diff --git a/cmd/bd/show.go b/cmd/bd/show.go
index da066e65..a056ddfc 100644
--- a/cmd/bd/show.go
+++ b/cmd/bd/show.go
@@ -111,6 +111,7 @@ var showCmd = &cobra.Command{
 						Labels       []string                             `json:"labels,omitempty"`
 						Dependencies []*types.IssueWithDependencyMetadata `json:"dependencies,omitempty"`
 						Dependents   []*types.IssueWithDependencyMetadata `json:"dependents,omitempty"`
+						Comments     []*types.Comment                     `json:"comments,omitempty"`
 					}
 					details := &IssueDetails{Issue: issue}
 					details.Labels, _ = issueStore.GetLabels(ctx, issue.ID)
@@ -118,6 +119,7 @@ var showCmd = &cobra.Command{
 						details.Dependencies, _ = sqliteStore.GetDependenciesWithMetadata(ctx, issue.ID)
 						details.Dependents, _ = sqliteStore.GetDependentsWithMetadata(ctx, issue.ID)
 					}
+					details.Comments, _ = issueStore.GetIssueComments(ctx, issue.ID)
 					allDetails = append(allDetails, details)
 				} else {
 					if displayIdx > 0 {
@@ -151,6 +153,7 @@ var showCmd = &cobra.Command{
 						Labels       []string                             `json:"labels,omitempty"`
 						Dependencies []*types.IssueWithDependencyMetadata `json:"dependencies,omitempty"`
 						Dependents   []*types.IssueWithDependencyMetadata `json:"dependents,omitempty"`
+						Comments     []*types.Comment                     `json:"comments,omitempty"`
 					}
 					var details IssueDetails
 					if err := json.Unmarshal(resp.Data, &details); err == nil {
@@ -173,6 +176,7 @@ var showCmd = &cobra.Command{
 						Labels       []string                             `json:"labels,omitempty"`
 						Dependencies []*types.IssueWithDependencyMetadata `json:"dependencies,omitempty"`
 						Dependents   []*types.IssueWithDependencyMetadata `json:"dependents,omitempty"`
+						Comments     []*types.Comment                     `json:"comments,omitempty"`
 					}
 					var details IssueDetails
 					if err := json.Unmarshal(resp.Data, &details); err != nil {
@@ -301,9 +305,20 @@ var showCmd = &cobra.Command{
 								fmt.Printf("  ◊ %s: %s [P%d - %s]\n", dep.ID, dep.Title, dep.Priority, dep.Status)
 							}
 						}
-					}
 
-					fmt.Println()
+						if len(details.Comments) > 0 {
+							fmt.Printf("\nComments (%d):\n", len(details.Comments))
+							for _, comment := range details.Comments {
+								fmt.Printf("  [%s] %s\n", comment.Author, comment.CreatedAt.Format("2006-01-02 15:04"))
+								commentLines := strings.Split(comment.Text, "\n")
+								for _, line := range commentLines {
+									fmt.Printf("    %s\n", line)
+								}
+							}
+						}
+						}
+
+						fmt.Println()
 				}
 			}
 
diff --git a/commands/comments.md b/commands/comments.md
index 0cffe659..3b0e186c 100644
--- a/commands/comments.md
+++ b/commands/comments.md
@@ -5,6 +5,8 @@ argument-hint: [issue-id]
 
 View or add comments to a beads issue.
 
+Comments are separate from issue properties (title, description, etc.) because they serve a different purpose: they're a **discussion thread** rather than **singular editable fields**. Use `bd comments` for threaded conversations and `bd edit` for core issue metadata.
+
 ## View Comments
 
 To view all comments on an issue:
diff --git a/commands/update.md b/commands/update.md
index 535e1704..9e239ffb 100644
--- a/commands/update.md
+++ b/commands/update.md
@@ -16,6 +16,8 @@ If arguments are missing, ask the user for:
 
 Use the beads MCP `update` tool to apply the changes. Show the updated issue to confirm the change.
 
+**Note:** Comments are managed separately with `bd comments add`. The `update` command is for singular, versioned properties (title, status, priority, etc.), while comments form a discussion thread that's appended to, not updated.
+
 Common workflows:
 - Start work: Update status to `in_progress`
 - Mark blocked: Update status to `blocked`
diff --git a/internal/rpc/server_issues_epics.go b/internal/rpc/server_issues_epics.go
index d9d55f43..0e40a102 100644
--- a/internal/rpc/server_issues_epics.go
+++ b/internal/rpc/server_issues_epics.go
@@ -1222,12 +1222,16 @@ func (s *Server) handleShow(req *Request) Response {
 		}
 	}
 
+	// Fetch comments
+	comments, _ := store.GetIssueComments(ctx, issue.ID)
+
 	// Create detailed response with related data
 	type IssueDetails struct {
 		*types.Issue
 		Labels       []string                              `json:"labels,omitempty"`
 		Dependencies []*types.IssueWithDependencyMetadata `json:"dependencies,omitempty"`
 		Dependents   []*types.IssueWithDependencyMetadata `json:"dependents,omitempty"`
+		Comments     []*types.Comment                      `json:"comments,omitempty"`
 	}
 
 	details := &IssueDetails{
@@ -1235,6 +1239,7 @@ func (s *Server) handleShow(req *Request) Response {
 		Labels:       labels,
 		Dependencies: deps,
 		Dependents:   dependents,
+		Comments:     comments,
 	}
 
 	data, _ := json.Marshal(details)
diff --git a/internal/storage/sqlite/migrations/028_tombstone_closed_at.go b/internal/storage/sqlite/migrations/028_tombstone_closed_at.go
index 2991bb8b..82d9353d 100644
--- a/internal/storage/sqlite/migrations/028_tombstone_closed_at.go
+++ b/internal/storage/sqlite/migrations/028_tombstone_closed_at.go
@@ -81,9 +81,19 @@ func MigrateTombstoneClosedAt(db *sql.DB) error {
 	}
 
 	// Step 2: Copy data from old table to new table
+	// List all columns explicitly to handle cases where old table has fewer columns
+	// Note: created_by is added in migration 029, so don't reference it here
 	_, err = db.Exec(`
 		INSERT INTO issues_new
-		SELECT * FROM issues
+		SELECT
+			id, content_hash, title, description, design, acceptance_criteria, notes,
+			status, priority, issue_type, assignee, estimated_minutes,
+			created_at, updated_at, closed_at, external_ref,
+			source_repo, compaction_level, compacted_at, compacted_at_commit, original_size,
+			deleted_at, deleted_by, delete_reason, original_type,
+			sender, ephemeral, close_reason, pinned, is_template,
+			await_type, await_id, timeout_ns, waiters
+		FROM issues
 	`)
 	if err != nil {
 		return fmt.Errorf("failed to copy issues data: %w", err)