diff --git a/AGENTS.md b/AGENTS.md
index ec141c44..7a9b0bf1 100644
--- a/AGENTS.md
+++ b/AGENTS.md
@@ -375,6 +375,32 @@ bd close bd-42 "Done"                       # Updates via git sync
 
 See [docs/AGENT_MAIL_QUICKSTART.md](docs/AGENT_MAIL_QUICKSTART.md) for 5-minute setup, or [docs/AGENT_MAIL.md](docs/AGENT_MAIL.md) for complete documentation. Example code in [examples/python-agent/AGENT_MAIL_EXAMPLE.md](examples/python-agent/AGENT_MAIL_EXAMPLE.md).
 
+### Deletion Tracking
+
+When issues are deleted (via `bd delete` or `bd cleanup`), they are recorded in `.beads/deletions.jsonl`. This manifest:
+
+- **Propagates deletions across clones**: When you pull, deleted issues from other clones are removed from your local database
+- **Provides audit trail**: See what was deleted, when, and by whom with `bd deleted`
+- **Auto-prunes**: Old records are automatically cleaned up during `bd sync` (configurable retention)
+
+**Commands:**
+
+```bash
+bd delete bd-42                # Delete issue (records to manifest)
+bd cleanup -f                  # Delete closed issues (records all to manifest)
+bd deleted                     # Show recent deletions (last 7 days)
+bd deleted --since=30d         # Show deletions in last 30 days
+bd deleted bd-xxx              # Show deletion details for specific issue
+bd deleted --json              # Machine-readable output
+```
+
+**How it works:**
+
+1. `bd delete` or `bd cleanup` appends deletion records to `deletions.jsonl`
+2. The file is committed and pushed via `bd sync`
+3. On other clones, `bd sync` imports the deletions and removes those issues from local DB
+4. Git history fallback handles edge cases (pruned records, shallow clones)
+
 ### Issue Types
 
 - `bug` - Something broken that needs fixing
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 6e85b67f..3b0b9edf 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -168,6 +168,7 @@ echo ".beads/beads.jsonl merge=beads" >> .gitattributes
 **Should be committed to git:**
 - `.gitattributes` - Configures git merge driver for intelligent JSONL merging (critical for team collaboration)
 - `.beads/beads.jsonl` - Issue data in JSONL format (source of truth, synced via git)
+- `.beads/deletions.jsonl` - Deletion manifest for cross-clone propagation (tracks deleted issues)
 - `.beads/config.yaml` - Repository configuration template
 - `.beads/README.md` - Documentation about beads for repository visitors
 - `.beads/metadata.json` - Database metadata
diff --git a/cmd/bd/compact.go b/cmd/bd/compact.go
index d7bbe10b..cb319893 100644
--- a/cmd/bd/compact.go
+++ b/cmd/bd/compact.go
@@ -864,6 +864,9 @@ func runCompactApply(ctx context.Context, store *sqlite.SQLiteStorage) {
 
 	elapsed := time.Since(start)
 
+	// Prune old deletion records (do this before JSON output so we can include results)
+	pruneResult, retentionDays := pruneDeletionsManifest()
+
 	if jsonOutput {
 		output := map[string]interface{}{
 			"success":        true,
@@ -875,6 +878,13 @@ func runCompactApply(ctx context.Context, store *sqlite.SQLiteStorage) {
 			"reduction_pct":  reductionPct,
 			"elapsed_ms":     elapsed.Milliseconds(),
 		}
+		// Include pruning results if any deletions were pruned (bd-v29)
+		if pruneResult != nil && pruneResult.PrunedCount > 0 {
+			output["deletions_pruned"] = map[string]interface{}{
+				"count":          pruneResult.PrunedCount,
+				"retention_days": retentionDays,
+			}
+		}
 		outputJSON(output)
 		return
 	}
@@ -883,17 +893,19 @@ func runCompactApply(ctx context.Context, store *sqlite.SQLiteStorage) {
 	fmt.Printf("  %d → %d bytes (saved %d, %.1f%%)\n", originalSize, compactedSize, savingBytes, reductionPct)
 	fmt.Printf("  Time: %v\n", elapsed)
 
-	// Prune old deletion records
-	pruneDeletionsManifest()
+	// Report pruning results for human-readable output
+	if pruneResult != nil && pruneResult.PrunedCount > 0 {
+		fmt.Printf("\nDeletions pruned: %d records older than %d days removed\n", pruneResult.PrunedCount, retentionDays)
+	}
 
 	// Schedule auto-flush to export changes
 	markDirtyAndScheduleFlush()
 }
 
 // pruneDeletionsManifest prunes old deletion records based on retention settings.
-// It outputs results to stdout (or JSON) and returns any error.
+// Returns the prune result and retention days used, so callers can include in output.
 // Uses the global dbPath to determine the .beads directory.
-func pruneDeletionsManifest() {
+func pruneDeletionsManifest() (*deletions.PruneResult, int) {
 	beadsDir := filepath.Dir(dbPath)
 	// Determine retention days
 	retentionDays := compactRetention
@@ -918,17 +930,10 @@ func pruneDeletionsManifest() {
 		if !jsonOutput {
 			fmt.Fprintf(os.Stderr, "Warning: failed to prune deletions: %v\n", err)
 		}
-		return
+		return nil, retentionDays
 	}
 
-	// Only report if there were deletions to prune
-	if result.PrunedCount > 0 {
-		if jsonOutput {
-			// JSON output will be included in the main response
-			return
-		}
-		fmt.Printf("\nDeletions pruned: %d records older than %d days removed\n", result.PrunedCount, retentionDays)
-	}
+	return result, retentionDays
 }
 
 func init() {
diff --git a/cmd/bd/deleted.go b/cmd/bd/deleted.go
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..54064742
--- /dev/null
+++ b/cmd/bd/deleted.go
@@ -0,0 +1,194 @@
+package main
+
+import (
+	"fmt"
+	"os"
+	"sort"
+	"strings"
+	"time"
+
+	"github.com/fatih/color"
+	"github.com/spf13/cobra"
+	"github.com/steveyegge/beads/internal/deletions"
+)
+
+var (
+	deletedSince string
+	deletedAll   bool
+)
+
+var deletedCmd = &cobra.Command{
+	Use:   "deleted [issue-id]",
+	Short: "Show deleted issues from the deletions manifest",
+	Long: `Show issues that have been deleted and are tracked in the deletions manifest.
+
+This command provides an audit trail of deleted issues, showing:
+- Which issues were deleted
+- When they were deleted
+- Who deleted them
+- Optional reason for deletion
+
+Examples:
+  bd deleted              # Show recent deletions (last 7 days)
+  bd deleted --since=30d  # Show deletions in last 30 days
+  bd deleted --all        # Show all tracked deletions
+  bd deleted bd-xxx       # Show deletion details for specific issue`,
+	Args: cobra.MaximumNArgs(1),
+	Run: func(cmd *cobra.Command, args []string) {
+		beadsDir := findBeadsDir()
+		if beadsDir == "" {
+			fmt.Fprintf(os.Stderr, "Error: not in a beads repository (no .beads directory found)\n")
+			os.Exit(1)
+		}
+
+		deletionsPath := deletions.DefaultPath(beadsDir)
+		result, err := deletions.LoadDeletions(deletionsPath)
+		if err != nil {
+			fmt.Fprintf(os.Stderr, "Error loading deletions: %v\n", err)
+			os.Exit(1)
+		}
+
+		// Print any warnings
+		for _, w := range result.Warnings {
+			fmt.Fprintf(os.Stderr, "Warning: %s\n", w)
+		}
+
+		// If looking for specific issue
+		if len(args) == 1 {
+			issueID := args[0]
+			displaySingleDeletion(result.Records, issueID)
+			return
+		}
+
+		// Filter by time range
+		var cutoff time.Time
+		if !deletedAll {
+			duration, err := parseDuration(deletedSince)
+			if err != nil {
+				fmt.Fprintf(os.Stderr, "Error: invalid --since value '%s': %v\n", deletedSince, err)
+				os.Exit(1)
+			}
+			cutoff = time.Now().Add(-duration)
+		}
+
+		// Collect and sort records
+		var records []deletions.DeletionRecord
+		for _, r := range result.Records {
+			if deletedAll || r.Timestamp.After(cutoff) {
+				records = append(records, r)
+			}
+		}
+
+		// Sort by timestamp descending (most recent first)
+		sort.Slice(records, func(i, j int) bool {
+			return records[i].Timestamp.After(records[j].Timestamp)
+		})
+
+		if jsonOutput {
+			outputJSON(records)
+			return
+		}
+
+		displayDeletions(records, deletedSince, deletedAll)
+	},
+}
+
+func displaySingleDeletion(records map[string]deletions.DeletionRecord, issueID string) {
+	record, found := records[issueID]
+	if !found {
+		if jsonOutput {
+			outputJSON(map[string]interface{}{
+				"found": false,
+				"id":    issueID,
+			})
+			return
+		}
+		fmt.Printf("Issue %s not found in deletions manifest\n", issueID)
+		fmt.Println("(This could mean the issue was never deleted, or the deletion record was pruned)")
+		return
+	}
+
+	if jsonOutput {
+		outputJSON(map[string]interface{}{
+			"found":  true,
+			"record": record,
+		})
+		return
+	}
+
+	cyan := color.New(color.FgCyan).SprintFunc()
+	fmt.Printf("\n%s Deletion record for %s:\n\n", cyan("🗑️"), issueID)
+	fmt.Printf("  ID:        %s\n", record.ID)
+	fmt.Printf("  Deleted:   %s\n", record.Timestamp.Local().Format("2006-01-02 15:04:05"))
+	fmt.Printf("  By:        %s\n", record.Actor)
+	if record.Reason != "" {
+		fmt.Printf("  Reason:    %s\n", record.Reason)
+	}
+	fmt.Println()
+}
+
+func displayDeletions(records []deletions.DeletionRecord, since string, all bool) {
+	if len(records) == 0 {
+		green := color.New(color.FgGreen).SprintFunc()
+		if all {
+			fmt.Printf("\n%s No deletions tracked in manifest\n\n", green("✨"))
+		} else {
+			fmt.Printf("\n%s No deletions in the last %s\n\n", green("✨"), since)
+		}
+		return
+	}
+
+	cyan := color.New(color.FgCyan).SprintFunc()
+	if all {
+		fmt.Printf("\n%s All tracked deletions (%d total):\n\n", cyan("🗑️"), len(records))
+	} else {
+		fmt.Printf("\n%s Deletions in the last %s (%d total):\n\n", cyan("🗑️"), since, len(records))
+	}
+
+	for _, r := range records {
+		ts := r.Timestamp.Local().Format("2006-01-02 15:04")
+		reason := ""
+		if r.Reason != "" {
+			reason = "  " + r.Reason
+		}
+		fmt.Printf("  %-12s  %s  %-12s%s\n", r.ID, ts, r.Actor, reason)
+	}
+	fmt.Println()
+}
+
+// parseDuration parses a duration string like "7d", "30d", "2w"
+func parseDuration(s string) (time.Duration, error) {
+	s = strings.TrimSpace(strings.ToLower(s))
+	if s == "" {
+		return 7 * 24 * time.Hour, nil // default 7 days
+	}
+
+	// Check for special suffixes
+	if strings.HasSuffix(s, "d") {
+		days := s[:len(s)-1]
+		var d int
+		if _, err := fmt.Sscanf(days, "%d", &d); err != nil {
+			return 0, fmt.Errorf("invalid days format: %s", s)
+		}
+		return time.Duration(d) * 24 * time.Hour, nil
+	}
+
+	if strings.HasSuffix(s, "w") {
+		weeks := s[:len(s)-1]
+		var w int
+		if _, err := fmt.Sscanf(weeks, "%d", &w); err != nil {
+			return 0, fmt.Errorf("invalid weeks format: %s", s)
+		}
+		return time.Duration(w) * 7 * 24 * time.Hour, nil
+	}
+
+	// Try standard Go duration
+	return time.ParseDuration(s)
+}
+
+func init() {
+	deletedCmd.Flags().StringVar(&deletedSince, "since", "7d", "Show deletions within this time range (e.g., 7d, 30d, 2w)")
+	deletedCmd.Flags().BoolVar(&deletedAll, "all", false, "Show all tracked deletions")
+	deletedCmd.Flags().BoolVar(&jsonOutput, "json", false, "Output JSON format")
+	rootCmd.AddCommand(deletedCmd)
+}
diff --git a/cmd/bd/sync.go b/cmd/bd/sync.go
index e95cd042..da871164 100644
--- a/cmd/bd/sync.go
+++ b/cmd/bd/sync.go
@@ -13,6 +13,7 @@ import (
 	"time"
 
 	"github.com/spf13/cobra"
+	"github.com/steveyegge/beads/internal/configfile"
 	"github.com/steveyegge/beads/internal/deletions"
 	"github.com/steveyegge/beads/internal/rpc"
 	"github.com/steveyegge/beads/internal/syncbranch"
@@ -1171,7 +1172,7 @@ func maybeAutoCompactDeletions(ctx context.Context, jsonlPath string) error {
 	}
 
 	// Get retention days (default 7)
-	retentionDays := deletions.DefaultRetentionDays
+	retentionDays := configfile.DefaultDeletionsRetentionDays
 	if retentionStr, err := store.GetConfig(ctx, "deletions.retention_days"); err == nil && retentionStr != "" {
 		if parsed, err := strconv.Atoi(retentionStr); err == nil && parsed > 0 {
 			retentionDays = parsed
diff --git a/docs/DELETIONS.md b/docs/DELETIONS.md
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..27386558
--- /dev/null
+++ b/docs/DELETIONS.md
@@ -0,0 +1,211 @@
+# Deletion Tracking
+
+This document describes how bd tracks and propagates deletions across repository clones.
+
+## Overview
+
+When issues are deleted in one clone, those deletions need to propagate to other clones. Without this mechanism, deleted issues would "resurrect" when another clone's database is imported.
+
+The **deletions manifest** (`.beads/deletions.jsonl`) is an append-only log that records every deletion. This file is committed to git and synced across all clones.
+
+## File Format
+
+The deletions manifest is a JSON Lines file where each line is a deletion record:
+
+```jsonl
+{"id":"bd-abc","ts":"2025-01-15T10:00:00Z","by":"stevey","reason":"duplicate of bd-xyz"}
+{"id":"bd-def","ts":"2025-01-15T10:05:00Z","by":"claude","reason":"cleanup"}
+```
+
+### Fields
+
+| Field | Type | Required | Description |
+|-------|------|----------|-------------|
+| `id` | string | Yes | Issue ID that was deleted |
+| `ts` | string | Yes | ISO 8601 UTC timestamp |
+| `by` | string | Yes | Actor who performed the deletion |
+| `reason` | string | No | Optional context (e.g., "duplicate", "cleanup") |
+
+## Commands
+
+### Deleting Issues
+
+```bash
+bd delete bd-42                    # Delete single issue
+bd delete bd-42 bd-43 bd-44        # Delete multiple issues
+bd cleanup -f                      # Delete all closed issues
+```
+
+All deletions are automatically recorded to the manifest.
+
+### Viewing Deletions
+
+```bash
+bd deleted                         # Recent deletions (last 7 days)
+bd deleted --since=30d             # Deletions in last 30 days
+bd deleted --all                   # All tracked deletions
+bd deleted bd-xxx                  # Lookup specific issue
+bd deleted --json                  # Machine-readable output
+```
+
+## Propagation Mechanism
+
+### Export (Local Delete)
+
+1. `bd delete` removes issue from SQLite
+2. Deletion record appended to `deletions.jsonl`
+3. `bd sync` commits and pushes the manifest
+
+### Import (Remote Delete)
+
+1. `bd sync` pulls updated manifest
+2. Import checks each DB issue against manifest
+3. If issue ID is in manifest, it's deleted from local DB
+4. If issue ID is NOT in manifest and NOT in JSONL:
+   - Check git history (see fallback below)
+   - If found in history → deleted upstream, remove locally
+   - If not found → local unpushed work, keep it
+
+## Git History Fallback
+
+The manifest is pruned periodically to prevent unbounded growth. When a deletion record is pruned but the issue still exists in some clone's DB:
+
+1. Import detects: "DB issue not in JSONL, not in manifest"
+2. Falls back to git history search
+3. Uses `git log -S` to check if issue ID was ever in JSONL
+4. If found in history → it was deleted, remove from DB
+5. **Backfill**: Re-append the deletion to manifest (self-healing)
+
+This fallback ensures deletions propagate even after manifest pruning.
+
+## Configuration
+
+### Retention Period
+
+By default, deletion records are kept for 7 days. Configure via:
+
+```bash
+bd config set deletions.retention_days 30
+```
+
+Or in `.beads/config.yaml`:
+
+```yaml
+deletions:
+  retention_days: 30
+```
+
+### Auto-Compact Threshold
+
+Auto-compaction during `bd sync` is opt-in:
+
+```bash
+bd config set deletions.auto_compact_threshold 100
+```
+
+When the manifest exceeds this threshold, old records are pruned during sync. Set to 0 to disable (default).
+
+### Manual Pruning
+
+```bash
+bd compact --retention 7           # Prune records older than 7 days
+bd compact --retention 0           # Prune all records (use git fallback)
+```
+
+## Size Estimates
+
+- Each record: ~80 bytes
+- 7-day retention with 100 deletions/day: ~56KB
+- Git compressed: ~10KB
+
+The manifest stays small even with heavy deletion activity.
+
+## Conflict Resolution
+
+When multiple clones delete issues simultaneously:
+
+1. Both append their deletion records
+2. Git merges (append-only = no conflicts)
+3. Result: duplicate entries for same ID (different timestamps)
+4. `LoadDeletions` deduplicates by ID (keeps any entry)
+5. Result: deletion propagates correctly
+
+Duplicate records are harmless and cleaned up during pruning.
+
+## Troubleshooting
+
+### Deleted Issue Reappearing
+
+If a deleted issue reappears after sync:
+
+```bash
+# Check if in manifest
+bd deleted bd-xxx
+
+# Force re-import
+bd import --force
+
+# If still appearing, check git history
+git log -S '"id":"bd-xxx"' -- .beads/beads.jsonl
+```
+
+### Manifest Not Being Committed
+
+Ensure deletions.jsonl is tracked:
+
+```bash
+git add .beads/deletions.jsonl
+```
+
+And NOT in .gitignore.
+
+### Large Manifest
+
+If the manifest is growing too large:
+
+```bash
+# Check size
+wc -l .beads/deletions.jsonl
+
+# Manual prune
+bd compact --retention 7
+
+# Enable auto-compact
+bd config set deletions.auto_compact_threshold 100
+```
+
+## Design Rationale
+
+### Why JSONL?
+
+- Append-only: natural for deletion logs
+- Human-readable: easy to audit
+- Git-friendly: line-based diffs
+- No merge conflicts: append = trivial merge
+
+### Why Not Delete from JSONL?
+
+Removing lines from `beads.jsonl` would work but:
+- Loses audit trail (who deleted what when)
+- Harder to merge (line deletions can conflict)
+- Can't distinguish "deleted" from "never existed"
+
+### Why Time-Based Pruning?
+
+- Bounds manifest size
+- Git history fallback handles edge cases
+- 7-day default handles most sync scenarios
+- Configurable for teams with longer sync cycles
+
+### Why Git Fallback?
+
+- Handles pruned records gracefully
+- Self-healing via backfill
+- Works with shallow clones (partial fallback)
+- No data loss from aggressive pruning
+
+## Related
+
+- [CONFIG.md](CONFIG.md) - Configuration options
+- [DAEMON.md](DAEMON.md) - Daemon auto-sync behavior
+- [TROUBLESHOOTING.md](TROUBLESHOOTING.md) - General troubleshooting
diff --git a/internal/deletions/deletions.go b/internal/deletions/deletions.go
index af1c1699..df886858 100644
--- a/internal/deletions/deletions.go
+++ b/internal/deletions/deletions.go
@@ -9,6 +9,7 @@ import (
 	"fmt"
 	"os"
 	"path/filepath"
+	"sort"
 	"time"
 )
 
@@ -209,9 +210,6 @@ func Count(path string) (int, error) {
 	return count, nil
 }
 
-// DefaultRetentionDays is the default number of days to retain deletion records.
-const DefaultRetentionDays = 7
-
 // PruneResult contains the result of a prune operation.
 type PruneResult struct {
 	KeptCount   int
@@ -239,7 +237,16 @@ func PruneDeletions(path string, retentionDays int) (*PruneResult, error) {
 	cutoff := time.Now().AddDate(0, 0, -retentionDays)
 	var kept []DeletionRecord
 
+	// Convert map to sorted slice for deterministic iteration (bd-wmo)
+	var allRecords []DeletionRecord
 	for _, record := range loadResult.Records {
+		allRecords = append(allRecords, record)
+	}
+	sort.Slice(allRecords, func(i, j int) bool {
+		return allRecords[i].ID < allRecords[j].ID
+	})
+
+	for _, record := range allRecords {
 		if record.Timestamp.After(cutoff) || record.Timestamp.Equal(cutoff) {
 			kept = append(kept, record)
 		} else {
diff --git a/internal/importer/importer.go b/internal/importer/importer.go
index d54dad35..a5bc3172 100644
--- a/internal/importer/importer.go
+++ b/internal/importer/importer.go
@@ -899,7 +899,7 @@ func checkGitHistoryForDeletions(beadsDir string, ids []string) []string {
 	if len(ids) <= 10 {
 		// Small batch: check each ID individually for accuracy
 		for _, id := range ids {
-			if wasInGitHistory(repoRoot, jsonlPath, id) {
+			if wasEverInJSONL(repoRoot, jsonlPath, id) {
 				deleted = append(deleted, id)
 			}
 		}
@@ -916,9 +916,11 @@ func checkGitHistoryForDeletions(beadsDir string, ids []string) []string {
 // Prevents hangs on large repositories (bd-f0n).
 const gitHistoryTimeout = 30 * time.Second
 
-// wasInGitHistory checks if a single ID was ever in the JSONL via git history.
-// Returns true if the ID was found in history (meaning it was deleted).
-func wasInGitHistory(repoRoot, jsonlPath, id string) bool {
+// wasEverInJSONL checks if a single ID was ever present in the JSONL via git history.
+// Returns true if the ID was found in any commit (added or removed).
+// The caller is responsible for confirming the ID is NOT currently in JSONL
+// to determine that it was deleted (vs still present).
+func wasEverInJSONL(repoRoot, jsonlPath, id string) bool {
 	// git log --all -S "\"id\":\"bd-xxx\"" --oneline -- .beads/beads.jsonl
 	// This searches for commits that added or removed the ID string
 	// Note: -S uses literal string matching, not regex, so no escaping needed
@@ -942,8 +944,8 @@ func wasInGitHistory(repoRoot, jsonlPath, id string) bool {
 		return false
 	}
 
-	// If output is non-empty, the ID was in git history
-	// This means it was added and then removed (deleted)
+	// If output is non-empty, the ID was found in git history (was once in JSONL).
+	// Since caller already verified ID is NOT currently in JSONL, this means deleted.
 	return len(bytes.TrimSpace(stdout.Bytes())) > 0
 }
 
@@ -978,7 +980,7 @@ func batchCheckGitHistory(repoRoot, jsonlPath string, ids []string) []string {
 		// Individual checks also have timeout protection
 		var deleted []string
 		for _, id := range ids {
-			if wasInGitHistory(repoRoot, jsonlPath, id) {
+			if wasEverInJSONL(repoRoot, jsonlPath, id) {
 				deleted = append(deleted, id)
 			}
 		}
diff --git a/internal/importer/importer_integration_test.go b/internal/importer/importer_integration_test.go
index a21ab26a..5fcdfd90 100644
--- a/internal/importer/importer_integration_test.go
+++ b/internal/importer/importer_integration_test.go
@@ -5,10 +5,13 @@ package importer
 
 import (
 	"context"
+	"os"
+	"path/filepath"
 	"sync"
 	"testing"
 	"time"
 
+	"github.com/steveyegge/beads/internal/deletions"
 	"github.com/steveyegge/beads/internal/storage/sqlite"
 	"github.com/steveyegge/beads/internal/types"
 )
@@ -91,3 +94,276 @@ func TestConcurrentExternalRefUpdates(t *testing.T) {
 		t.Errorf("Expected last update to win, got title: %s", finalIssue.Title)
 	}
 }
+
+// TestCrossCloneDeletionPropagation tests that deletions propagate across clones
+// via the deletions manifest. Simulates:
+// 1. Clone A and Clone B both have issue bd-test-123
+// 2. Clone A deletes bd-test-123 (recorded in deletions.jsonl)
+// 3. Clone B pulls and imports - issue should be purged from Clone B's DB
+func TestCrossCloneDeletionPropagation(t *testing.T) {
+	ctx := context.Background()
+
+	// Create temp directory structure for "Clone B" (the clone that receives the deletion)
+	tmpDir := t.TempDir()
+	beadsDir := filepath.Join(tmpDir, ".beads")
+	if err := os.MkdirAll(beadsDir, 0755); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("Failed to create .beads dir: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	// Create database in .beads/ (required for purgeDeletedIssues to find deletions.jsonl)
+	dbPath := filepath.Join(beadsDir, "beads.db")
+	store, err := sqlite.New(ctx, dbPath)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("Failed to create store: %v", err)
+	}
+	defer store.Close()
+
+	if err := store.SetConfig(ctx, "issue_prefix", "bd"); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("Failed to set prefix: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	// Create an issue in Clone B's database (simulating it was synced before)
+	issueToDelete := &types.Issue{
+		ID:        "bd-test-123",
+		Title:     "Issue that will be deleted in Clone A",
+		Status:    types.StatusOpen,
+		Priority:  1,
+		IssueType: types.TypeTask,
+	}
+	if err := store.CreateIssue(ctx, issueToDelete, "test"); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("Failed to create issue: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	// Also create another issue that should NOT be deleted
+	issueToKeep := &types.Issue{
+		ID:        "bd-test-456",
+		Title:     "Issue that stays",
+		Status:    types.StatusOpen,
+		Priority:  1,
+		IssueType: types.TypeTask,
+	}
+	if err := store.CreateIssue(ctx, issueToKeep, "test"); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("Failed to create kept issue: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	// Verify both issues exist
+	issues, err := store.SearchIssues(ctx, "", types.IssueFilter{})
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("Failed to search issues: %v", err)
+	}
+	if len(issues) != 2 {
+		t.Fatalf("Expected 2 issues before import, got %d", len(issues))
+	}
+
+	// Simulate Clone A deleting bd-test-123 by writing to deletions manifest
+	deletionsPath := filepath.Join(beadsDir, "deletions.jsonl")
+	record := deletions.DeletionRecord{
+		ID:        "bd-test-123",
+		Timestamp: time.Now().UTC(),
+		Actor:     "clone-a-user",
+		Reason:    "test deletion",
+	}
+	if err := deletions.AppendDeletion(deletionsPath, record); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("Failed to write deletion record: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	// Create JSONL with only the kept issue (simulating git pull from remote)
+	// The deleted issue is NOT in the JSONL (it was removed in Clone A)
+	jsonlIssues := []*types.Issue{issueToKeep}
+
+	// Import with Options that uses the database path (triggers purgeDeletedIssues)
+	result, err := ImportIssues(ctx, dbPath, store, jsonlIssues, Options{})
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("Import failed: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	// Verify the purge happened
+	if result.Purged != 1 {
+		t.Errorf("Expected 1 purged issue, got %d", result.Purged)
+	}
+	if len(result.PurgedIDs) != 1 || result.PurgedIDs[0] != "bd-test-123" {
+		t.Errorf("Expected purged ID bd-test-123, got %v", result.PurgedIDs)
+	}
+
+	// Verify database state
+	finalIssues, err := store.SearchIssues(ctx, "", types.IssueFilter{})
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("Failed to search final issues: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	if len(finalIssues) != 1 {
+		t.Errorf("Expected 1 issue after import, got %d", len(finalIssues))
+	}
+
+	// The kept issue should still exist
+	keptIssue, err := store.GetIssue(ctx, "bd-test-456")
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("Failed to get kept issue: %v", err)
+	}
+	if keptIssue == nil {
+		t.Error("Expected bd-test-456 to still exist")
+	}
+
+	// The deleted issue should be gone
+	deletedIssue, err := store.GetIssue(ctx, "bd-test-123")
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("Failed to query deleted issue: %v", err)
+	}
+	if deletedIssue != nil {
+		t.Error("Expected bd-test-123 to be purged")
+	}
+}
+
+// TestLocalUnpushedIssueNotDeleted verifies that local issues that were never
+// in git are NOT deleted during import (they are local work, not deletions)
+func TestLocalUnpushedIssueNotDeleted(t *testing.T) {
+	ctx := context.Background()
+
+	// Create temp directory structure
+	tmpDir := t.TempDir()
+	beadsDir := filepath.Join(tmpDir, ".beads")
+	if err := os.MkdirAll(beadsDir, 0755); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("Failed to create .beads dir: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	dbPath := filepath.Join(beadsDir, "beads.db")
+	store, err := sqlite.New(ctx, dbPath)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("Failed to create store: %v", err)
+	}
+	defer store.Close()
+
+	if err := store.SetConfig(ctx, "issue_prefix", "bd"); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("Failed to set prefix: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	// Create a local issue that was never exported/pushed
+	localIssue := &types.Issue{
+		ID:        "bd-local-work",
+		Title:     "Local work in progress",
+		Status:    types.StatusOpen,
+		Priority:  1,
+		IssueType: types.TypeTask,
+	}
+	if err := store.CreateIssue(ctx, localIssue, "test"); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("Failed to create local issue: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	// Create an issue that exists in JSONL (remote)
+	remoteIssue := &types.Issue{
+		ID:        "bd-remote-123",
+		Title:     "Synced from remote",
+		Status:    types.StatusOpen,
+		Priority:  1,
+		IssueType: types.TypeTask,
+	}
+	if err := store.CreateIssue(ctx, remoteIssue, "test"); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("Failed to create remote issue: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	// Empty deletions manifest (no deletions)
+	// Don't create the file - LoadDeletions handles missing file gracefully
+
+	// JSONL only contains the remote issue (local issue was never exported)
+	jsonlIssues := []*types.Issue{remoteIssue}
+
+	// Import - local issue should NOT be purged
+	result, err := ImportIssues(ctx, dbPath, store, jsonlIssues, Options{})
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("Import failed: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	// No purges should happen (not in deletions manifest, not in git history)
+	if result.Purged != 0 {
+		t.Errorf("Expected 0 purged issues, got %d (purged: %v)", result.Purged, result.PurgedIDs)
+	}
+
+	// Both issues should still exist
+	finalIssues, err := store.SearchIssues(ctx, "", types.IssueFilter{})
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("Failed to search final issues: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	if len(finalIssues) != 2 {
+		t.Errorf("Expected 2 issues after import, got %d", len(finalIssues))
+	}
+
+	// Local work should still exist
+	localFound, _ := store.GetIssue(ctx, "bd-local-work")
+	if localFound == nil {
+		t.Error("Local issue was incorrectly purged")
+	}
+}
+
+// TestDeletionWithReason verifies that deletion reason is properly recorded
+func TestDeletionWithReason(t *testing.T) {
+	ctx := context.Background()
+
+	tmpDir := t.TempDir()
+	beadsDir := filepath.Join(tmpDir, ".beads")
+	if err := os.MkdirAll(beadsDir, 0755); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("Failed to create .beads dir: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	dbPath := filepath.Join(beadsDir, "beads.db")
+	store, err := sqlite.New(ctx, dbPath)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("Failed to create store: %v", err)
+	}
+	defer store.Close()
+
+	if err := store.SetConfig(ctx, "issue_prefix", "bd"); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("Failed to set prefix: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	// Create issue
+	issue := &types.Issue{
+		ID:        "bd-dup-001",
+		Title:     "Duplicate issue",
+		Status:    types.StatusOpen,
+		Priority:  1,
+		IssueType: types.TypeTask,
+	}
+	if err := store.CreateIssue(ctx, issue, "test"); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("Failed to create issue: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	// Record deletion with reason "duplicate of bd-orig-001"
+	deletionsPath := filepath.Join(beadsDir, "deletions.jsonl")
+	record := deletions.DeletionRecord{
+		ID:        "bd-dup-001",
+		Timestamp: time.Now().UTC(),
+		Actor:     "dedup-bot",
+		Reason:    "duplicate of bd-orig-001",
+	}
+	if err := deletions.AppendDeletion(deletionsPath, record); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("Failed to write deletion: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	// Verify record was written with reason
+	loadResult, err := deletions.LoadDeletions(deletionsPath)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("Failed to load deletions: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	if loaded, ok := loadResult.Records["bd-dup-001"]; !ok {
+		t.Error("Deletion record not found")
+	} else {
+		if loaded.Reason != "duplicate of bd-orig-001" {
+			t.Errorf("Expected reason 'duplicate of bd-orig-001', got '%s'", loaded.Reason)
+		}
+		if loaded.Actor != "dedup-bot" {
+			t.Errorf("Expected actor 'dedup-bot', got '%s'", loaded.Actor)
+		}
+	}
+
+	// Import empty JSONL (issue was deleted)
+	result, err := ImportIssues(ctx, dbPath, store, []*types.Issue{}, Options{})
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("Import failed: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	if result.Purged != 1 {
+		t.Errorf("Expected 1 purged, got %d", result.Purged)
+	}
+}
diff --git a/internal/importer/importer_test.go b/internal/importer/importer_test.go
index e6cd8e3c..ba332b81 100644
--- a/internal/importer/importer_test.go
+++ b/internal/importer/importer_test.go
@@ -1090,10 +1090,10 @@ func TestCheckGitHistoryForDeletions_NonGitDir(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 }
 
-func TestWasInGitHistory_NonGitDir(t *testing.T) {
+func TestWasEverInJSONL_NonGitDir(t *testing.T) {
 	// Non-git directory should return false (conservative behavior)
 	tmpDir := t.TempDir()
-	result := wasInGitHistory(tmpDir, ".beads/beads.jsonl", "bd-test")
+	result := wasEverInJSONL(tmpDir, ".beads/beads.jsonl", "bd-test")
 	if result {
 		t.Error("Expected false for non-git dir")
 	}