refactor(types): remove Gas Town type constants from beads core (bd-w2zz4)

Remove Gas Town-specific type constants (TypeMolecule, TypeGate, TypeConvoy,
TypeMergeRequest, TypeSlot, TypeAgent, TypeRole, TypeRig, TypeEvent, TypeMessage)
from internal/types/types.go.

Beads now only has core work types built-in:
- bug, feature, task, epic, chore

All Gas Town types are now purely custom types with no special handling in beads.
Use string literals like "gate" or "molecule" when needed, and configure
types.custom in config.yaml for validation.

Changes:
- Remove Gas Town type constants from types.go
- Remove mr/mol aliases from Normalize()
- Update bd types command to only show core types
- Replace all constant usages with string literals throughout codebase
- Update tests to use string literals

This decouples beads from Gas Town, making it a generic issue tracker.

Co-Authored-By: Claude Opus 4.5 <noreply@anthropic.com>

cmd/bd/cli_coverage_show_test.go

@@ -391,9 +391,9 @@ func TestCoverage_ShowThread(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 	ctx := context.Background()
 
-	root := &types.Issue{Title: "Root message", IssueType: types.TypeMessage, Status: types.StatusOpen, Sender: "alice", Assignee: "bob"}
+	root := &types.Issue{Title: "Root message", IssueType: "message", Status: types.StatusOpen, Sender: "alice", Assignee: "bob"}
-	reply1 := &types.Issue{Title: "Re: Root", IssueType: types.TypeMessage, Status: types.StatusOpen, Sender: "bob", Assignee: "alice"}
+	reply1 := &types.Issue{Title: "Re: Root", IssueType: "message", Status: types.StatusOpen, Sender: "bob", Assignee: "alice"}
-	reply2 := &types.Issue{Title: "Re: Re: Root", IssueType: types.TypeMessage, Status: types.StatusOpen, Sender: "alice", Assignee: "bob"}
+	reply2 := &types.Issue{Title: "Re: Re: Root", IssueType: "message", Status: types.StatusOpen, Sender: "alice", Assignee: "bob"}
 	if err := s.CreateIssue(ctx, root, "test-user"); err != nil {
 		s.Close()
 		t.Fatalf("CreateIssue root: %v", err)

cmd/bd/cook.go

@@ -521,7 +521,7 @@ func createGateIssue(step *formula.Step, parentID string) *types.Issue {
 		Description: fmt.Sprintf("Async gate for step %s", step.ID),
 		Status:      types.StatusOpen,
 		Priority:    2,
-		IssueType:   types.TypeGate,
+		IssueType:   "gate",
 		AwaitType:   step.Gate.Type,
 		AwaitID:     step.Gate.ID,
 		Timeout:     timeout,

cmd/bd/export_obsidian.go

@@ -32,20 +32,14 @@ var obsidianPriority = []string{
 	"⏬", // 4 = backlog/lowest
 }
 
-// obsidianTypeTag maps bd issue type to Obsidian tag
+// obsidianTypeTag maps bd issue type to Obsidian tag (core types only)
-// Note: Gas Town-specific types (agent, role, rig, convoy, slot) are now labels.
+// Gas Town types are custom types and will use their issue_type value as a tag.
-// The labels will be converted to tags automatically via the label->tag logic.
 var obsidianTypeTag = map[types.IssueType]string{
 	types.TypeBug:     "#Bug",
 	types.TypeFeature: "#Feature",
 	types.TypeTask:    "#Task",
 	types.TypeEpic:    "#Epic",
 	types.TypeChore:   "#Chore",
-	types.TypeMessage:      "#Message",
-	types.TypeMergeRequest: "#MergeRequest",
-	types.TypeMolecule:     "#Molecule",
-	types.TypeGate:         "#Gate",
-	types.TypeEvent:        "#Event",
 }
 
 // formatObsidianTask converts a single issue to Obsidian Tasks format

cmd/bd/gate.go

@@ -61,7 +61,7 @@ By default, shows only open gates. Use --all to include closed gates.`,
 		limit, _ := cmd.Flags().GetInt("limit")
 
 		// Build filter for gate type issues
-		gateType := types.TypeGate
+		gateType := types.IssueType("gate")
 		filter := types.IssueFilter{
 			IssueType: &gateType,
 			Limit:     limit,
@@ -243,7 +243,7 @@ This is used by 'gt done --phase-complete' to register for gate wake notificatio
 			}
 		}
 
-		if issue.IssueType != types.TypeGate {
+		if issue.IssueType != "gate" {
 			fmt.Fprintf(os.Stderr, "Error: %s is not a gate issue (type=%s)\n", gateID, issue.IssueType)
 			os.Exit(1)
 		}
@@ -329,7 +329,7 @@ This is similar to 'bd show' but validates that the issue is a gate.`,
 			}
 		}
 
-		if issue.IssueType != types.TypeGate {
+		if issue.IssueType != "gate" {
 			fmt.Fprintf(os.Stderr, "Error: %s is not a gate issue (type=%s)\n", gateID, issue.IssueType)
 			os.Exit(1)
 		}
@@ -410,7 +410,7 @@ Use --reason to provide context for why the gate was resolved.`,
 			}
 		}
 
-		if issue.IssueType != types.TypeGate {
+		if issue.IssueType != "gate" {
 			fmt.Fprintf(os.Stderr, "Error: %s is not a gate issue (type=%s)\n", gateID, issue.IssueType)
 			os.Exit(1)
 		}
@@ -492,7 +492,7 @@ Examples:
 		limit, _ := cmd.Flags().GetInt("limit")
 
 		// Get open gates
-		gateType := types.TypeGate
+		gateType := types.IssueType("gate")
 		filter := types.IssueFilter{
 			IssueType:     &gateType,
 			ExcludeStatus: []types.Status{types.StatusClosed},

cmd/bd/gate_discover.go

@@ -228,7 +228,7 @@ func findPendingGates() ([]*types.Issue, error) {
 		}
 	} else {
 		// Direct mode
-		gateType := types.TypeGate
+		gateType := types.IssueType("gate")
 		filter := types.IssueFilter{
 			IssueType: &gateType,
 			ExcludeStatus: []types.Status{types.StatusClosed},

cmd/bd/list.go

@@ -796,7 +796,7 @@ var listCmd = &cobra.Command{
 		// Gate filtering: exclude gate issues by default (bd-7zka.2)
 		// Use --include-gates or --type gate to show gate issues
 		if !includeGates && issueType != "gate" {
-			filter.ExcludeTypes = append(filter.ExcludeTypes, types.TypeGate)
+			filter.ExcludeTypes = append(filter.ExcludeTypes, "gate")
 		}
 
 		// Parent filtering: filter children by parent issue

cmd/bd/mol_ready_gated.go

@@ -113,7 +113,7 @@ func runMolReadyGated(cmd *cobra.Command, args []string) {
 // 5. Filter out molecules that are already hooked by someone
 func findGateReadyMolecules(ctx context.Context, s storage.Storage) ([]*GatedMolecule, error) {
 	// Step 1: Find all closed gate beads
-	gateType := types.TypeGate
+	gateType := types.IssueType("gate")
 	closedStatus := types.StatusClosed
 	gateFilter := types.IssueFilter{
 		IssueType: &gateType,

cmd/bd/mol_ready_gated_test.go

@@ -127,7 +127,7 @@ func TestFindGateReadyMolecules_ClosedGate(t *testing.T) {
 	gate := &types.Issue{
 		ID:        "test-mol-002.gate-await-ci",
 		Title:     "Gate: gh:run ci-workflow",
-		IssueType: types.TypeGate,
+		IssueType: "gate",
 		Status:    types.StatusClosed, // Gate has closed
 		AwaitType: "gh:run",
 		AwaitID:   "ci-workflow",
@@ -222,7 +222,7 @@ func TestFindGateReadyMolecules_OpenGate(t *testing.T) {
 	gate := &types.Issue{
 		ID:        "test-mol-003.gate-await-ci",
 		Title:     "Gate: gh:run ci-workflow",
-		IssueType: types.TypeGate,
+		IssueType: "gate",
 		Status:    types.StatusOpen, // Gate is still open
 		AwaitType: "gh:run",
 		AwaitID:   "ci-workflow",
@@ -302,7 +302,7 @@ func TestFindGateReadyMolecules_HookedMolecule(t *testing.T) {
 	gate := &types.Issue{
 		ID:        "test-mol-004.gate-await-ci",
 		Title:     "Gate: gh:run ci-workflow",
-		IssueType: types.TypeGate,
+		IssueType: "gate",
 		Status:    types.StatusClosed,
 		AwaitType: "gh:run",
 		AwaitID:   "ci-workflow",
@@ -384,7 +384,7 @@ func TestFindGateReadyMolecules_MultipleGates(t *testing.T) {
 		gate := &types.Issue{
 			ID:        fmt.Sprintf("%s.gate", molID),
 			Title:     "Gate: gh:run",
-			IssueType: types.TypeGate,
+			IssueType: "gate",
 			Status:    types.StatusClosed,
 			AwaitType: "gh:run",
 			CreatedAt: time.Now(),

cmd/bd/show_unit_helpers_test.go

@@ -105,9 +105,9 @@ func TestFindRepliesToAndReplies_WorksWithMemoryStorage(t *testing.T) {
 		t.Fatalf("SetConfig types.custom: %v", err)
 	}
 
-	root := &types.Issue{Title: "root", Status: types.StatusOpen, Priority: 2, IssueType: types.TypeMessage, Sender: "a", Assignee: "b"}
+	root := &types.Issue{Title: "root", Status: types.StatusOpen, Priority: 2, IssueType: "message", Sender: "a", Assignee: "b"}
-	reply1 := &types.Issue{Title: "r1", Status: types.StatusOpen, Priority: 2, IssueType: types.TypeMessage, Sender: "b", Assignee: "a"}
+	reply1 := &types.Issue{Title: "r1", Status: types.StatusOpen, Priority: 2, IssueType: "message", Sender: "b", Assignee: "a"}
-	reply2 := &types.Issue{Title: "r2", Status: types.StatusOpen, Priority: 2, IssueType: types.TypeMessage, Sender: "a", Assignee: "b"}
+	reply2 := &types.Issue{Title: "r2", Status: types.StatusOpen, Priority: 2, IssueType: "message", Sender: "a", Assignee: "b"}
 	if err := st.CreateIssue(ctx, root, "tester"); err != nil {
 		t.Fatalf("CreateIssue(root): %v", err)
 	}

cmd/bd/swarm.go

@@ -77,7 +77,7 @@ func findExistingSwarm(ctx context.Context, s SwarmStorage, epicID string) (*typ
 	// Find a swarm molecule with relates-to dependency to this epic
 	for _, dep := range dependents {
 		// Only consider molecules (GetDependents doesn't populate mol_type, so we fetch full issue)
-		if dep.IssueType != types.TypeMolecule {
+		if dep.IssueType != "molecule" {
 			continue
 		}
 
@@ -187,7 +187,7 @@ Examples:
 		}
 
 		// Verify it's an epic
-		if epic.IssueType != types.TypeEpic && epic.IssueType != types.TypeMolecule {
+		if epic.IssueType != types.TypeEpic && epic.IssueType != "molecule" {
 			FatalErrorRespectJSON("'%s' is not an epic or molecule (type: %s)", epicID, epic.IssueType)
 		}
 
@@ -655,7 +655,7 @@ Examples:
 		var epic *types.Issue
 
 		// Check if it's a swarm molecule - if so, follow the link to the epic
-		if issue.IssueType == types.TypeMolecule && issue.MolType == types.MolTypeSwarm {
+		if issue.IssueType == "molecule" && issue.MolType == types.MolTypeSwarm {
 			// Find linked epic via relates-to dependency
 			deps, err := store.GetDependencyRecords(ctx, issue.ID)
 			if err != nil {
@@ -673,7 +673,7 @@ Examples:
 			if epic == nil {
 				FatalErrorRespectJSON("swarm molecule '%s' has no linked epic", issueID)
 			}
-		} else if issue.IssueType == types.TypeEpic || issue.IssueType == types.TypeMolecule {
+		} else if issue.IssueType == types.TypeEpic || issue.IssueType == "molecule" {
 			epic = issue
 		} else {
 			FatalErrorRespectJSON("'%s' is not an epic or swarm molecule (type: %s)", issueID, issue.IssueType)
@@ -950,7 +950,7 @@ Examples:
 		var epicTitle string
 
 		// Check if it's an epic or single issue that needs wrapping
-		if issue.IssueType == types.TypeEpic || issue.IssueType == types.TypeMolecule {
+		if issue.IssueType == types.TypeEpic || issue.IssueType == "molecule" {
 			epicID = issue.ID
 			epicTitle = issue.Title
 		} else {
@@ -1042,7 +1042,7 @@ Examples:
 			Description: fmt.Sprintf("Swarm molecule orchestrating epic %s.\n\nEpic: %s\nCoordinator: %s", epicID, epicID, coordinator),
 			Status:      types.StatusOpen,
 			Priority:    epic.Priority,
-			IssueType:   types.TypeMolecule,
+			IssueType:   "molecule",
 			MolType:     types.MolTypeSwarm,
 			Assignee:    coordinator,
 			CreatedBy:   actor,

cmd/bd/thread_test.go

@@ -24,7 +24,7 @@ func TestThreadTraversal(t *testing.T) {
 		Description: "This is the original message",
 		Status:      types.StatusOpen,
 		Priority:    2,
-		IssueType:   types.TypeMessage,
+		IssueType:   "message",
 		Assignee:    "worker",
 		Sender:      "manager",
 		Ephemeral:        true,
@@ -40,7 +40,7 @@ func TestThreadTraversal(t *testing.T) {
 		Description: "This is reply 1",
 		Status:      types.StatusOpen,
 		Priority:    2,
-		IssueType:   types.TypeMessage,
+		IssueType:   "message",
 		Assignee:    "manager",
 		Sender:      "worker",
 		Ephemeral:        true,
@@ -56,7 +56,7 @@ func TestThreadTraversal(t *testing.T) {
 		Description: "This is reply 2",
 		Status:      types.StatusOpen,
 		Priority:    2,
-		IssueType:   types.TypeMessage,
+		IssueType:   "message",
 		Assignee:    "worker",
 		Sender:      "manager",
 		Ephemeral:        true,
@@ -187,7 +187,7 @@ func TestThreadTraversalEmptyThread(t *testing.T) {
 		Description: "This message has no thread",
 		Status:      types.StatusOpen,
 		Priority:    2,
-		IssueType:   types.TypeMessage,
+		IssueType:   "message",
 		Assignee:    "user",
 		Sender:      "sender",
 		Ephemeral:        true,
@@ -225,7 +225,7 @@ func TestThreadTraversalBranching(t *testing.T) {
 		Description: "This message will have multiple replies",
 		Status:      types.StatusOpen,
 		Priority:    2,
-		IssueType:   types.TypeMessage,
+		IssueType:   "message",
 		Assignee:    "user",
 		Sender:      "sender",
 		Ephemeral:        true,
@@ -242,7 +242,7 @@ func TestThreadTraversalBranching(t *testing.T) {
 		Description: "First branch reply",
 		Status:      types.StatusOpen,
 		Priority:    2,
-		IssueType:   types.TypeMessage,
+		IssueType:   "message",
 		Assignee:    "sender",
 		Sender:      "user",
 		Ephemeral:        true,
@@ -258,7 +258,7 @@ func TestThreadTraversalBranching(t *testing.T) {
 		Description: "Second branch reply",
 		Status:      types.StatusOpen,
 		Priority:    2,
-		IssueType:   types.TypeMessage,
+		IssueType:   "message",
 		Assignee:    "sender",
 		Sender:      "another-user",
 		Ephemeral:        true,
@@ -361,7 +361,7 @@ func TestThreadTraversalOnlyRepliesTo(t *testing.T) {
 		Description: "First message (target of blocks dep)",
 		Status:      types.StatusOpen,
 		Priority:    2,
-		IssueType:   types.TypeMessage,
+		IssueType:   "message",
 		Assignee:    "user",
 		Sender:      "sender",
 		Ephemeral:        true,
@@ -377,7 +377,7 @@ func TestThreadTraversalOnlyRepliesTo(t *testing.T) {
 		Description: "Second message with blocks dependency to msg1",
 		Status:      types.StatusOpen,
 		Priority:    2,
-		IssueType:   types.TypeMessage,
+		IssueType:   "message",
 		Assignee:    "user",
 		Sender:      "sender",
 		Ephemeral:        true,

cmd/bd/types.go

@@ -4,7 +4,6 @@ import (
 	"context"
 	"fmt"
 	"os"
-	"strings"
 
 	"github.com/spf13/cobra"
 	"github.com/steveyegge/beads/internal/types"
@@ -22,24 +21,6 @@ var coreWorkTypes = []struct {
 	{types.TypeEpic, "Large body of work spanning multiple issues"},
 }
 
-// wellKnownCustomTypes are commonly used types that require types.custom configuration.
-// These are used by Gas Town and other infrastructure that extends beads.
-var wellKnownCustomTypes = []struct {
-	Type        types.IssueType
-	Description string
-}{
-	{types.TypeMolecule, "Template for issue hierarchies"},
-	{types.TypeGate, "Async coordination gate"},
-	{types.TypeConvoy, "Cross-project tracking with reactive completion"},
-	{types.TypeMergeRequest, "Merge queue entry for refinery processing"},
-	{types.TypeSlot, "Exclusive access slot (merge-slot gate)"},
-	{types.TypeAgent, "Agent identity bead"},
-	{types.TypeRole, "Agent role definition"},
-	{types.TypeRig, "Rig identity bead (multi-repo workspace)"},
-	{types.TypeEvent, "Operational state change record"},
-	{types.TypeMessage, "Ephemeral communication between workers"},
-}
-
 var typesCmd = &cobra.Command{
 	Use:     "types",
 	GroupID: "views",
@@ -96,34 +77,12 @@ Examples:
 		if len(customTypes) > 0 {
 			fmt.Println("\nConfigured custom types:")
 			for _, t := range customTypes {
-				// Check if it's a well-known type and show description
-				desc := ""
-				for _, wk := range wellKnownCustomTypes {
-					if string(wk.Type) == t {
-						desc = wk.Description
-						break
-					}
-				}
-				if desc != "" {
-					fmt.Printf("  %-14s %s\n", t, desc)
-				} else {
 				fmt.Printf("  %s\n", t)
 			}
-			}
 		} else {
 			fmt.Println("\nNo custom types configured.")
 			fmt.Println("Configure with: bd config set types.custom \"type1,type2,...\"")
 		}
-
-		// Show hint about well-known types if none are configured
-		if len(customTypes) == 0 {
-			fmt.Println("\nWell-known custom types (used by Gas Town):")
-			var typeNames []string
-			for _, t := range wellKnownCustomTypes {
-				typeNames = append(typeNames, string(t.Type))
-			}
-			fmt.Printf("  %s\n", strings.Join(typeNames, ", "))
-		}
 	},
 }
 

internal/beads/beads.go

@@ -342,14 +342,13 @@ const (
 	StatusClosed     = types.StatusClosed
 )
 
-// IssueType constants
+// IssueType constants (core types only - Gas Town types removed)
 const (
 	TypeBug     = types.TypeBug
 	TypeFeature = types.TypeFeature
 	TypeTask    = types.TypeTask
 	TypeEpic    = types.TypeEpic
 	TypeChore   = types.TypeChore
-	TypeMolecule = types.TypeMolecule
 )
 
 // DependencyType constants

internal/molecules/molecules_test.go

@@ -164,7 +164,7 @@ func TestLoader_SkipExistingMolecules(t *testing.T) {
 	existingMol := &types.Issue{
 		ID:         "mol-existing",
 		Title:      "Existing Molecule",
-		IssueType:  types.TypeMolecule,
+		IssueType:  "molecule",
 		Status:     types.StatusOpen,
 		IsTemplate: true,
 	}

internal/rpc/client_gate_shutdown_test.go

@@ -51,7 +51,7 @@ func TestClient_GateLifecycleAndShutdown(t *testing.T) {
 	if err := json.Unmarshal(showResp.Data, &gate); err != nil {
 		t.Fatalf("unmarshal GateShow: %v", err)
 	}
-	if gate.ID != created.ID || gate.IssueType != types.TypeGate {
+	if gate.ID != created.ID || gate.IssueType != "gate" {
 		t.Fatalf("unexpected gate: %+v", gate)
 	}
 

internal/rpc/server_issues_epics.go

@@ -2053,7 +2053,7 @@ func (s *Server) handleGateCreate(req *Request) Response {
 	// Create gate issue
 	gate := &types.Issue{
 		Title:     args.Title,
-		IssueType: types.TypeGate,
+		IssueType: "gate",
 		Status:    types.StatusOpen,
 		Priority:  1, // Gates are typically high priority
 		Assignee:  "deacon/",
@@ -2104,7 +2104,7 @@ func (s *Server) handleGateList(req *Request) Response {
 	ctx := s.reqCtx(req)
 
 	// Build filter for gates
-	gateType := types.TypeGate
+	gateType := types.IssueType("gate")
 	filter := types.IssueFilter{
 		IssueType: &gateType,
 	}
@@ -2169,7 +2169,7 @@ func (s *Server) handleGateShow(req *Request) Response {
 			Error:   fmt.Sprintf("gate %s not found", gateID),
 		}
 	}
-	if gate.IssueType != types.TypeGate {
+	if gate.IssueType != "gate" {
 		return Response{
 			Success: false,
 			Error:   fmt.Sprintf("%s is not a gate (type: %s)", gateID, gate.IssueType),
@@ -2225,7 +2225,7 @@ func (s *Server) handleGateClose(req *Request) Response {
 			Error:   fmt.Sprintf("gate %s not found", gateID),
 		}
 	}
-	if gate.IssueType != types.TypeGate {
+	if gate.IssueType != "gate" {
 		return Response{
 			Success: false,
 			Error:   fmt.Sprintf("%s is not a gate (type: %s)", gateID, gate.IssueType),
@@ -2304,7 +2304,7 @@ func (s *Server) handleGateWait(req *Request) Response {
 			Error:   fmt.Sprintf("gate %s not found", gateID),
 		}
 	}
-	if gate.IssueType != types.TypeGate {
+	if gate.IssueType != "gate" {
 		return Response{
 			Success: false,
 			Error:   fmt.Sprintf("%s is not a gate (type: %s)", gateID, gate.IssueType),

internal/storage/memory/memory.go

@@ -1085,8 +1085,9 @@ func (m *MemoryStorage) GetReadyWork(ctx context.Context, filter types.WorkFilte
 		} else {
 			// Exclude workflow types from ready work by default
 			// These are internal workflow items, not work for polecats to claim
+			// (Gas Town types - not built into beads core)
 			switch issue.IssueType {
-			case types.TypeMergeRequest, types.TypeGate, types.TypeMolecule, types.TypeMessage:
+			case "merge-request", "gate", "molecule", "message":
 				continue
 			}
 		}

internal/storage/memory/memory_more_coverage_test.go

@@ -594,7 +594,7 @@ func TestMemoryStorage_UpdateIssue_SearchIssues_ReadyWork_BlockedIssues(t *testi
 	child := &types.Issue{ID: "bd-2", Title: "Child", Status: types.StatusOpen, Priority: 2, IssueType: types.TypeTask, Assignee: assignee}
 	blocker := &types.Issue{ID: "bd-3", Title: "Blocker", Status: types.StatusOpen, Priority: 3, IssueType: types.TypeTask}
 	pinned := &types.Issue{ID: "bd-4", Title: "Pinned", Status: types.StatusOpen, Priority: 1, IssueType: types.TypeTask, Pinned: true}
-	workflow := &types.Issue{ID: "bd-5", Title: "Workflow", Status: types.StatusOpen, Priority: 1, IssueType: types.TypeMergeRequest}
+	workflow := &types.Issue{ID: "bd-5", Title: "Workflow", Status: types.StatusOpen, Priority: 1, IssueType: "merge-request"}
 	for _, iss := range []*types.Issue{parent, child, blocker, pinned, workflow} {
 		if err := store.CreateIssue(ctx, iss, "actor"); err != nil {
 			t.Fatalf("CreateIssue %s: %v", iss.ID, err)
@@ -720,7 +720,7 @@ func TestMemoryStorage_UpdateIssue_SearchIssues_ReadyWork_BlockedIssues(t *testi
 	}
 
 	// Filter by workflow type explicitly.
-	ready, err = store.GetReadyWork(ctx, types.WorkFilter{Type: string(types.TypeMergeRequest)})
+	ready, err = store.GetReadyWork(ctx, types.WorkFilter{Type: "merge-request"})
 	if err != nil {
 		t.Fatalf("GetReadyWork type: %v", err)
 	}

internal/storage/sqlite/gate_no_daemon_test.go

@@ -39,7 +39,7 @@ func TestGateFieldsPreservedAcrossConnections(t *testing.T) {
 		Title:     "Test Gate",
 		Status:    types.StatusOpen,
 		Priority:  1,
-		IssueType: types.TypeGate,
+		IssueType: "gate",
 		Ephemeral: true,
 		AwaitType: "timer",
 		AwaitID:   "5s",

internal/storage/sqlite/graph_links_test.go

@@ -292,7 +292,7 @@ func TestRepliesTo(t *testing.T) {
 		Description: "Original content",
 		Status:      types.StatusOpen,
 		Priority:    2,
-		IssueType:   types.TypeMessage,
+		IssueType:   "message",
 		Sender:      "alice",
 		Assignee:    "bob",
 		Ephemeral:        true,
@@ -304,7 +304,7 @@ func TestRepliesTo(t *testing.T) {
 		Description: "Reply content",
 		Status:      types.StatusOpen,
 		Priority:    2,
-		IssueType:   types.TypeMessage,
+		IssueType:   "message",
 		Sender:      "bob",
 		Assignee:    "alice",
 		Ephemeral:        true,
@@ -360,7 +360,7 @@ func TestRepliesTo_Chain(t *testing.T) {
 			Title:     "Message",
 			Status:    types.StatusOpen,
 			Priority:  2,
-			IssueType: types.TypeMessage,
+			IssueType: "message",
 			Sender:    "user",
 			Assignee:  "inbox",
 			Ephemeral: true,
@@ -414,7 +414,7 @@ func TestWispField(t *testing.T) {
 		Title:     "Wisp Issue",
 		Status:    types.StatusOpen,
 		Priority:  2,
-		IssueType: types.TypeMessage,
+		IssueType: "message",
 		Ephemeral:      true,
 		CreatedAt: time.Now(),
 		UpdatedAt: time.Now(),
@@ -467,7 +467,7 @@ func TestWispFilter(t *testing.T) {
 			Title:     "Wisp",
 			Status:    types.StatusClosed, // Closed for cleanup test
 			Priority:  2,
-			IssueType: types.TypeMessage,
+			IssueType: "message",
 			Ephemeral:      true,
 			CreatedAt: time.Now(),
 			UpdatedAt: time.Now(),
@@ -534,7 +534,7 @@ func TestSenderField(t *testing.T) {
 		Title:     "Message",
 		Status:    types.StatusOpen,
 		Priority:  2,
-		IssueType: types.TypeMessage,
+		IssueType: "message",
 		Sender:    "alice@example.com",
 		Assignee:  "bob@example.com",
 		CreatedAt: time.Now(),
@@ -565,7 +565,7 @@ func TestMessageType(t *testing.T) {
 		Title:     "Test Message",
 		Status:    types.StatusOpen,
 		Priority:  2,
-		IssueType: types.TypeMessage,
+		IssueType: "message",
 		CreatedAt: time.Now(),
 		UpdatedAt: time.Now(),
 	}
@@ -579,12 +579,12 @@ func TestMessageType(t *testing.T) {
 	if err != nil {
 		t.Fatalf("GetIssue failed: %v", err)
 	}
-	if saved.IssueType != types.TypeMessage {
+	if saved.IssueType != "message" {
-		t.Errorf("IssueType = %q, want %q", saved.IssueType, types.TypeMessage)
+		t.Errorf("IssueType = %q, want %q", saved.IssueType, "message")
 	}
 
 	// Filter by message type
-	messageType := types.TypeMessage
+	messageType := types.IssueType("message")
 	filter := types.IssueFilter{
 		IssueType: &messageType,
 	}

internal/storage/sqlite/multirepo_test.go

@@ -1128,7 +1128,7 @@ func TestUpsertPreservesGateFields(t *testing.T) {
 		Title:     "Test Gate",
 		Status:    types.StatusOpen,
 		Priority:  1,
-		IssueType: types.TypeGate,
+		IssueType: "gate",
 		Ephemeral: true,
 		AwaitType: "gh:run",
 		AwaitID:   "123456789",
@@ -1170,7 +1170,7 @@ func TestUpsertPreservesGateFields(t *testing.T) {
 		Title:       "Test Gate Updated", // Different title to trigger update
 		Status:      types.StatusOpen,
 		Priority:    1,
-		IssueType:   types.TypeGate,
+		IssueType:   "gate",
 		AwaitType:   "", // Empty - simulating JSONL without await fields
 		AwaitID:     "", // Empty
 		Timeout:     0,

internal/storage/sqlite/transaction_test.go

@@ -524,14 +524,14 @@ func TestTransactionAddDependency_RepliesTo(t *testing.T) {
 		Title:     "Original Message",
 		Status:    types.StatusOpen,
 		Priority:  2,
-		IssueType: types.TypeMessage,
+		IssueType: "message",
 		Sender:    "alice",
 	}
 	reply := &types.Issue{
 		Title:     "Re: Original Message",
 		Status:    types.StatusOpen,
 		Priority:  2,
-		IssueType: types.TypeMessage,
+		IssueType: "message",
 		Sender:    "bob",
 	}
 	if err := store.CreateIssue(ctx, original, "test-actor"); err != nil {

internal/types/types.go

@@ -486,21 +486,9 @@ const (
 	TypeChore   IssueType = "chore"
 )
 
-// Well-known custom types - constants for code convenience.
+// Note: Gas Town types (molecule, gate, convoy, merge-request, slot, agent, role, rig, event, message)
-// These are NOT built-in types and require types.custom configuration for validation.
+// were removed from beads core. They are now purely custom types with no built-in constants.
-// Used by Gas Town and other infrastructure that extends beads.
+// Use string literals like types.IssueType("molecule") if needed, and configure types.custom.
-const (
-	TypeMessage      IssueType = "message"       // Ephemeral communication between workers
-	TypeMergeRequest IssueType = "merge-request" // Merge queue entry for refinery processing
-	TypeMolecule     IssueType = "molecule"      // Template molecule for issue hierarchies
-	TypeGate         IssueType = "gate"          // Async coordination gate
-	TypeAgent        IssueType = "agent"         // Agent identity bead
-	TypeRole         IssueType = "role"          // Agent role definition
-	TypeRig          IssueType = "rig"           // Rig identity bead (multi-repo workspace)
-	TypeConvoy       IssueType = "convoy"        // Cross-project tracking with reactive completion
-	TypeEvent        IssueType = "event"         // Operational state change record
-	TypeSlot         IssueType = "slot"          // Exclusive access slot (merge-slot gate)
-)
 
 // IsValid checks if the issue type is a core work type.
 // Only core work types (bug, feature, task, epic, chore) are built-in.
@@ -538,16 +526,12 @@ func (t IssueType) IsValidWithCustom(customTypes []string) bool {
 }
 
 // Normalize maps issue type aliases to their canonical form.
-// For example, "enhancement" -> "feature", "mr" -> "merge-request".
+// For example, "enhancement" -> "feature".
 // Case-insensitive to match util.NormalizeIssueType behavior.
 func (t IssueType) Normalize() IssueType {
 	switch strings.ToLower(string(t)) {
 	case "enhancement", "feat":
 		return TypeFeature
-	case "mr":
-		return TypeMergeRequest
-	case "mol":
-		return TypeMolecule
 	default:
 		return t
 	}

internal/types/types_test.go

@@ -442,12 +442,12 @@ func TestValidateForImport(t *testing.T) {
 			wantErr: false, // Should pass - federation trust model
 		},
 		{
-			name: "built-in type agent passes",
+			name: "custom type passes (federation trust)",
 			issue: Issue{
 				Title:     "Test Issue",
 				Status:    StatusOpen,
 				Priority:  1,
-				IssueType: TypeAgent, // Gas Town built-in type
+				IssueType: IssueType("agent"), // Custom type (no longer built-in)
 			},
 			wantErr: false,
 		},
@@ -545,17 +545,17 @@ func TestIssueTypeIsValid(t *testing.T) {
 		{TypeTask, true},
 		{TypeEpic, true},
 		{TypeChore, true},
-		// Gas Town types require types.custom configuration
+		// Gas Town types are now custom types (not built-in)
-		{TypeMessage, false},
+		{IssueType("message"), false},
-		{TypeMergeRequest, false},
+		{IssueType("merge-request"), false},
-		{TypeMolecule, false},
+		{IssueType("molecule"), false},
-		{TypeGate, false},
+		{IssueType("gate"), false},
-		{TypeAgent, false},
+		{IssueType("agent"), false},
-		{TypeRole, false},
+		{IssueType("role"), false},
-		{TypeConvoy, false},
+		{IssueType("convoy"), false},
-		{TypeEvent, false},
+		{IssueType("event"), false},
-		{TypeSlot, false},
+		{IssueType("slot"), false},
-		{TypeRig, false},
+		{IssueType("rig"), false},
 		// Invalid types
 		{IssueType("invalid"), false},
 		{IssueType(""), false},
@@ -581,12 +581,12 @@ func TestIssueTypeRequiredSections(t *testing.T) {
 		{TypeTask, 1, "## Acceptance Criteria"},
 		{TypeEpic, 1, "## Success Criteria"},
 		{TypeChore, 0, ""},
-		{TypeMessage, 0, ""},
+		// Gas Town types are now custom and have no required sections
-		{TypeMolecule, 0, ""},
+		{IssueType("message"), 0, ""},
-		{TypeGate, 0, ""},
+		{IssueType("molecule"), 0, ""},
-		{TypeEvent, 0, ""},
+		{IssueType("gate"), 0, ""},
-		{TypeMergeRequest, 0, ""},
+		{IssueType("event"), 0, ""},
-		// Gas Town types (agent, role, rig, convoy, slot) have been removed
+		{IssueType("merge-request"), 0, ""},
 	}
 
 	for _, tt := range tests {

internal/validation/template_test.go

@@ -123,13 +123,13 @@ Widget displays correctly`,
 		},
 		{
 			name:        "message has no requirements",
-			issueType:   types.TypeMessage,
+			issueType:   "message",
 			description: "Hello",
 			wantErr:     false,
 		},
 		{
 			name:        "molecule has no requirements",
-			issueType:   types.TypeMolecule,
+			issueType:   "molecule",
 			description: "",
 			wantErr:     false,
 		},