diff --git a/cmd/bd/mol_current.go b/cmd/bd/mol_current.go
index 7cf3db8e..12778836 100644
--- a/cmd/bd/mol_current.go
+++ b/cmd/bd/mol_current.go
@@ -184,8 +184,9 @@ func getMoleculeProgress(ctx context.Context, s storage.Storage, moleculeID stri
 	}
 
 	// Get ready issues for this molecule
+	// IncludeMolSteps: true because we specifically need to see molecule steps here
 	readyIDs := make(map[string]bool)
-	readyIssues, err := s.GetReadyWork(ctx, types.WorkFilter{})
+	readyIssues, err := s.GetReadyWork(ctx, types.WorkFilter{IncludeMolSteps: true})
 	if err == nil {
 		for _, issue := range readyIssues {
 			readyIDs[issue.ID] = true
diff --git a/cmd/bd/mol_ready_gated.go b/cmd/bd/mol_ready_gated.go
index b4092ef1..b0243e63 100644
--- a/cmd/bd/mol_ready_gated.go
+++ b/cmd/bd/mol_ready_gated.go
@@ -131,7 +131,8 @@ func findGateReadyMolecules(ctx context.Context, s storage.Storage) ([]*GatedMol
 	}
 
 	// Step 2: Get ready work to check which steps are ready
-	readyIssues, err := s.GetReadyWork(ctx, types.WorkFilter{Limit: 500})
+	// IncludeMolSteps: true because we specifically need to see molecule steps here
+	readyIssues, err := s.GetReadyWork(ctx, types.WorkFilter{Limit: 500, IncludeMolSteps: true})
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, fmt.Errorf("getting ready work: %w", err)
 	}
diff --git a/cmd/bd/mol_test.go b/cmd/bd/mol_test.go
index afe8232a..f98f5937 100644
--- a/cmd/bd/mol_test.go
+++ b/cmd/bd/mol_test.go
@@ -2682,7 +2682,7 @@ func TestPourRootTitleDescSubstitution(t *testing.T) {
 		"desc":  "My description",
 	}
 
-	result, err := spawnMolecule(ctx, s, subgraph, vars, "", "test", false, "mol")
+	result, err := spawnMolecule(ctx, s, subgraph, vars, "", "test", false, types.IDPrefixMol)
 	if err != nil {
 		t.Fatalf("spawnMolecule failed: %v", err)
 	}
@@ -2755,7 +2755,7 @@ func TestPourRootTitleOnly(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 
 	vars := map[string]string{"title": "Custom Title"}
-	result, err := spawnMolecule(ctx, s, subgraph, vars, "", "test", false, "mol")
+	result, err := spawnMolecule(ctx, s, subgraph, vars, "", "test", false, types.IDPrefixMol)
 	if err != nil {
 		t.Fatalf("spawnMolecule failed: %v", err)
 	}
@@ -2811,7 +2811,7 @@ func TestPourRootNoVars(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 
 	vars := map[string]string{"version": "1.2.3"}
-	result, err := spawnMolecule(ctx, s, subgraph, vars, "", "test", false, "mol")
+	result, err := spawnMolecule(ctx, s, subgraph, vars, "", "test", false, types.IDPrefixMol)
 	if err != nil {
 		t.Fatalf("spawnMolecule failed: %v", err)
 	}
diff --git a/cmd/bd/pour.go b/cmd/bd/pour.go
index 849f44c5..399fd61a 100644
--- a/cmd/bd/pour.go
+++ b/cmd/bd/pour.go
@@ -226,8 +226,8 @@ func runPour(cmd *cobra.Command, args []string) {
 	}
 
 	// Spawn as persistent mol (ephemeral=false)
-	// Use "mol" prefix for distinct visual recognition
-	result, err := spawnMolecule(ctx, store, subgraph, vars, assignee, actor, false, "mol")
+	// Use mol prefix for distinct visual recognition (see types.IDPrefixMol)
+	result, err := spawnMolecule(ctx, store, subgraph, vars, assignee, actor, false, types.IDPrefixMol)
 	if err != nil {
 		fmt.Fprintf(os.Stderr, "Error pouring proto: %v\n", err)
 		os.Exit(1)
diff --git a/cmd/bd/wisp.go b/cmd/bd/wisp.go
index b902dfd7..5db740b9 100644
--- a/cmd/bd/wisp.go
+++ b/cmd/bd/wisp.go
@@ -262,8 +262,8 @@ func runWispCreate(cmd *cobra.Command, args []string) {
 	}
 
 	// Spawn as ephemeral in main database (Ephemeral=true, skips JSONL export)
-	// Use "wisp" prefix for distinct visual recognition
-	result, err := spawnMolecule(ctx, store, subgraph, vars, "", actor, true, "wisp")
+	// Use wisp prefix for distinct visual recognition (see types.IDPrefixWisp)
+	result, err := spawnMolecule(ctx, store, subgraph, vars, "", actor, true, types.IDPrefixWisp)
 	if err != nil {
 		fmt.Fprintf(os.Stderr, "Error creating wisp: %v\n", err)
 		os.Exit(1)
diff --git a/internal/storage/sqlite/ready.go b/internal/storage/sqlite/ready.go
index 3ffed1e6..c21e04df 100644
--- a/internal/storage/sqlite/ready.go
+++ b/internal/storage/sqlite/ready.go
@@ -18,8 +18,7 @@ import (
 func (s *SQLiteStorage) GetReadyWork(ctx context.Context, filter types.WorkFilter) ([]*types.Issue, error) {
 	whereClauses := []string{
 		"i.pinned = 0",                             // Exclude pinned issues
-		"(i.ephemeral = 0 OR i.ephemeral IS NULL)", // Exclude wisps
-		"i.id NOT LIKE '%-wisp-%'",                 // Defense in depth: exclude wisp IDs even if ephemeral flag missing
+		"(i.ephemeral = 0 OR i.ephemeral IS NULL)", // Exclude wisps by ephemeral flag
 	}
 	args := []interface{}{}
 
@@ -46,6 +45,16 @@ func (s *SQLiteStorage) GetReadyWork(ctx context.Context, filter types.WorkFilte
 		// - role: agent role definitions (reference metadata)
 		// - rig: rig identity beads (reference metadata)
 		whereClauses = append(whereClauses, "i.issue_type NOT IN ('merge-request', 'gate', 'molecule', 'message', 'agent', 'role', 'rig')")
+		// Exclude IDs matching configured patterns
+		// Default patterns: -mol- (molecule steps), -wisp- (ephemeral wisps)
+		// Configure with: bd config set ready.exclude_id_patterns "-mol-,-wisp-"
+		// Use --type=task to explicitly include them, or IncludeMolSteps for internal callers
+		if !filter.IncludeMolSteps {
+			patterns := s.getExcludeIDPatterns(ctx)
+			for _, pattern := range patterns {
+				whereClauses = append(whereClauses, "i.id NOT LIKE '%"+pattern+"%'")
+			}
+		}
 	}
 
 	if filter.Priority != nil {
@@ -824,3 +833,35 @@ func buildOrderByClause(policy types.SortPolicy) string {
 			i.created_at ASC`
 	}
 }
+
+// ExcludeIDPatternsConfigKey is the config key for ID exclusion patterns in GetReadyWork
+const ExcludeIDPatternsConfigKey = "ready.exclude_id_patterns"
+
+// DefaultExcludeIDPatterns are the default patterns to exclude from GetReadyWork
+// These exclude molecule steps (-mol-) and wisps (-wisp-) which are internal workflow items
+var DefaultExcludeIDPatterns = []string{"-mol-", "-wisp-"}
+
+// getExcludeIDPatterns returns the ID patterns to exclude from GetReadyWork.
+// Reads from ready.exclude_id_patterns config, defaults to DefaultExcludeIDPatterns.
+// Config format: comma-separated patterns, e.g., "-mol-,-wisp-"
+func (s *SQLiteStorage) getExcludeIDPatterns(ctx context.Context) []string {
+	value, err := s.GetConfig(ctx, ExcludeIDPatternsConfigKey)
+	if err != nil || value == "" {
+		return DefaultExcludeIDPatterns
+	}
+
+	// Parse comma-separated patterns
+	parts := strings.Split(value, ",")
+	patterns := make([]string, 0, len(parts))
+	for _, p := range parts {
+		p = strings.TrimSpace(p)
+		if p != "" {
+			patterns = append(patterns, p)
+		}
+	}
+
+	if len(patterns) == 0 {
+		return DefaultExcludeIDPatterns
+	}
+	return patterns
+}
diff --git a/internal/storage/sqlite/ready_test.go b/internal/storage/sqlite/ready_test.go
index b1735036..6dce4119 100644
--- a/internal/storage/sqlite/ready_test.go
+++ b/internal/storage/sqlite/ready_test.go
@@ -1905,3 +1905,128 @@ func TestIsBlocked(t *testing.T) {
 		t.Errorf("Expected issue3 to NOT be blocked (blocker is closed), got blocked=true with blockers=%v", blockers)
 	}
 }
+
+// TestGetReadyWorkExcludesMolSteps tests that molecule steps (IDs containing -mol-) are
+// excluded from bd ready by default, but included when filtering by explicit type.
+func TestGetReadyWorkExcludesMolSteps(t *testing.T) {
+	env := newTestEnv(t)
+
+	// Create regular tasks
+	regularTask := env.CreateIssue("Regular task")
+
+	// Create molecule steps (IDs contain -mol-)
+	molStep1 := env.CreateIssueWithID("bd-mol-abc", "Mol step 1")
+	molStep2 := env.CreateIssueWithID("bd-mol-xyz", "Mol step 2")
+
+	// Default query should exclude mol steps
+	ready := env.GetReadyWork(types.WorkFilter{})
+	readyIDs := make(map[string]bool)
+	for _, issue := range ready {
+		readyIDs[issue.ID] = true
+	}
+
+	// Regular task should be included
+	if !readyIDs[regularTask.ID] {
+		t.Errorf("Expected regular task %s to be in ready work", regularTask.ID)
+	}
+
+	// Mol steps should be excluded
+	if readyIDs[molStep1.ID] {
+		t.Errorf("Expected mol step %s to be EXCLUDED from ready work by default", molStep1.ID)
+	}
+	if readyIDs[molStep2.ID] {
+		t.Errorf("Expected mol step %s to be EXCLUDED from ready work by default", molStep2.ID)
+	}
+
+	// Explicit type=task filter should include mol steps
+	readyWithType := env.GetReadyWork(types.WorkFilter{Type: "task"})
+	readyWithTypeIDs := make(map[string]bool)
+	for _, issue := range readyWithType {
+		readyWithTypeIDs[issue.ID] = true
+	}
+
+	// All tasks should be included when filtering by type
+	if !readyWithTypeIDs[regularTask.ID] {
+		t.Errorf("Expected regular task %s to be in ready work with --type=task", regularTask.ID)
+	}
+	if !readyWithTypeIDs[molStep1.ID] {
+		t.Errorf("Expected mol step %s to be INCLUDED with --type=task filter", molStep1.ID)
+	}
+	if !readyWithTypeIDs[molStep2.ID] {
+		t.Errorf("Expected mol step %s to be INCLUDED with --type=task filter", molStep2.ID)
+	}
+}
+
+// TestGetReadyWorkExcludeIDPatternsConfig tests custom exclusion patterns via config.
+func TestGetReadyWorkExcludeIDPatternsConfig(t *testing.T) {
+	env := newTestEnv(t)
+	ctx := env.Ctx
+
+	// Create issues with various ID patterns
+	regularTask := env.CreateIssue("Regular task")
+	molStep := env.CreateIssueWithID("bd-mol-abc", "Mol step")
+	roleStep := env.CreateIssueWithID("bd-role-xyz", "Role step")
+	wispStep := env.CreateIssueWithID("bd-wisp-123", "Wisp step")
+
+	// Default config excludes -mol- and -wisp-
+	ready := env.GetReadyWork(types.WorkFilter{})
+	readyIDs := make(map[string]bool)
+	for _, issue := range ready {
+		readyIDs[issue.ID] = true
+	}
+
+	if !readyIDs[regularTask.ID] {
+		t.Errorf("Expected regular task to be included")
+	}
+	if readyIDs[molStep.ID] {
+		t.Errorf("Expected mol step to be excluded by default")
+	}
+	if readyIDs[wispStep.ID] {
+		t.Errorf("Expected wisp step to be excluded by default")
+	}
+	if !readyIDs[roleStep.ID] {
+		t.Errorf("Expected role step to be included (not in default patterns)")
+	}
+
+	// Configure custom patterns to also exclude -role-
+	if err := env.Store.SetConfig(ctx, ExcludeIDPatternsConfigKey, "-mol-,-wisp-,-role-"); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("SetConfig failed: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	ready2 := env.GetReadyWork(types.WorkFilter{})
+	readyIDs2 := make(map[string]bool)
+	for _, issue := range ready2 {
+		readyIDs2[issue.ID] = true
+	}
+
+	if !readyIDs2[regularTask.ID] {
+		t.Errorf("Expected regular task to be included with custom config")
+	}
+	if readyIDs2[molStep.ID] {
+		t.Errorf("Expected mol step to be excluded with custom config")
+	}
+	if readyIDs2[wispStep.ID] {
+		t.Errorf("Expected wisp step to be excluded with custom config")
+	}
+	if readyIDs2[roleStep.ID] {
+		t.Errorf("Expected role step to be excluded with custom config")
+	}
+
+	// IncludeMolSteps should bypass all pattern exclusions
+	ready3 := env.GetReadyWork(types.WorkFilter{IncludeMolSteps: true})
+	readyIDs3 := make(map[string]bool)
+	for _, issue := range ready3 {
+		readyIDs3[issue.ID] = true
+	}
+
+	if !readyIDs3[regularTask.ID] {
+		t.Errorf("Expected regular task with IncludeMolSteps")
+	}
+	if !readyIDs3[molStep.ID] {
+		t.Errorf("Expected mol step with IncludeMolSteps: true")
+	}
+	if !readyIDs3[roleStep.ID] {
+		t.Errorf("Expected role step with IncludeMolSteps: true")
+	}
+	// Note: wisp step is excluded by ephemeral flag, not pattern, so it stays excluded
+}
diff --git a/internal/storage/sqlite/test_helpers.go b/internal/storage/sqlite/test_helpers.go
index fa5bbc97..12a96946 100644
--- a/internal/storage/sqlite/test_helpers.go
+++ b/internal/storage/sqlite/test_helpers.go
@@ -149,6 +149,23 @@ func (e *testEnv) AssertBlocked(issue *types.Issue) {
 	}
 }
 
+// CreateIssueWithID creates a test issue with an explicit ID.
+// Useful for testing ID-based filtering (e.g., mol step exclusion).
+func (e *testEnv) CreateIssueWithID(id, title string) *types.Issue {
+	e.t.Helper()
+	issue := &types.Issue{
+		ID:        id,
+		Title:     title,
+		Status:    types.StatusOpen,
+		Priority:  2,
+		IssueType: types.TypeTask,
+	}
+	if err := e.Store.CreateIssue(e.Ctx, issue, "test-user"); err != nil {
+		e.t.Fatalf("CreateIssue(%q, %q) failed: %v", id, title, err)
+	}
+	return issue
+}
+
 // newTestStore creates a SQLiteStorage with issue_prefix configured (bd-166)
 // This prevents "database not initialized" errors in tests
 //
diff --git a/internal/types/types.go b/internal/types/types.go
index ff7c42d0..d261f49b 100644
--- a/internal/types/types.go
+++ b/internal/types/types.go
@@ -1007,6 +1007,11 @@ type WorkFilter struct {
 
 	// Time-based deferral filtering (GH#820)
 	IncludeDeferred bool // If true, include issues with future defer_until timestamps
+
+	// Molecule step filtering
+	// By default, GetReadyWork excludes mol/wisp steps (IDs containing -mol- or -wisp-)
+	// Set to true for internal callers that need to see mol steps (e.g., findGateReadyMolecules)
+	IncludeMolSteps bool
 }
 
 // StaleFilter is used to filter stale issue queries
@@ -1041,6 +1046,15 @@ const (
 	BondTypeRoot        = "root"        // Marks the primary/root component
 )
 
+// ID prefix constants for molecule/wisp instantiation.
+// These prefixes are inserted into issue IDs: <project>-<prefix>-<id>
+// Used by: cmd/bd/pour.go, cmd/bd/wisp.go (ID generation)
+// Exclusion from bd ready is config-driven via ready.exclude_id_patterns (default: -mol-,-wisp-)
+const (
+	IDPrefixMol  = "mol"  // Persistent molecules (bd-mol-xxx)
+	IDPrefixWisp = "wisp" // Ephemeral wisps (bd-wisp-xxx)
+)
+
 // IsCompound returns true if this issue is a compound (bonded from multiple sources).
 func (i *Issue) IsCompound() bool {
 	return len(i.BondedFrom) > 0