diff --git a/cmd/bd/doctor.go b/cmd/bd/doctor.go
index 045077e1..246cb16f 100644
--- a/cmd/bd/doctor.go
+++ b/cmd/bd/doctor.go
@@ -462,12 +462,7 @@ func runCheckHealth(path string) {
 		issues = append(issues, issue)
 	}
 
-	// Check 2: Sync branch not configured (now reads from config.yaml, not DB)
-	if issue := checkSyncBranchQuick(); issue != "" {
-		issues = append(issues, issue)
-	}
-
-	// Check 3: Outdated git hooks
+	// Check 2: Outdated git hooks
 	if issue := checkHooksQuick(path); issue != "" {
 		issues = append(issues, issue)
 	}
@@ -526,15 +521,6 @@ func checkVersionMismatchDB(db *sql.DB) string {
 	return ""
 }
 
-// checkSyncBranchQuick checks if sync-branch is configured in config.yaml.
-// Fast check that doesn't require database access.
-func checkSyncBranchQuick() string {
-	if syncbranch.IsConfigured() {
-		return ""
-	}
-	return "sync-branch not configured in config.yaml"
-}
-
 // checkHooksQuick does a fast check for outdated git hooks.
 // Checks all beads hooks: pre-commit, post-merge, pre-push, post-checkout (bd-2em).
 func checkHooksQuick(path string) string {
@@ -2343,26 +2329,20 @@ func checkSyncBranchConfig(path string) doctorCheck {
 		}
 	}
 
-	// Not configured - this is optional but recommended for multi-clone setups
-	// Check if this looks like a multi-clone setup (has remote)
-	hasRemote := false
+	// Not configured - check if repo has a remote to provide appropriate message
+	// sync-branch is optional, only needed for protected branches or multi-clone workflows
+	// See GitHub issue #498
 	cmd = exec.Command("git", "remote")
 	cmd.Dir = path
 	if output, err := cmd.Output(); err == nil && len(strings.TrimSpace(string(output))) > 0 {
-		hasRemote = true
-	}
-
-	if hasRemote {
 		return doctorCheck{
 			Name:    "Sync Branch Config",
-			Status:  statusWarning,
-			Message: "sync-branch not configured",
-			Detail:  "Multi-clone setups should configure sync-branch in config.yaml",
-			Fix:     "Add 'sync-branch: beads-sync' to .beads/config.yaml",
+			Status:  statusOK,
+			Message: "Not configured (optional)",
+			Detail:  "Only needed for protected branches or multi-clone workflows",
 		}
 	}
 
-	// No remote - probably a local-only repo, sync-branch not needed
 	return doctorCheck{
 		Name:    "Sync Branch Config",
 		Status:  statusOK,