diff --git a/examples/README.md b/examples/README.md
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--- a/examples/README.md
+++ b/examples/README.md
@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@ This directory contains examples of how to integrate bd with AI agents and workf
 
 - **[python-agent/](python-agent/)** - Simple Python agent that discovers ready work and completes tasks
 - **[bash-agent/](bash-agent/)** - Bash script showing the full agent workflow
+- **[markdown-to-jsonl/](markdown-to-jsonl/)** - Convert markdown planning docs to bd issues
 - **[git-hooks/](git-hooks/)** - Pre-configured git hooks for automatic export/import
 - **[branch-merge/](branch-merge/)** - Branch merge workflow with collision resolution
 - **[claude-desktop-mcp/](claude-desktop-mcp/)** - MCP server for Claude Desktop integration
diff --git a/examples/markdown-to-jsonl/README.md b/examples/markdown-to-jsonl/README.md
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+# Markdown to JSONL Converter
+
+Convert markdown planning documents into `bd` issues.
+
+## Overview
+
+This example shows how to bridge the gap between markdown planning docs and tracked issues, without adding complexity to the `bd` core tool.
+
+The converter script (`md2jsonl.py`) parses markdown files and outputs JSONL that can be imported into `bd`.
+
+## Features
+
+- ✅ **YAML Frontmatter** - Extract metadata (priority, type, assignee)
+- ✅ **Headings as Issues** - Each H1/H2 becomes an issue
+- ✅ **Task Lists** - Markdown checklists become sub-issues
+- ✅ **Dependency Parsing** - Extract "blocks: bd-10" references
+- ✅ **Customizable** - Modify the script for your conventions
+
+## Usage
+
+### Basic conversion
+
+```bash
+python md2jsonl.py feature.md | bd import
+```
+
+### Save to file first
+
+```bash
+python md2jsonl.py feature.md > issues.jsonl
+bd import -i issues.jsonl
+```
+
+### Preview before importing
+
+```bash
+python md2jsonl.py feature.md | jq .
+```
+
+## Markdown Format
+
+### Frontmatter (Optional)
+
+```markdown
+---
+priority: 1
+type: feature
+assignee: alice
+---
+```
+
+### Headings
+
+Each heading becomes an issue:
+
+```markdown
+# Main Feature
+
+Description of the feature...
+
+## Sub-task 1
+
+Details about sub-task...
+
+## Sub-task 2
+
+More details...
+```
+
+### Task Lists
+
+Task lists are converted to separate issues:
+
+```markdown
+## Setup Tasks
+
+- [ ] Install dependencies
+- [x] Configure database
+- [ ] Set up CI/CD
+```
+
+Creates 3 issues (second one marked as closed).
+
+### Dependencies
+
+Reference other issues in the description:
+
+```markdown
+## Implement API
+
+This task requires the database schema to be ready first.
+
+Dependencies:
+- blocks: bd-5
+- related: bd-10, bd-15
+```
+
+The script extracts these and creates dependency records.
+
+## Example
+
+See `example-feature.md` for a complete example.
+
+```bash
+# Convert the example
+python md2jsonl.py example-feature.md > example-issues.jsonl
+
+# View the output
+cat example-issues.jsonl | jq .
+
+# Import into bd
+bd import -i example-issues.jsonl
+```
+
+## Customization
+
+The script is intentionally simple so you can customize it for your needs:
+
+1. **Different heading levels** - Modify which headings become issues (H1 only? H1-H3?)
+2. **Custom metadata** - Parse additional frontmatter fields
+3. **Labels** - Extract hashtags or keywords as labels
+4. **Epic detection** - Top-level headings become epics
+5. **Issue templates** - Map different markdown structures to issue types
+
+## Limitations
+
+This is a simple example, not a production tool:
+
+- Basic YAML parsing (no nested structures)
+- Simple dependency extraction (regex-based)
+- No validation of referenced issue IDs
+- Doesn't handle all markdown edge cases
+
+For production use, you might want to:
+- Use a proper YAML parser (`pip install pyyaml`)
+- Use a markdown parser (`pip install markdown` or `python-markdown2`)
+- Add validation and error handling
+- Support more dependency formats
+
+## Philosophy
+
+This example demonstrates the **lightweight extension pattern**:
+
+- ✅ Keep `bd` core focused and minimal
+- ✅ Let users customize for their workflows
+- ✅ Use existing import infrastructure
+- ✅ Easy to understand and modify
+
+Rather than adding markdown support to `bd` core (800+ LOC + dependencies + maintenance), we provide a simple converter that users can adapt.
+
+## Contributing
+
+Have improvements? Found a bug? This is just an example, but contributions are welcome!
+
+Consider:
+- Better error messages
+- More markdown patterns
+- Integration with popular markdown formats
+- Support for GFM (GitHub Flavored Markdown) extensions
+
+## See Also
+
+- [bd README](../../README.md) - Main documentation
+- [Python Agent Example](../python-agent/) - Full agent workflow
+- [JSONL Format](../../TEXT_FORMATS.md) - Understanding bd's JSONL structure
diff --git a/examples/markdown-to-jsonl/example-feature.md b/examples/markdown-to-jsonl/example-feature.md
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..feabcdd4
--- /dev/null
+++ b/examples/markdown-to-jsonl/example-feature.md
@@ -0,0 +1,49 @@
+---
+priority: 1
+type: feature
+assignee: alice
+---
+
+# User Authentication System
+
+Implement a complete user authentication system with login, signup, and password recovery.
+
+This is a critical feature for the application. The authentication should be secure and follow best practices.
+
+**Dependencies:**
+- blocks: bd-5 (database schema must be ready first)
+
+## Login Flow
+
+Implement the login page with email/password authentication. Should support:
+- Email validation
+- Password hashing (bcrypt)
+- Session management
+- Remember me functionality
+
+## Signup Flow
+
+Create new user registration with validation:
+- Email uniqueness check
+- Password strength requirements
+- Email verification
+- Terms of service acceptance
+
+## Password Recovery
+
+Allow users to reset forgotten passwords:
+
+- [ ] Send recovery email
+- [ ] Generate secure reset tokens
+- [x] Create reset password form
+- [ ] Expire tokens after 24 hours
+
+## Session Management
+
+Handle user sessions securely:
+- JWT tokens
+- Refresh token rotation
+- Session timeout after 30 days
+- Logout functionality
+
+Related to bd-10 (API endpoints) and discovered-from: bd-2 (security audit).
diff --git a/examples/markdown-to-jsonl/md2jsonl.py b/examples/markdown-to-jsonl/md2jsonl.py
new file mode 100755
index 00000000..bcbac061
--- /dev/null
+++ b/examples/markdown-to-jsonl/md2jsonl.py
@@ -0,0 +1,253 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env python3
+"""
+Convert markdown files to bd JSONL format.
+
+This is a simple example converter that demonstrates the pattern.
+Users can customize this for their specific markdown conventions.
+
+Supported markdown patterns:
+1. YAML frontmatter for metadata
+2. H1/H2 headings as issue titles
+3. Task lists as sub-issues
+4. Inline issue references (e.g., "blocks: bd-10")
+
+Usage:
+    python md2jsonl.py feature.md | bd import
+    python md2jsonl.py feature.md > issues.jsonl
+"""
+
+import json
+import re
+import sys
+from datetime import datetime, timezone
+from pathlib import Path
+from typing import List, Dict, Any, Optional
+
+
+class MarkdownToIssues:
+    """Convert markdown to bd JSONL format."""
+
+    def __init__(self, prefix: str = "bd"):
+        self.prefix = prefix
+        self.issue_counter = 1
+        self.issues: List[Dict[str, Any]] = []
+
+    def parse_frontmatter(self, content: str) -> tuple[Optional[Dict], str]:
+        """Extract YAML frontmatter if present."""
+        # Simple frontmatter detection (--- ... ---)
+        if not content.startswith('---\n'):
+            return None, content
+
+        end = content.find('\n---\n', 4)
+        if end == -1:
+            return None, content
+
+        frontmatter_text = content[4:end]
+        body = content[end + 5:]
+
+        # Parse simple YAML (key: value)
+        metadata = {}
+        for line in frontmatter_text.split('\n'):
+            line = line.strip()
+            if ':' in line:
+                key, value = line.split(':', 1)
+                metadata[key.strip()] = value.strip()
+
+        return metadata, body
+
+    def extract_issue_from_heading(
+        self,
+        heading: str,
+        level: int,
+        content: str,
+        metadata: Optional[Dict] = None
+    ) -> Dict[str, Any]:
+        """Create an issue from a markdown heading and its content."""
+        # Generate ID
+        issue_id = f"{self.prefix}-{self.issue_counter}"
+        self.issue_counter += 1
+
+        # Extract title (remove markdown formatting)
+        title = heading.strip('#').strip()
+
+        # Parse metadata from frontmatter or defaults
+        if metadata is None:
+            metadata = {}
+
+        # Build issue
+        issue = {
+            "id": issue_id,
+            "title": title,
+            "description": content.strip(),
+            "status": metadata.get("status", "open"),
+            "priority": int(metadata.get("priority", 2)),
+            "issue_type": metadata.get("type", "task"),
+            "created_at": datetime.now(timezone.utc).isoformat().replace('+00:00', 'Z'),
+            "updated_at": datetime.now(timezone.utc).isoformat().replace('+00:00', 'Z'),
+        }
+
+        # Optional fields
+        if "assignee" in metadata:
+            issue["assignee"] = metadata["assignee"]
+
+        if "design" in metadata:
+            issue["design"] = metadata["design"]
+
+        # Extract dependencies from description
+        dependencies = self.extract_dependencies(content)
+        if dependencies:
+            issue["dependencies"] = dependencies
+
+        return issue
+
+    def extract_dependencies(self, text: str) -> List[Dict[str, str]]:
+        """Extract dependency references from text."""
+        dependencies = []
+
+        # Pattern: "blocks: bd-10" or "depends-on: bd-5, bd-6"
+        # Pattern: "discovered-from: bd-20"
+        dep_pattern = r'(blocks|related|parent-child|discovered-from):\s*((?:bd-\d+(?:\s*,\s*)?)+)'
+
+        for match in re.finditer(dep_pattern, text, re.IGNORECASE):
+            dep_type = match.group(1).lower()
+            dep_ids = [id.strip() for id in match.group(2).split(',')]
+
+            for dep_id in dep_ids:
+                dependencies.append({
+                    "issue_id": "",  # Will be filled by import
+                    "depends_on_id": dep_id.strip(),
+                    "type": dep_type
+                })
+
+        return dependencies
+
+    def parse_task_list(self, content: str) -> List[Dict[str, Any]]:
+        """Extract task list items as separate issues."""
+        issues = []
+
+        # Pattern: - [ ] Task or - [x] Task
+        task_pattern = r'^-\s+\[([ x])\]\s+(.+)$'
+
+        for line in content.split('\n'):
+            match = re.match(task_pattern, line.strip())
+            if match:
+                is_done = match.group(1) == 'x'
+                task_text = match.group(2)
+
+                issue_id = f"{self.prefix}-{self.issue_counter}"
+                self.issue_counter += 1
+
+                issue = {
+                    "id": issue_id,
+                    "title": task_text,
+                    "description": "",
+                    "status": "closed" if is_done else "open",
+                    "priority": 2,
+                    "issue_type": "task",
+                    "created_at": datetime.now(timezone.utc).isoformat().replace('+00:00', 'Z'),
+                    "updated_at": datetime.now(timezone.utc).isoformat().replace('+00:00', 'Z'),
+                }
+
+                issues.append(issue)
+
+        return issues
+
+    def parse_markdown(self, content: str, global_metadata: Optional[Dict] = None):
+        """Parse markdown content into issues."""
+        # Extract frontmatter
+        frontmatter, body = self.parse_frontmatter(content)
+
+        # Merge metadata
+        metadata = global_metadata or {}
+        if frontmatter:
+            metadata.update(frontmatter)
+
+        # Split by headings
+        heading_pattern = r'^(#{1,6})\s+(.+)$'
+        lines = body.split('\n')
+
+        current_heading = None
+        current_level = 0
+        current_content = []
+
+        for line in lines:
+            match = re.match(heading_pattern, line)
+
+            if match:
+                # Save previous section
+                if current_heading:
+                    content_text = '\n'.join(current_content)
+
+                    # Check for task lists
+                    task_issues = self.parse_task_list(content_text)
+                    if task_issues:
+                        self.issues.extend(task_issues)
+                    else:
+                        # Create issue from heading
+                        issue = self.extract_issue_from_heading(
+                            current_heading,
+                            current_level,
+                            content_text,
+                            metadata
+                        )
+                        self.issues.append(issue)
+
+                # Start new section
+                current_level = len(match.group(1))
+                current_heading = match.group(2)
+                current_content = []
+            else:
+                current_content.append(line)
+
+        # Save final section
+        if current_heading:
+            content_text = '\n'.join(current_content)
+            task_issues = self.parse_task_list(content_text)
+            if task_issues:
+                self.issues.extend(task_issues)
+            else:
+                issue = self.extract_issue_from_heading(
+                    current_heading,
+                    current_level,
+                    content_text,
+                    metadata
+                )
+                self.issues.append(issue)
+
+    def to_jsonl(self) -> str:
+        """Convert issues to JSONL format."""
+        lines = []
+        for issue in self.issues:
+            lines.append(json.dumps(issue, ensure_ascii=False))
+        return '\n'.join(lines)
+
+
+def main():
+    """Main entry point."""
+    if len(sys.argv) < 2:
+        print("Usage: python md2jsonl.py <markdown-file>", file=sys.stderr)
+        print("", file=sys.stderr)
+        print("Examples:", file=sys.stderr)
+        print("  python md2jsonl.py feature.md | bd import", file=sys.stderr)
+        print("  python md2jsonl.py feature.md > issues.jsonl", file=sys.stderr)
+        sys.exit(1)
+
+    markdown_file = Path(sys.argv[1])
+
+    if not markdown_file.exists():
+        print(f"Error: File not found: {markdown_file}", file=sys.stderr)
+        sys.exit(1)
+
+    # Read markdown
+    content = markdown_file.read_text()
+
+    # Convert to issues
+    converter = MarkdownToIssues(prefix="bd")
+    converter.parse_markdown(content)
+
+    # Output JSONL
+    print(converter.to_jsonl())
+
+
+if __name__ == "__main__":
+    main()