diff --git a/internal/storage/sqlite/dependencies.go b/internal/storage/sqlite/dependencies.go
index d55543bf..3d4cee48 100644
--- a/internal/storage/sqlite/dependencies.go
+++ b/internal/storage/sqlite/dependencies.go
@@ -233,7 +233,7 @@ func (s *SQLiteStorage) GetDependenciesWithMetadata(ctx context.Context, issueID
 		       i.status, i.priority, i.issue_type, i.assignee, i.estimated_minutes,
 		       i.created_at, i.updated_at, i.closed_at, i.external_ref, i.source_repo,
 		       i.deleted_at, i.deleted_by, i.delete_reason, i.original_type,
-		       i.sender, i.ephemeral,
+		       i.sender, i.ephemeral, i.pinned,
 		       d.type
 		FROM issues i
 		JOIN dependencies d ON i.id = d.depends_on_id
@@ -255,7 +255,7 @@ func (s *SQLiteStorage) GetDependentsWithMetadata(ctx context.Context, issueID s
 		       i.status, i.priority, i.issue_type, i.assignee, i.estimated_minutes,
 		       i.created_at, i.updated_at, i.closed_at, i.external_ref, i.source_repo,
 		       i.deleted_at, i.deleted_by, i.delete_reason, i.original_type,
-		       i.sender, i.ephemeral,
+		       i.sender, i.ephemeral, i.pinned,
 		       d.type
 		FROM issues i
 		JOIN dependencies d ON i.id = d.issue_id
@@ -714,6 +714,8 @@ func (s *SQLiteStorage) scanIssues(ctx context.Context, rows *sql.Rows) ([]*type
 		// Messaging fields (bd-kwro)
 		var sender sql.NullString
 		var ephemeral sql.NullInt64
+		// Pinned field (bd-7h5)
+		var pinned sql.NullInt64
 
 		err := rows.Scan(
 			&issue.ID, &contentHash, &issue.Title, &issue.Description, &issue.Design,
@@ -721,7 +723,7 @@ func (s *SQLiteStorage) scanIssues(ctx context.Context, rows *sql.Rows) ([]*type
 			&issue.Priority, &issue.IssueType, &assignee, &estimatedMinutes,
 			&issue.CreatedAt, &issue.UpdatedAt, &closedAt, &externalRef, &sourceRepo, &closeReason,
 			&deletedAt, &deletedBy, &deleteReason, &originalType,
-			&sender, &ephemeral,
+			&sender, &ephemeral, &pinned,
 		)
 		if err != nil {
 			return nil, fmt.Errorf("failed to scan issue: %w", err)
@@ -766,6 +768,10 @@ func (s *SQLiteStorage) scanIssues(ctx context.Context, rows *sql.Rows) ([]*type
 		if ephemeral.Valid && ephemeral.Int64 != 0 {
 			issue.Ephemeral = true
 		}
+		// Pinned field (bd-7h5)
+		if pinned.Valid && pinned.Int64 != 0 {
+			issue.Pinned = true
+		}
 
 		issues = append(issues, &issue)
 		issueIDs = append(issueIDs, issue.ID)
@@ -805,6 +811,8 @@ func (s *SQLiteStorage) scanIssuesWithDependencyType(ctx context.Context, rows *
 		// Messaging fields (bd-kwro)
 		var sender sql.NullString
 		var ephemeral sql.NullInt64
+		// Pinned field (bd-7h5)
+		var pinned sql.NullInt64
 		var depType types.DependencyType
 
 		err := rows.Scan(
@@ -813,7 +821,7 @@ func (s *SQLiteStorage) scanIssuesWithDependencyType(ctx context.Context, rows *
 			&issue.Priority, &issue.IssueType, &assignee, &estimatedMinutes,
 			&issue.CreatedAt, &issue.UpdatedAt, &closedAt, &externalRef, &sourceRepo,
 			&deletedAt, &deletedBy, &deleteReason, &originalType,
-			&sender, &ephemeral,
+			&sender, &ephemeral, &pinned,
 			&depType,
 		)
 		if err != nil {
@@ -856,6 +864,10 @@ func (s *SQLiteStorage) scanIssuesWithDependencyType(ctx context.Context, rows *
 		if ephemeral.Valid && ephemeral.Int64 != 0 {
 			issue.Ephemeral = true
 		}
+		// Pinned field (bd-7h5)
+		if pinned.Valid && pinned.Int64 != 0 {
+			issue.Pinned = true
+		}
 
 		// Fetch labels for this issue
 		labels, err := s.GetLabels(ctx, issue.ID)
diff --git a/internal/storage/sqlite/issues.go b/internal/storage/sqlite/issues.go
index 23ec183a..c3e4bcfb 100644
--- a/internal/storage/sqlite/issues.go
+++ b/internal/storage/sqlite/issues.go
@@ -31,6 +31,10 @@ func insertIssue(ctx context.Context, conn *sql.Conn, issue *types.Issue) error
 	if issue.Ephemeral {
 		ephemeral = 1
 	}
+	pinned := 0
+	if issue.Pinned {
+		pinned = 1
+	}
 
 	_, err := conn.ExecContext(ctx, `
 		INSERT OR IGNORE INTO issues (
@@ -38,8 +42,8 @@ func insertIssue(ctx context.Context, conn *sql.Conn, issue *types.Issue) error
 			status, priority, issue_type, assignee, estimated_minutes,
 			created_at, updated_at, closed_at, external_ref, source_repo, close_reason,
 			deleted_at, deleted_by, delete_reason, original_type,
-			sender, ephemeral
-		) VALUES (?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?)
+			sender, ephemeral, pinned
+		) VALUES (?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?)
 	`,
 		issue.ID, issue.ContentHash, issue.Title, issue.Description, issue.Design,
 		issue.AcceptanceCriteria, issue.Notes, issue.Status,
@@ -47,7 +51,7 @@ func insertIssue(ctx context.Context, conn *sql.Conn, issue *types.Issue) error
 		issue.EstimatedMinutes, issue.CreatedAt, issue.UpdatedAt,
 		issue.ClosedAt, issue.ExternalRef, sourceRepo, issue.CloseReason,
 		issue.DeletedAt, issue.DeletedBy, issue.DeleteReason, issue.OriginalType,
-		issue.Sender, ephemeral,
+		issue.Sender, ephemeral, pinned,
 	)
 	if err != nil {
 		// INSERT OR IGNORE should handle duplicates, but driver may still return error
@@ -68,8 +72,8 @@ func insertIssues(ctx context.Context, conn *sql.Conn, issues []*types.Issue) er
 			status, priority, issue_type, assignee, estimated_minutes,
 			created_at, updated_at, closed_at, external_ref, source_repo, close_reason,
 			deleted_at, deleted_by, delete_reason, original_type,
-			sender, ephemeral
-		) VALUES (?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?)
+			sender, ephemeral, pinned
+		) VALUES (?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?)
 	`)
 	if err != nil {
 		return fmt.Errorf("failed to prepare statement: %w", err)
@@ -86,6 +90,10 @@ func insertIssues(ctx context.Context, conn *sql.Conn, issues []*types.Issue) er
 		if issue.Ephemeral {
 			ephemeral = 1
 		}
+		pinned := 0
+		if issue.Pinned {
+			pinned = 1
+		}
 
 		_, err = stmt.ExecContext(ctx,
 			issue.ID, issue.ContentHash, issue.Title, issue.Description, issue.Design,
@@ -94,7 +102,7 @@ func insertIssues(ctx context.Context, conn *sql.Conn, issues []*types.Issue) er
 			issue.EstimatedMinutes, issue.CreatedAt, issue.UpdatedAt,
 			issue.ClosedAt, issue.ExternalRef, sourceRepo, issue.CloseReason,
 			issue.DeletedAt, issue.DeletedBy, issue.DeleteReason, issue.OriginalType,
-			issue.Sender, ephemeral,
+			issue.Sender, ephemeral, pinned,
 		)
 		if err != nil {
 			// INSERT OR IGNORE should handle duplicates, but driver may still return error
diff --git a/internal/storage/sqlite/labels.go b/internal/storage/sqlite/labels.go
index cc11ed3c..c07a20b1 100644
--- a/internal/storage/sqlite/labels.go
+++ b/internal/storage/sqlite/labels.go
@@ -159,7 +159,7 @@ func (s *SQLiteStorage) GetIssuesByLabel(ctx context.Context, label string) ([]*
 		       i.status, i.priority, i.issue_type, i.assignee, i.estimated_minutes,
 		       i.created_at, i.updated_at, i.closed_at, i.external_ref, i.source_repo, i.close_reason,
 		       i.deleted_at, i.deleted_by, i.delete_reason, i.original_type,
-		       i.sender, i.ephemeral
+		       i.sender, i.ephemeral, i.pinned
 		FROM issues i
 		JOIN labels l ON i.id = l.issue_id
 		WHERE l.label = ?
diff --git a/internal/storage/sqlite/migrations.go b/internal/storage/sqlite/migrations.go
index b84f6409..5fdaa58d 100644
--- a/internal/storage/sqlite/migrations.go
+++ b/internal/storage/sqlite/migrations.go
@@ -39,6 +39,7 @@ var migrationsList = []Migration{
 	{"edge_consolidation", migrations.MigrateEdgeConsolidation},
 	{"migrate_edge_fields", migrations.MigrateEdgeFields},
 	{"drop_edge_columns", migrations.MigrateDropEdgeColumns},
+	{"pinned_column", migrations.MigratePinnedColumn},
 }
 
 // MigrationInfo contains metadata about a migration for inspection
@@ -85,6 +86,7 @@ func getMigrationDescription(name string) string {
 		"edge_consolidation":           "Adds metadata and thread_id columns to dependencies table for edge schema consolidation (Decision 004)",
 		"migrate_edge_fields":          "Migrates existing issue fields (replies_to, relates_to, duplicate_of, superseded_by) to dependency edges (Decision 004 Phase 3)",
 		"drop_edge_columns":            "Drops deprecated edge columns (replies_to, relates_to, duplicate_of, superseded_by) from issues table (Decision 004 Phase 4)",
+		"pinned_column":                "Adds pinned column for persistent context markers (bd-7h5)",
 	}
 	
 	if desc, ok := descriptions[name]; ok {
diff --git a/internal/storage/sqlite/migrations/023_pinned_column.go b/internal/storage/sqlite/migrations/023_pinned_column.go
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..9854f8e0
--- /dev/null
+++ b/internal/storage/sqlite/migrations/023_pinned_column.go
@@ -0,0 +1,39 @@
+package migrations
+
+import (
+	"database/sql"
+	"fmt"
+)
+
+// MigratePinnedColumn adds the pinned column to the issues table.
+// Pinned issues are persistent context markers that should not be treated as work items (bd-7h5).
+func MigratePinnedColumn(db *sql.DB) error {
+	// Check if column already exists
+	var columnExists bool
+	err := db.QueryRow(`
+		SELECT COUNT(*) > 0
+		FROM pragma_table_info('issues')
+		WHERE name = 'pinned'
+	`).Scan(&columnExists)
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("failed to check pinned column: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	if columnExists {
+		return nil
+	}
+
+	// Add the pinned column
+	_, err = db.Exec(`ALTER TABLE issues ADD COLUMN pinned INTEGER DEFAULT 0`)
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("failed to add pinned column: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	// Add index for pinned issues (for efficient filtering)
+	_, err = db.Exec(`CREATE INDEX IF NOT EXISTS idx_issues_pinned ON issues(pinned) WHERE pinned = 1`)
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("failed to create pinned index: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	return nil
+}
diff --git a/internal/storage/sqlite/migrations_test.go b/internal/storage/sqlite/migrations_test.go
index 1e02b3db..88f6da59 100644
--- a/internal/storage/sqlite/migrations_test.go
+++ b/internal/storage/sqlite/migrations_test.go
@@ -485,13 +485,14 @@ func TestMigrateContentHashColumn(t *testing.T) {
 				original_type TEXT DEFAULT '',
 				sender TEXT DEFAULT '',
 				ephemeral INTEGER DEFAULT 0,
+				pinned INTEGER DEFAULT 0,
 				replies_to TEXT DEFAULT '',
 				relates_to TEXT DEFAULT '',
 				duplicate_of TEXT DEFAULT '',
 				superseded_by TEXT DEFAULT '',
 				CHECK ((status = 'closed') = (closed_at IS NOT NULL))
 			);
-			INSERT INTO issues SELECT id, title, description, design, acceptance_criteria, notes, status, priority, issue_type, assignee, estimated_minutes, created_at, updated_at, closed_at, external_ref, compaction_level, compacted_at, original_size, compacted_at_commit, source_repo, '', NULL, '', '', '', '', 0, '', '', '', '' FROM issues_backup;
+			INSERT INTO issues SELECT id, title, description, design, acceptance_criteria, notes, status, priority, issue_type, assignee, estimated_minutes, created_at, updated_at, closed_at, external_ref, compaction_level, compacted_at, original_size, compacted_at_commit, source_repo, '', NULL, '', '', '', '', 0, 0, '', '', '', '' FROM issues_backup;
 			DROP TABLE issues_backup;
 		`)
 		if err != nil {
diff --git a/internal/storage/sqlite/multirepo.go b/internal/storage/sqlite/multirepo.go
index 8e37c5d4..86861bdb 100644
--- a/internal/storage/sqlite/multirepo.go
+++ b/internal/storage/sqlite/multirepo.go
@@ -261,6 +261,10 @@ func (s *SQLiteStorage) upsertIssueInTx(ctx context.Context, tx *sql.Tx, issue *
 	if issue.Ephemeral {
 		ephemeral = 1
 	}
+	pinned := 0
+	if issue.Pinned {
+		pinned = 1
+	}
 
 	if err == sql.ErrNoRows {
 		// Issue doesn't exist - insert it
@@ -270,8 +274,8 @@ func (s *SQLiteStorage) upsertIssueInTx(ctx context.Context, tx *sql.Tx, issue *
 				status, priority, issue_type, assignee, estimated_minutes,
 				created_at, updated_at, closed_at, external_ref, source_repo, close_reason,
 				deleted_at, deleted_by, delete_reason, original_type,
-				sender, ephemeral
-			) VALUES (?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?)
+				sender, ephemeral, pinned
+			) VALUES (?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?)
 		`,
 			issue.ID, issue.ContentHash, issue.Title, issue.Description, issue.Design,
 			issue.AcceptanceCriteria, issue.Notes, issue.Status,
@@ -279,7 +283,7 @@ func (s *SQLiteStorage) upsertIssueInTx(ctx context.Context, tx *sql.Tx, issue *
 			issue.EstimatedMinutes, issue.CreatedAt, issue.UpdatedAt,
 			issue.ClosedAt, issue.ExternalRef, issue.SourceRepo, issue.CloseReason,
 			issue.DeletedAt, issue.DeletedBy, issue.DeleteReason, issue.OriginalType,
-			issue.Sender, ephemeral,
+			issue.Sender, ephemeral, pinned,
 		)
 		if err != nil {
 			return fmt.Errorf("failed to insert issue: %w", err)
@@ -303,7 +307,7 @@ func (s *SQLiteStorage) upsertIssueInTx(ctx context.Context, tx *sql.Tx, issue *
 					issue_type = ?, assignee = ?, estimated_minutes = ?,
 					updated_at = ?, closed_at = ?, external_ref = ?, source_repo = ?,
 					deleted_at = ?, deleted_by = ?, delete_reason = ?, original_type = ?,
-					sender = ?, ephemeral = ?
+					sender = ?, ephemeral = ?, pinned = ?
 				WHERE id = ?
 			`,
 				issue.ContentHash, issue.Title, issue.Description, issue.Design,
@@ -311,7 +315,7 @@ func (s *SQLiteStorage) upsertIssueInTx(ctx context.Context, tx *sql.Tx, issue *
 				issue.IssueType, issue.Assignee, issue.EstimatedMinutes,
 				issue.UpdatedAt, issue.ClosedAt, issue.ExternalRef, issue.SourceRepo,
 				issue.DeletedAt, issue.DeletedBy, issue.DeleteReason, issue.OriginalType,
-				issue.Sender, ephemeral,
+				issue.Sender, ephemeral, pinned,
 				issue.ID,
 			)
 			if err != nil {
diff --git a/internal/storage/sqlite/queries.go b/internal/storage/sqlite/queries.go
index 5939d379..0dc91f56 100644
--- a/internal/storage/sqlite/queries.go
+++ b/internal/storage/sqlite/queries.go
@@ -248,6 +248,8 @@ func (s *SQLiteStorage) GetIssue(ctx context.Context, id string) (*types.Issue,
 	// Messaging fields (bd-kwro)
 	var sender sql.NullString
 	var ephemeral sql.NullInt64
+	// Pinned field (bd-7h5)
+	var pinned sql.NullInt64
 
 	var contentHash sql.NullString
 	var compactedAtCommit sql.NullString
@@ -257,7 +259,7 @@ func (s *SQLiteStorage) GetIssue(ctx context.Context, id string) (*types.Issue,
 		       created_at, updated_at, closed_at, external_ref,
 		       compaction_level, compacted_at, compacted_at_commit, original_size, source_repo, close_reason,
 		       deleted_at, deleted_by, delete_reason, original_type,
-		       sender, ephemeral
+		       sender, ephemeral, pinned
 		FROM issues
 		WHERE id = ?
 	`, id).Scan(
@@ -267,7 +269,7 @@ func (s *SQLiteStorage) GetIssue(ctx context.Context, id string) (*types.Issue,
 		&issue.CreatedAt, &issue.UpdatedAt, &closedAt, &externalRef,
 		&issue.CompactionLevel, &compactedAt, &compactedAtCommit, &originalSize, &sourceRepo, &closeReason,
 		&deletedAt, &deletedBy, &deleteReason, &originalType,
-		&sender, &ephemeral,
+		&sender, &ephemeral, &pinned,
 	)
 
 	if err == sql.ErrNoRows {
@@ -325,6 +327,10 @@ func (s *SQLiteStorage) GetIssue(ctx context.Context, id string) (*types.Issue,
 	if ephemeral.Valid && ephemeral.Int64 != 0 {
 		issue.Ephemeral = true
 	}
+	// Pinned field (bd-7h5)
+	if pinned.Valid && pinned.Int64 != 0 {
+		issue.Pinned = true
+	}
 
 	// Fetch labels for this issue
 	labels, err := s.GetLabels(ctx, issue.ID)
@@ -431,6 +437,8 @@ func (s *SQLiteStorage) GetIssueByExternalRef(ctx context.Context, externalRef s
 	// Messaging fields (bd-kwro)
 	var sender sql.NullString
 	var ephemeral sql.NullInt64
+	// Pinned field (bd-7h5)
+	var pinned sql.NullInt64
 
 	err := s.db.QueryRowContext(ctx, `
 		SELECT id, content_hash, title, description, design, acceptance_criteria, notes,
@@ -438,7 +446,7 @@ func (s *SQLiteStorage) GetIssueByExternalRef(ctx context.Context, externalRef s
 		       created_at, updated_at, closed_at, external_ref,
 		       compaction_level, compacted_at, compacted_at_commit, original_size, source_repo, close_reason,
 		       deleted_at, deleted_by, delete_reason, original_type,
-		       sender, ephemeral
+		       sender, ephemeral, pinned
 		FROM issues
 		WHERE external_ref = ?
 	`, externalRef).Scan(
@@ -448,7 +456,7 @@ func (s *SQLiteStorage) GetIssueByExternalRef(ctx context.Context, externalRef s
 		&issue.CreatedAt, &issue.UpdatedAt, &closedAt, &externalRefCol,
 		&issue.CompactionLevel, &compactedAt, &compactedAtCommit, &originalSize, &sourceRepo, &closeReason,
 		&deletedAt, &deletedBy, &deleteReason, &originalType,
-		&sender, &ephemeral,
+		&sender, &ephemeral, &pinned,
 	)
 
 	if err == sql.ErrNoRows {
@@ -506,6 +514,10 @@ func (s *SQLiteStorage) GetIssueByExternalRef(ctx context.Context, externalRef s
 	if ephemeral.Valid && ephemeral.Int64 != 0 {
 		issue.Ephemeral = true
 	}
+	// Pinned field (bd-7h5)
+	if pinned.Valid && pinned.Int64 != 0 {
+		issue.Pinned = true
+	}
 
 	// Fetch labels for this issue
 	labels, err := s.GetLabels(ctx, issue.ID)
@@ -1547,6 +1559,15 @@ func (s *SQLiteStorage) SearchIssues(ctx context.Context, query string, filter t
 		}
 	}
 
+	// Pinned filtering (bd-7h5)
+	if filter.Pinned != nil {
+		if *filter.Pinned {
+			whereClauses = append(whereClauses, "pinned = 1")
+		} else {
+			whereClauses = append(whereClauses, "(pinned = 0 OR pinned IS NULL)")
+		}
+	}
+
 	whereSQL := ""
 	if len(whereClauses) > 0 {
 		whereSQL = "WHERE " + strings.Join(whereClauses, " AND ")
@@ -1564,7 +1585,7 @@ func (s *SQLiteStorage) SearchIssues(ctx context.Context, query string, filter t
 		       status, priority, issue_type, assignee, estimated_minutes,
 		       created_at, updated_at, closed_at, external_ref, source_repo, close_reason,
 		       deleted_at, deleted_by, delete_reason, original_type,
-		       sender, ephemeral
+		       sender, ephemeral, pinned
 		FROM issues
 		%s
 		ORDER BY priority ASC, created_at DESC
diff --git a/internal/storage/sqlite/ready.go b/internal/storage/sqlite/ready.go
index 17a16b64..ed4a2a22 100644
--- a/internal/storage/sqlite/ready.go
+++ b/internal/storage/sqlite/ready.go
@@ -101,7 +101,7 @@ func (s *SQLiteStorage) GetReadyWork(ctx context.Context, filter types.WorkFilte
 		i.status, i.priority, i.issue_type, i.assignee, i.estimated_minutes,
 		i.created_at, i.updated_at, i.closed_at, i.external_ref, i.source_repo, i.close_reason,
 		i.deleted_at, i.deleted_by, i.delete_reason, i.original_type,
-		i.sender, i.ephemeral
+		i.sender, i.ephemeral, i.pinned
 		FROM issues i
 		WHERE %s
 		AND NOT EXISTS (
@@ -130,7 +130,7 @@ func (s *SQLiteStorage) GetStaleIssues(ctx context.Context, filter types.StaleFi
 			created_at, updated_at, closed_at, external_ref, source_repo,
 			compaction_level, compacted_at, compacted_at_commit, original_size, close_reason,
 			deleted_at, deleted_by, delete_reason, original_type,
-			sender, ephemeral
+			sender, ephemeral, pinned
 		FROM issues
 		WHERE status != 'closed'
 		  AND datetime(updated_at) < datetime('now', '-' || ? || ' days')
@@ -179,6 +179,8 @@ func (s *SQLiteStorage) GetStaleIssues(ctx context.Context, filter types.StaleFi
 		// Messaging fields (bd-kwro)
 		var sender sql.NullString
 		var ephemeral sql.NullInt64
+		// Pinned field (bd-7h5)
+		var pinned sql.NullInt64
 
 		err := rows.Scan(
 			&issue.ID, &contentHash, &issue.Title, &issue.Description, &issue.Design,
@@ -187,7 +189,7 @@ func (s *SQLiteStorage) GetStaleIssues(ctx context.Context, filter types.StaleFi
 			&issue.CreatedAt, &issue.UpdatedAt, &closedAt, &externalRef, &sourceRepo,
 			&compactionLevel, &compactedAt, &compactedAtCommit, &originalSize, &closeReason,
 			&deletedAt, &deletedBy, &deleteReason, &originalType,
-			&sender, &ephemeral,
+			&sender, &ephemeral, &pinned,
 		)
 		if err != nil {
 			return nil, fmt.Errorf("failed to scan stale issue: %w", err)
@@ -244,6 +246,10 @@ func (s *SQLiteStorage) GetStaleIssues(ctx context.Context, filter types.StaleFi
 		if ephemeral.Valid && ephemeral.Int64 != 0 {
 			issue.Ephemeral = true
 		}
+		// Pinned field (bd-7h5)
+		if pinned.Valid && pinned.Int64 != 0 {
+			issue.Pinned = true
+		}
 
 		issues = append(issues, &issue)
 	}
diff --git a/internal/storage/sqlite/schema.go b/internal/storage/sqlite/schema.go
index 750e3c33..a433a6ac 100644
--- a/internal/storage/sqlite/schema.go
+++ b/internal/storage/sqlite/schema.go
@@ -30,6 +30,8 @@ CREATE TABLE IF NOT EXISTS issues (
     -- Messaging fields (bd-kwro)
     sender TEXT DEFAULT '',
     ephemeral INTEGER DEFAULT 0,
+    -- Pinned field (bd-7h5)
+    pinned INTEGER DEFAULT 0,
     -- NOTE: replies_to, relates_to, duplicate_of, superseded_by removed per Decision 004
     -- These relationships are now stored in the dependencies table
     CHECK ((status = 'closed') = (closed_at IS NOT NULL))
diff --git a/internal/storage/sqlite/transaction.go b/internal/storage/sqlite/transaction.go
index abfa933d..cb645046 100644
--- a/internal/storage/sqlite/transaction.go
+++ b/internal/storage/sqlite/transaction.go
@@ -306,7 +306,7 @@ func (t *sqliteTxStorage) GetIssue(ctx context.Context, id string) (*types.Issue
 		       created_at, updated_at, closed_at, external_ref,
 		       compaction_level, compacted_at, compacted_at_commit, original_size, source_repo, close_reason,
 		       deleted_at, deleted_by, delete_reason, original_type,
-		       sender, ephemeral
+		       sender, ephemeral, pinned
 		FROM issues
 		WHERE id = ?
 	`, id)
@@ -1080,6 +1080,15 @@ func (t *sqliteTxStorage) SearchIssues(ctx context.Context, query string, filter
 		}
 	}
 
+	// Pinned filtering (bd-7h5)
+	if filter.Pinned != nil {
+		if *filter.Pinned {
+			whereClauses = append(whereClauses, "pinned = 1")
+		} else {
+			whereClauses = append(whereClauses, "(pinned = 0 OR pinned IS NULL)")
+		}
+	}
+
 	whereSQL := ""
 	if len(whereClauses) > 0 {
 		whereSQL = "WHERE " + strings.Join(whereClauses, " AND ")
@@ -1098,7 +1107,7 @@ func (t *sqliteTxStorage) SearchIssues(ctx context.Context, query string, filter
 		       created_at, updated_at, closed_at, external_ref,
 		       compaction_level, compacted_at, compacted_at_commit, original_size, source_repo, close_reason,
 		       deleted_at, deleted_by, delete_reason, original_type,
-		       sender, ephemeral
+		       sender, ephemeral, pinned
 		FROM issues
 		%s
 		ORDER BY priority ASC, created_at DESC
@@ -1141,6 +1150,8 @@ func scanIssueRow(row scanner) (*types.Issue, error) {
 	// Messaging fields (bd-kwro)
 	var sender sql.NullString
 	var ephemeral sql.NullInt64
+	// Pinned field (bd-7h5)
+	var pinned sql.NullInt64
 
 	err := row.Scan(
 		&issue.ID, &contentHash, &issue.Title, &issue.Description, &issue.Design,
@@ -1149,7 +1160,7 @@ func scanIssueRow(row scanner) (*types.Issue, error) {
 		&issue.CreatedAt, &issue.UpdatedAt, &closedAt, &externalRef,
 		&issue.CompactionLevel, &compactedAt, &compactedAtCommit, &originalSize, &sourceRepo, &closeReason,
 		&deletedAt, &deletedBy, &deleteReason, &originalType,
-		&sender, &ephemeral,
+		&sender, &ephemeral, &pinned,
 	)
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, fmt.Errorf("failed to scan issue: %w", err)
@@ -1203,6 +1214,10 @@ func scanIssueRow(row scanner) (*types.Issue, error) {
 	if ephemeral.Valid && ephemeral.Int64 != 0 {
 		issue.Ephemeral = true
 	}
+	// Pinned field (bd-7h5)
+	if pinned.Valid && pinned.Int64 != 0 {
+		issue.Pinned = true
+	}
 
 	return &issue, nil
 }
diff --git a/internal/types/types.go b/internal/types/types.go
index 48013a5e..34ada925 100644
--- a/internal/types/types.go
+++ b/internal/types/types.go
@@ -45,6 +45,9 @@ type Issue struct {
 	Ephemeral bool   `json:"ephemeral,omitempty"` // Can be bulk-deleted when closed
 	// NOTE: RepliesTo, RelatesTo, DuplicateOf, SupersededBy moved to dependencies table
 	// per Decision 004 (Edge Schema Consolidation). Use dependency API instead.
+
+	// Pinned field (bd-7h5): persistent context markers
+	Pinned bool `json:"pinned,omitempty"` // If true, issue is a persistent context marker, not a work item
 }
 
 // ComputeContentHash creates a deterministic hash of the issue's content.
@@ -76,7 +79,11 @@ func (i *Issue) ComputeContentHash() string {
 	if i.ExternalRef != nil {
 		h.Write([]byte(*i.ExternalRef))
 	}
-	
+	h.Write([]byte{0})
+	if i.Pinned {
+		h.Write([]byte("pinned"))
+	}
+
 	return fmt.Sprintf("%x", h.Sum(nil))
 }
 
@@ -435,6 +442,9 @@ type IssueFilter struct {
 
 	// Ephemeral filtering (bd-kwro.9)
 	Ephemeral *bool // Filter by ephemeral flag (nil = any, true = only ephemeral, false = only non-ephemeral)
+
+	// Pinned filtering (bd-7h5)
+	Pinned *bool // Filter by pinned flag (nil = any, true = only pinned, false = only non-pinned)
 }
 
 // SortPolicy determines how ready work is ordered