Merge pull request #967 from rsnodgrass/bd-improvements

Visual UX improvements for list, graph, and show commands. Adds design system documentation.

cmd/bd/graph.go

@@ -33,51 +33,44 @@ type GraphLayout struct {
 	RootID     string
 }
 
+var (
+	graphCompact bool
+	graphBox     bool
+	graphAll     bool
+)
+
 var graphCmd = &cobra.Command{
-	Use:     "graph <issue-id>",
+	Use:     "graph [issue-id]",
 	GroupID: "deps",
 	Short:   "Display issue dependency graph",
-	Long: `Display an ASCII visualization of an issue's dependency graph.
+	Long: `Display a visualization of an issue's dependency graph.
 
 For epics, shows all children and their dependencies.
 For regular issues, shows the issue and its direct dependencies.
 
-The graph shows execution order left-to-right:
-- Leftmost nodes have no dependencies (can start immediately)
-- Rightmost nodes depend on everything to their left
-- Nodes in the same column can run in parallel
+With --all, shows all open issues grouped by connected component.
 
-Colors indicate status:
-- White: open (ready to work)
-- Yellow: in progress
-- Red: blocked
-- Green: closed`,
-	Args: cobra.ExactArgs(1),
+Display formats:
+  --box (default)  ASCII boxes showing layers, more detailed
+  --compact        Tree format, one line per issue, more scannable
+
+The graph shows execution order:
+- Layer 0 / leftmost = no dependencies (can start immediately)
+- Higher layers depend on lower layers
+- Nodes in the same layer can run in parallel
+
+Status icons: ○ open  ◐ in_progress  ● blocked  ✓ closed  ❄ deferred`,
+	Args: cobra.RangeArgs(0, 1),
 	Run: func(cmd *cobra.Command, args []string) {
 		ctx := rootCtx
-		var issueID string
 
-		// Resolve the issue ID
-		if daemonClient != nil {
-			resolveArgs := &rpc.ResolveIDArgs{ID: args[0]}
-			resp, err := daemonClient.ResolveID(resolveArgs)
-			if err != nil {
-				fmt.Fprintf(os.Stderr, "Error: issue '%s' not found\n", args[0])
-				os.Exit(1)
-			}
-			if err := json.Unmarshal(resp.Data, &issueID); err != nil {
-				fmt.Fprintf(os.Stderr, "Error: %v\n", err)
-				os.Exit(1)
-			}
-		} else if store != nil {
-			var err error
-			issueID, err = utils.ResolvePartialID(ctx, store, args[0])
-			if err != nil {
-				fmt.Fprintf(os.Stderr, "Error: issue '%s' not found\n", args[0])
-				os.Exit(1)
-			}
-		} else {
-			fmt.Fprintf(os.Stderr, "Error: no database connection\n")
+		// Validate args
+		if graphAll && len(args) > 0 {
+			fmt.Fprintf(os.Stderr, "Error: cannot specify issue ID with --all flag\n")
+			os.Exit(1)
+		}
+		if !graphAll && len(args) == 0 {
+			fmt.Fprintf(os.Stderr, "Error: issue ID required (or use --all for all open issues)\n")
 			os.Exit(1)
 		}
 
@@ -92,6 +85,66 @@ Colors indicate status:
 			defer func() { _ = store.Close() }()
 		}
 
+		if store == nil {
+			fmt.Fprintf(os.Stderr, "Error: no database connection\n")
+			os.Exit(1)
+		}
+
+		// Handle --all flag: show graph for all open issues
+		if graphAll {
+			subgraphs, err := loadAllGraphSubgraphs(ctx, store)
+			if err != nil {
+				fmt.Fprintf(os.Stderr, "Error loading all issues: %v\n", err)
+				os.Exit(1)
+			}
+
+			if len(subgraphs) == 0 {
+				fmt.Println("No open issues found")
+				return
+			}
+
+			if jsonOutput {
+				outputJSON(subgraphs)
+				return
+			}
+
+			// Render all subgraphs
+			for i, subgraph := range subgraphs {
+				layout := computeLayout(subgraph)
+				if graphCompact {
+					renderGraphCompact(layout, subgraph)
+				} else {
+					renderGraph(layout, subgraph)
+				}
+				if i < len(subgraphs)-1 {
+					fmt.Println(strings.Repeat("─", 60))
+				}
+			}
+			return
+		}
+
+		// Single issue mode
+		var issueID string
+		if daemonClient != nil {
+			resolveArgs := &rpc.ResolveIDArgs{ID: args[0]}
+			resp, err := daemonClient.ResolveID(resolveArgs)
+			if err != nil {
+				fmt.Fprintf(os.Stderr, "Error: issue '%s' not found\n", args[0])
+				os.Exit(1)
+			}
+			if err := json.Unmarshal(resp.Data, &issueID); err != nil {
+				fmt.Fprintf(os.Stderr, "Error: %v\n", err)
+				os.Exit(1)
+			}
+		} else {
+			var err error
+			issueID, err = utils.ResolvePartialID(ctx, store, args[0])
+			if err != nil {
+				fmt.Fprintf(os.Stderr, "Error: issue '%s' not found\n", args[0])
+				os.Exit(1)
+			}
+		}
+
 		// Load the subgraph
 		subgraph, err := loadGraphSubgraph(ctx, store, issueID)
 		if err != nil {
@@ -111,12 +164,19 @@ Colors indicate status:
 			return
 		}
 
-		// Render ASCII graph
-		renderGraph(layout, subgraph)
+		// Render graph - compact tree format or box format (default)
+		if graphCompact {
+			renderGraphCompact(layout, subgraph)
+		} else {
+			renderGraph(layout, subgraph)
+		}
 	},
 }
 
 func init() {
+	graphCmd.Flags().BoolVar(&graphAll, "all", false, "Show graph for all open issues")
+	graphCmd.Flags().BoolVar(&graphCompact, "compact", false, "Tree format, one line per issue, more scannable")
+	graphCmd.Flags().BoolVar(&graphBox, "box", true, "ASCII boxes showing layers (default)")
 	graphCmd.ValidArgsFunction = issueIDCompletion
 	rootCmd.AddCommand(graphCmd)
 }
@@ -191,6 +251,157 @@ func loadGraphSubgraph(ctx context.Context, s storage.Storage, issueID string) (
 	return subgraph, nil
 }
 
+// loadAllGraphSubgraphs loads all open issues and groups them by connected component
+// Each component is a subgraph of issues that share dependencies
+func loadAllGraphSubgraphs(ctx context.Context, s storage.Storage) ([]*TemplateSubgraph, error) {
+	if s == nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("no database connection")
+	}
+
+	// Get all open issues (open, in_progress, blocked)
+	// We need to make multiple calls since IssueFilter takes a single status
+	var allIssues []*types.Issue
+	for _, status := range []types.Status{types.StatusOpen, types.StatusInProgress, types.StatusBlocked} {
+		statusCopy := status
+		issues, err := s.SearchIssues(ctx, "", types.IssueFilter{
+			Status: &statusCopy,
+		})
+		if err != nil {
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("failed to search issues: %w", err)
+		}
+		allIssues = append(allIssues, issues...)
+	}
+
+	if len(allIssues) == 0 {
+		return nil, nil
+	}
+
+	// Build issue map
+	issueMap := make(map[string]*types.Issue)
+	for _, issue := range allIssues {
+		issueMap[issue.ID] = issue
+	}
+
+	// Load all dependencies between these issues
+	allDeps := make([]*types.Dependency, 0)
+	for _, issue := range allIssues {
+		deps, err := s.GetDependencyRecords(ctx, issue.ID)
+		if err != nil {
+			continue
+		}
+		for _, dep := range deps {
+			// Only include deps where both ends are in our issue set
+			if _, ok := issueMap[dep.DependsOnID]; ok {
+				allDeps = append(allDeps, dep)
+			}
+		}
+	}
+
+	// Build adjacency list for union-find
+	adj := make(map[string][]string)
+	for _, dep := range allDeps {
+		adj[dep.IssueID] = append(adj[dep.IssueID], dep.DependsOnID)
+		adj[dep.DependsOnID] = append(adj[dep.DependsOnID], dep.IssueID)
+	}
+
+	// Find connected components using BFS
+	visited := make(map[string]bool)
+	var components [][]string
+
+	for _, issue := range allIssues {
+		if visited[issue.ID] {
+			continue
+		}
+
+		// BFS to find all connected issues
+		var component []string
+		queue := []string{issue.ID}
+		visited[issue.ID] = true
+
+		for len(queue) > 0 {
+			current := queue[0]
+			queue = queue[1:]
+			component = append(component, current)
+
+			for _, neighbor := range adj[current] {
+				if !visited[neighbor] {
+					visited[neighbor] = true
+					queue = append(queue, neighbor)
+				}
+			}
+		}
+
+		components = append(components, component)
+	}
+
+	// Sort components by size (largest first) and then by priority of first issue
+	sort.Slice(components, func(i, j int) bool {
+		// First by size (descending)
+		if len(components[i]) != len(components[j]) {
+			return len(components[i]) > len(components[j])
+		}
+		// Then by priority of first issue (ascending = higher priority first)
+		issueI := issueMap[components[i][0]]
+		issueJ := issueMap[components[j][0]]
+		return issueI.Priority < issueJ.Priority
+	})
+
+	// Create subgraph for each component
+	var subgraphs []*TemplateSubgraph
+	for _, component := range components {
+		if len(component) == 0 {
+			continue
+		}
+
+		// Find the best "root" for this component
+		// Prefer: epics > highest priority > oldest
+		var root *types.Issue
+		for _, id := range component {
+			issue := issueMap[id]
+			if root == nil {
+				root = issue
+				continue
+			}
+			// Prefer epics
+			if issue.IssueType == types.TypeEpic && root.IssueType != types.TypeEpic {
+				root = issue
+				continue
+			}
+			if root.IssueType == types.TypeEpic && issue.IssueType != types.TypeEpic {
+				continue
+			}
+			// Prefer higher priority (lower number)
+			if issue.Priority < root.Priority {
+				root = issue
+			}
+		}
+
+		subgraph := &TemplateSubgraph{
+			Root:     root,
+			IssueMap: make(map[string]*types.Issue),
+		}
+
+		for _, id := range component {
+			issue := issueMap[id]
+			subgraph.Issues = append(subgraph.Issues, issue)
+			subgraph.IssueMap[id] = issue
+		}
+
+		// Add dependencies for this component
+		for _, dep := range allDeps {
+			if _, inComponent := subgraph.IssueMap[dep.IssueID]; inComponent {
+				if _, depInComponent := subgraph.IssueMap[dep.DependsOnID]; depInComponent {
+					subgraph.Dependencies = append(subgraph.Dependencies, dep)
+				}
+			}
+		}
+
+		subgraphs = append(subgraphs, subgraph)
+	}
+
+	return subgraphs, nil
+}
+
 // computeLayout assigns layers to nodes using topological sort
 func computeLayout(subgraph *TemplateSubgraph) *GraphLayout {
 	layout := &GraphLayout{
@@ -379,33 +590,155 @@ func renderGraph(layout *GraphLayout, subgraph *TemplateSubgraph) {
 	fmt.Printf("  Total: %d issues across %d layers\n\n", len(layout.Nodes), len(layout.Layers))
 }
 
+// renderGraphCompact renders the graph in compact tree format
+// One line per issue, more scannable, uses tree connectors (├──, └──, │)
+func renderGraphCompact(layout *GraphLayout, subgraph *TemplateSubgraph) {
+	if len(layout.Nodes) == 0 {
+		fmt.Println("Empty graph")
+		return
+	}
+
+	fmt.Printf("\n%s Dependency graph for %s (%d issues, %d layers)\n\n",
+		ui.RenderAccent("📊"), layout.RootID, len(layout.Nodes), len(layout.Layers))
+
+	// Legend
+	fmt.Println("  Status: ○ open  ◐ in_progress  ● blocked  ✓ closed  ❄ deferred")
+	fmt.Println()
+
+	// Build parent-child map from subgraph dependencies
+	children := make(map[string][]string) // parent -> children
+	childSet := make(map[string]bool)     // track which issues are children
+
+	for _, dep := range subgraph.Dependencies {
+		if dep.Type == types.DepParentChild {
+			children[dep.DependsOnID] = append(children[dep.DependsOnID], dep.IssueID)
+			childSet[dep.IssueID] = true
+		}
+	}
+
+	// Sort children by priority then ID for consistent output
+	for parentID := range children {
+		sort.Slice(children[parentID], func(i, j int) bool {
+			nodeI := layout.Nodes[children[parentID][i]]
+			nodeJ := layout.Nodes[children[parentID][j]]
+			if nodeI.Issue.Priority != nodeJ.Issue.Priority {
+				return nodeI.Issue.Priority < nodeJ.Issue.Priority
+			}
+			return nodeI.Issue.ID < nodeJ.Issue.ID
+		})
+	}
+
+	// Render by layer with tree structure
+	for layerIdx, layer := range layout.Layers {
+		// Layer header
+		layerHeader := fmt.Sprintf("LAYER %d", layerIdx)
+		if layerIdx == 0 {
+			layerHeader += " (ready)"
+		}
+		fmt.Printf("  %s\n", ui.RenderAccent(layerHeader))
+
+		for i, id := range layer {
+			node := layout.Nodes[id]
+			isLast := i == len(layer)-1
+
+			// Format node line
+			line := formatCompactNode(node)
+
+			// Tree connector
+			connector := "├── "
+			if isLast {
+				connector = "└── "
+			}
+
+			fmt.Printf("  %s%s\n", connector, line)
+
+			// Render children (if this issue has children in the subgraph)
+			if childIDs, ok := children[id]; ok && len(childIDs) > 0 {
+				childPrefix := "│   "
+				if isLast {
+					childPrefix = "    "
+				}
+				renderCompactChildren(layout, childIDs, children, childPrefix, 1)
+			}
+		}
+		fmt.Println()
+	}
+}
+
+// renderCompactChildren recursively renders children in tree format
+func renderCompactChildren(layout *GraphLayout, childIDs []string, children map[string][]string, prefix string, depth int) {
+	for i, childID := range childIDs {
+		node := layout.Nodes[childID]
+		if node == nil {
+			continue
+		}
+
+		isLast := i == len(childIDs)-1
+		connector := "├── "
+		if isLast {
+			connector = "└── "
+		}
+
+		line := formatCompactNode(node)
+		fmt.Printf("  %s%s%s\n", prefix, connector, line)
+
+		// Recurse for nested children
+		if grandchildren, ok := children[childID]; ok && len(grandchildren) > 0 {
+			childPrefix := prefix
+			if isLast {
+				childPrefix += "    "
+			} else {
+				childPrefix += "│   "
+			}
+			renderCompactChildren(layout, grandchildren, children, childPrefix, depth+1)
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+// formatCompactNode formats a single node for compact output
+// Format: STATUS_ICON ID PRIORITY Title
+func formatCompactNode(node *GraphNode) string {
+	status := string(node.Issue.Status)
+
+	// Use shared status icon with semantic color
+	statusIcon := ui.RenderStatusIcon(status)
+
+	// Priority with icon
+	priorityTag := ui.RenderPriority(node.Issue.Priority)
+
+	// Title - truncate if too long
+	title := truncateTitle(node.Issue.Title, 50)
+
+	// Build line - apply status style to entire line for closed issues
+	style := ui.GetStatusStyle(status)
+	if node.Issue.Status == types.StatusClosed {
+		return fmt.Sprintf("%s %s %s %s",
+			statusIcon,
+			style.Render(node.Issue.ID),
+			style.Render(fmt.Sprintf("● P%d", node.Issue.Priority)),
+			style.Render(title))
+	}
+
+	return fmt.Sprintf("%s %s %s %s", statusIcon, node.Issue.ID, priorityTag, title)
+}
+
 // renderNodeBox renders a single node as an ASCII box
+// Uses semantic status styles from ui package for consistency
 func renderNodeBox(node *GraphNode, width int) string {
-	// Status indicator
-	var statusIcon string
-	var titleStr string
-
 	title := truncateTitle(node.Issue.Title, width-4)
+	paddedTitle := padRight(title, width-4)
+	status := string(node.Issue.Status)
 
-	switch node.Issue.Status {
-	case types.StatusOpen:
-		statusIcon = "○"
-		titleStr = padRight(title, width-4)
-	case types.StatusInProgress:
-		statusIcon = "◐"
-		titleStr = ui.RenderWarn(padRight(title, width-4))
-	case types.StatusBlocked:
-		statusIcon = "●"
-		titleStr = ui.RenderFail(padRight(title, width-4))
-	case types.StatusDeferred:
-		statusIcon = "❄"
-		titleStr = ui.RenderAccent(padRight(title, width-4))
-	case types.StatusClosed:
-		statusIcon = "✓"
-		titleStr = ui.RenderPass(padRight(title, width-4))
-	default:
-		statusIcon = "?"
-		titleStr = padRight(title, width-4)
+	// Use shared status icon and style
+	statusIcon := ui.RenderStatusIcon(status)
+	style := ui.GetStatusStyle(status)
+
+	// Apply style to title for actionable statuses
+	var titleStr string
+	if node.Issue.Status == types.StatusOpen {
+		titleStr = paddedTitle // no color for open - available but not urgent
+	} else {
+		titleStr = style.Render(paddedTitle)
 	}
 
 	id := node.Issue.ID
@@ -438,6 +771,7 @@ func padRight(s string, width int) string {
 }
 
 // computeDependencyCounts calculates how many issues each issue blocks and is blocked by
+// Excludes parent-child relationships and the root issue from counts to reduce cognitive noise
 func computeDependencyCounts(subgraph *TemplateSubgraph) (blocks map[string]int, blockedBy map[string]int) {
 	blocks = make(map[string]int)
 	blockedBy = make(map[string]int)
@@ -446,61 +780,76 @@ func computeDependencyCounts(subgraph *TemplateSubgraph) (blocks map[string]int,
 		return blocks, blockedBy
 	}
 
+	rootID := ""
+	if subgraph.Root != nil {
+		rootID = subgraph.Root.ID
+	}
+
 	for _, dep := range subgraph.Dependencies {
-		if dep.Type == types.DepBlocks {
-			// dep.DependsOnID blocks dep.IssueID
-			// So dep.DependsOnID "blocks" count increases
-			blocks[dep.DependsOnID]++
-			// And dep.IssueID "blocked by" count increases
-			blockedBy[dep.IssueID]++
+		// Only count "blocks" dependencies (not parent-child, related, etc.)
+		if dep.Type != types.DepBlocks {
+			continue
 		}
+
+		// Skip if the blocker is the root issue - this is obvious from graph structure
+		// and showing "needs:1" when it's just the parent epic is cognitive noise
+		if dep.DependsOnID == rootID {
+			continue
+		}
+
+		// dep.DependsOnID blocks dep.IssueID
+		// So dep.DependsOnID "blocks" count increases
+		blocks[dep.DependsOnID]++
+		// And dep.IssueID "blocked by" count increases
+		blockedBy[dep.IssueID]++
 	}
 
 	return blocks, blockedBy
 }
 
 // renderNodeBoxWithDeps renders a node box with dependency information
+// Uses semantic status styles from ui package for consistency across commands
+// Design principle: only actionable states get color, closed items fade
 func renderNodeBoxWithDeps(node *GraphNode, width int, blocksCount int, blockedByCount int) string {
-	// Status indicator
-	var statusIcon string
-	var titleStr string
-
 	title := truncateTitle(node.Issue.Title, width-4)
+	paddedTitle := padRight(title, width-4)
+	status := string(node.Issue.Status)
 
-	switch node.Issue.Status {
-	case types.StatusOpen:
-		statusIcon = "○"
-		titleStr = padRight(title, width-4)
-	case types.StatusInProgress:
-		statusIcon = "◐"
-		titleStr = ui.RenderWarn(padRight(title, width-4))
-	case types.StatusBlocked:
-		statusIcon = "●"
-		titleStr = ui.RenderFail(padRight(title, width-4))
-	case types.StatusDeferred:
-		statusIcon = "❄"
-		titleStr = ui.RenderAccent(padRight(title, width-4))
-	case types.StatusClosed:
-		statusIcon = "✓"
-		titleStr = ui.RenderPass(padRight(title, width-4))
-	default:
-		statusIcon = "?"
-		titleStr = padRight(title, width-4)
+	// Use shared status icon and style from ui package
+	statusIcon := ui.RenderStatusIcon(status)
+	style := ui.GetStatusStyle(status)
+
+	// Apply style to title for actionable statuses
+	var titleStr string
+	if node.Issue.Status == types.StatusOpen {
+		titleStr = paddedTitle // no color for open - available but not urgent
+	} else {
+		titleStr = style.Render(paddedTitle)
 	}
 
 	id := node.Issue.ID
 
-	// Build dependency info string
-	var depInfo string
+	// Build dependency info string - only show if meaningful counts exist
+	// Note: we build the plain text version first for padding, then apply colors
+	var depInfoPlain string
+	var depInfoStyled string
 	if blocksCount > 0 || blockedByCount > 0 {
-		parts := []string{}
+		plainParts := []string{}
+		styledParts := []string{}
 		if blocksCount > 0 {
-			parts = append(parts, fmt.Sprintf("blocks:%d", blocksCount))
+			plainText := fmt.Sprintf("blocks:%d", blocksCount)
+			plainParts = append(plainParts, plainText)
+			// Use semantic color for blocks indicator - attention-grabbing
+			styledParts = append(styledParts, ui.StatusBlockedStyle.Render(plainText))
 		}
 		if blockedByCount > 0 {
-			parts = append(parts, fmt.Sprintf("needs:%d", blockedByCount))
+			plainText := fmt.Sprintf("needs:%d", blockedByCount)
+			plainParts = append(plainParts, plainText)
+			// Use muted color for needs indicator - informational
+			styledParts = append(styledParts, ui.MutedStyle.Render(plainText))
 		}
-		depInfo = strings.Join(parts, " ")
+		depInfoPlain = strings.Join(plainParts, " ")
+		depInfoStyled = strings.Join(styledParts, " ")
 	}
 
 	// Build the box
@@ -509,8 +858,13 @@ func renderNodeBoxWithDeps(node *GraphNode, width int, blocksCount int, blockedB
 	idLine := fmt.Sprintf("  │ %s │", ui.RenderMuted(padRight(id, width-2)))
 
 	var result string
-	if depInfo != "" {
-		depLine := fmt.Sprintf("  │ %s │", ui.RenderAccent(padRight(depInfo, width-2)))
+	if depInfoPlain != "" {
+		// Pad based on plain text length, then render with styled version
+		padding := width - 2 - len([]rune(depInfoPlain))
+		if padding < 0 {
+			padding = 0
+		}
+		depLine := fmt.Sprintf("  │ %s%s │", depInfoStyled, strings.Repeat(" ", padding))
 		bottom := "  └" + strings.Repeat("─", width) + "┘"
 		result = topBottom + "\n" + middle + "\n" + idLine + "\n" + depLine + "\n" + bottom
 	} else {

cmd/bd/list.go

@@ -20,6 +20,7 @@ import (
 	"github.com/steveyegge/beads/internal/config"
 	"github.com/steveyegge/beads/internal/rpc"
 	"github.com/steveyegge/beads/internal/storage"
+	"github.com/steveyegge/beads/internal/storage/sqlite"
 	"github.com/steveyegge/beads/internal/timeparsing"
 	"github.com/steveyegge/beads/internal/types"
 	"github.com/steveyegge/beads/internal/ui"
@@ -42,76 +43,131 @@ func pinIndicator(issue *types.Issue) string {
 	return ""
 }
 
-// Priority symbols for pretty output (GH#654)
-var prioritySymbols = map[int]string{
-	0: "🔴", // P0 - Critical
-	1: "🟠", // P1 - High
-	2: "🟡", // P2 - Medium (default)
-	3: "🔵", // P3 - Low
-	4: "⚪", // P4 - Lowest
+// Priority tags for pretty output - simple text, semantic colors applied via ui package
+// Design principle: only P0/P1 get color for attention, P2-P4 are neutral
+func renderPriorityTag(priority int) string {
+	return ui.RenderPriority(priority)
 }
 
-// Status symbols for pretty output (GH#654)
-var statusSymbols = map[types.Status]string{
-	"open":        "○",
-	"in_progress": "◐",
-	"blocked":     "⊗",
-	"deferred":    "◇",
-	"closed":      "●",
+// renderStatusIcon returns the status icon with semantic coloring applied
+// Delegates to the shared ui.RenderStatusIcon for consistency across commands
+func renderStatusIcon(status types.Status) string {
+	return ui.RenderStatusIcon(string(status))
 }
 
 // formatPrettyIssue formats a single issue for pretty output
+// Uses semantic colors: status icon colored, priority P0/P1 colored, rest neutral
 func formatPrettyIssue(issue *types.Issue) string {
-	prioritySym := prioritySymbols[issue.Priority]
-	if prioritySym == "" {
-		prioritySym = "⚪"
-	}
-	statusSym := statusSymbols[issue.Status]
-	if statusSym == "" {
-		statusSym = "○"
-	}
+	// Use shared helpers from ui package
+	statusIcon := ui.RenderStatusIcon(string(issue.Status))
+	priorityTag := renderPriorityTag(issue.Priority)
 
+	// Type badge - only show for notable types
 	typeBadge := ""
 	switch issue.IssueType {
 	case "epic":
-		typeBadge = "[EPIC] "
-	case "feature":
-		typeBadge = "[FEAT] "
+		typeBadge = ui.TypeEpicStyle.Render("[epic]") + " "
 	case "bug":
-		typeBadge = "[BUG] "
+		typeBadge = ui.TypeBugStyle.Render("[bug]") + " "
 	}
 
-	return fmt.Sprintf("%s %s %s - %s%s", statusSym, prioritySym, issue.ID, typeBadge, issue.Title)
+	// Format: STATUS_ICON ID PRIORITY [Type] Title
+	// Priority uses ● icon with color, no brackets needed
+	// Closed issues: entire line is muted
+	if issue.Status == types.StatusClosed {
+		return fmt.Sprintf("%s %s %s %s%s",
+			statusIcon,
+			ui.RenderMuted(issue.ID),
+			ui.RenderMuted(fmt.Sprintf("● P%d", issue.Priority)),
+			ui.RenderMuted(string(issue.IssueType)),
+			ui.RenderMuted(" "+issue.Title))
+	}
+
+	return fmt.Sprintf("%s %s %s %s%s", statusIcon, issue.ID, priorityTag, typeBadge, issue.Title)
 }
 
 // buildIssueTree builds parent-child tree structure from issues
+// Uses actual parent-child dependencies from the database when store is provided
 func buildIssueTree(issues []*types.Issue) (roots []*types.Issue, childrenMap map[string][]*types.Issue) {
+	return buildIssueTreeWithDeps(issues, nil)
+}
+
+// buildIssueTreeWithDeps builds parent-child tree using dependency records
+// If allDeps is nil, falls back to dotted ID hierarchy (e.g., "parent.1")
+// Treats any dependency on an epic as a parent-child relationship
+func buildIssueTreeWithDeps(issues []*types.Issue, allDeps map[string][]*types.Dependency) (roots []*types.Issue, childrenMap map[string][]*types.Issue) {
 	issueMap := make(map[string]*types.Issue)
 	childrenMap = make(map[string][]*types.Issue)
+	isChild := make(map[string]bool)
 
+	// Build issue map and identify epics
+	epicIDs := make(map[string]bool)
 	for _, issue := range issues {
 		issueMap[issue.ID] = issue
+		if issue.IssueType == "epic" {
+			epicIDs[issue.ID] = true
+		}
 	}
 
+	// If we have dependency records, use them to find parent-child relationships
+	if allDeps != nil {
+		for issueID, deps := range allDeps {
+			for _, dep := range deps {
+				parentID := dep.DependsOnID
+				// Only include if both parent and child are in the issue set
+				child, childOk := issueMap[issueID]
+				_, parentOk := issueMap[parentID]
+				if !childOk || !parentOk {
+					continue
+				}
+
+				// Treat as parent-child if:
+				// 1. Explicit parent-child dependency type, OR
+				// 2. Any dependency where the target is an epic
+				if dep.Type == types.DepParentChild || epicIDs[parentID] {
+					childrenMap[parentID] = append(childrenMap[parentID], child)
+					isChild[issueID] = true
+				}
+			}
+		}
+	}
+
+	// Fallback: check for hierarchical subtask IDs (e.g., "parent.1")
 	for _, issue := range issues {
-		// Check if this is a hierarchical subtask (e.g., "parent.1")
+		if isChild[issue.ID] {
+			continue // Already a child via dependency
+		}
 		if strings.Contains(issue.ID, ".") {
 			parts := strings.Split(issue.ID, ".")
 			parentID := strings.Join(parts[:len(parts)-1], ".")
 			if _, exists := issueMap[parentID]; exists {
 				childrenMap[parentID] = append(childrenMap[parentID], issue)
+				isChild[issue.ID] = true
 				continue
 			}
 		}
-		roots = append(roots, issue)
+	}
+
+	// Roots are issues that aren't children of any other issue
+	for _, issue := range issues {
+		if !isChild[issue.ID] {
+			roots = append(roots, issue)
+		}
 	}
 
 	return roots, childrenMap
 }
 
 // printPrettyTree recursively prints the issue tree
+// Children are sorted by priority (P0 first) for intuitive reading
 func printPrettyTree(childrenMap map[string][]*types.Issue, parentID string, prefix string) {
 	children := childrenMap[parentID]
+
+	// Sort children by priority (ascending: P0 before P1 before P2...)
+	slices.SortFunc(children, func(a, b *types.Issue) int {
+		return cmp.Compare(a.Priority, b.Priority)
+	})
+
 	for i, child := range children {
 		isLast := i == len(children)-1
 		connector := "├── "
@@ -129,7 +185,13 @@ func printPrettyTree(childrenMap map[string][]*types.Issue, parentID string, pre
 }
 
 // displayPrettyList displays issues in pretty tree format (GH#654)
+// Uses buildIssueTree which only supports dotted ID hierarchy
 func displayPrettyList(issues []*types.Issue, showHeader bool) {
+	displayPrettyListWithDeps(issues, showHeader, nil)
+}
+
+// displayPrettyListWithDeps displays issues in tree format using dependency data
+func displayPrettyListWithDeps(issues []*types.Issue, showHeader bool, allDeps map[string][]*types.Dependency) {
 	if showHeader {
 		// Clear screen and show header
 		fmt.Print("\033[2J\033[H")
@@ -144,14 +206,11 @@ func displayPrettyList(issues []*types.Issue, showHeader bool) {
 		return
 	}
 
-	roots, childrenMap := buildIssueTree(issues)
+	roots, childrenMap := buildIssueTreeWithDeps(issues, allDeps)
 
-	for i, issue := range roots {
+	for _, issue := range roots {
 		fmt.Println(formatPrettyIssue(issue))
 		printPrettyTree(childrenMap, issue.ID, "")
-		if i < len(roots)-1 {
-			fmt.Println()
-		}
 	}
 
 	// Summary
@@ -169,7 +228,7 @@ func displayPrettyList(issues []*types.Issue, showHeader bool) {
 	}
 	fmt.Printf("Total: %d issues (%d open, %d in progress)\n", len(issues), openCount, inProgressCount)
 	fmt.Println()
-	fmt.Println("Legend: ○ open | ◐ in progress | ⊗ blocked | 🔴 P0 | 🟠 P1 | 🟡 P2 | 🔵 P3 | ⚪ P4")
+	fmt.Println("Status: ○ open  ◐ in_progress  ● blocked  ✓ closed  ❄ deferred")
 }
 
 // watchIssues starts watching for changes and re-displays (GH#654)
@@ -330,6 +389,8 @@ func formatAgentIssue(buf *strings.Builder, issue *types.Issue) {
 }
 
 // formatIssueCompact formats a single issue in compact format to a buffer
+// Uses status icons for better scanability - consistent with bd graph
+// Format: [icon] [pin] ID [Priority] [Type] @assignee [labels] - Title
 func formatIssueCompact(buf *strings.Builder, issue *types.Issue, labels []string) {
 	labelsStr := ""
 	if len(labels) > 0 {
@@ -339,20 +400,25 @@ func formatIssueCompact(buf *strings.Builder, issue *types.Issue, labels []strin
 	if issue.Assignee != "" {
 		assigneeStr = fmt.Sprintf(" @%s", issue.Assignee)
 	}
-	status := string(issue.Status)
-	if status == "closed" {
-		line := fmt.Sprintf("%s%s [P%d] [%s] %s%s%s - %s",
-			pinIndicator(issue), issue.ID, issue.Priority,
-			issue.IssueType, status, assigneeStr, labelsStr, issue.Title)
+
+	// Get styled status icon
+	statusIcon := renderStatusIcon(issue.Status)
+
+	if issue.Status == types.StatusClosed {
+		// Closed issues: entire line muted (fades visually)
+		line := fmt.Sprintf("%s %s%s [P%d] [%s]%s%s - %s",
+			statusIcon, pinIndicator(issue), issue.ID, issue.Priority,
+			issue.IssueType, assigneeStr, labelsStr, issue.Title)
 		buf.WriteString(ui.RenderClosedLine(line))
 		buf.WriteString("\n")
 	} else {
-		buf.WriteString(fmt.Sprintf("%s%s [%s] [%s] %s%s%s - %s\n",
+		// Active issues: status icon + semantic colors for priority/type
+		buf.WriteString(fmt.Sprintf("%s %s%s [%s] [%s]%s%s - %s\n",
+			statusIcon,
 			pinIndicator(issue),
 			ui.RenderID(issue.ID),
 			ui.RenderPriority(issue.Priority),
 			ui.RenderType(string(issue.IssueType)),
-			ui.RenderStatus(status),
 			assigneeStr, labelsStr, issue.Title))
 	}
 }
@@ -437,6 +503,8 @@ var listCmd = &cobra.Command{
 
 		// Pretty and watch flags (GH#654)
 		prettyFormat, _ := cmd.Flags().GetBool("pretty")
+		treeFormat, _ := cmd.Flags().GetBool("tree")
+		prettyFormat = prettyFormat || treeFormat // --tree is alias for --pretty
 		watchMode, _ := cmd.Flags().GetBool("watch")
 
 		// Pager control (bd-jdz3)
@@ -827,6 +895,33 @@ var listCmd = &cobra.Command{
 			// Apply sorting
 			sortIssues(issues, sortBy, reverse)
 
+			// Handle watch mode (GH#654)
+			if watchMode {
+				watchIssues(ctx, store, filter, sortBy, reverse)
+				return
+			}
+
+			// Handle pretty/tree format (GH#654)
+			if prettyFormat {
+				// Load dependencies for tree structure
+				// In daemon mode, open a read-only store to get dependencies
+				var allDeps map[string][]*types.Dependency
+				if store != nil {
+					allDeps, _ = store.GetAllDependencyRecords(ctx)
+				} else if dbPath != "" {
+					// Daemon mode: open read-only connection for tree deps
+					if roStore, err := sqlite.NewReadOnlyWithTimeout(ctx, dbPath, lockTimeout); err == nil {
+						allDeps, _ = roStore.GetAllDependencyRecords(ctx)
+						_ = roStore.Close()
+					}
+				}
+				displayPrettyListWithDeps(issues, false, allDeps)
+				if effectiveLimit > 0 && len(issues) == effectiveLimit {
+					fmt.Fprintf(os.Stderr, "\nShowing %d issues (use --limit 0 for all)\n", effectiveLimit)
+				}
+				return
+			}
+
 			// Build output in buffer for pager support (bd-jdz3)
 			var buf strings.Builder
 			if ui.IsAgentMode() {
@@ -894,7 +989,9 @@ var listCmd = &cobra.Command{
 
 		// Handle pretty format (GH#654)
 		if prettyFormat {
-			displayPrettyList(issues, false)
+			// Load dependencies for tree structure
+			allDeps, _ := store.GetAllDependencyRecords(ctx)
+			displayPrettyListWithDeps(issues, false, allDeps)
 			// Show truncation hint if we hit the limit (GH#788)
 			if effectiveLimit > 0 && len(issues) == effectiveLimit {
 				fmt.Fprintf(os.Stderr, "\nShowing %d issues (use --limit 0 for all)\n", effectiveLimit)
@@ -1058,6 +1155,7 @@ func init() {
 
 	// Pretty and watch flags (GH#654)
 	listCmd.Flags().Bool("pretty", false, "Display issues in a tree format with status/priority symbols")
+	listCmd.Flags().Bool("tree", false, "Alias for --pretty: hierarchical tree format")
 	listCmd.Flags().BoolP("watch", "w", false, "Watch for changes and auto-update display (implies --pretty)")
 
 	// Pager control (bd-jdz3)

cmd/bd/list_helpers_test.go

@@ -57,8 +57,8 @@ func TestListFormatPrettyIssue_BadgesAndDefaults(t *testing.T) {
 	if !strings.Contains(out, "bd-1") || !strings.Contains(out, "Hello") {
 		t.Fatalf("unexpected output: %q", out)
 	}
-	if !strings.Contains(out, "[BUG]") {
-		t.Fatalf("expected BUG badge: %q", out)
+	if !strings.Contains(out, "[bug]") {
+		t.Fatalf("expected bug badge: %q", out)
 	}
 }
 

cmd/bd/show.go

@@ -131,14 +131,14 @@ var showCmd = &cobra.Command{
 					allDetails = append(allDetails, details)
 				} else {
 					if displayIdx > 0 {
-						fmt.Println("\n" + strings.Repeat("─", 60))
+						fmt.Println("\n" + ui.RenderMuted(strings.Repeat("─", 60)))
 					}
-					fmt.Printf("\n%s: %s\n", ui.RenderAccent(issue.ID), issue.Title)
-					fmt.Printf("Status: %s\n", issue.Status)
-					fmt.Printf("Priority: P%d\n", issue.Priority)
-					fmt.Printf("Type: %s\n", issue.IssueType)
+					// Tufte-aligned header: STATUS_ICON ID · Title   [Priority · STATUS]
+					fmt.Printf("\n%s\n", formatIssueHeader(issue))
+					// Metadata: Owner · Type | Created · Updated
+					fmt.Println(formatIssueMetadata(issue))
 					if issue.Description != "" {
-						fmt.Printf("\nDescription:\n%s\n", issue.Description)
+						fmt.Printf("\n%s\n%s\n", ui.RenderBold("DESCRIPTION"), ui.RenderMarkdown(issue.Description))
 					}
 					fmt.Println()
 					displayIdx++
@@ -188,54 +188,17 @@ var showCmd = &cobra.Command{
 					}
 
 					if displayIdx > 0 {
-						fmt.Println("\n" + strings.Repeat("─", 60))
+						fmt.Println("\n" + ui.RenderMuted(strings.Repeat("─", 60)))
 					}
 					displayIdx++
 
-					// Format output (same as direct mode below)
-					tierEmoji := ""
-					statusSuffix := ""
-					switch issue.CompactionLevel {
-					case 1:
-						tierEmoji = " 🗜️"
-						statusSuffix = " (compacted L1)"
-					case 2:
-						tierEmoji = " 📦"
-						statusSuffix = " (compacted L2)"
-					}
+					// Tufte-aligned header: STATUS_ICON ID · Title   [Priority · STATUS]
+					fmt.Printf("\n%s\n", formatIssueHeader(issue))
 
-					fmt.Printf("\n%s: %s%s\n", ui.RenderAccent(issue.ID), issue.Title, tierEmoji)
-					fmt.Printf("Status: %s%s\n", issue.Status, statusSuffix)
-					if issue.CloseReason != "" {
-						fmt.Printf("Close reason: %s\n", issue.CloseReason)
-					}
-					if issue.ClosedBySession != "" {
-						fmt.Printf("Closed by session: %s\n", issue.ClosedBySession)
-					}
-					fmt.Printf("Priority: P%d\n", issue.Priority)
-					fmt.Printf("Type: %s\n", issue.IssueType)
-					if issue.Assignee != "" {
-						fmt.Printf("Assignee: %s\n", issue.Assignee)
-					}
-					if issue.EstimatedMinutes != nil {
-						fmt.Printf("Estimated: %d minutes\n", *issue.EstimatedMinutes)
-					}
-					fmt.Printf("Created: %s\n", issue.CreatedAt.Format("2006-01-02 15:04"))
-					if issue.CreatedBy != "" {
-						fmt.Printf("Created by: %s\n", issue.CreatedBy)
-					}
-					fmt.Printf("Updated: %s\n", issue.UpdatedAt.Format("2006-01-02 15:04"))
-					if issue.DueAt != nil {
-						fmt.Printf("Due: %s\n", issue.DueAt.Format("2006-01-02 15:04"))
-					}
-					if issue.DeferUntil != nil {
-						fmt.Printf("Deferred until: %s\n", issue.DeferUntil.Format("2006-01-02 15:04"))
-					}
-					if issue.ExternalRef != nil && *issue.ExternalRef != "" {
-						fmt.Printf("External Ref: %s\n", *issue.ExternalRef)
-					}
+					// Metadata: Owner · Type | Created · Updated
+					fmt.Println(formatIssueMetadata(issue))
 
-					// Show compaction status
+					// Compaction info (if applicable)
 					if issue.CompactionLevel > 0 {
 						fmt.Println()
 						if issue.OriginalSize > 0 {
@@ -243,47 +206,40 @@ var showCmd = &cobra.Command{
 							saved := issue.OriginalSize - currentSize
 							if saved > 0 {
 								reduction := float64(saved) / float64(issue.OriginalSize) * 100
-								fmt.Printf("📊 Original: %d bytes | Compressed: %d bytes (%.0f%% reduction)\n",
+								fmt.Printf("📊 %d → %d bytes (%.0f%% reduction)\n",
 									issue.OriginalSize, currentSize, reduction)
 							}
 						}
-						tierEmoji2 := "🗜️"
-						if issue.CompactionLevel == 2 {
-							tierEmoji2 = "📦"
-						}
-						compactedDate := ""
-						if issue.CompactedAt != nil {
-							compactedDate = issue.CompactedAt.Format("2006-01-02")
-						}
-						fmt.Printf("%s Compacted: %s (Tier %d)\n", tierEmoji2, compactedDate, issue.CompactionLevel)
 					}
 
+					// Content sections
 					if issue.Description != "" {
-						fmt.Printf("\nDescription:\n%s\n", issue.Description)
+						fmt.Printf("\n%s\n%s\n", ui.RenderBold("DESCRIPTION"), ui.RenderMarkdown(issue.Description))
 					}
 					if issue.Design != "" {
-						fmt.Printf("\nDesign:\n%s\n", issue.Design)
+						fmt.Printf("\n%s\n%s\n", ui.RenderBold("DESIGN"), ui.RenderMarkdown(issue.Design))
 					}
 					if issue.Notes != "" {
-						fmt.Printf("\nNotes:\n%s\n", issue.Notes)
+						fmt.Printf("\n%s\n%s\n", ui.RenderBold("NOTES"), ui.RenderMarkdown(issue.Notes))
 					}
 					if issue.AcceptanceCriteria != "" {
-						fmt.Printf("\nAcceptance Criteria:\n%s\n", issue.AcceptanceCriteria)
+						fmt.Printf("\n%s\n%s\n", ui.RenderBold("ACCEPTANCE CRITERIA"), ui.RenderMarkdown(issue.AcceptanceCriteria))
 					}
 
 					if len(details.Labels) > 0 {
-						fmt.Printf("\nLabels: %v\n", details.Labels)
+						fmt.Printf("\n%s %s\n", ui.RenderBold("LABELS:"), strings.Join(details.Labels, ", "))
 					}
 
+					// Dependencies with semantic colors
 					if len(details.Dependencies) > 0 {
-						fmt.Printf("\nDepends on (%d):\n", len(details.Dependencies))
+						fmt.Printf("\n%s\n", ui.RenderBold("DEPENDS ON"))
 						for _, dep := range details.Dependencies {
-							fmt.Printf("  → %s: %s [P%d]\n", dep.ID, dep.Title, dep.Priority)
+							fmt.Println(formatDependencyLine("→", dep))
 						}
 					}
 
+					// Dependents grouped by type with semantic colors
 					if len(details.Dependents) > 0 {
-						// Group by dependency type for clarity
 						var blocks, children, related, discovered []*types.IssueWithDependencyMetadata
 						for _, dep := range details.Dependents {
 							switch dep.DependencyType {
@@ -301,35 +257,35 @@ var showCmd = &cobra.Command{
 						}
 
 						if len(children) > 0 {
-							fmt.Printf("\nChildren (%d):\n", len(children))
+							fmt.Printf("\n%s\n", ui.RenderBold("CHILDREN"))
 							for _, dep := range children {
-								fmt.Printf("  ↳ %s: %s [P%d - %s]\n", dep.ID, dep.Title, dep.Priority, dep.Status)
+								fmt.Println(formatDependencyLine("↳", dep))
 							}
 						}
 						if len(blocks) > 0 {
-							fmt.Printf("\nBlocks (%d):\n", len(blocks))
+							fmt.Printf("\n%s\n", ui.RenderBold("BLOCKS"))
 							for _, dep := range blocks {
-								fmt.Printf("  ← %s: %s [P%d - %s]\n", dep.ID, dep.Title, dep.Priority, dep.Status)
+								fmt.Println(formatDependencyLine("←", dep))
 							}
 						}
 						if len(related) > 0 {
-							fmt.Printf("\nRelated (%d):\n", len(related))
+							fmt.Printf("\n%s\n", ui.RenderBold("RELATED"))
 							for _, dep := range related {
-								fmt.Printf("  ↔ %s: %s [P%d - %s]\n", dep.ID, dep.Title, dep.Priority, dep.Status)
+								fmt.Println(formatDependencyLine("↔", dep))
 							}
 						}
 						if len(discovered) > 0 {
-							fmt.Printf("\nDiscovered (%d):\n", len(discovered))
+							fmt.Printf("\n%s\n", ui.RenderBold("DISCOVERED"))
 							for _, dep := range discovered {
-								fmt.Printf("  ◊ %s: %s [P%d - %s]\n", dep.ID, dep.Title, dep.Priority, dep.Status)
+								fmt.Println(formatDependencyLine("◊", dep))
 							}
 						}
 					}
 
 					if len(details.Comments) > 0 {
-						fmt.Printf("\nComments (%d):\n", len(details.Comments))
+						fmt.Printf("\n%s\n", ui.RenderBold("COMMENTS"))
 						for _, comment := range details.Comments {
-							fmt.Printf("  [%s] %s\n", comment.Author, comment.CreatedAt.Format("2006-01-02 15:04"))
+							fmt.Printf("  %s %s\n", ui.RenderMuted(comment.CreatedAt.Format("2006-01-02")), comment.Author)
 							commentLines := strings.Split(comment.Text, "\n")
 							for _, line := range commentLines {
 								fmt.Printf("    %s\n", line)
@@ -418,102 +374,55 @@ var showCmd = &cobra.Command{
 			}
 
 			if idx > 0 {
-				fmt.Println("\n" + strings.Repeat("─", 60))
+				fmt.Println("\n" + ui.RenderMuted(strings.Repeat("─", 60)))
 			}
 
-			// Add compaction emoji to title line
-			tierEmoji := ""
-			statusSuffix := ""
-			switch issue.CompactionLevel {
-			case 1:
-				tierEmoji = " 🗜️"
-				statusSuffix = " (compacted L1)"
-			case 2:
-				tierEmoji = " 📦"
-				statusSuffix = " (compacted L2)"
-			}
+			// Tufte-aligned header: STATUS_ICON ID · Title   [Priority · STATUS]
+			fmt.Printf("\n%s\n", formatIssueHeader(issue))
 
-			fmt.Printf("\n%s: %s%s\n", ui.RenderAccent(issue.ID), issue.Title, tierEmoji)
-			fmt.Printf("Status: %s%s\n", issue.Status, statusSuffix)
-			if issue.CloseReason != "" {
-				fmt.Printf("Close reason: %s\n", issue.CloseReason)
-			}
-			if issue.ClosedBySession != "" {
-				fmt.Printf("Closed by session: %s\n", issue.ClosedBySession)
-			}
-			fmt.Printf("Priority: P%d\n", issue.Priority)
-			fmt.Printf("Type: %s\n", issue.IssueType)
-			if issue.Assignee != "" {
-				fmt.Printf("Assignee: %s\n", issue.Assignee)
-			}
-			if issue.EstimatedMinutes != nil {
-				fmt.Printf("Estimated: %d minutes\n", *issue.EstimatedMinutes)
-			}
-			fmt.Printf("Created: %s\n", issue.CreatedAt.Format("2006-01-02 15:04"))
-			if issue.CreatedBy != "" {
-				fmt.Printf("Created by: %s\n", issue.CreatedBy)
-			}
-			fmt.Printf("Updated: %s\n", issue.UpdatedAt.Format("2006-01-02 15:04"))
-			if issue.DueAt != nil {
-				fmt.Printf("Due: %s\n", issue.DueAt.Format("2006-01-02 15:04"))
-			}
-			if issue.DeferUntil != nil {
-				fmt.Printf("Deferred until: %s\n", issue.DeferUntil.Format("2006-01-02 15:04"))
-			}
-			if issue.ExternalRef != nil && *issue.ExternalRef != "" {
-				fmt.Printf("External Ref: %s\n", *issue.ExternalRef)
-			}
+			// Metadata: Owner · Type | Created · Updated
+			fmt.Println(formatIssueMetadata(issue))
 
-			// Show compaction status footer
+			// Compaction info (if applicable)
 			if issue.CompactionLevel > 0 {
-				tierEmoji := "🗜️"
-				if issue.CompactionLevel == 2 {
-					tierEmoji = "📦"
-				}
-				tierName := fmt.Sprintf("Tier %d", issue.CompactionLevel)
-
 				fmt.Println()
 				if issue.OriginalSize > 0 {
 					currentSize := len(issue.Description) + len(issue.Design) + len(issue.Notes) + len(issue.AcceptanceCriteria)
 					saved := issue.OriginalSize - currentSize
 					if saved > 0 {
 						reduction := float64(saved) / float64(issue.OriginalSize) * 100
-						fmt.Printf("📊 Original: %d bytes | Compressed: %d bytes (%.0f%% reduction)\n",
+						fmt.Printf("📊 %d → %d bytes (%.0f%% reduction)\n",
 							issue.OriginalSize, currentSize, reduction)
 					}
 				}
-				compactedDate := ""
-				if issue.CompactedAt != nil {
-					compactedDate = issue.CompactedAt.Format("2006-01-02")
-				}
-				fmt.Printf("%s Compacted: %s (%s)\n", tierEmoji, compactedDate, tierName)
 			}
 
+			// Content sections
 			if issue.Description != "" {
-				fmt.Printf("\nDescription:\n%s\n", issue.Description)
+				fmt.Printf("\n%s\n%s\n", ui.RenderBold("DESCRIPTION"), ui.RenderMarkdown(issue.Description))
 			}
 			if issue.Design != "" {
-				fmt.Printf("\nDesign:\n%s\n", issue.Design)
+				fmt.Printf("\n%s\n%s\n", ui.RenderBold("DESIGN"), ui.RenderMarkdown(issue.Design))
 			}
 			if issue.Notes != "" {
-				fmt.Printf("\nNotes:\n%s\n", issue.Notes)
+				fmt.Printf("\n%s\n%s\n", ui.RenderBold("NOTES"), ui.RenderMarkdown(issue.Notes))
 			}
 			if issue.AcceptanceCriteria != "" {
-				fmt.Printf("\nAcceptance Criteria:\n%s\n", issue.AcceptanceCriteria)
+				fmt.Printf("\n%s\n%s\n", ui.RenderBold("ACCEPTANCE CRITERIA"), ui.RenderMarkdown(issue.AcceptanceCriteria))
 			}
 
 			// Show labels
 			labels, _ := issueStore.GetLabels(ctx, issue.ID)
 			if len(labels) > 0 {
-				fmt.Printf("\nLabels: %v\n", labels)
+				fmt.Printf("\n%s %s\n", ui.RenderBold("LABELS:"), strings.Join(labels, ", "))
 			}
 
-			// Show dependencies
+			// Show dependencies with semantic colors
 			deps, _ := issueStore.GetDependencies(ctx, issue.ID)
 			if len(deps) > 0 {
-				fmt.Printf("\nDepends on (%d):\n", len(deps))
+				fmt.Printf("\n%s\n", ui.RenderBold("DEPENDS ON"))
 				for _, dep := range deps {
-					fmt.Printf("  → %s: %s [P%d]\n", dep.ID, dep.Title, dep.Priority)
+					fmt.Println(formatSimpleDependencyLine("→", dep))
 				}
 			}
 
@@ -541,27 +450,27 @@ var showCmd = &cobra.Command{
 					}
 
 					if len(children) > 0 {
-						fmt.Printf("\nChildren (%d):\n", len(children))
+						fmt.Printf("\n%s\n", ui.RenderBold("CHILDREN"))
 						for _, dep := range children {
-							fmt.Printf("  ↳ %s: %s [P%d - %s]\n", dep.ID, dep.Title, dep.Priority, dep.Status)
+							fmt.Println(formatDependencyLine("↳", dep))
 						}
 					}
 					if len(blocks) > 0 {
-						fmt.Printf("\nBlocks (%d):\n", len(blocks))
+						fmt.Printf("\n%s\n", ui.RenderBold("BLOCKS"))
 						for _, dep := range blocks {
-							fmt.Printf("  ← %s: %s [P%d - %s]\n", dep.ID, dep.Title, dep.Priority, dep.Status)
+							fmt.Println(formatDependencyLine("←", dep))
 						}
 					}
 					if len(related) > 0 {
-						fmt.Printf("\nRelated (%d):\n", len(related))
+						fmt.Printf("\n%s\n", ui.RenderBold("RELATED"))
 						for _, dep := range related {
-							fmt.Printf("  ↔ %s: %s [P%d - %s]\n", dep.ID, dep.Title, dep.Priority, dep.Status)
+							fmt.Println(formatDependencyLine("↔", dep))
 						}
 					}
 					if len(discovered) > 0 {
-						fmt.Printf("\nDiscovered (%d):\n", len(discovered))
+						fmt.Printf("\n%s\n", ui.RenderBold("DISCOVERED"))
 						for _, dep := range discovered {
-							fmt.Printf("  ◊ %s: %s [P%d - %s]\n", dep.ID, dep.Title, dep.Priority, dep.Status)
+							fmt.Println(formatDependencyLine("◊", dep))
 						}
 					}
 				}
@@ -569,9 +478,9 @@ var showCmd = &cobra.Command{
 				// Fallback for non-SQLite storage
 				dependents, _ := issueStore.GetDependents(ctx, issue.ID)
 				if len(dependents) > 0 {
-					fmt.Printf("\nBlocks (%d):\n", len(dependents))
+					fmt.Printf("\n%s\n", ui.RenderBold("BLOCKS"))
 					for _, dep := range dependents {
-						fmt.Printf("  ← %s: %s [P%d - %s]\n", dep.ID, dep.Title, dep.Priority, dep.Status)
+						fmt.Println(formatSimpleDependencyLine("←", dep))
 					}
 				}
 			}
@@ -579,9 +488,13 @@ var showCmd = &cobra.Command{
 			// Show comments
 			comments, _ := issueStore.GetIssueComments(ctx, issue.ID)
 			if len(comments) > 0 {
-				fmt.Printf("\nComments (%d):\n", len(comments))
+				fmt.Printf("\n%s\n", ui.RenderBold("COMMENTS"))
 				for _, comment := range comments {
-					fmt.Printf("  [%s at %s]\n  %s\n\n", comment.Author, comment.CreatedAt.Format("2006-01-02 15:04"), comment.Text)
+					fmt.Printf("  %s %s\n", ui.RenderMuted(comment.CreatedAt.Format("2006-01-02")), comment.Author)
+					commentLines := strings.Split(comment.Text, "\n")
+					for _, line := range commentLines {
+						fmt.Printf("    %s\n", line)
+					}
 				}
 			}
 
@@ -605,10 +518,178 @@ var showCmd = &cobra.Command{
 
 
 // formatShortIssue returns a compact one-line representation of an issue
-// Format: <id> [<status>] P<priority> <type>: <title>
+// Format: STATUS_ICON ID PRIORITY [Type] Title
 func formatShortIssue(issue *types.Issue) string {
-	return fmt.Sprintf("%s [%s] P%d %s: %s",
-		issue.ID, issue.Status, issue.Priority, issue.IssueType, issue.Title)
+	statusIcon := ui.RenderStatusIcon(string(issue.Status))
+	priorityTag := ui.RenderPriority(issue.Priority)
+
+	// Type badge only for notable types
+	typeBadge := ""
+	switch issue.IssueType {
+	case "epic":
+		typeBadge = ui.TypeEpicStyle.Render("[epic]") + " "
+	case "bug":
+		typeBadge = ui.TypeBugStyle.Render("[bug]") + " "
+	}
+
+	// Closed issues: entire line is muted
+	if issue.Status == types.StatusClosed {
+		return fmt.Sprintf("%s %s %s %s%s",
+			statusIcon,
+			ui.RenderMuted(issue.ID),
+			ui.RenderMuted(fmt.Sprintf("● P%d", issue.Priority)),
+			ui.RenderMuted(string(issue.IssueType)),
+			ui.RenderMuted(" "+issue.Title))
+	}
+
+	return fmt.Sprintf("%s %s %s %s%s", statusIcon, issue.ID, priorityTag, typeBadge, issue.Title)
+}
+
+// formatIssueHeader returns the Tufte-aligned header line
+// Format: ID · Title   [Priority · STATUS]
+// All elements in bd show get semantic colors since focus is on one issue
+func formatIssueHeader(issue *types.Issue) string {
+	// Get status icon and style
+	statusIcon := ui.RenderStatusIcon(string(issue.Status))
+	statusStyle := ui.GetStatusStyle(string(issue.Status))
+	statusStr := statusStyle.Render(strings.ToUpper(string(issue.Status)))
+
+	// Priority with semantic color (includes ● icon)
+	priorityTag := ui.RenderPriority(issue.Priority)
+
+	// Type badge for notable types
+	typeBadge := ""
+	switch issue.IssueType {
+	case "epic":
+		typeBadge = " " + ui.TypeEpicStyle.Render("[EPIC]")
+	case "bug":
+		typeBadge = " " + ui.TypeBugStyle.Render("[BUG]")
+	}
+
+	// Compaction indicator
+	tierEmoji := ""
+	switch issue.CompactionLevel {
+	case 1:
+		tierEmoji = " 🗜️"
+	case 2:
+		tierEmoji = " 📦"
+	}
+
+	// Build header: STATUS_ICON ID · Title   [Priority · STATUS]
+	idStyled := ui.RenderAccent(issue.ID)
+	return fmt.Sprintf("%s %s%s · %s%s   [%s · %s]",
+		statusIcon, idStyled, typeBadge, issue.Title, tierEmoji, priorityTag, statusStr)
+}
+
+// formatIssueMetadata returns the metadata line(s) with grouped info
+// Format: Owner: user · Type: task
+//
+//	Created: 2026-01-06 · Updated: 2026-01-08
+func formatIssueMetadata(issue *types.Issue) string {
+	var lines []string
+
+	// Line 1: Owner/Assignee · Type
+	metaParts := []string{}
+	if issue.CreatedBy != "" {
+		metaParts = append(metaParts, fmt.Sprintf("Owner: %s", issue.CreatedBy))
+	}
+	if issue.Assignee != "" {
+		metaParts = append(metaParts, fmt.Sprintf("Assignee: %s", issue.Assignee))
+	}
+
+	// Type with semantic color
+	typeStr := string(issue.IssueType)
+	switch issue.IssueType {
+	case "epic":
+		typeStr = ui.TypeEpicStyle.Render("epic")
+	case "bug":
+		typeStr = ui.TypeBugStyle.Render("bug")
+	}
+	metaParts = append(metaParts, fmt.Sprintf("Type: %s", typeStr))
+
+	if len(metaParts) > 0 {
+		lines = append(lines, strings.Join(metaParts, " · "))
+	}
+
+	// Line 2: Created · Updated · Due/Defer
+	timeParts := []string{}
+	timeParts = append(timeParts, fmt.Sprintf("Created: %s", issue.CreatedAt.Format("2006-01-02")))
+	timeParts = append(timeParts, fmt.Sprintf("Updated: %s", issue.UpdatedAt.Format("2006-01-02")))
+
+	if issue.DueAt != nil {
+		timeParts = append(timeParts, fmt.Sprintf("Due: %s", issue.DueAt.Format("2006-01-02")))
+	}
+	if issue.DeferUntil != nil {
+		timeParts = append(timeParts, fmt.Sprintf("Deferred: %s", issue.DeferUntil.Format("2006-01-02")))
+	}
+	if len(timeParts) > 0 {
+		lines = append(lines, strings.Join(timeParts, " · "))
+	}
+
+	// Line 3: Close reason (if closed)
+	if issue.Status == types.StatusClosed && issue.CloseReason != "" {
+		lines = append(lines, ui.RenderMuted(fmt.Sprintf("Close reason: %s", issue.CloseReason)))
+	}
+
+	// Line 4: External ref (if exists)
+	if issue.ExternalRef != nil && *issue.ExternalRef != "" {
+		lines = append(lines, fmt.Sprintf("External: %s", *issue.ExternalRef))
+	}
+
+	return strings.Join(lines, "\n")
+}
+
+// formatDependencyLine formats a single dependency with semantic colors
+// Closed items get entire row muted - the work is done, no need for attention
+func formatDependencyLine(prefix string, dep *types.IssueWithDependencyMetadata) string {
+	// Status icon (always rendered with semantic color)
+	statusIcon := ui.GetStatusIcon(string(dep.Status))
+
+	// Closed items: mute entire row since the work is complete
+	if dep.Status == types.StatusClosed {
+		return fmt.Sprintf("  %s %s %s: %s %s",
+			prefix, statusIcon,
+			ui.RenderMuted(dep.ID),
+			ui.RenderMuted(dep.Title),
+			ui.RenderMuted(fmt.Sprintf("● P%d", dep.Priority)))
+	}
+
+	// Active items: ID with status color, priority with semantic color
+	style := ui.GetStatusStyle(string(dep.Status))
+	idStr := style.Render(dep.ID)
+	priorityTag := ui.RenderPriority(dep.Priority)
+
+	// Type indicator for epics/bugs
+	typeStr := ""
+	if dep.IssueType == "epic" {
+		typeStr = ui.TypeEpicStyle.Render("(EPIC)") + " "
+	} else if dep.IssueType == "bug" {
+		typeStr = ui.TypeBugStyle.Render("(BUG)") + " "
+	}
+
+	return fmt.Sprintf("  %s %s %s: %s%s %s", prefix, statusIcon, idStr, typeStr, dep.Title, priorityTag)
+}
+
+// formatSimpleDependencyLine formats a dependency without metadata (fallback)
+// Closed items get entire row muted - the work is done, no need for attention
+func formatSimpleDependencyLine(prefix string, dep *types.Issue) string {
+	statusIcon := ui.GetStatusIcon(string(dep.Status))
+
+	// Closed items: mute entire row since the work is complete
+	if dep.Status == types.StatusClosed {
+		return fmt.Sprintf("  %s %s %s: %s %s",
+			prefix, statusIcon,
+			ui.RenderMuted(dep.ID),
+			ui.RenderMuted(dep.Title),
+			ui.RenderMuted(fmt.Sprintf("● P%d", dep.Priority)))
+	}
+
+	// Active items: use semantic colors
+	style := ui.GetStatusStyle(string(dep.Status))
+	idStr := style.Render(dep.ID)
+	priorityTag := ui.RenderPriority(dep.Priority)
+
+	return fmt.Sprintf("  %s %s %s: %s %s", prefix, statusIcon, idStr, dep.Title, priorityTag)
 }
 
 // showIssueRefs displays issues that reference the given issue(s), grouped by relationship type
@@ -747,13 +828,23 @@ func showIssueRefs(ctx context.Context, args []string, resolvedIDs []string, rou
 }
 
 // displayRefGroup displays a group of references with a given type
+// Closed items get entire row muted - the work is done, no need for attention
 func displayRefGroup(depType types.DependencyType, refs []*types.IssueWithDependencyMetadata) {
 	// Get emoji for type
 	emoji := getRefTypeEmoji(depType)
 	fmt.Printf("\n  %s %s (%d):\n", emoji, depType, len(refs))
 
 	for _, ref := range refs {
-		// Color ID based on status
+		// Closed items: mute entire row since the work is complete
+		if ref.Status == types.StatusClosed {
+			fmt.Printf("    %s: %s %s\n",
+				ui.RenderMuted(ref.ID),
+				ui.RenderMuted(ref.Title),
+				ui.RenderMuted(fmt.Sprintf("[P%d - %s]", ref.Priority, ref.Status)))
+			continue
+		}
+
+		// Active items: color ID based on status
 		var idStr string
 		switch ref.Status {
 		case types.StatusOpen:
@@ -762,8 +853,6 @@ func displayRefGroup(depType types.DependencyType, refs []*types.IssueWithDepend
 			idStr = ui.StatusInProgressStyle.Render(ref.ID)
 		case types.StatusBlocked:
 			idStr = ui.StatusBlockedStyle.Render(ref.ID)
-		case types.StatusClosed:
-			idStr = ui.StatusClosedStyle.Render(ref.ID)
 		default:
 			idStr = ref.ID
 		}

cmd/bd/show_test.go

@@ -55,8 +55,8 @@ func TestShow_ExternalRef(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 
 	out := string(showOut)
-	if !strings.Contains(out, "External Ref:") {
-		t.Errorf("expected 'External Ref:' in output, got: %s", out)
+	if !strings.Contains(out, "External:") {
+		t.Errorf("expected 'External:' in output, got: %s", out)
 	}
 	if !strings.Contains(out, "https://example.com/spec.md") {
 		t.Errorf("expected external ref URL in output, got: %s", out)
@@ -108,7 +108,7 @@ func TestShow_NoExternalRef(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 
 	out := string(showOut)
-	if strings.Contains(out, "External Ref:") {
-		t.Errorf("expected no 'External Ref:' line for issue without external ref, got: %s", out)
+	if strings.Contains(out, "External:") {
+		t.Errorf("expected no 'External:' line for issue without external ref, got: %s", out)
 	}
 }