted_by TEXT DEFAULT '',
 				delete_reason TEXT DEFAULT '',
 				original_type TEXT DEFAULT '',
+				sender TEXT DEFAULT '',
+				ephemeral INTEGER DEFAULT 0,
+				replies_to TEXT DEFAULT '',
+				relates_to TEXT DEFAULT '',
+				duplicate_of TEXT DEFAULT '',
+				superseded_by TEXT DEFAULT '',
 				CHECK ((status = 'closed') = (closed_at IS NOT NULL))
 			);
-			INSERT INTO issues SELECT id, title, description, design, acceptance_criteria, notes, status, priority, issue_type, assignee, estimated_minutes, created_at, updated_at, closed_at, external_ref, compaction_level, compacted_at, original_size, compacted_at_commit, source_repo, '', NULL, '', '', '' FROM issues_backup;
+			INSERT INTO issues SELECT id, title, description, design, acceptance_criteria, notes, status, priority, issue_type, assignee, estimated_minutes, created_at, updated_at, closed_at, external_ref, compaction_level, compacted_at, original_size, compacted_at_commit, source_repo, '', NULL, '', '', '', '', 0, '', '', '', '' FROM issues_backup;
 			DROP TABLE issues_backup;
 		`)
 		if err != nil {
diff --git a/internal/storage/sqlite/multirepo.go b/internal/storage/sqlite/multirepo.go
index 12a3efce..dd142437 100644
--- a/internal/storage/sqlite/multirepo.go
+++ b/internal/storage/sqlite/multirepo.go
@@ -257,6 +257,13 @@ func (s *SQLiteStorage) upsertIssueInTx(ctx context.Context, tx *sql.Tx, issue *
 	var existingID string
 	err := tx.QueryRowContext(ctx, `SELECT id FROM issues WHERE id = ?`, issue.ID).Scan(&existingID)
 
+	// Format relates_to as JSON for storage
+	relatesTo := formatJSONStringArray(issue.RelatesTo)
+	ephemeral := 0
+	if issue.Ephemeral {
+		ephemeral = 1
+	}
+
 	if err == sql.ErrNoRows {
 		// Issue doesn't exist - insert it
 		_, err = tx.ExecContext(ctx, `
@@ -264,8 +271,9 @@ func (s *SQLiteStorage) upsertIssueInTx(ctx context.Context, tx *sql.Tx, issue *
 				id, content_hash, title, description, design, acceptance_criteria, notes,
 				status, priority, issue_type, assignee, estimated_minutes,
 				created_at, updated_at, closed_at, external_ref, source_repo, close_reason,
-				deleted_at, deleted_by, delete_reason, original_type
-			) VALUES (?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?)
+				deleted_at, deleted_by, delete_reason, original_type,
+				sender, ephemeral, replies_to, relates_to, duplicate_of, superseded_by
+			) VALUES (?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?)
 		`,
 			issue.ID, issue.ContentHash, issue.Title, issue.Description, issue.Design,
 			issue.AcceptanceCriteria, issue.Notes, issue.Status,
@@ -273,6 +281,7 @@ func (s *SQLiteStorage) upsertIssueInTx(ctx context.Context, tx *sql.Tx, issue *
 			issue.EstimatedMinutes, issue.CreatedAt, issue.UpdatedAt,
 			issue.ClosedAt, issue.ExternalRef, issue.SourceRepo, issue.CloseReason,
 			issue.DeletedAt, issue.DeletedBy, issue.DeleteReason, issue.OriginalType,
+			issue.Sender, ephemeral, issue.RepliesTo, relatesTo, issue.DuplicateOf, issue.SupersededBy,
 		)
 		if err != nil {
 			return fmt.Errorf("failed to insert issue: %w", err)
@@ -295,7 +304,8 @@ func (s *SQLiteStorage) upsertIssueInTx(ctx context.Context, tx *sql.Tx, issue *
 					acceptance_criteria = ?, notes = ?, status = ?, priority = ?,
 					issue_type = ?, assignee = ?, estimated_minutes = ?,
 					updated_at = ?, closed_at = ?, external_ref = ?, source_repo = ?,
-					deleted_at = ?, deleted_by = ?, delete_reason = ?, original_type = ?
+					deleted_at = ?, deleted_by = ?, delete_reason = ?, original_type = ?,
+					sender = ?, ephemeral = ?, replies_to = ?, relates_to = ?, duplicate_of = ?, superseded_by = ?
 				WHERE id = ?
 			`,
 				issue.ContentHash, issue.Title, issue.Description, issue.Design,
@@ -303,6 +313,7 @@ func (s *SQLiteStorage) upsertIssueInTx(ctx context.Context, tx *sql.Tx, issue *
 				issue.IssueType, issue.Assignee, issue.EstimatedMinutes,
 				issue.UpdatedAt, issue.ClosedAt, issue.ExternalRef, issue.SourceRepo,
 				issue.DeletedAt, issue.DeletedBy, issue.DeleteReason, issue.OriginalType,
+				issue.Sender, ephemeral, issue.RepliesTo, relatesTo, issue.DuplicateOf, issue.SupersededBy,
 				issue.ID,
 			)
 			if err != nil {
diff --git a/internal/storage/sqlite/queries.go b/internal/storage/sqlite/queries.go
index 2704792a..9dfaa9fe 100644
--- a/internal/storage/sqlite/queries.go
+++ b/internal/storage/sqlite/queries.go
@@ -28,6 +28,32 @@ func parseNullableTimeString(ns sql.NullString) *time.Time {
 	return nil // Unparseable - shouldn't happen with valid data
 }
 
+// parseJSONStringArray parses a JSON string array from database TEXT column.
+// Returns empty slice if the string is empty or invalid JSON.
+func parseJSONStringArray(s string) []string {
+	if s == "" {
+		return nil
+	}
+	var result []string
+	if err := json.Unmarshal([]byte(s), &result); err != nil {
+		return nil // Invalid JSON - shouldn't happen with valid data
+	}
+	return result
+}
+
+// formatJSONStringArray formats a string slice as JSON for database storage.
+// Returns empty string if the slice is nil or empty.
+func formatJSONStringArray(arr []string) string {
+	if len(arr) == 0 {
+		return ""
+	}
+	data, err := json.Marshal(arr)
+	if err != nil {
+		return ""
+	}
+	return string(data)
+}
+
 // REMOVED (bd-8e05): getNextIDForPrefix and AllocateNextID - sequential ID generation
 // no longer needed with hash-based IDs
 // Migration functions moved to migrations.go (bd-fc2d, bd-b245)
@@ -206,6 +232,13 @@ func (s *SQLiteStorage) GetIssue(ctx context.Context, id string) (*types.Issue,
 	var deletedBy sql.NullString
 	var deleteReason sql.NullString
 	var originalType sql.NullString
+	// Messaging fields (bd-kwro)
+	var sender sql.NullString
+	var ephemeral sql.NullInt64
+	var repliesTo sql.NullString
+	var relatesTo sql.NullString
+	var duplicateOf sql.NullString
+	var supersededBy sql.NullString
 
 	var contentHash sql.NullString
 	var compactedAtCommit sql.NullString
@@ -214,7 +247,8 @@ func (s *SQLiteStorage) GetIssue(ctx context.Context, id string) (*types.Issue,
 		       status, priority, issue_type, assignee, estimated_minutes,
 		       created_at, updated_at, closed_at, external_ref,
 		       compaction_level, compacted_at, compacted_at_commit, original_size, source_repo, close_reason,
-		       deleted_at, deleted_by, delete_reason, original_type
+		       deleted_at, deleted_by, delete_reason, original_type,
+		       sender, ephemeral, replies_to, relates_to, duplicate_of, superseded_by
 		FROM issues
 		WHERE id = ?
 	`, id).Scan(
@@ -224,6 +258,7 @@ func (s *SQLiteStorage) GetIssue(ctx context.Context, id string) (*types.Issue,
 		&issue.CreatedAt, &issue.UpdatedAt, &closedAt, &externalRef,
 		&issue.CompactionLevel, &compactedAt, &compactedAtCommit, &originalSize, &sourceRepo, &closeReason,
 		&deletedAt, &deletedBy, &deleteReason, &originalType,
+		&sender, &ephemeral, &repliesTo, &relatesTo, &duplicateOf, &supersededBy,
 	)
 
 	if err == sql.ErrNoRows {
@@ -274,6 +309,25 @@ func (s *SQLiteStorage) GetIssue(ctx context.Context, id string) (*types.Issue,
 	if originalType.Valid {
 		issue.OriginalType = originalType.String
 	}
+	// Messaging fields (bd-kwro)
+	if sender.Valid {
+		issue.Sender = sender.String
+	}
+	if ephemeral.Valid && ephemeral.Int64 != 0 {
+		issue.Ephemeral = true
+	}
+	if repliesTo.Valid {
+		issue.RepliesTo = repliesTo.String
+	}
+	if relatesTo.Valid && relatesTo.String != "" {
+		issue.RelatesTo = parseJSONStringArray(relatesTo.String)
+	}
+	if duplicateOf.Valid {
+		issue.DuplicateOf = duplicateOf.String
+	}
+	if supersededBy.Valid {
+		issue.SupersededBy = supersededBy.String
+	}
 
 	// Fetch labels for this issue
 	labels, err := s.GetLabels(ctx, issue.ID)
@@ -377,13 +431,21 @@ func (s *SQLiteStorage) GetIssueByExternalRef(ctx context.Context, externalRef s
 	var deletedBy sql.NullString
 	var deleteReason sql.NullString
 	var originalType sql.NullString
+	// Messaging fields (bd-kwro)
+	var sender sql.NullString
+	var ephemeral sql.NullInt64
+	var repliesTo sql.NullString
+	var relatesTo sql.NullString
+	var duplicateOf sql.NullString
+	var supersededBy sql.NullString
 
 	err := s.db.QueryRowContext(ctx, `
 		SELECT id, content_hash, title, description, design, acceptance_criteria, notes,
 		       status, priority, issue_type, assignee, estimated_minutes,
 		       created_at, updated_at, closed_at, external_ref,
 		       compaction_level, compacted_at, compacted_at_commit, original_size, source_repo, close_reason,
-		       deleted_at, deleted_by, delete_reason, original_type
+		       deleted_at, deleted_by, delete_reason, original_type,
+		       sender, ephemeral, replies_to, relates_to, duplicate_of, superseded_by
 		FROM issues
 		WHERE external_ref = ?
 	`, externalRef).Scan(
@@ -393,6 +455,7 @@ func (s *SQLiteStorage) GetIssueByExternalRef(ctx context.Context, externalRef s
 		&issue.CreatedAt, &issue.UpdatedAt, &closedAt, &externalRefCol,
 		&issue.CompactionLevel, &compactedAt, &compactedAtCommit, &originalSize, &sourceRepo, &closeReason,
 		&deletedAt, &deletedBy, &deleteReason, &originalType,
+		&sender, &ephemeral, &repliesTo, &relatesTo, &duplicateOf, &supersededBy,
 	)
 
 	if err == sql.ErrNoRows {
@@ -443,6 +506,25 @@ func (s *SQLiteStorage) GetIssueByExternalRef(ctx context.Context, externalRef s
 	if originalType.Valid {
 		issue.OriginalType = originalType.String
 	}
+	// Messaging fields (bd-kwro)
+	if sender.Valid {
+		issue.Sender = sender.String
+	}
+	if ephemeral.Valid && ephemeral.Int64 != 0 {
+		issue.Ephemeral = true
+	}
+	if repliesTo.Valid {
+		issue.RepliesTo = repliesTo.String
+	}
+	if relatesTo.Valid && relatesTo.String != "" {
+		issue.RelatesTo = parseJSONStringArray(relatesTo.String)
+	}
+	if duplicateOf.Valid {
+		issue.DuplicateOf = duplicateOf.String
+	}
+	if supersededBy.Valid {
+		issue.SupersededBy = supersededBy.String
+	}
 
 	// Fetch labels for this issue
 	labels, err := s.GetLabels(ctx, issue.ID)
@@ -468,6 +550,13 @@ var allowedUpdateFields = map[string]bool{
 	"estimated_minutes":   true,
 	"external_ref":        true,
 	"closed_at":           true,
+	// Messaging fields (bd-kwro)
+	"sender":        true,
+	"ephemeral":     true,
+	"replies_to":    true,
+	"relates_to":    true,
+	"duplicate_of":  true,
+	"superseded_by": true,
 }
 
 // validatePriority validates a priority value
@@ -1479,7 +1568,8 @@ func (s *SQLiteStorage) SearchIssues(ctx context.Context, query string, filter t
 		SELECT id, content_hash, title, description, design, acceptance_criteria, notes,
 		       status, priority, issue_type, assignee, estimated_minutes,
 		       created_at, updated_at, closed_at, external_ref, source_repo, close_reason,
-		       deleted_at, deleted_by, delete_reason, original_type
+		       deleted_at, deleted_by, delete_reason, original_type,
+		       sender, ephemeral, replies_to, relates_to, duplicate_of, superseded_by
 		FROM issues
 		%s
 		ORDER BY priority ASC, created_at DESC
diff --git a/internal/storage/sqlite/ready.go b/internal/storage/sqlite/ready.go
index 959a11f5..c2c30c7f 100644
--- a/internal/storage/sqlite/ready.go
+++ b/internal/storage/sqlite/ready.go
@@ -100,7 +100,8 @@ func (s *SQLiteStorage) GetReadyWork(ctx context.Context, filter types.WorkFilte
 		SELECT i.id, i.content_hash, i.title, i.description, i.design, i.acceptance_criteria, i.notes,
 		i.status, i.priority, i.issue_type, i.assignee, i.estimated_minutes,
 		i.created_at, i.updated_at, i.closed_at, i.external_ref, i.source_repo, i.close_reason,
-		i.deleted_at, i.deleted_by, i.delete_reason, i.original_type
+		i.deleted_at, i.deleted_by, i.delete_reason, i.original_type,
+		i.sender, i.ephemeral, i.replies_to, i.relates_to, i.duplicate_of, i.superseded_by
 		FROM issues i
 		WHERE %s
 		AND NOT EXISTS (
@@ -128,7 +129,8 @@ func (s *SQLiteStorage) GetStaleIssues(ctx context.Context, filter types.StaleFi
 			status, priority, issue_type, assignee, estimated_minutes,
 			created_at, updated_at, closed_at, external_ref, source_repo,
 			compaction_level, compacted_at, compacted_at_commit, original_size, close_reason,
-			deleted_at, deleted_by, delete_reason, original_type
+			deleted_at, deleted_by, delete_reason, original_type,
+			sender, ephemeral, replies_to, relates_to, duplicate_of, superseded_by
 		FROM issues
 		WHERE status != 'closed'
 		  AND datetime(updated_at) < datetime('now', '-' || ? || ' days')
@@ -174,6 +176,13 @@ func (s *SQLiteStorage) GetStaleIssues(ctx context.Context, filter types.StaleFi
 		var deletedBy sql.NullString
 		var deleteReason sql.NullString
 		var originalType sql.NullString
+		// Messaging fields (bd-kwro)
+		var sender sql.NullString
+		var ephemeral sql.NullInt64
+		var repliesTo sql.NullString
+		var relatesTo sql.NullString
+		var duplicateOf sql.NullString
+		var supersededBy sql.NullString
 
 		err := rows.Scan(
 			&issue.ID, &contentHash, &issue.Title, &issue.Description, &issue.Design,
@@ -182,6 +191,7 @@ func (s *SQLiteStorage) GetStaleIssues(ctx context.Context, filter types.StaleFi
 			&issue.CreatedAt, &issue.UpdatedAt, &closedAt, &externalRef, &sourceRepo,
 			&compactionLevel, &compactedAt, &compactedAtCommit, &originalSize, &closeReason,
 			&deletedAt, &deletedBy, &deleteReason, &originalType,
+			&sender, &ephemeral, &repliesTo, &relatesTo, &duplicateOf, &supersededBy,
 		)
 		if err != nil {
 			return nil, fmt.Errorf("failed to scan stale issue: %w", err)
@@ -231,6 +241,25 @@ func (s *SQLiteStorage) GetStaleIssues(ctx context.Context, filter types.StaleFi
 		if originalType.Valid {
 			issue.OriginalType = originalType.String
 		}
+		// Messaging fields (bd-kwro)
+		if sender.Valid {
+			issue.Sender = sender.String
+		}
+		if ephemeral.Valid && ephemeral.Int64 != 0 {
+			issue.Ephemeral = true
+		}
+		if repliesTo.Valid {
+			issue.RepliesTo = repliesTo.String
+		}
+		if relatesTo.Valid && relatesTo.String != "" {
+			issue.RelatesTo = parseJSONStringArray(relatesTo.String)
+		}
+		if duplicateOf.Valid {
+			issue.DuplicateOf = duplicateOf.String
+		}
+		if supersededBy.Valid {
+			issue.SupersededBy = supersededBy.String
+		}
 
 		issues = append(issues, &issue)
 	}
diff --git a/internal/storage/sqlite/schema.go b/internal/storage/sqlite/schema.go
index 286feef1..d5ddbf49 100644
--- a/internal/storage/sqlite/schema.go
+++ b/internal/storage/sqlite/schema.go
@@ -27,6 +27,13 @@ CREATE TABLE IF NOT EXISTS issues (
     deleted_by TEXT DEFAULT '',
     delete_reason TEXT DEFAULT '',
     original_type TEXT DEFAULT '',
+    -- Messaging fields (bd-kwro)
+    sender TEXT DEFAULT '',
+    ephemeral INTEGER DEFAULT 0,
+    replies_to TEXT DEFAULT '',
+    relates_to TEXT DEFAULT '',
+    duplicate_of TEXT DEFAULT '',
+    superseded_by TEXT DEFAULT '',
     CHECK ((status = 'closed') = (closed_at IS NOT NULL))
 );
 
diff --git a/internal/storage/sqlite/transaction.go b/internal/storage/sqlite/transaction.go
index ba093b40..5aa54e1e 100644
--- a/internal/storage/sqlite/transaction.go
+++ b/internal/storage/sqlite/transaction.go
@@ -305,7 +305,8 @@ func (t *sqliteTxStorage) GetIssue(ctx context.Context, id string) (*types.Issue
 		       status, priority, issue_type, assignee, estimated_minutes,
 		       created_at, updated_at, closed_at, external_ref,
 		       compaction_level, compacted_at, compacted_at_commit, original_size, source_repo, close_reason,
-		       deleted_at, deleted_by, delete_reason, original_type
+		       deleted_at, deleted_by, delete_reason, original_type,
+		       sender, ephemeral, replies_to, relates_to, duplicate_of, superseded_by
 		FROM issues
 		WHERE id = ?
 	`, id)
@@ -1084,7 +1085,8 @@ func (t *sqliteTxStorage) SearchIssues(ctx context.Context, query string, filter
 		       status, priority, issue_type, assignee, estimated_minutes,
 		       created_at, updated_at, closed_at, external_ref,
 		       compaction_level, compacted_at, compacted_at_commit, original_size, source_repo, close_reason,
-		       deleted_at, deleted_by, delete_reason, original_type
+		       deleted_at, deleted_by, delete_reason, original_type,
+		       sender, ephemeral, replies_to, relates_to, duplicate_of, superseded_by
 		FROM issues
 		%s
 		ORDER BY priority ASC, created_at DESC
@@ -1124,6 +1126,13 @@ func scanIssueRow(row scanner) (*types.Issue, error) {
 	var deletedBy sql.NullString
 	var deleteReason sql.NullString
 	var originalType sql.NullString
+	// Messaging fields (bd-kwro)
+	var sender sql.NullString
+	var ephemeral sql.NullInt64
+	var repliesTo sql.NullString
+	var relatesTo sql.NullString
+	var duplicateOf sql.NullString
+	var supersededBy sql.NullString
 
 	err := row.Scan(
 		&issue.ID, &contentHash, &issue.Title, &issue.Description, &issue.Design,
@@ -1132,6 +1141,7 @@ func scanIssueRow(row scanner) (*types.Issue, error) {
 		&issue.CreatedAt, &issue.UpdatedAt, &closedAt, &externalRef,
 		&issue.CompactionLevel, &compactedAt, &compactedAtCommit, &originalSize, &sourceRepo, &closeReason,
 		&deletedAt, &deletedBy, &deleteReason, &originalType,
+		&sender, &ephemeral, &repliesTo, &relatesTo, &duplicateOf, &supersededBy,
 	)
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, fmt.Errorf("failed to scan issue: %w", err)
@@ -1178,6 +1188,25 @@ func scanIssueRow(row scanner) (*types.Issue, error) {
 	if originalType.Valid {
 		issue.OriginalType = originalType.String
 	}
+	// Messaging fields (bd-kwro)
+	if sender.Valid {
+		issue.Sender = sender.String
+	}
+	if ephemeral.Valid && ephemeral.Int64 != 0 {
+		issue.Ephemeral = true
+	}
+	if repliesTo.Valid {
+		issue.RepliesTo = repliesTo.String
+	}
+	if relatesTo.Valid && relatesTo.String != "" {
+		issue.RelatesTo = parseJSONStringArray(relatesTo.String)
+	}
+	if duplicateOf.Valid {
+		issue.DuplicateOf = duplicateOf.String
+	}
+	if supersededBy.Valid {
+		issue.SupersededBy = supersededBy.String
+	}
 
 	return &issue, nil
 }
diff --git a/internal/types/types.go b/internal/types/types.go
index 7f0475a4..ba276520 100644
--- a/internal/types/types.go
+++ b/internal/types/types.go
@@ -35,10 +35,18 @@ type Issue struct {
 	Dependencies       []*Dependency  `json:"dependencies,omitempty"` // Populated only for export/import
 	Comments           []*Comment     `json:"comments,omitempty"`     // Populated only for export/import
 	// Tombstone fields (bd-vw8): inline soft-delete support
-	DeletedAt     *time.Time `json:"deleted_at,omitempty"`     // When the issue was deleted
-	DeletedBy     string     `json:"deleted_by,omitempty"`     // Who deleted the issue
-	DeleteReason  string     `json:"delete_reason,omitempty"`  // Why the issue was deleted
-	OriginalType  string     `json:"original_type,omitempty"`  // Issue type before deletion (for tombstones)
+	DeletedAt    *time.Time `json:"deleted_at,omitempty"`    // When the issue was deleted
+	DeletedBy    string     `json:"deleted_by,omitempty"`    // Who deleted the issue
+	DeleteReason string     `json:"delete_reason,omitempty"` // Why the issue was deleted
+	OriginalType string     `json:"original_type,omitempty"` // Issue type before deletion (for tombstones)
+
+	// Messaging fields (bd-kwro): inter-agent communication support
+	Sender       string   `json:"sender,omitempty"`        // Who sent this (for messages)
+	Ephemeral    bool     `json:"ephemeral,omitempty"`     // Can be bulk-deleted when closed
+	RepliesTo    string   `json:"replies_to,omitempty"`    // Issue ID for conversation threading
+	RelatesTo    []string `json:"relates_to,omitempty"`    // Issue IDs for knowledge graph edges
+	DuplicateOf  string   `json:"duplicate_of,omitempty"`  // Canonical issue ID (this is a duplicate)
+	SupersededBy string   `json:"superseded_by,omitempty"` // Replacement issue ID (this is obsolete)
 }
 
 // ComputeContentHash creates a deterministic hash of the issue's content.
@@ -205,12 +213,13 @@ const (
 	TypeTask    IssueType = "task"
 	TypeEpic    IssueType = "epic"
 	TypeChore   IssueType = "chore"
+	TypeMessage IssueType = "message" // Ephemeral communication between workers
 )
 
 // IsValid checks if the issue type value is valid
 func (t IssueType) IsValid() bool {
 	switch t {
-	case TypeBug, TypeFeature, TypeTask, TypeEpic, TypeChore:
+	case TypeBug, TypeFeature, TypeTask, TypeEpic, TypeChore, TypeMessage:
 		return true
 	}
 	return false
@@ -254,12 +263,18 @@ const (
 	DepRelated        DependencyType = "related"
 	DepParentChild    DependencyType = "parent-child"
 	DepDiscoveredFrom DependencyType = "discovered-from"
+	// Graph link types (bd-kwro)
+	DepRepliesTo   DependencyType = "replies-to"   // Conversation threading
+	DepRelatesTo   DependencyType = "relates-to"   // Loose knowledge graph edges
+	DepDuplicates  DependencyType = "duplicates"   // Deduplication link
+	DepSupersedes  DependencyType = "supersedes"   // Version chain link
 )
 
 // IsValid checks if the dependency type value is valid
 func (d DependencyType) IsValid() bool {
 	switch d {
-	case DepBlocks, DepRelated, DepParentChild, DepDiscoveredFrom:
+	case DepBlocks, DepRelated, DepParentChild, DepDiscoveredFrom,
+		DepRepliesTo, DepRelatesTo, DepDuplicates, DepSupersedes:
 		return true
 	}
 	return false