Fix: Change default JSONL filename from beads.jsonl to issues.jsonl

The canonical beads database name is issues.jsonl. Tens of thousands of users
have issues.jsonl, and beads.jsonl was only used by the Beads project itself
due to git history pollution.

Changes:
- Updated bd doctor to warn about beads.jsonl instead of issues.jsonl
- Changed default config from beads.jsonl to issues.jsonl
- Reversed precedence in checkGitForIssues to prefer issues.jsonl
- Updated git merge driver config to use issues.jsonl
- Updated all tests to expect issues.jsonl as the default

issues.jsonl is now the canonical default; beads.jsonl is legacy

🤖 Generated with [Claude Code](https://claude.com/claude-code)

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

.beads/cost_state.json

@@ -0,0 +1,12 @@
+{
+  "hourly_tokens_used": 84530,
+  "hourly_cost_used": 0.39143399999999995,
+  "window_start_time": "2025-11-21T22:59:34.058436-08:00",
+  "issue_tokens_used": {
+    "SYSTEM": 50702,
+    "bd-9f86-baseline-test": 33055
+  },
+  "total_tokens_used": 84530,
+  "total_cost_used": 0.39143399999999995,
+  "last_updated": "2025-11-21T23:28:18.766601-08:00"
+}

cmd/bd/autoimport.go

@@ -85,10 +85,10 @@ func checkGitForIssues() (int, string) {
 		return 0, ""
 	}
 
-	// Try canonical JSONL filenames in precedence order
+	// Try canonical JSONL filenames in precedence order (issues.jsonl is canonical)
 	candidates := []string{
-		filepath.Join(relBeads, "beads.jsonl"),
 		filepath.Join(relBeads, "issues.jsonl"),
+		filepath.Join(relBeads, "beads.jsonl"),
 	}
 
 	for _, relPath := range candidates {

cmd/bd/deletion_tracking_test.go

@@ -19,8 +19,8 @@ func TestMultiWorkspaceDeletionSync(t *testing.T) {
 	cloneADir := t.TempDir()
 	cloneBDir := t.TempDir()
 
-	cloneAJSONL := filepath.Join(cloneADir, "beads.jsonl")
+	cloneAJSONL := filepath.Join(cloneADir, "issues.jsonl")
-	cloneBJSONL := filepath.Join(cloneBDir, "beads.jsonl")
+	cloneBJSONL := filepath.Join(cloneBDir, "issues.jsonl")
 
 	cloneADB := filepath.Join(cloneADir, "beads.db")
 	cloneBDB := filepath.Join(cloneBDir, "beads.db")
@@ -177,7 +177,7 @@ func TestMultiWorkspaceDeletionSync(t *testing.T) {
 // Remote deletes an issue, but local has modified it
 func TestDeletionWithLocalModification(t *testing.T) {
 	dir := t.TempDir()
-	jsonlPath := filepath.Join(dir, "beads.jsonl")
+	jsonlPath := filepath.Join(dir, "issues.jsonl")
 	dbPath := filepath.Join(dir, "beads.db")
 
 	ctx := context.Background()
@@ -343,7 +343,7 @@ func TestComputeAcceptedDeletions_LocallyModified(t *testing.T) {
 // TestSnapshotManagement tests the snapshot file lifecycle
 func TestSnapshotManagement(t *testing.T) {
 	dir := t.TempDir()
-	jsonlPath := filepath.Join(dir, "beads.jsonl")
+	jsonlPath := filepath.Join(dir, "issues.jsonl")
 
 	// Write initial JSONL
 	content := `{"id":"bd-1","title":"Test"}

cmd/bd/doctor/legacy.go

@@ -103,20 +103,20 @@ func CheckAgentDocumentation(repoPath string) DoctorCheck {
 	}
 }
 
-// CheckLegacyJSONLFilename detects if project is using legacy issues.jsonl
+// CheckLegacyJSONLFilename detects if project is using non-standard beads.jsonl
-// instead of the canonical beads.jsonl filename.
+// instead of the canonical issues.jsonl filename.
 func CheckLegacyJSONLFilename(repoPath string) DoctorCheck {
 	beadsDir := filepath.Join(repoPath, ".beads")
 
 	var jsonlFiles []string
-	hasIssuesJSON := false
+	hasBeadsJSON := false
 
 	for _, name := range []string{"issues.jsonl", "beads.jsonl"} {
 		jsonlPath := filepath.Join(beadsDir, name)
 		if _, err := os.Stat(jsonlPath); err == nil {
 			jsonlFiles = append(jsonlFiles, name)
-			if name == "issues.jsonl" {
+			if name == "beads.jsonl" {
-				hasIssuesJSON = true
+				hasBeadsJSON = true
 			}
 		}
 	}
@@ -130,13 +130,13 @@ func CheckLegacyJSONLFilename(repoPath string) DoctorCheck {
 	}
 
 	if len(jsonlFiles) == 1 {
-		// Single JSONL file - check if it's the legacy name
+		// Single JSONL file - check if it's the non-standard name
-		if hasIssuesJSON {
+		if hasBeadsJSON {
 			return DoctorCheck{
 				Name:    "JSONL Files",
 				Status:  "warning",
-				Message: "Using legacy JSONL filename: issues.jsonl",
+				Message: "Using non-standard JSONL filename: beads.jsonl",
-				Fix:     "Run 'git mv .beads/issues.jsonl .beads/beads.jsonl' to use canonical name (matches beads.db)",
+				Fix:     "Run 'git mv .beads/beads.jsonl .beads/issues.jsonl' to use canonical name",
 			}
 		}
 		return DoctorCheck{
@@ -151,6 +151,6 @@ func CheckLegacyJSONLFilename(repoPath string) DoctorCheck {
 		Name:    "JSONL Files",
 		Status:  "warning",
 		Message: fmt.Sprintf("Multiple JSONL files found: %s", strings.Join(jsonlFiles, ", ")),
-		Fix:     "Run 'git rm .beads/issues.jsonl' to standardize on beads.jsonl (canonical name)",
+		Fix:     "Run 'git rm .beads/beads.jsonl' to standardize on issues.jsonl (canonical name)",
 	}
 }

cmd/bd/doctor/legacy_test.go

@@ -190,14 +190,14 @@ func TestCheckLegacyJSONLFilename(t *testing.T) {
 			expectWarning:  false,
 		},
 		{
-			name:           "canonical beads.jsonl",
+			name:           "canonical issues.jsonl",
-			files:          []string{"beads.jsonl"},
+			files:          []string{"issues.jsonl"},
 			expectedStatus: "ok",
 			expectWarning:  false,
 		},
 		{
-			name:           "legacy issues.jsonl",
+			name:           "non-standard beads.jsonl",
-			files:          []string{"issues.jsonl"},
+			files:          []string{"beads.jsonl"},
 			expectedStatus: "warning",
 			expectWarning:  true,
 		},

cmd/bd/init.go

@@ -812,12 +812,14 @@ func installMergeDriver() error {
 	}
 
 	// Check if beads merge driver is already configured
-	hasBeadsMerge := strings.Contains(existingContent, ".beads/beads.jsonl") &&
+	// Check for either pattern (issues.jsonl is canonical, beads.jsonl is legacy)
+	hasBeadsMerge := (strings.Contains(existingContent, ".beads/issues.jsonl") ||
+		strings.Contains(existingContent, ".beads/beads.jsonl")) &&
 		strings.Contains(existingContent, "merge=beads")
 
 	if !hasBeadsMerge {
-		// Append beads merge driver configuration
+		// Append beads merge driver configuration (issues.jsonl is canonical)
-		beadsMergeAttr := "\n# Use bd merge for beads JSONL files\n.beads/beads.jsonl merge=beads\n"
+		beadsMergeAttr := "\n# Use bd merge for beads JSONL files\n.beads/issues.jsonl merge=beads\n"
 
 		newContent := existingContent
 		if !strings.HasSuffix(newContent, "\n") && len(newContent) > 0 {

cmd/bd/init_test.go

@@ -526,7 +526,7 @@ func TestInitMergeDriverAutoConfiguration(t *testing.T) {
 		if err != nil {
 			t.Fatalf("Failed to read .gitattributes: %v", err)
 		}
-		if !strings.Contains(string(content), ".beads/beads.jsonl merge=beads") {
+		if !strings.Contains(string(content), ".beads/issues.jsonl merge=beads") {
 			t.Error(".gitattributes should contain merge driver configuration")
 		}
 	})
@@ -633,7 +633,7 @@ func TestInitMergeDriverAutoConfiguration(t *testing.T) {
 
 		// Create .gitattributes with merge driver
 		gitattrsPath := filepath.Join(tmpDir, ".gitattributes")
-		initialContent := "# Existing config\n.beads/beads.jsonl merge=beads\n"
+		initialContent := "# Existing config\n.beads/issues.jsonl merge=beads\n"
 		if err := os.WriteFile(gitattrsPath, []byte(initialContent), 0644); err != nil {
 			t.Fatalf("Failed to create .gitattributes: %v", err)
 		}
@@ -661,7 +661,7 @@ func TestInitMergeDriverAutoConfiguration(t *testing.T) {
 
 		contentStr := string(content)
 		// Count occurrences - should only appear once
-		count := strings.Count(contentStr, ".beads/beads.jsonl merge=beads")
+		count := strings.Count(contentStr, ".beads/issues.jsonl merge=beads")
 		if count != 1 {
 			t.Errorf("Expected .gitattributes to contain merge config exactly once, found %d times", count)
 		}
@@ -727,13 +727,13 @@ func TestInitMergeDriverAutoConfiguration(t *testing.T) {
 		}
 
 		// Should contain beads config
-		if !strings.Contains(contentStr, ".beads/beads.jsonl merge=beads") {
+		if !strings.Contains(contentStr, ".beads/issues.jsonl merge=beads") {
 			t.Error(".gitattributes should contain beads merge config")
 		}
 
 		// Beads config should come after existing content
 		txtIdx := strings.Index(contentStr, "*.txt")
-		beadsIdx := strings.Index(contentStr, ".beads/beads.jsonl")
+		beadsIdx := strings.Index(contentStr, ".beads/issues.jsonl")
 		if txtIdx >= beadsIdx {
 			t.Error("Beads config should be appended after existing content")
 		}

cmd/bd/main_test.go

@@ -177,8 +177,8 @@ func TestAutoFlushJSONLContent(t *testing.T) {
 
 	dbPath = filepath.Join(tmpDir, "test.db")
 	// The actual JSONL path - findJSONLPath() will determine this
-	// but in tests it appears to be beads.jsonl in the same directory as the db
+	// but in tests it appears to be issues.jsonl in the same directory as the db
-	expectedJSONLPath := filepath.Join(tmpDir, "beads.jsonl")
+	expectedJSONLPath := filepath.Join(tmpDir, "issues.jsonl")
 
 	// Create store
 	testStore := newTestStore(t, dbPath)

cmd/bd/merge.go

@@ -28,7 +28,7 @@ Designed to work as a git merge driver. Configure with:
 
   git config merge.beads.driver "bd merge %A %O %A %B"
   git config merge.beads.name "bd JSONL merge driver"
-  echo ".beads/beads.jsonl merge=beads" >> .gitattributes
+  echo ".beads/issues.jsonl merge=beads" >> .gitattributes
 
 Or use 'bd init' which automatically configures the merge driver.
 

cmd/bd/merge_security_test.go

@@ -52,7 +52,7 @@ func TestCleanupMergeArtifacts_CommandInjectionPrevention(t *testing.T) {
 		},
 		{
 			name:     "normal backup file",
-			filename: "beads.jsonl.backup",
+			filename: "issues.jsonl.backup",
 			wantSafe: true,
 		},
 		{
@@ -89,7 +89,7 @@ func TestCleanupMergeArtifacts_CommandInjectionPrevention(t *testing.T) {
 			}
 
 			// Create output path
-			outputPath := filepath.Join(beadsDir, "beads.jsonl")
+			outputPath := filepath.Join(beadsDir, "issues.jsonl")
 			if err := os.WriteFile(outputPath, []byte("{}"), 0644); err != nil {
 				t.Fatalf("Failed to create output file: %v", err)
 			}
@@ -129,14 +129,14 @@ func TestCleanupMergeArtifacts_OnlyBackupFiles(t *testing.T) {
 
 	// Create various files
 	files := map[string]bool{
-		"beads.jsonl":              false, // Should NOT be removed
+		"issues.jsonl":              false, // Should NOT be removed
 		"beads.db":                 false, // Should NOT be removed
 		"backup.jsonl":             true,  // Should be removed
-		"beads.jsonl.backup":       true,  // Should be removed
+		"issues.jsonl.backup":       true,  // Should be removed
 		"BACKUP_FILE":              true,  // Should be removed (case-insensitive)
 		"my_backup_2024.txt":       true,  // Should be removed
 		"important_data.jsonl":     false, // Should NOT be removed
-		"beads.jsonl.bak":          false, // Should NOT be removed (no "backup")
+		"issues.jsonl.bak":          false, // Should NOT be removed (no "backup")
 	}
 
 	for filename := range files {
@@ -147,7 +147,7 @@ func TestCleanupMergeArtifacts_OnlyBackupFiles(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 
 	// Create output path
-	outputPath := filepath.Join(beadsDir, "beads.jsonl")
+	outputPath := filepath.Join(beadsDir, "issues.jsonl")
 
 	// Run cleanup
 	cleanupMergeArtifacts(outputPath, false)
@@ -192,7 +192,7 @@ func TestCleanupMergeArtifacts_GitRmSafety(t *testing.T) {
 		t.Fatalf("Failed to create backup file: %v", err)
 	}
 
-	outputPath := filepath.Join(beadsDir, "beads.jsonl")
+	outputPath := filepath.Join(beadsDir, "issues.jsonl")
 	if err := os.WriteFile(outputPath, []byte("{}"), 0644); err != nil {
 		t.Fatalf("Failed to create output file: %v", err)
 	}

cmd/bd/reinit_test.go

@@ -47,7 +47,7 @@ func testFreshCloneAutoImport(t *testing.T) {
 	runCmd(t, dir, "git", "config", "user.email", "test@example.com")
 	runCmd(t, dir, "git", "config", "user.name", "Test User")
 
-	// Create .beads directory with beads.jsonl (use forward slashes for git)
+	// Create .beads directory with issues.jsonl (canonical name)
 	beadsDir := filepath.Join(dir, ".beads")
 	if err := os.MkdirAll(beadsDir, 0755); err != nil {
 		t.Fatalf("Failed to create .beads dir: %v", err)
@@ -63,13 +63,13 @@ func testFreshCloneAutoImport(t *testing.T) {
 		IssueType:   types.TypeTask,
 	}
 
-	jsonlPath := filepath.Join(beadsDir, "beads.jsonl")
+	jsonlPath := filepath.Join(beadsDir, "issues.jsonl")
 	if err := writeJSONL(jsonlPath, []*types.Issue{issue}); err != nil {
 		t.Fatalf("Failed to write JSONL: %v", err)
 	}
 
 	// Commit to git (use forward slashes for git path)
-	runCmd(t, dir, "git", "add", ".beads/beads.jsonl")
+	runCmd(t, dir, "git", "add", ".beads/issues.jsonl")
 	runCmd(t, dir, "git", "commit", "-m", "Initial commit")
 
 	// Remove database to simulate fresh clone
@@ -88,7 +88,7 @@ func testFreshCloneAutoImport(t *testing.T) {
 		t.Fatalf("Failed to set prefix: %v", err)
 	}
 
-	// Test checkGitForIssues detects beads.jsonl
+	// Test checkGitForIssues detects issues.jsonl
 	originalDir, _ := os.Getwd()
 	os.Chdir(dir)
 	defer os.Chdir(originalDir)
@@ -98,7 +98,7 @@ func testFreshCloneAutoImport(t *testing.T) {
 		t.Errorf("Expected 1 issue in git, got %d", count)
 	}
 	// Normalize path for comparison (handle both forward and backslash)
-	expectedPath := normalizeGitPath(".beads/beads.jsonl")
+	expectedPath := normalizeGitPath(".beads/issues.jsonl")
 	if normalizeGitPath(path) != expectedPath {
 		t.Errorf("Expected path %s, got %s", expectedPath, path)
 	}
@@ -127,7 +127,7 @@ func testDatabaseRemovalScenario(t *testing.T) {
 	runCmd(t, dir, "git", "config", "user.email", "test@example.com")
 	runCmd(t, dir, "git", "config", "user.name", "Test User")
 
-	// Create .beads directory with beads.jsonl
+	// Create .beads directory with issues.jsonl (canonical name)
 	beadsDir := filepath.Join(dir, ".beads")
 	if err := os.MkdirAll(beadsDir, 0755); err != nil {
 		t.Fatalf("Failed to create .beads dir: %v", err)
@@ -151,13 +151,13 @@ func testDatabaseRemovalScenario(t *testing.T) {
 		},
 	}
 
-	jsonlPath := filepath.Join(beadsDir, "beads.jsonl")
+	jsonlPath := filepath.Join(beadsDir, "issues.jsonl")
 	if err := writeJSONL(jsonlPath, issues); err != nil {
 		t.Fatalf("Failed to write JSONL: %v", err)
 	}
 
 	// Commit to git
-	runCmd(t, dir, "git", "add", ".beads/beads.jsonl")
+	runCmd(t, dir, "git", "add", ".beads/issues.jsonl")
 	runCmd(t, dir, "git", "commit", "-m", "Add issues")
 
 	// Simulate rm -rf .beads/
@@ -169,12 +169,12 @@ func testDatabaseRemovalScenario(t *testing.T) {
 	os.Chdir(dir)
 	defer os.Chdir(originalDir)
 
-	// Test checkGitForIssues finds beads.jsonl (not issues.jsonl)
+	// Test checkGitForIssues finds issues.jsonl (canonical name)
 	count, path := checkGitForIssues()
 	if count != 2 {
 		t.Errorf("Expected 2 issues in git, got %d", count)
 	}
-	expectedPath := normalizeGitPath(".beads/beads.jsonl")
+	expectedPath := normalizeGitPath(".beads/issues.jsonl")
 	if normalizeGitPath(path) != expectedPath {
 		t.Errorf("Expected %s, got %s", expectedPath, path)
 	}
@@ -197,8 +197,8 @@ func testDatabaseRemovalScenario(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 
 	// Verify correct filename was detected
-	if filepath.Base(path) != "beads.jsonl" {
+	if filepath.Base(path) != "issues.jsonl" {
-		t.Errorf("Should have imported from beads.jsonl, got %s", path)
+		t.Errorf("Should have imported from issues.jsonl, got %s", path)
 	}
 
 	// Verify stats show >0 issues
@@ -286,7 +286,7 @@ func testLegacyFilenameSupport(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 }
 
-// testPrecedenceTest verifies beads.jsonl is preferred over issues.jsonl
+// testPrecedenceTest verifies issues.jsonl is preferred over beads.jsonl
 func testPrecedenceTest(t *testing.T) {
 	dir := t.TempDir()
 
@@ -301,21 +301,21 @@ func testPrecedenceTest(t *testing.T) {
 		t.Fatalf("Failed to create .beads dir: %v", err)
 	}
 
-	// Create beads.jsonl with 2 issues
+	// Create issues.jsonl with 2 issues (canonical, should be preferred)
-	beadsIssues := []*types.Issue{
+	canonicalIssues := []*types.Issue{
-		{ID: "test-1", Title: "From beads.jsonl", Status: types.StatusOpen, Priority: 1, IssueType: types.TypeTask},
+		{ID: "test-1", Title: "From issues.jsonl", Status: types.StatusOpen, Priority: 1, IssueType: types.TypeTask},
-		{ID: "test-2", Title: "Also from beads.jsonl", Status: types.StatusOpen, Priority: 1, IssueType: types.TypeTask},
+		{ID: "test-2", Title: "Also from issues.jsonl", Status: types.StatusOpen, Priority: 1, IssueType: types.TypeTask},
 	}
-	if err := writeJSONL(filepath.Join(beadsDir, "beads.jsonl"), beadsIssues); err != nil {
+	if err := writeJSONL(filepath.Join(beadsDir, "issues.jsonl"), canonicalIssues); err != nil {
-		t.Fatalf("Failed to write beads.jsonl: %v", err)
+		t.Fatalf("Failed to write issues.jsonl: %v", err)
 	}
 
-	// Create issues.jsonl with 1 issue (should be ignored)
+	// Create beads.jsonl with 1 issue (should be ignored)
 	legacyIssues := []*types.Issue{
-		{ID: "test-99", Title: "From issues.jsonl", Status: types.StatusOpen, Priority: 1, IssueType: types.TypeTask},
+		{ID: "test-99", Title: "From beads.jsonl", Status: types.StatusOpen, Priority: 1, IssueType: types.TypeTask},
 	}
-	if err := writeJSONL(filepath.Join(beadsDir, "issues.jsonl"), legacyIssues); err != nil {
+	if err := writeJSONL(filepath.Join(beadsDir, "beads.jsonl"), legacyIssues); err != nil {
-		t.Fatalf("Failed to write issues.jsonl: %v", err)
+		t.Fatalf("Failed to write beads.jsonl: %v", err)
 	}
 
 	// Commit both files
@@ -327,14 +327,14 @@ func testPrecedenceTest(t *testing.T) {
 	os.Chdir(dir)
 	defer os.Chdir(originalDir)
 
-	// Test checkGitForIssues prefers beads.jsonl
+	// Test checkGitForIssues prefers issues.jsonl
 	count, path := checkGitForIssues()
 	if count != 2 {
-		t.Errorf("Expected 2 issues (from beads.jsonl), got %d", count)
+		t.Errorf("Expected 2 issues (from issues.jsonl), got %d", count)
 	}
-	expectedPath := normalizeGitPath(".beads/beads.jsonl")
+	expectedPath := normalizeGitPath(".beads/issues.jsonl")
 	if normalizeGitPath(path) != expectedPath {
-		t.Errorf("Expected beads.jsonl to be preferred, got %s", path)
+		t.Errorf("Expected issues.jsonl to be preferred, got %s", path)
 	}
 }
 
@@ -347,7 +347,7 @@ func testInitSafetyCheck(t *testing.T) {
 	runCmd(t, dir, "git", "config", "user.email", "test@example.com")
 	runCmd(t, dir, "git", "config", "user.name", "Test User")
 
-	// Create .beads directory with beads.jsonl
+	// Create .beads directory with issues.jsonl (canonical name)
 	beadsDir := filepath.Join(dir, ".beads")
 	if err := os.MkdirAll(beadsDir, 0755); err != nil {
 		t.Fatalf("Failed to create .beads dir: %v", err)
@@ -361,13 +361,13 @@ func testInitSafetyCheck(t *testing.T) {
 		IssueType: types.TypeTask,
 	}
 
-	jsonlPath := filepath.Join(beadsDir, "beads.jsonl")
+	jsonlPath := filepath.Join(beadsDir, "issues.jsonl")
 	if err := writeJSONL(jsonlPath, []*types.Issue{issue}); err != nil {
 		t.Fatalf("Failed to write JSONL: %v", err)
 	}
 
 	// Commit to git
-	runCmd(t, dir, "git", "add", ".beads/beads.jsonl")
+	runCmd(t, dir, "git", "add", ".beads/issues.jsonl")
 	runCmd(t, dir, "git", "commit", "-m", "Add issue")
 
 	// Change to test directory
@@ -398,7 +398,7 @@ func testInitSafetyCheck(t *testing.T) {
 		if recheck == 0 {
 			t.Error("Safety check should have detected issues in git")
 		}
-		expectedPath := normalizeGitPath(".beads/beads.jsonl")
+		expectedPath := normalizeGitPath(".beads/issues.jsonl")
 		if normalizeGitPath(recheckPath) != expectedPath {
 			t.Errorf("Safety check found wrong path: %s", recheckPath)
 		}

cmd/bd/sync_merge_test.go

@@ -33,7 +33,7 @@ func setupTestStore(t *testing.T, dbPath string) *sqlite.SQLiteStorage {
 func TestDBNeedsExport_InSync(t *testing.T) {
 	tmpDir := t.TempDir()
 	dbPath := filepath.Join(tmpDir, "beads.db")
-	jsonlPath := filepath.Join(tmpDir, "beads.jsonl")
+	jsonlPath := filepath.Join(tmpDir, "issues.jsonl")
 
 	store := setupTestStore(t, dbPath)
 	defer store.Close()
@@ -81,7 +81,7 @@ func TestDBNeedsExport_InSync(t *testing.T) {
 func TestDBNeedsExport_DBNewer(t *testing.T) {
 	tmpDir := t.TempDir()
 	dbPath := filepath.Join(tmpDir, "beads.db")
-	jsonlPath := filepath.Join(tmpDir, "beads.jsonl")
+	jsonlPath := filepath.Join(tmpDir, "issues.jsonl")
 
 	store := setupTestStore(t, dbPath)
 	defer store.Close()
@@ -132,7 +132,7 @@ func TestDBNeedsExport_DBNewer(t *testing.T) {
 func TestDBNeedsExport_CountMismatch(t *testing.T) {
 	tmpDir := t.TempDir()
 	dbPath := filepath.Join(tmpDir, "beads.db")
-	jsonlPath := filepath.Join(tmpDir, "beads.jsonl")
+	jsonlPath := filepath.Join(tmpDir, "issues.jsonl")
 
 	store := setupTestStore(t, dbPath)
 	defer store.Close()
@@ -189,7 +189,7 @@ func TestDBNeedsExport_CountMismatch(t *testing.T) {
 func TestDBNeedsExport_NoJSONL(t *testing.T) {
 	tmpDir := t.TempDir()
 	dbPath := filepath.Join(tmpDir, "beads.db")
-	jsonlPath := filepath.Join(tmpDir, "beads.jsonl")
+	jsonlPath := filepath.Join(tmpDir, "issues.jsonl")
 
 	store := setupTestStore(t, dbPath)
 	defer store.Close()

internal/beads/beads.go

@@ -242,8 +242,8 @@ func FindJSONLPath(dbPath string) string {
 		return matches[0]
 	}
 
-	// Default to beads.jsonl
+	// Default to issues.jsonl
-	return filepath.Join(dbDir, "beads.jsonl")
+	return filepath.Join(dbDir, "issues.jsonl")
 }
 
 // DatabaseInfo contains information about a discovered beads database

internal/beads/beads_test.go

@@ -168,9 +168,9 @@ func TestFindJSONLPathDefault(t *testing.T) {
 	// Create a fake database path (no .jsonl files exist)
 	dbPath := filepath.Join(tmpDir, "test.db")
 
-	// Should return default beads.jsonl
+	// Should return default issues.jsonl
 	result := FindJSONLPath(dbPath)
-	expected := filepath.Join(tmpDir, "beads.jsonl")
+	expected := filepath.Join(tmpDir, "issues.jsonl")
 	if result != expected {
 		t.Errorf("Expected '%s', got '%s'", expected, result)
 	}

internal/configfile/configfile.go

@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@ type Config struct {
 func DefaultConfig() *Config {
 	return &Config{
 		Database:    "beads.db",
-		JSONLExport: "beads.jsonl",
+		JSONLExport: "issues.jsonl",
 	}
 }
 
@@ -89,7 +89,7 @@ func (c *Config) DatabasePath(beadsDir string) string {
 
 func (c *Config) JSONLPath(beadsDir string) string {
 	if c.JSONLExport == "" {
-		return filepath.Join(beadsDir, "beads.jsonl")
+		return filepath.Join(beadsDir, "issues.jsonl")
 	}
 	return filepath.Join(beadsDir, c.JSONLExport)
 }

internal/configfile/configfile_test.go

@@ -12,9 +12,9 @@ func TestDefaultConfig(t *testing.T) {
 	if cfg.Database != "beads.db" {
 		t.Errorf("Database = %q, want beads.db", cfg.Database)
 	}
-	
+
-	if cfg.JSONLExport != "beads.jsonl" {
+	if cfg.JSONLExport != "issues.jsonl" {
-		t.Errorf("JSONLExport = %q, want beads.jsonl", cfg.JSONLExport)
+		t.Errorf("JSONLExport = %q, want issues.jsonl", cfg.JSONLExport)
 	}
 }
 
@@ -84,8 +84,8 @@ func TestJSONLPath(t *testing.T) {
 	}{
 		{
 			name: "default",
-			cfg:  &Config{JSONLExport: "beads.jsonl"},
+			cfg:  &Config{JSONLExport: "issues.jsonl"},
-			want: filepath.Join(beadsDir, "beads.jsonl"),
+			want: filepath.Join(beadsDir, "issues.jsonl"),
 		},
 		{
 			name: "custom",
@@ -95,7 +95,7 @@ func TestJSONLPath(t *testing.T) {
 		{
 			name: "empty falls back to default",
 			cfg:  &Config{JSONLExport: ""},
-			want: filepath.Join(beadsDir, "beads.jsonl"),
+			want: filepath.Join(beadsDir, "issues.jsonl"),
 		},
 	}