diff --git a/.beads/formulas/beads-release.formula.json b/.beads/formulas/beads-release.formula.json
index 017f81c2..d0b61210 100644
--- a/.beads/formulas/beads-release.formula.json
+++ b/.beads/formulas/beads-release.formula.json
@@ -1,8 +1,8 @@
 {
   "formula": "beads-release",
   "type": "workflow",
-  "description": "Beads release workflow - from version bump to verified release.\n\nThis formula orchestrates a complete release cycle:\n1. Preflight checks (clean git, up to date)\n2. Documentation updates (CHANGELOG, info.go)\n3. Version bump (all components)\n4. Git operations (commit, tag, push)\n5. CI verification (GitHub Actions)\n6. Artifact verification (GitHub, npm, PyPI)\n7. Local installation update\n8. Daemon restart\n\n## Usage\n\n```bash\nbd wisp create beads-release --var version=0.37.0\n```\n\nOr assign to a polecat:\n```bash\ngt sling beads/polecats/p1 --formula beads-release --var version=0.37.0\n```",
-  "version": 1,
+  "description": "Beads release workflow - from version bump to verified release.\n\nThis formula orchestrates a complete release cycle:\n1. Preflight checks (clean git, synced beads, up to date)\n2. Documentation updates (CHANGELOG, info.go)\n3. Version bump (all components)\n4. Git operations (commit, tag, push)\n5. CI verification (GitHub Actions)\n6. Artifact verification (GitHub, npm, PyPI)\n7. Local installation update (with verification gate)\n8. Daemon restart (with version verification)\n9. Post-release cleanup\n\n## Usage\n\n```bash\nbd wisp create beads-release --var version=0.37.0\n```\n\nOr assign to a polecat:\n```bash\ngt sling beads/polecats/p1 --formula beads-release --var version=0.37.0\n```",
+  "version": 2,
   "vars": {
     "version": {
       "description": "The semantic version to release (e.g., 0.37.0)",
@@ -15,11 +15,17 @@
       "title": "Preflight: Check git status",
       "description": "Ensure working tree is clean before starting release.\n\n```bash\ngit status\n```\n\nIf there are uncommitted changes, either:\n- Commit them first\n- Stash them: `git stash`\n- Abort and resolve"
     },
+    {
+      "id": "preflight-sync",
+      "title": "Preflight: Sync beads",
+      "description": "Ensure beads are synced before starting release.\n\n```bash\nbd sync\n```\n\nThis catches:\n- Stale worktrees that need repair\n- Uncommitted beads changes in other clones\n- Divergence issues that would block later syncs\n\nIf sync fails, resolve the issue before proceeding.",
+      "needs": ["preflight-git"]
+    },
     {
       "id": "preflight-pull",
       "title": "Preflight: Pull latest",
       "description": "Ensure we're up to date with origin.\n\n```bash\ngit pull --rebase\n```\n\nResolve any conflicts before proceeding.",
-      "needs": ["preflight-git"]
+      "needs": ["preflight-sync"]
     },
     {
       "id": "review-changes",
@@ -54,7 +60,7 @@
     {
       "id": "commit-release",
       "title": "Commit release",
-      "description": "Stage and commit all version changes.\n\n```bash\ngit add -A\ngit commit -m \"chore: Bump version to {{version}}\"\n```\n\nReview the commit to ensure all expected files are included.",
+      "description": "Stage and commit all version changes.\n\n```bash\ngit add -A\ngit commit -m \"chore: bump version to {{version}}\"\n```\n\nReview the commit to ensure all expected files are included.",
       "needs": ["verify-versions"]
     },
     {
@@ -102,20 +108,32 @@
     {
       "id": "local-install",
       "title": "Update local installation",
-      "description": "Update local bd to the new version.\n\nOption 1 - Homebrew:\n```bash\nbrew upgrade bd\n```\n\nOption 2 - Install script:\n```bash\ncurl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/steveyegge/beads/main/scripts/install.sh | bash\n```\n\nVerify:\n```bash\nbd --version\n```\n\nShould show {{version}}.",
+      "description": "Update local bd to the new version.\n\n**Detect install method:**\n```bash\nwhich bd\n```\n\n**Option 1 - Dev build** (if bd is in ~/.local/bin or project dir):\n```bash\ngo build -o bd ./cmd/bd\ncp ./bd ~/.local/bin/bd\n```\n\n**Option 2 - Homebrew** (if bd is in /opt/homebrew or /usr/local):\n```bash\nbrew upgrade bd\n```\n\n**Option 3 - Install script:**\n```bash\ncurl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/steveyegge/beads/main/scripts/install.sh | bash\n```",
       "needs": ["verify-npm", "verify-pypi"]
     },
+    {
+      "id": "verify-local-install",
+      "title": "Verify local installation",
+      "description": "**GATE: This step must pass before proceeding.**\n\nVerify the installed version matches the release:\n\n```bash\nbd --version\n```\n\n**Expected output:** `bd version {{version}}`\n\n**If version mismatch:**\n1. Check which bd is in PATH: `which bd`\n2. Rebuild if dev install: `go build -o bd ./cmd/bd && cp ./bd ~/.local/bin/bd`\n3. Verify again: `bd --version`\n\n**Do not proceed until `bd --version` shows {{version}}.**",
+      "needs": ["local-install"]
+    },
     {
       "id": "restart-daemons",
       "title": "Restart daemons",
-      "description": "Restart bd daemons to pick up new version.\n\n```bash\nbd daemons killall\n```\n\nDaemons will auto-restart with new version on next bd command.\n\nVerify:\n```bash\nbd daemons list\n```",
-      "needs": ["local-install"]
+      "description": "Restart bd daemons to pick up new version.\n\n```bash\nbd daemons killall\n```\n\nTrigger daemon restart:\n```bash\nbd list >/dev/null 2>&1\n```\n\nVerify daemon version:\n```bash\nbd daemons list\n```\n\n**Expected:** All daemons should show version {{version}}.\n\nIf daemons show old version, they may be running from a different bd binary.\nCheck with: `ps aux | grep bd.*daemon`",
+      "needs": ["verify-local-install"]
+    },
+    {
+      "id": "post-release-sync",
+      "title": "Post-release: Sync beads",
+      "description": "Sync beads to capture any changes made during release.\n\n```bash\nbd sync\n```\n\nThis ensures:\n- Molecule progress is committed\n- Any beads updates are pushed\n- Clean state for next session",
+      "needs": ["restart-daemons"]
     },
     {
       "id": "release-complete",
       "title": "Release complete",
-      "description": "Release v{{version}} is complete!\n\nSummary:\n- All version files updated\n- Git tag pushed\n- CI artifacts built\n- npm and PyPI packages published\n- Local installation updated\n- Daemons restarted\n\nOptional next steps:\n- Announce on social media\n- Update documentation site\n- Close related milestone",
-      "needs": ["restart-daemons"]
+      "description": "Release v{{version}} is complete!\n\n**Verification checklist:**\n- [ ] `bd --version` shows {{version}}\n- [ ] `bd daemons list` shows {{version}}\n- [ ] GitHub release has all artifacts\n- [ ] npm package is {{version}}\n- [ ] PyPI package is {{version}}\n- [ ] `bd sync` succeeded\n\n**Summary:**\n- All version files updated\n- Git tag pushed\n- CI artifacts built\n- npm and PyPI packages published\n- Local installation verified\n- Daemons restarted with new version\n- Beads synced\n\n**Note:** If this was a wisp, it will be squashed to a digest.\nThe hook should clear automatically after squash.",
+      "needs": ["post-release-sync"]
     }
   ]
 }
diff --git a/.beads/issues.jsonl b/.beads/issues.jsonl
index 183485db..fd9603e0 100644
--- a/.beads/issues.jsonl
+++ b/.beads/issues.jsonl
@@ -414,7 +414,7 @@
 {"id":"bd-hlyr","title":"Merge: bd-m8ro","description":"branch: polecat/max\ntarget: main\nsource_issue: bd-m8ro\nrig: beads","status":"closed","priority":2,"issue_type":"merge-request","created_at":"2025-12-23T20:45:40.218445-08:00","updated_at":"2025-12-23T21:21:57.69886-08:00","closed_at":"2025-12-23T21:21:57.69886-08:00"}
 {"id":"bd-hnkg","title":"GH#540: Add silent quick-capture mode (bd q)","description":"Add bd q alias for quick capture that outputs only issue ID. Useful for piping/scripting. See GitHub issue #540.","status":"tombstone","priority":2,"issue_type":"feature","created_at":"2025-12-16T01:03:38.260135-08:00","updated_at":"2025-12-17T16:11:17.070763-08:00","deleted_at":"2025-12-17T16:11:17.070763-08:00","deleted_by":"batch delete","delete_reason":"batch delete","original_type":"feature"}
 {"id":"bd-hobo","title":"Distinct prefixes for protos, molecules, wisps","description":"Template/workflow entities should have visually distinct prefixes from regular issues.\n\n**Problem:**\n- Protos (bd-7bs4) look like regular issues - invites squashing\n- Molecules (poured instances) also use bd- prefix\n- Wisps are in separate DB but still use bd- when referenced\n\n**Proposed Prefixes:**\n- `proto-` for templates (e.g., proto-release, proto-review)\n- `mol-` for active molecules (poured from protos)\n- `wisp-` for ephemeral wisps (vapor phase)\n\n**Benefits:**\n- Instant visual recognition of entity type\n- Prevents accidental modification of templates\n- Clear lifecycle: proto → mol → wisp → digest\n\n**Implementation options:**\n1. Separate databases with different prefixes\n2. Issue type determines prefix generation\n3. Naming convention enforced by bd pour/wisp commands","status":"closed","priority":2,"issue_type":"feature","created_at":"2025-12-24T16:45:24.940809-08:00","updated_at":"2025-12-25T02:04:52.459233-08:00","closed_at":"2025-12-25T02:04:52.459233-08:00","labels":["workflow"]}
-{"id":"bd-hp8g","title":"gt sling should look up formulas from .beads/formulas/ registry","description":"## Problem\n\ngt sling \u003cformula-name\u003e doesn't find formulas from the registry that bd formula list shows.\n\n## What I tried\n\n1. gt sling beads/crew/emma --formula beads-release --var version=0.42.0\n   - Problem: --formula flag doesn't exist\n\n2. gt sling beads-release beads/crew/emma --var version=0.42.0\n   - Error: open .../beads-release: no such file or directory\n   - Problem: Looks for file in cwd, not formula registry\n\n## What worked\n\nbd mol wisp beads-release --var version=0.42.0 - correctly finds formula from .beads/formulas/\n\n## Expected\n\ngt sling should use the same formula lookup as bd mol wisp - checking .beads/formulas/*.formula.json\n\n## Documentation gap\n\nThe help shows examples like 'gt sling mol-release mayor/' suggesting formula slinging works, but it doesn't find registry formulas.","status":"in_progress","priority":2,"issue_type":"bug","assignee":"beads/polecats/jade","created_at":"2025-12-30T21:18:17.251292-08:00","created_by":"beads/crew/emma","updated_at":"2025-12-30T21:57:10.487081-08:00"}
+{"id":"bd-hp8g","title":"gt sling should look up formulas from .beads/formulas/ registry","description":"## Problem\n\ngt sling \u003cformula-name\u003e doesn't find formulas from the registry that bd formula list shows.\n\n## What I tried\n\n1. gt sling beads/crew/emma --formula beads-release --var version=0.42.0\n   - Problem: --formula flag doesn't exist\n\n2. gt sling beads-release beads/crew/emma --var version=0.42.0\n   - Error: open .../beads-release: no such file or directory\n   - Problem: Looks for file in cwd, not formula registry\n\n## What worked\n\nbd mol wisp beads-release --var version=0.42.0 - correctly finds formula from .beads/formulas/\n\n## Expected\n\ngt sling should use the same formula lookup as bd mol wisp - checking .beads/formulas/*.formula.json\n\n## Documentation gap\n\nThe help shows examples like 'gt sling mol-release mayor/' suggesting formula slinging works, but it doesn't find registry formulas.","status":"closed","priority":2,"issue_type":"bug","assignee":"beads/polecats/jade","created_at":"2025-12-30T21:18:17.251292-08:00","created_by":"beads/crew/emma","updated_at":"2025-12-30T22:06:27.153176-08:00","closed_at":"2025-12-30T22:06:27.153176-08:00","close_reason":"Fixed in both repos: bd cook now looks up formulas from registry, and gt sling uses bd mol wisp"}
 {"id":"bd-hr39","title":"bd cook: needs field not converted to step dependencies","description":"When cooking a formula with `needs` fields on steps, the dependencies are not created between sibling steps.\n\n## Expected\n\nFormula:\n```yaml\nsteps:\n  - id: inbox-check\n    title: Check inbox\n  - id: trigger-spawns\n    title: Nudge polecats\n    needs: [inbox-check]\n```\n\nShould create:\n- mol-foo.inbox-check (no deps)\n- mol-foo.trigger-spawns → depends on → mol-foo.inbox-check\n\n## Actual\n\nBoth steps only depend on the parent proto:\n- mol-foo.inbox-check → depends on → mol-foo\n- mol-foo.trigger-spawns → depends on → mol-foo\n\nThe `needs` field is ignored.\n\n## Impact\n\nThis breaks the step execution order. Steps that should wait for predecessors will run in parallel or out of order.\n\n## Reproduction\n\n```bash\nbd cook mol-deacon-patrol.formula.yaml\nbd show mol-deacon-patrol.trigger-pending-spawns\n# Shows: Depends on mol-deacon-patrol (parent only)\n# Should show: Depends on mol-deacon-patrol.inbox-check\n```","status":"closed","priority":1,"issue_type":"bug","created_at":"2025-12-24T13:49:59.023514-08:00","updated_at":"2025-12-24T13:59:09.929298-08:00","closed_at":"2025-12-24T13:59:09.929298-08:00"}
 {"id":"bd-hulf","title":"Molecule execution state management","description":"Implement molecule execution state tracking.\n\n## State Location\n\n```\n.beads/molecules/\u003cmol-id\u003e.state.yaml\n```\n\n## State Schema\n\n```yaml\nid: mol-deacon-patrol\nformula: mol-deacon-patrol  # Source formula\nbonded_at: ISO timestamp\nbonded_by: entity who created it\n\n# Execution state\nstatus: running | paused | completed | failed\ncurrent_step: step-id\nstarted_at: ISO timestamp\ncompleted_at: ISO timestamp (if done)\n\n# Loop tracking\nreset_count: 0\nlast_reset_at: null\n\n# Per-step state\nsteps:\n  inbox-check:\n    status: completed | in_progress | pending\n    started_at: ...\n    completed_at: ...\n  spawn-work:\n    status: pending\n  self-inspect:\n    status: pending\n\n# Variables (from formula instantiation)\nvariables:\n  rig: gastown\n  issue_id: gt-xxx\n```\n\n## Operations\n\n- CreateState(molID, formula, variables) - Initialize state\n- LoadState(molID) - Read current state  \n- SaveState(molID, state) - Write state\n- AdvanceStep(molID) - Mark current complete, find next\n- ResetState(molID) - Reset all steps to pending\n\n## Files\n\n- internal/mol/state.go\n- internal/mol/types.go","status":"closed","priority":0,"issue_type":"task","created_at":"2025-12-24T15:53:43.381634-08:00","updated_at":"2025-12-24T16:53:11.807645-08:00","closed_at":"2025-12-24T16:53:11.807645-08:00"}
 {"id":"bd-hvng","title":"Merge: bd-w193","description":"branch: polecat/nux\ntarget: main\nsource_issue: bd-w193\nrig: beads","status":"closed","priority":2,"issue_type":"merge-request","created_at":"2025-12-19T23:23:47.496139-08:00","updated_at":"2025-12-20T23:17:26.996479-08:00","closed_at":"2025-12-20T23:17:26.996479-08:00"}
@@ -829,6 +829,7 @@
 {"id":"bd-x3hi","title":"Support redirect files in .beads/ directory","description":"Gas Town creates polecat worktrees with .beads/redirect files that point to a shared beads database. The bd CLI should:\n\n1. When finding a .beads/ directory, check if it contains a 'redirect' file\n2. If redirect exists, read the relative path and use that as the beads directory\n3. This allows multiple git worktrees to share a single beads database\n\nExample:\n- polecats/alpha/.beads/redirect contains '../../mayor/rig/.beads'\n- bd commands from alpha should use mayor/rig/.beads\n\nCurrently bd ignores redirect files and either uses the local .beads/ or walks up to find a parent .beads/.\n\nRelated: gt-nriy (test message that can't be retrieved due to missing redirect support)","status":"closed","priority":1,"issue_type":"feature","created_at":"2025-12-20T21:46:23.415172-08:00","updated_at":"2025-12-20T21:59:25.759664-08:00","closed_at":"2025-12-20T21:59:25.759664-08:00"}
 {"id":"bd-x3j8","title":"Update info.go versionChanges","description":"Add 0.32.1 entry to versionChanges map in cmd/bd/info.go","status":"closed","priority":1,"issue_type":"task","created_at":"2025-12-20T21:53:17.344841-08:00","updated_at":"2025-12-20T21:54:31.906761-08:00","closed_at":"2025-12-20T21:54:31.906761-08:00","dependencies":[{"issue_id":"bd-x3j8","depends_on_id":"bd-an4s","type":"parent-child","created_at":"2025-12-20T21:53:17.346736-08:00","created_by":"daemon"},{"issue_id":"bd-x3j8","depends_on_id":"bd-rgd7","type":"blocks","created_at":"2025-12-20T21:53:29.62309-08:00","created_by":"daemon"}]}
 {"id":"bd-x5wg","title":"Create and push git tag v0.33.2","description":"Create the release tag and push it:\n\n```bash\ngit tag v0.33.2\ngit push origin v0.33.2\n```\n\nThis triggers the GoReleaser GitHub Action to build release binaries.","status":"tombstone","priority":1,"issue_type":"task","created_at":"2025-12-21T16:10:13.76223-08:00","updated_at":"2025-12-21T17:29:31.791368-08:00","deleted_at":"2025-12-21T17:29:31.791368-08:00","deleted_by":"batch delete","delete_reason":"batch delete","original_type":"task"}
+{"id":"bd-x6kv","title":"Merge: jade-mjtlsejo","description":"branch: polecat/jade-mjtlsejo\ntarget: main\nsource_issue: jade-mjtlsejo\nrig: beads","status":"open","priority":2,"issue_type":"merge-request","created_at":"2025-12-30T22:06:59.327455-08:00","created_by":"beads/polecats/jade","updated_at":"2025-12-30T22:06:59.327455-08:00"}
 {"id":"bd-xctp","title":"GH#519: bd sync fails when sync.branch is currently checked-out branch","status":"tombstone","priority":2,"issue_type":"bug","created_at":"2025-12-16T01:06:05.319281-08:00","updated_at":"2025-12-17T16:11:17.070763-08:00","deleted_at":"2025-12-17T16:11:17.070763-08:00","deleted_by":"batch delete","delete_reason":"batch delete","original_type":"bug"}
 {"id":"bd-xhaa","title":"Test work item","status":"tombstone","priority":2,"issue_type":"task","created_at":"2025-12-28T00:04:42.739569-08:00","created_by":"beads/crew/emma","updated_at":"2025-12-28T00:11:48.074239-08:00","deleted_at":"2025-12-28T00:11:48.074239-08:00","deleted_by":"batch delete","delete_reason":"batch delete","original_type":"task"}
 {"id":"bd-xj2e","title":"GH#522: Add --type flag to bd update command","description":"Add --type flag to bd update for changing issue type (task/epic/bug/feature). Storage layer already supports it. See GitHub issue #522.","status":"tombstone","priority":2,"issue_type":"task","created_at":"2025-12-16T01:03:12.506583-08:00","updated_at":"2025-12-17T16:11:17.070763-08:00","deleted_at":"2025-12-17T16:11:17.070763-08:00","deleted_by":"batch delete","delete_reason":"batch delete","original_type":"task"}