Optimization: Tombstones still synced, adding overhead

Tombstoned (deleted) issues are still processed during sync, adding overhead.

## Evidence
```
Import complete: 0 created, 0 updated, 407 unchanged, 100 skipped
```
Those 100 skipped are tombstones - they're read from JSONL, parsed, then filtered out.

## Current State (Beads repo)
- 408 total issues
- 99 tombstones (24% of database)
- Every sync reads and skips these 99 entries

## Impact
- Sync time increases with tombstone count
- JSONL file size grows indefinitely
- Git history accumulates tombstone churn

## Proposed Solutions

### 1. JSONL Compaction (`bd compact`)
Periodically rewrite JSONL without tombstones:
```bash
bd compact  # Removes tombstones, rewrites issues.jsonl
```
Trade-off: Loses delete history, but that's in git anyway.

### 2. Tombstone TTL
Auto-remove tombstones older than N days during sync:
```go
if issue.Deleted && time.Since(issue.UpdatedAt) > 7*24*time.Hour {
    // Skip writing to new JSONL
}
```

### 3. Archive File
Move old closed issues to `issues-archive.jsonl`:
- Not synced regularly
- Available for historical queries
- Main JSONL stays small

### 4. Lazy Tombstone Handling
Don't write tombstones to JSONL at all - just remove the line:
- Simpler, but loses cross-clone delete propagation
- Would need different delete propagation mechanism

## Recommendation
Start with `bd compact` command - simple, explicit, user-controlled.

## Related
- gt-tnss: Analysis - Beads database size and hygiene strategy
- gt-ox67: Maintenance - Regular cleanup of closed MR/gate beads


Support ephemeral protos: cook inline for pour/wisp/bond

Gas Town moving to ephemeral protos (gt-4v1eo). Protos should be in-memory, not persisted beads. Changes: (1) bd cook outputs proto JSON to stdout by default, add --persist flag for old behavior. (2) bd pour/wisp cook inline from formula name. (3) bd mol bond accepts formula names, cooks inline. The low-level cookFormula() machinery stays for --persist use cases. See gt-4v1eo for full design. Related: bd-ia3g (rename ProtoID).


Cross-rig external dependency support

Support dependencies on issues in other rigs/repos.

## Use Case

Gas Town issues often depend on Beads issues (and vice versa). Currently we use labels like `external:beads/bd-xxx` as documentation, but:
- `bd blocked` doesn't recognize external deps
- `bd ready` doesn't filter them out
- No way to query cross-rig status

## Proposed UX

### Adding external deps
```bash
# New syntax for bd dep add
bd dep add gt-a07f external:beads:bd-kwjh

# Or maybe cleaner
bd dep add gt-a07f --external beads:bd-kwjh
```

### Showing blocked status
```bash
bd blocked
# → gt-a07f blocked by external:beads:bd-kwjh (unverified)

# With optional cross-rig query
bd blocked --resolve-external
# → gt-a07f blocked by external:beads:bd-kwjh (closed) ← unblocked!
```

### Storage
Could use:
- Special dependency type: `type: external`
- Label convention: `external:rig:id`
- New field: `external_deps: ["beads:bd-kwjh"]`

## Implementation Notes

Cross-rig queries would need:
- Known rig locations (config or discovery)
- Read-only beads access to external rigs
- Caching to avoid repeated queries

For MVP, just recognizing external deps and marking them as 'unverified' blockers would be valuable.


Respond to GitHub issue #479 with solution

Once bd reset is implemented and released, respond to GitHub issue #479.

## Response should include
- Announce the new bd reset command
- Show basic usage examples
- Link to any documentation
- Thank the user for the feedback

## Example response
```
Thanks for raising this! We've added a `bd reset` command to handle this case.

Usage:
- `bd reset` - Reset to clean state (prompts for confirmation)
- `bd reset --backup` - Create backup first
- `bd reset --hard` - Also clean up git history

This is available in version X.Y.Z.
```

## Notes
- Wait until feature is merged and released
- Consider if issue should be closed or left for user confirmation


Standardize error handling: replace direct fmt.Fprintf+os.Exit with FatalError

Standardize error handling in cmd/bd/ using FatalError pattern.

## Current State
~200+ instances of direct `fmt.Fprintf(os.Stderr, ...) + os.Exit(1)` pattern scattered across cmd/bd/*.go files.

## Target Pattern

Use existing FatalError helper (or create if missing):

```go
// In cmd/bd/helpers.go or similar
func FatalError(format string, args ...interface{}) {
    fmt.Fprintf(os.Stderr, "Error: "+format+"\n", args...)
    os.Exit(1)
}

func FatalErrorf(err error, context string) {
    fmt.Fprintf(os.Stderr, "Error: %s: %v\n", context, err)
    os.Exit(1)
}
```

## Transformation

```go
// Before
fmt.Fprintf(os.Stderr, "Error: %v\n", err)
os.Exit(1)

// After
FatalError("%v", err)

// Before
fmt.Fprintf(os.Stderr, "Error: invalid --since duration: %v\n", err)
os.Exit(1)

// After
FatalError("invalid --since duration: %v", err)
```

## Files to Update (by occurrence count)
Run: `grep -c "os.Exit(1)" cmd/bd/*.go | sort -t: -k2 -rn | head -20`

Priority files (highest occurrence):
- close.go
- show.go
- sync.go
- init.go
- list.go
- create.go
- update.go

## Implementation Steps

1. **Check if FatalError exists** in cmd/bd/helpers.go or create it
2. **Create migration script** or use sed:
   ```bash
   # Find patterns to replace
   grep -rn "fmt.Fprintf(os.Stderr.*Error.*\n.*os.Exit(1)" cmd/bd/
   ```
3. **Replace systematically** file by file
4. **Run tests** after each file to verify behavior unchanged
5. **Run linter** to catch any missed patterns

## Verification
```bash
# Count remaining direct exits (should be near zero)
grep -c "os.Exit(1)" cmd/bd/*.go | awk -F: "{sum+=\$2} END {print sum}"

# Run tests
go test -short ./cmd/bd/...
```

## Success Criteria
- All error exits use FatalError/FatalErrorf
- Consistent "Error: " prefix on all error messages
- Tests pass
- No behavior changes (exit codes remain 1)

## Progress (Dec 2025)

Standardized error handling in 3 major files:
- compact.go: All 48 os.Exit(1) calls converted to FatalError
- sync.go: All error patterns converted (kept 1 valid summary exit)
- migrate.go: 4 patterns converted

## Remaining Work
~326 fmt.Fprintf(os.Stderr, "Error:") patterns remain across ~30 files.
High-count files remaining: show.go (16), dep.go (14), gate.go (28), init.go (11).

## Verification
- Build compiles successfully
- Tests pass


Add bd reset command for clean slate restart

Implement a command to reset beads to a clean starting state.

**Context:** GitHub issue #479 - users sometimes get beads into an invalid state after updates, and there's no clean way to start fresh. The git backup/restore mechanism that protects against accidental deletion also makes it hard to intentionally reset.

**Current workaround** (from maphew):
```bash
bd daemons killall
git rm .beads/*.jsonl
git commit -m 'remove old issues'
rm .beads/*
bd init
bd onboard
```

**Desired:** A proper `bd reset` command that handles this cleanly and safely.


Update go install bd to {{version}}

Rebuild and install bd to ~/go/bin:

```bash
go install ./cmd/bd
~/go/bin/bd version  # Verify shows {{version}}
```

Note: If ~/go/bin is in PATH before /opt/homebrew/bin, this is the version that runs by default.


Consider backwards compatibility for ready() and list() return type change

PR #481 changed the return types of `ready()` and `list()` from `list[Issue]` to `list[IssueMinimal] | CompactedResult`. This is a breaking change for MCP clients.

## Impact Assessment
Breaking change affects:
- Any MCP client expecting `list[Issue]` from ready()
- Any MCP client expecting `list[Issue]` from list()
- Client code that accesses full Issue fields (description, design, acceptance_criteria, timestamps, dependencies, dependents)

## Current Behavior
- ready() returns `list[IssueMinimal] | CompactedResult`
- list() returns `list[IssueMinimal] | CompactedResult`
- show() still returns full `Issue` (good)

## Considerations
**Pros of current approach:**
- Forces clients to use show() for full details (good for context efficiency)
- Simple mental model (always use show for full data)
- Documentation warns about this

**Cons:**
- Clients expecting list[Issue] will break
- No graceful degradation option
- No migration period

## Potential Solutions
1. Add optional parameter `full_details=false` to ready/list (would increase payload)
2. Create separate tools: ready_minimal/list_minimal + ready_full/list_full
3. Accept breaking change and document upgrade path (current approach)
4. Version the MCP server and document migration guide

## Recommendation
Current approach (solution 3) is reasonable if:
- Changelog clearly documents the breaking change
- Migration guide provided to clients
- Error handling is graceful for clients expecting specific fields


Revert/remove YAML workflow system

Revert the recent commit and remove all YAML workflow code:

1. `git revert aae8407a` (the commit we just pushed with workflow fixes)
2. Remove `cmd/bd/templates/workflows/` directory
3. Remove workflow.go or gut it to minimal stub
4. Remove WorkflowTemplate types from internal/types/workflow.go
5. Remove any workflow-related RPC handlers

Keep only minimal scaffolding if needed for the new template system.


Test Second Parent


bd sync fails with orphaned issues and duplicate ID conflict

After fixing the deleted_at TEXT column scanning bug (commit 18b1eb2), bd sync still fails with two issues:

1. Orphan Detection Warning: 12 orphaned child issues whose parents no longer exist (bd-cb64c226.* and bd-cbed9619.*)

2. Import Failure: UNIQUE constraint failed for bd-360 - this tombstone exists in both DB and JSONL

Error: "Import failed: error creating depth-0 issues: bulk insert issues: failed to insert issue bd-360: sqlite3: constraint failed: UNIQUE constraint failed: issues.id"

Fix options:
- Delete orphaned child issues with bd delete
- Resolve bd-360 duplicate (in deletions.jsonl vs tombstone in DB)
- Reset sync branch: git branch -f beads-sync main && git push --force-with-lease origin beads-sync

Fixed tombstone constraint violation bug. When deleting closed issues, the CHECK constraint (status = 'closed') = (closed_at IS NOT NULL) was violated because CreateTombstone didn't clear closed_at. Fix: set closed_at = NULL in tombstone creation SQL.

The sync data corruption (orphaned issues in beads-sync branch) requires manual cleanup: reset sync branch with 'git branch -f beads-sync main && git push --force-with-lease origin beads-sync'


Tier 1: Ephemeral repo routing

Simplified: Make mol spawn set ephemeral=true on spawned issues.

## The Fix

Modify cloneSubgraph() in template.go to set Ephemeral: true:

```go
// template.go:474
newIssue := &types.Issue{
    Title:      substituteVariables(oldIssue.Title, vars),
    // ... existing fields ...
    Ephemeral:  true,  // ADD THIS LINE
}
```

## Optional: Add --persistent flag

Add flag to bd mol spawn for when you want spawned issues to persist:

```bash
bd mol spawn mol-code-review --var pr=123  # ephemeral (default)
bd mol spawn mol-code-review --var pr=123 --persistent  # not ephemeral
```

## Why This Is Simpler Than Original Design

Original design proposed separate ephemeral repo routing. After code review:

- Ephemeral field already exists in schema
- bd cleanup --ephemeral already works
- No new config needed
- No multi-repo complexity

## Acceptance Criteria

- bd mol spawn creates issues with ephemeral=true
- bd cleanup --ephemeral -f deletes them after closing
- --persistent flag opts out of ephemeral
- Existing molecules continue to work


Version Bump: 0.32.1

Release checklist for version 0.32.1. Patch release with MCP output control params and pin field fix.


Consolidate daemon/daemons commands

Merge daemons functionality into daemon command with subcommands. Currently have both 'daemon' and 'daemons' at top level.


Remove bd mol spawn - use pour/wisp only

Remove the spawn command from bd mol. Replace with:

- bd pour <proto> - Instantiate as mol (liquid, persistent)
- bd wisp <proto> - Instantiate as wisp (vapor, ephemeral)

Rationale:
- 'spawn' doesn't fit the chemistry metaphor
- Two phase transitions (pour/wisp) are clearer than one command with flags
- Avoids confusion about defaults

Implementation:
1. Add bd pour command (currently bd mol spawn --pour)
2. Add bd wisp command (currently bd mol spawn without --pour)
3. Remove bd mol spawn
4. Update all docs/tests

Gas Town tracking: gt-ingm.6


GH#405: Prefix parsing with hyphens treats first segment as prefix

Prefix me-py-toolkit gets parsed as just me- when detecting mismatches. Fix prefix parsing to handle multi-hyphen prefixes. See GitHub issue #405.


Remove legacy autoflush code paths

## Problem

The autoflush system has dual code paths - an old timer-based approach and a new FlushManager. Both are actively used based on whether flushManager is nil.

## Locations

- main.go:78-81: isDirty, needsFullExport, flushTimer marked 'used by legacy code'
- autoflush.go:291-369: Functions with 'Legacy path for backward compatibility with tests'

## Current Behavior

```go
// In markDirtyAndScheduleFlush():
if flushManager != nil {
    flushManager.MarkDirty(false)
    return
}
// Legacy path for backward compatibility with tests
```

## Proposed Fix

1. Ensure flushManager is always initialized (even in tests)
2. Remove the legacy timer-based code paths
3. Remove isDirty, needsFullExport, flushTimer globals
4. Update tests to use FlushManager

## Risk

Low - the FlushManager is the production path. Legacy code only runs when flushManager is nil (test scenarios).


Add composite index (issue_id, type) on dependencies table

GetBlockedIssues uses EXISTS clauses that filter by issue_id AND type together.

**Query pattern (ready.go:427-429):**
```sql
EXISTS (
  SELECT 1 FROM dependencies d2
  WHERE d2.issue_id = i.id AND d2.type = 'blocks'
)
```

**Problem:** Only idx_dependencies_issue exists. SQLite must filter type after index lookup.

**Solution:** Add migration:
```sql
CREATE INDEX IF NOT EXISTS idx_dependencies_issue_type ON dependencies(issue_id, type);
```

**Note:** This complements the existing idx_dependencies_depends_on_type for the reverse direction.


Gate await fields cleared by --no-daemon CLI access (not multi-repo)


Add Validation type and validations field to Issue

Add Validation struct (Validator *EntityRef, Outcome string, Timestamp time.Time, Score *float32) and Validations []Validation field to Issue. Tracks who validated/approved work completion. Core to HOP proof-of-stake concept - validators stake reputation on approvals.


HANDOFF: Version 0.30.7 release in progress

## Context
Doing a 0.30.7 patch release with bug fixes.

## What's done
- Fixed #657: bd graph nil pointer crash (graph.go:102)
- Fixed #652: Windows npm installer file lock (postinstall.js)
- Updated CHANGELOG.md and info.go
- Pushed to main, CI running (run 20390861825)
- Created version-bump molecule template (bd-6s61) and instantiated for 0.30.7 (bd-8pyn)

## In progress
Molecule bd-8pyn has 3 remaining tasks:
  - bd-dxo7: Wait for CI to pass
  - bd-7l70: Verify release artifacts
  - bd-5c91: Update local installation

## Check CI
  gh run list --repo steveyegge/beads --limit 1
  gh run view 20390861825 --repo steveyegge/beads

## New feature filed
bd-n777: Timer beads for scheduled agent callbacks
Design for Deacon-managed timers that can interrupt agents via tmux

## Resume commands
  bd --no-daemon show bd-8pyn
  gh run list --repo steveyegge/beads --limit 1


Implement CLI command (cmd/bd/reset.go)

Wire up the reset command with Cobra CLI.

## Responsibilities
- Define command and all flags
- User confirmation prompt (unless --force)
- Display impact summary before confirmation
- Colored output and progress indicators
- Call core reset package
- Handle errors with user-friendly messages
- Register command with rootCmd in init()

## Flags
```go
--hard       bool   "Also remove from git and commit"
--force      bool   "Skip confirmation prompt"
--backup     bool   "Create backup before reset"
--dry-run    bool   "Preview what would happen"
--skip-init  bool   "Do not re-initialize after reset"
--verbose    bool   "Show detailed progress output"
```

## Output Format
```
⚠  This will reset beads to a clean state.

Will be deleted:
  • 47 issues (23 open, 24 closed)
  • 12 tombstones

Continue? [y/N] y

→ Stopping daemons... ✓
→ Removing .beads/... ✓
→ Initializing fresh... ✓

✓ Reset complete. Run 'bd onboard' to set up hooks.
```

## Implementation Notes
- Confirmation logic lives HERE, not in core package
- Use color package (github.com/fatih/color) for output
- Follow patterns from other commands (init.go, doctor.go)
- Add to rootCmd in init() function

## File Location
`cmd/bd/reset.go`


Add comments to 30+ silently ignored errors or fix them

Code health review found 30+ instances of error suppression using blank identifier without explanation:

Good examples (with comments):
- merge.go: _ = gitRmCmd.Run() // Ignore errors
- daemon_watcher.go: _ = watcher.Add(...) // Ignore error

Bad examples (no context):
- create.go:213: dbPrefix, _ = store.GetConfig(ctx, "issue_prefix")
- daemon_sync_branch.go: _ = daemonClient.Close()
- migrate_hash_ids.go, version_tracking.go: _ = store.Close()

Fix: Add comments explaining WHY errors are ignored, or handle them properly.


Polecats get stuck on interactive shell prompts (cp/mv/rm -i)

During swarm operations, polecats frequently get stuck waiting for interactive prompts from shell commands like:
- cp prompting 'overwrite file? (y/n)'
- mv prompting 'overwrite file? (y/n)'
- rm prompting 'remove file?'

This happens because macOS aliases or shell configs may have -i flags set by default.

Root cause: Claude Code runs commands that trigger interactive confirmation prompts, but cannot respond to them, causing the agent to hang indefinitely.

Observed in: Multiple polecats during GH issues swarm (Dec 2024)
- Derrick, Roustabout, Prospector, Warboy all got stuck on y/n prompts

Suggested fixes:
1. AGENTS.md should instruct agents to always use -f flag with cp/mv/rm
2. Polecat startup could set shell aliases to use non-interactive versions
3. bd prime hook could include guidance about non-interactive commands
4. Consider detecting stuck prompts and auto-recovering


Add missing updated_at index on issues table

GetStaleIssues queries filter by updated_at but there's no index on this column.

**Current query (ready.go:253-254):**
```sql
WHERE status != 'closed'
  AND datetime(updated_at) < datetime('now', '-' || ? || ' days')
```

**Problem:** Full table scan when filtering stale issues.

**Solution:** Add migration to create:
```sql
CREATE INDEX IF NOT EXISTS idx_issues_updated_at ON issues(updated_at);
```

**Note:** The datetime() function wrapper may prevent index usage. Consider also storing updated_at as INTEGER (unix timestamp) for better index efficiency, or test if SQLite can use the index despite the function.


Wait for CI

Monitor GitHub Actions for release completion.

https://github.com/steveyegge/beads/actions

Expected time: 5-10 minutes

Watch for:
- Build artifacts (all platforms)
- Test suite pass
- npm publish
- PyPI publish


Deleted issues resurrect during bd sync (tombstones not propagating)

## Problem

When issues are deleted with bd delete --force, they get deleted from the local DB but resurrect during the next bd sync.

## Reproduction

1. Observe orphan warnings (bd-cb64c226.*, bd-cbed9619.*)
2. Delete them: bd delete bd-cb64c226.1 ... --force
3. Run bd sync
4. Orphan warnings reappear - issues were resurrected!

## Root Cause Hypothesis

The sync branch workflow (beads-sync) has the old state before deletions. When bd sync pulls from beads-sync and copies JSONL to main, the deleted issues are re-imported.

Tombstones may not be properly:
1. Written to beads-sync during export
2. Propagated during pull/merge
3. Honored during import

## Related

- bd-7b7h: chicken-and-egg sync.branch bug (same workflow)
- bd-ncwo: ID-based fallback matching to prevent ghost resurrection

## Files to Investigate

- cmd/bd/sync.go (export/import flow)
- internal/syncbranch/worktree.go (PullFromSyncBranch, copyJSONLToMainRepo)
- internal/importer/ (tombstone handling)


Design contributor namespace isolation for beads pollution prevention

## Problem

When contributors work on beads-the-project using beads-the-tool, their personal work-tracking issues leak into PRs. The .beads/issues.jsonl is intentionally tracked (it's the project's issue database), but contributors' local issues pollute the diff.

This is a recursion problem unique to self-hosting projects.

## Possible Solutions to Explore

1. **Contributor namespaces** - Each contributor gets a private prefix (e.g., `bd-steve-xxxx`) that's gitignored or filtered
2. **Separate database** - Contributors use BEADS_DIR pointing elsewhere for personal tracking
3. **Issue ownership/visibility flags** - Mark issues as "local-only" vs "project"
4. **Prefix-based filtering** - Configure which prefixes are committed vs ignored

## Design Considerations

- Should be zero-friction for contributors (no manual setup)
- Must not break existing workflows
- Needs to work with sync/collaboration features
- Consider: what if a "personal" issue graduates to "project" issue?

## Expansion Needed

This is a placeholder. Needs detailed design exploration before implementation.


Consolidate migrate-* commands into migrate subcommands

Move migrate-hash-ids, migrate-issues, migrate-sync, migrate-tombstones under 'migrate' as subcommands. Reduces 5 top-level commands to 1.


Implement a `bd reset` command to reset beads to a clean starting state.

## Context
GitHub issue #479 - users sometimes get beads into an invalid state after updates, and there's no clean way to start fresh. The git backup/restore mechanism that protects against accidental deletion also makes it hard to intentionally reset.

## Design

### Command Interface
```
bd reset [--hard] [--force] [--backup] [--dry-run] [--no-init]
```

| Flag | Effect |
|------|--------|
| `--hard` | Also remove from git index and commit |
| `--force` | Skip confirmation prompt |
| `--backup` | Create `.beads-backup-{timestamp}/` first |
| `--dry-run` | Preview what would happen |
| `--no-init` | Don't re-initialize after clearing |

### Reset Levels
1. **Soft Reset (default)** - Kill daemons, clear .beads/, re-init. Git history unchanged.
2. **Hard Reset (`--hard`)** - Also git rm and commit the removal, then commit fresh state.

### Implementation Flow
1. Validate .beads/ exists
2. If not --force: show impact summary, prompt confirmation
3. If --backup: copy .beads/ to .beads-backup-{timestamp}/
4. Kill daemons
5. If --hard: git rm + commit
6. rm -rf .beads/*
7. If not --no-init: bd init (and git add+commit if --hard)
8. Print summary

### Safety Mechanisms
- Confirmation prompt (skip with --force)
- Impact summary (issue/tombstone counts)
- Backup option
- Dry-run preview
- Git dirty check warning

### Code Structure
- `cmd/bd/reset.go` - CLI command
- `internal/reset/` - Core logic package


bd mol publish: Push formula to GitHub repo

Publish a formula to a GitHub repository for sharing.

## Usage
```bash
# Create new repo and publish
bd mol publish mol-my-workflow --repo github.com/myorg/mol-my-workflow

# Update existing repo
bd mol publish mol-my-workflow --repo github.com/myorg/mol-my-workflow --tag v1.1.0
```

## Implementation
1. Export proto to formula.json (if not already a file)
2. Validate formula structure
3. Create GitHub repo if --create flag (uses `gh repo create`)
4. Copy formula.json to repo
5. Generate README.md from formula description
6. Commit and push
7. Create git tag if --tag specified
8. Add mol-formula topic to repo

## Flags
- `--repo <url>` - Target GitHub repo (required)
- `--tag <version>` - Create version tag
- `--create` - Create repo if doesn't exist
- `--private` - Create as private repo

## Workflow
```bash
# Full publish flow
bd mol distill my-epic --name my-workflow
bd mol promote bd-proto-xxx --as my-workflow
bd mol publish mol-my-workflow --repo github.com/me/mol-my-workflow --create --tag v1.0.0
```


Push release tag

Push the version tag to trigger CI release.

```bash
git push origin v0.39.0
```

This triggers GitHub Actions to build artifacts and publish.


Work on beads-ldv: Fix bd graph crashes with nil pointer ...

Work on beads-ldv: Fix bd graph crashes with nil pointer dereference (GH#657). Fix nil pointer in computeDependencyCounts at graph.go:428. When done, submit MR (not PR) to integration branch for Refinery.


Import reports misleading '0 created, 0 updated' when actually importing all issues

When running 'bd import' on a fresh database (no existing issues), the command reports 'Import complete: 0 created, 0 updated' even though it successfully imported all issues from the JSONL file.

**Steps to reproduce:**
1. Delete .beads/beads.db
2. Run: bd import .beads/issues.jsonl
3. Observe output: 'Import complete: 0 created, 0 updated'
4. Run: bd list
5. Confirm: All issues are actually present in the database

**Expected behavior:**
Report the actual number of issues imported, e.g., 'Import complete: 523 created, 0 updated'

**Actual behavior:**
'Import complete: 0 created, 0 updated' (misleading - makes user think import failed)

**Impact:**
- Users think import failed when it succeeded
- Confusing during database sync operations (e.g., after git pull)
- Makes debugging harder (can't tell if import actually worked)

**Context:**
Discovered during VC session when syncing database after git pull. The misleading message caused confusion about whether the database was properly synced with the canonical JSONL file.


Refactor duplicate JSONL-from-git parsing code

Both readFirstIssueFromGit() in init.go and importFromGit() in autoimport.go have similar code patterns for:
1. Running git show <ref>:<path>
2. Scanning the output with bufio.Scanner
3. Parsing JSON lines

Could be refactored to share a helper like:
- readJSONLFromGit(gitRef, path string) ([]byte, error)
- Or a streaming version: streamJSONLFromGit(gitRef, path string) (io.Reader, error)

Files:
- cmd/bd/autoimport.go:225-256 (importFromGit)
- cmd/bd/init.go:1212-1243 (readFirstIssueFromGit)

Priority is low since code duplication is minimal and both functions work correctly.


bd distill: Extract formula from mol/epic

Extract a formula from completed work (mol, wisp, or epic).

**Key change**: Distill works on execution artifacts (mols/wisps/epics), not protos.
Protos are ephemeral - they don't persist. Distillation extracts patterns from
actual executed work.

## Usage
```bash
bd distill bd-mol-xyz -o my-workflow.formula.json
bd distill bd-epic-abc -o feature-workflow.formula.json
```

## Use Cases
- **Emergent patterns**: Structured work manually, want to templatize it
- **Modified execution**: Poured a formula, added custom steps, want to capture
- **Learning from success**: Extract what made a complex mol succeed

## Implementation
1. Load mol/wisp/epic subgraph (root + all children)
2. Convert to formula JSON structure
3. Extract variables from patterns (titles, descriptions)
4. Generate step IDs from issue titles (slugify)
5. Write .formula.json file

## Output Format
```json
{
  "formula": "my-workflow",
  "description": "...",
  "version": 1,
  "vars": { ... },
  "steps": [ ... ]
}
```

## Architecture Note
This closes the formula lifecycle loop:
  Formulas ──cook──→ Mols ──distill──→ Formulas

All sharing happens via formulas. Mols contain execution context and aren't shared.


Update Homebrew formula

After GoReleaser completes, the Homebrew tap should be auto-updated.

If manual update needed:
```bash
./scripts/update-homebrew.sh v0.30.4
```

Or manually update steveyegge/homebrew-beads with new SHA256.

Verify:
```bash
brew update
brew info beads
```


Merge: bd-14ie

branch: polecat/toast
target: main
source_issue: bd-14ie
rig: beads


Merge: bd-au0.6

branch: polecat/furiosa
target: main
source_issue: bd-au0.6
rig: beads


Cross-project dependency support

Enable tracking dependencies across project boundaries.

## Mechanism
- Producer: `bd ship <capability>` adds `provides:<capability>` label
- Consumer: `blocked_by: external:<project>:<capability>`
- Resolution: `bd ready` checks external deps via config

## Design Doc
See: gastown/docs/cross-project-deps.md

## Children
- bd-eijl: bd ship command
- bd-om4a: external: prefix in blocked_by
- bd-66w1: external_projects config
- bd-zmmy: bd ready resolution


Work on beads-rs0: Namepool configuration for themed pole...

Work on beads-rs0: Namepool configuration for themed polecat names. See bd show beads-rs0 for full details.


Re: Thread Test 2

Got your message. Testing reply feature.


Commit and push release

git add -A && git commit -m 'chore: bump version to 0.32.1' && git push


bd wisp gc command

Add bd wisp gc command to garbage collect orphaned wisps.

## Usage
```bash
bd wisp gc                # Clean orphaned wisps
bd wisp gc --dry-run      # Show what would be cleaned
bd wisp gc --age 1h       # Custom orphan threshold (default: 1h)
```

## Orphan Detection
A wisp is orphaned if:
- process_id field exists AND process is dead
- OR updated_at older than threshold AND not complete
- AND molecule status is not complete/abandoned

## Behavior
- Delete orphaned wisps (no digest created)
- Report count of cleaned wisps
- --dry-run shows candidates without deleting

## Implementation
- Add 'gc' subcommand to wisp group
- Process detection via os.FindProcess or /proc
- Configurable age threshold


bd doctor: detect issues referenced in commits but still open

Add a doctor check that finds 'orphaned' issues - ones referenced in git commit messages (e.g., 'fix bug (bd-xxx)') but still marked as open in beads.

**Detection logic:**
1. Get all open issue IDs from beads
2. Parse git log for issue ID references matching pattern \(prefix-[a-z0-9.]+\)
3. Report issues that appear in commits but are still open

**Output:**
⚠ Warning: N issues referenced in commits but still open
  bd-xxx: 'Issue title' (commit abc123)
  bd-yyy: 'Issue title' (commit def456)

  These may be implemented but not closed. Run 'bd show <id>' to check.

**Implementation:**
- Add check to doctor/checks.go
- Use git log parsing (already have git utilities)
- Match against configured issue_prefix


Work on beads-399: Add omitempty to JSONL fields for smal...

Work on beads-399: Add omitempty to JSONL fields for smaller notifications. When done, submit MR (not PR) to integration branch for Refinery.


Restart daemons

bd daemons killall


Execute molecule bd-mol-xga: Release beads 0.37.0


bd sync deleted non-.beads files (skills/beads/*)

On 2025-12-23, commit 7b671662 (bd sync) inadvertently deleted 5 files from skills/beads/ that were added by PR #722 (commit e432fcc8). These files are outside .beads/ and should never be touched by bd sync.

Files deleted:
- skills/beads/README.md
- skills/beads/references/INTEGRATION_PATTERNS.md
- skills/beads/references/MOLECULES.md
- skills/beads/references/PATTERNS.md
- skills/beads/references/TROUBLESHOOTING.md

Investigation needed:
1. How did bd sync stage/commit files outside .beads/?
2. Was this a one-time accident or is there a systematic bug?
3. Add safeguards to prevent bd sync from touching non-.beads paths

Reported via GH#738.


Merge: bd-w193

branch: polecat/nux
target: main
source_issue: bd-w193
rig: beads


GH#532: bd sync circular error (suggests running bd sync)

bd sync error message recommends running bd sync to fix the bd sync error. Fix error handling to provide useful guidance. See GitHub issue #532.


Relocate thanks command to bd info --thanks

## Task
Move `bd thanks` → `bd info --thanks`

## Implementation

### 1. Update info.go
- Add `--thanks` flag
- Import thanks.go display logic
- When --thanks flag set, call thanks display function

### 2. Update thanks.go
- Export the display function (rename to public)
- Remove rootCmd.AddCommand()
- Optionally keep as hidden alias

### 3. Update docs
- README.md if mentioned
- CHANGELOG.md - deprecation notice

## Files to modify
- cmd/bd/info.go
- cmd/bd/thanks.go


Test cross-rig issue creation

Testing --rig flag from town root


GH#692: Code quality and refactoring improvements

Epic for implementing refactoring suggestions from GitHub issue #692 (rsnodgrass). These are code quality improvements that don't change functionality but improve maintainability, type safety, and performance.

Original issue: https://github.com/steveyegge/beads/issues/692

High priority items:
1. Replace map[string]interface{} with typed structs for JSON output
2. Adopt slices.SortFunc instead of sort.Slice (Go 1.21+)
3. Split large files (sync.go, init.go, show.go)
4. Introduce slog for structured logging in daemon

Lower priority:
5. Further CLI helper extraction
6. Preallocate slices in hot paths
7. Polish items (error wrapping, table-driven parsing)


HOP-compatible schema additions

Add optional fields to Beads schema to enable future HOP integration.
All fields are backwards-compatible (optional, omitted if empty).

## Reference
See ~/gt/docs/hop/BEADS-SCHEMA-CHANGES.md for full specification.

## P1 Changes (Must Have Before Launch)

### 1. EntityRef type
Structured entity reference that can become HOP URI:
```go
type EntityRef struct {
    Name     string // "polecat/Nux"
    Platform string // "gastown"
    Org      string // "steveyegge"
    ID       string // "polecat-nux"
}
```

### 2. creator field
Every issue tracks who created it (EntityRef).

### 3. assignee_ref field
Structured form alongside existing string assignee.

### 4. validations array
Track who validated work completion:
```go
type Validation struct {
    Validator *EntityRef
    Outcome   string    // accepted, rejected, revision_requested
    Timestamp time.Time
    Score     *float32  // Future
}
```

## P2 Changes (Should Have)

### 5. work_type field
"mutex" (default) or "open_competition"

### 6. crystallizes field
Boolean - does this work compound (true) or evaporate (false)?

### 7. cross_refs field
Array of URIs to beads in other repos:
- "beads://github/anthropics/claude-code/bd-xyz"

## P3 Changes (Nice to Have)

### 8. skill_vector placeholder
Reserved for future embeddings: []float32

## Implementation Notes
- All fields optional in JSONL serialization
- Empty/null fields omit from output
- No migration needed for existing data
- CLI additions: --creator, --validated-by filters

Scope reduced after review. P1 only: EntityRef type, creator field, validations array. Deferred: assignee_ref, work_type, crystallizes, cross_refs, skill_vector (YAGNI - semantics unclear, can add later when needed).


Improve test coverage for internal/rpc (47.5% → 60%)

The RPC package has only 47.5% test coverage. RPC is the communication layer for daemon operations.

Current coverage: 47.5%
Target coverage: 60%


Merge: bd-au0.5

branch: polecat/Searcher
target: main
source_issue: bd-au0.5
rig: beads


Code review: bd mol bond implementation

Review the mol bond command implementation before shipping.

Focus areas:
1. runMolBond() - polymorphic dispatch logic correctness
2. bondProtoProto() - compound proto creation, dependency wiring
3. bondProtoMol() / bondMolProto() - spawn and attach logic
4. bondMolMol() - joining molecules, lineage tracking
5. BondRef usage - is lineage tracked correctly?
6. Error handling - are all failure modes covered?
7. Edge cases - what could go wrong?

File: cmd/bd/mol.go (lines 485-859)
Commit: 386b513e


Review SQLite indexes and scaling bottlenecks

Audit the beads SQLite schema for:

## Index Review
- Are all frequently-queried columns indexed?
- Are compound indexes needed for common query patterns?
- Any missing indexes on foreign keys or filter columns?

## Scaling Bottlenecks
- How does performance degrade with 10k, 100k, 1M issues?
- Full table scans in hot paths?
- JSONL export/import performance at scale
- Transaction contention in multi-agent scenarios

## Common Query Patterns to Optimize
- bd ready (status + blocked_by resolution)
- bd list with filters (status, type, priority, labels)
- bd show with dependency graph traversal
- bd sync import/export

## Deliverables
- Document current indexes
- Identify missing indexes
- Benchmark key operations at scale
- Recommend schema improvements


Test parent task


Merge: bd-4opy

branch: polecat/angharad
target: main
source_issue: bd-4opy
rig: beads


Merge: bd-uqfn

branch: polecat/cheedo
target: main
source_issue: bd-uqfn
rig: beads


Kill running daemons

Stop all bd daemons before release:

```bash
pkill -f 'bd.*daemon' || true
sleep 1
pgrep -lf 'bd.*daemon'  # Should show nothing
```


Investigate TestRoutingIntegration failure

TestRoutingIntegration/maintainer_with_SSH_remote failed during pre-commit check with "expected role maintainer, got contributor".
This occurred while running `go test -short ./...` on darwin/arm64.
The failure appears unrelated to storage/sqlite changes.
Need to investigate if this is a flaky test or environmental issue.


Remove all deletions.jsonl code except migration

There's deletions manifest code spread across the entire codebase that should have been removed after tombstone migration:

Files with deletions code (non-migration):
- internal/deletions/ - entire package
- cmd/bd/sync.go - 25+ references, auto-compact, sanitize
- cmd/bd/delete.go - dual-writes to deletions.jsonl
- internal/importer/importer.go - checks deletions manifest
- internal/syncbranch/worktree.go - merges deletions.jsonl
- cmd/bd/doctor/fix/sync.go - cleanupDeletionsManifest
- cmd/bd/doctor/fix/deletions.go - HydrateDeletionsManifest
- cmd/bd/integrity.go - checks deletions for data loss
- cmd/bd/deleted.go - entire command
- cmd/bd/compact.go - pruneDeletionsManifest
- cmd/bd/doctor.go - checkDeletionsManifest
- Plus many more

Action: Aggressively remove all non-migration deletions code. Tombstones are the only deletion mechanism now.


Code review findings: mol squash deletion bypasses tombstones


Add daemon-side delete operation tests

Follow-up epic for PR #626: Add comprehensive test coverage for delete operations at the daemon/RPC layer. PR #626 successfully added storage layer tests but identified gaps in daemon-side delete operations and RPC integration testing.

## Scope
Tests needed for:
1. deleteViaDaemon (cmd/bd/delete.go:21) - RPC client-side deletion command
2. Daemon RPC delete handler - Server-side deletion via daemon
3. createTombstone wrapper (cmd/bd/delete.go:335) - Tombstone creation wrapper
4. deleteIssue wrapper (cmd/bd/delete.go:349) - Direct deletion wrapper

## Coverage targets
- Delete via RPC daemon (both success and error paths)
- Cascade deletion through daemon
- Force deletion through daemon
- Dry-run mode validation
- Tombstone creation and verification
- Error handling and edge cases


Add bd daemon --stop-all command to kill all daemon processes

Currently there's no easy way to stop all running bd daemon processes. Users must resort to pkill -f 'bd daemon' or similar shell commands.

Add a --stop-all flag to bd daemon that:
1. Finds all running bd daemon processes (not just the current repo's daemon)
2. Gracefully stops them all
3. Reports how many were stopped

This is useful when:
- Multiple daemons are running and causing race conditions
- User wants a clean slate before running bd sync
- Debugging daemon-related issues


Audit and standardize JSON output across all commands

Ensure consistent JSON format and error handling when --json flag is used.

**Scope:**
1. Verify all commands respect --json flag
2. Standardize success response format
3. Standardize error response format
4. Document JSON schemas

**Commands to audit:**
- Core CRUD: create, update, delete, show, list, search ✓
- Queries: ready, blocked, stale, count, stats, status
- Deps: dep add/remove/tree/cycles
- Labels: label commands
- Comments: comments add/list/delete
- Epics: epic status/close-eligible
- Export/import: already support --json ✓

**Testing:**
- Success cases return valid JSON
- Error cases return valid JSON (not plain text)
- Consistent field naming (snake_case vs camelCase)
- Array vs object wrapping consistency

## Audit Complete (2025-12-25)

### Findings

**✓ All commands support --json flag**
- Query commands: ready, blocked, stale, count, stats, status
- Dep commands: add, remove, tree, cycles
- Label commands: add, remove, list, list-all
- Comments: list, add
- Epic: status, close-eligible

**✓ Field naming is consistent**
- All fields use snake_case: created_at, issue_type, dependency_count, etc.

**✗ Error output is INCONSISTENT**
- Only bd show uses FatalErrorRespectJSON (returns JSON errors)
- All other commands use fmt.Fprintf(os.Stderr, ...) (returns plain text)

### Files needing fixes

| File | stderr writes | Commands |
|------|---------------|----------|
| show.go | 51 | update, close, edit |
| dep.go | 41 | dep add/remove/tree/cycles |
| label.go | 19 | label add/remove/list |
| comments.go | ~10 | comments add/list |
| epic.go | ~5 | epic status/close-eligible |

### Follow-up

Created epic bd-28sq to track fixing all error handlers.


activity.go: Missing test coverage

The new activity.go command (from bd-xo1o.3) has no test coverage. At minimum, tests should cover:
- parseDurationString() for various formats (5m, 1h, 2d, invalid)
- filterEvents() for --mol and --type filtering
- formatEvent() and getEventDisplay() for all mutation types

Discovered during code review of bd-xo1o implementation.


Merge: bd-bqcc

branch: polecat/capable
target: main
source_issue: bd-bqcc
rig: beads


Move cook to formula subcommand

## Task
Move `bd cook` → `bd formula cook`

## Implementation

### 1. Update formula.go
- Add `cookCmd` as subcommand of `formulaCmd`
- Import necessary packages from cook.go if not already present

### 2. Update cook.go
- Remove `rootCmd.AddCommand(cookCmd)` from init()
- Keep the command implementation as-is

### 3. Create hidden alias for backwards compatibility
- In main.go or aliases file, add:
  ```go
  aliasCmd := &cobra.Command{
    Use:    "cook",
    Hidden: true,
    Run: func(cmd *cobra.Command, args []string) {
      // Forward to formula cook
    },
  }
  ```

### 4. Update docs
- docs/MOLECULES.md - if `bd cook` mentioned
- CHANGELOG.md - add deprecation notice

## Files to modify
- cmd/bd/formula.go (add subcommand)
- cmd/bd/cook.go (change registration)
- cmd/bd/main.go (add hidden alias)


gt mail send: support reading message body from stdin

Currently gt mail send -m requires the message as a command-line argument, which causes shell escaping issues with backticks, quotes, and special characters.

Add support for reading message body from stdin:
- gt mail send addr -s 'Subject' --stdin  # Read body from stdin
- echo 'body' | gt mail send addr -s 'Subject' -m -  # Convention: -m - means stdin

This would allow:
cat <<'EOF' | gt mail send addr -s 'Subject' --stdin
Message with `backticks` and 'quotes' safely
EOF

Without this, agents struggle to send handoff messages containing code snippets.


Add composite index (issue_id, event_type) on events table

GetCloseReason and GetCloseReasonsForIssues filter by both issue_id and event_type.

**Query (queries.go:355-358):**
```sql
SELECT comment FROM events
WHERE issue_id = ? AND event_type = ?
ORDER BY created_at DESC LIMIT 1
```

**Problem:** Currently uses idx_events_issue but must filter event_type in memory.

**Solution:** Add migration:
```sql
CREATE INDEX IF NOT EXISTS idx_events_issue_type ON events(issue_id, event_type);
```

**Priority:** Low - events table is typically small relative to issues.


Add tests for daemon functionality

Critical daemon functions have 0% test coverage including daemon lifecycle, health checks, and RPC server functionality. These are essential for system reliability and need comprehensive test coverage.


Code smell: Duplicated step collection functions in cook.go

attached_args: Fix duplicated step collection functions in cook.go

Two pairs of nearly identical functions exist in cook.go:

1. collectStepsRecursive() (line 754) vs collectStepsToSubgraph() (line 415)
   - Both iterate over steps and create issues
   - Main difference: one writes to DB, one builds in-memory subgraph

2. collectDependencies() (line 833) vs collectDependenciesToSubgraph() (line 502)
   - Both collect dependencies from steps
   - Nearly identical logic

Consider:
1. Extract common step/dependency processing logic
2. Use a strategy pattern or callback for the DB vs in-memory difference
3. Create a single function that returns data, then have callers decide how to persist

Location: cmd/bd/cook.go:415-567 and cmd/bd/cook.go:754-898


gt nudge doesn't work with crew addresses

## Bug

`gt nudge beads/crew/dave "message"` fails because it uses the polecat session manager which produces wrong session names.

## Expected
Session name: `gt-beads-crew-dave` (hyphen)

## Actual
Session name: `gt-beads-crew/dave` (slash, from polecat manager)

## Root Cause

In nudge.go line 46-57:
```go
rigName, polecatName, err := parseAddress(target)  // beads, crew/dave
sessionName := mgr.SessionName(polecatName)        // gt-beads-crew/dave (WRONG)
```

Should detect `crew/` prefix in polecatName and use `crewSessionName(rigName, crewName)` instead.

## Fix

```go
if strings.HasPrefix(polecatName, "crew/") {
    crewName := strings.TrimPrefix(polecatName, "crew/")
    sessionName = crewSessionName(rigName, crewName)
} else {
    sessionName = mgr.SessionName(polecatName)
}
```


Restart daemons

Restart bd daemons to pick up new version.

```bash
bd daemons killall
```

Daemons will auto-restart with new version on next bd command.

Verify:
```bash
bd daemons list
```


Auto-recovery mode (bd sync --auto-recover)

Add bd sync --auto-recover flag that: detects problematic sync state, backs up .beads/issues.db with timestamp, rebuilds DB from JSONL atomically, verifies consistency, reports what was fixed. Provides safety valve when sync integrity fails.


Test stdin body-file


Verify GitHub release

Check the GitHub releases page.

https://github.com/steveyegge/beads/releases/tag/v0.39.0

Verify:
- Release created
- Binaries attached (linux, darwin, windows)
- Checksums present


Add GetWorkerStatus RPC endpoint

New RPC endpoint to get all workers and their current molecule/step in one call. Returns: assignee, moleculeID, moleculeTitle, currentStep, totalSteps, stepTitle, lastActivity, status. Enables activity feed TUI to show worker state without multiple round trips.


Beads Messaging & Knowledge Graph (v0.30.2)

Add messaging semantics and extended graph links to Beads, enabling it to serve as
the universal substrate for knowledge work - issues, messages, documents, and threads
as nodes in a queryable graph.

## Motivation

Gas Town (GGT) needs inter-agent communication. Rather than a separate mail system,
collapse messaging into Beads - one system, one sync, one query interface, all in git.

This also positions Beads as a foundation for:
- Company-wide issue tracking (like Notion)
- Threaded conversations (like Reddit/Slack)
- Knowledge graphs with loose associations
- Arbitrary workflow UIs built on top

## New Issue Type

**message** - ephemeral communication between workers
- sender: who sent it
- assignee: recipient
- priority: P0 (urgent) to P4 (routine)
- status: open (unread) -> closed (read)
- ephemeral: true = can be bulk-deleted after swarm

## New Graph Links

**replies_to** - conversation threading
- Messages reply to messages
- Enables Reddit-style nested threads
- Different from parent_id (not hierarchy, its conversation flow)

**relates_to** - loose see also associations
- Bidirectional knowledge graph edges
- Not blocking, not hierarchical, just related
- Enables discovery and traversal

**duplicates** - deduplication at scale
- Mark issue B as duplicate of canonical issue A
- Close B, link to A
- Essential for large issue databases

**supersedes** - version chains
- Design Doc v2 supersedes Design Doc v1
- Track evolution of artifacts

## New Fields (optional, any issue type)

- sender (string) - who created this (for messages)
- ephemeral (boolean) - can be bulk-deleted when closed

## New Commands

Messaging:
- bd mail send <recipient> -s Subject -m Body
- bd mail inbox (list open messages for me)
- bd mail read <id> (show message content)
- bd mail ack <id> (mark as read/close)
- bd mail reply <id> -m Response (reply to thread)

Graph links:
- bd relate <id1> <id2> (create relates_to link)
- bd duplicate <id> --of <canonical> (mark as duplicate)
- bd supersede <id> --with <new> (mark superseded)

Cleanup:
- bd cleanup --ephemeral (delete closed ephemeral issues)

## Identity Configuration

Workers need identity for sender field:
- BEADS_IDENTITY env var
- Or .beads/config.json: identity field

## Hooks (for GGT integration)

Beads as platform - extensible without knowing about GGT.
Hook files in .beads/hooks/:
- on_create (runs after bd create)
- on_update (runs after bd update)
- on_close (runs after bd close)
- on_message (runs after bd mail send)

GGT registers hooks to notify daemons of new messages.

## Schema Changes (Migration Required)

Add to issue schema:
- type: message (new valid type)
- sender: string (optional)
- ephemeral: boolean (optional)
- replies_to: string (issue ID, optional)
- relates_to: []string (issue IDs, optional)
- duplicates: string (canonical issue ID, optional)
- superseded_by: string (new issue ID, optional)

Migration adds fields as optional - existing beads unchanged.

## Success Criteria

1. bd mail send/inbox/read/ack/reply work end-to-end
2. replies_to creates proper thread structure
3. relates_to, duplicates, supersedes links queryable
4. Hooks fire on create/update/close/message
5. Identity configurable via env or config
6. Migration preserves all existing data
7. All new features have tests


Fix FindBeadsDir to prioritize main repo .beads for worktrees

The FindBeadsDir function should prioritize finding .beads in the main repository root when accessed from a worktree, rather than finding worktree-local .beads directories. This ensures proper sharing of the database across all worktrees.


Fix unparam unused parameter in cmd/bd/doctor.go:1879

Linting issue: checkGitHooks - path is unused (unparam) at cmd/bd/doctor.go:1879:20. Error: func checkGitHooks(path string) doctorCheck {


Remove/relocate pin command (covered by mol commands)

## Task
Review and potentially remove `bd pin` as it overlaps with mol commands.

## Analysis needed
- `bd pin` sets the pinned flag on issues for agent work assignment
- `bd hook` shows what's pinned to an agent
- `bd unpin` removes the pinned flag
- `bd mol` commands deal with molecules/templates

## Options
1. **Keep as-is**: pin/unpin are about work assignment, mol is about templates
2. **Move under mol**: `bd mol pin`, `bd mol unpin`
3. **Deprecate**: If mol commands fully cover the use case

## Decision criteria
- Are pin/unpin used independently of mol workflows?
- Does Gas Town (gt) use these commands?

## Recommendation
Check gt codebase for usage patterns before deciding. If pin/unpin are primarily used with mol workflows, consolidate under mol. If used independently, keep as-is.

## Files potentially affected
- cmd/bd/pin.go
- cmd/bd/unpin.go
- cmd/bd/hook.go
- cmd/bd/mol.go (if moving)


Work on beads-1ra: Add molecules.jsonl as separate catalo...

Work on beads-1ra: Add molecules.jsonl as separate catalog file for template molecules


WaitsFor directive: Fanout gate for dynamic children

Implement WaitsFor directive for molecules that spawn dynamic children.

## Syntax
```markdown
## Step: aggregate
Collect outcomes from all dynamically-bonded children.
WaitsFor: all-children
Needs: survey-workers
```

## Behavior
1. Parse WaitsFor directive during molecule step parsing
2. Track which steps spawn dynamic children (the spawner)
3. Gate step waits until ALL children of the spawner complete
4. Works with bd ready - gate step not ready until children done

## Gate Types
- `WaitsFor: all-children` - Wait for all dynamic children
- `WaitsFor: any-children` - Proceed when first child completes (future)
- `WaitsFor: <step-ref>.children` - Wait for specific spawner's children

## Integration
- bd ready should skip gate steps until children complete
- bd show <mol> should display gate status and child count


Fix update-hooks verification in version-bump.yaml

The update-hooks task verification command at version-bump.yaml:358 always succeeds due to '|| echo ...' fallback. Remove the fallback so verification actually fails when hooks aren't installed.


Update CHANGELOG.md with detailed release notes.

Add a new section after [Unreleased]:
```markdown
## [0.37.0] - YYYY-MM-DD

### Added
- **Feature name** (issue-id) - Description

### Changed
- **Change description** (issue-id)

### Fixed
- **Bug fix** (issue-id) - Description
```

Sort by importance, not chronologically.

instantiated_from: bd-mol-xga
step: update-changelog


beads-release

Beads release workflow - from version bump to verified release.

This formula orchestrates a complete release cycle:
1. Preflight checks (clean git, up to date)
2. Documentation updates (CHANGELOG, info.go)
3. Version bump (all components)
4. Git operations (commit, tag, push)
5. CI verification (GitHub Actions)
6. Artifact verification (GitHub, npm, PyPI)
7. Local installation update
8. Daemon restart

## Usage

```bash
bd wisp create beads-release --var version=0.37.0
```

Or assign to a polecat:
```bash
gt sling beads/polecats/p1 --formula beads-release --var version=0.37.0
```


Fix update-homebrew.sh awk script corrupts formula

The awk script in scripts/update-homebrew.sh incorrectly removes platform conditionals (on_macos do, on_linux do, if Hardware::CPU.arm?, etc.) when updating SHA256 hashes. This corrupts the Homebrew formula.

The issue is the awk script uses 'next' to skip lines containing platform conditionals but never reconstructs them, resulting in a syntax-invalid formula.

Found during v0.34.0 release - had to manually fix the formula.

Fix options:
1. Rewrite awk script to properly preserve structure while updating sha256 lines only
2. Use sed instead with targeted sha256 replacements
3. Template approach - store formula template and fill in version/hashes


Workaround for FastMCP outputSchema bug in Claude Code

The beads MCP server (v0.23.1) successfully connects to Claude Code, but all tools fail to load with a schema validation error due to a bug in FastMCP 2.13.1.

Error: "Invalid literal value, expected \"object\"" in outputSchema.

Root Cause: FastMCP generates outputSchema with $ref at root level without "type": "object" for self-referential models (Issue).

Workaround: Use slash commands (/beads:ready) or wait for FastMCP fix.


wish: a 'continue' or similar cmd/flag which means alter last issue

so many time I create an issue and then have another thought: 'oh, before I did X and it crashed there was ZZZ happening' or 'actually that is P4 not P2'. It would be nice if when `bd {cmd}` is used without a {title} or {id} it just adds or updates the most recently touched issue.


Add daemon RPC support for gate commands.

## Current State
Gate commands require --no-daemon flag because they use direct SQLite access:
- Gate create needs to write await_type, await_id, timeout_ns, waiters fields
- Gate wait needs to update waiters JSON array
- Daemon RPC doesnt have methods for these operations

## Implementation

### 1. Add RPC methods to internal/rpc/protocol.go

```go
// Gate operations
type GateCreateArgs struct {
    Title     string        \`json:"title"\`
    AwaitType string        \`json:"await_type"\`
    AwaitID   string        \`json:"await_id"\`
    Timeout   time.Duration \`json:"timeout"\`
    Waiters   []string      \`json:"waiters"\`
}

type GateCreateResult struct {
    Issue *types.Issue \`json:"issue"\`
}

type GateListArgs struct {
    All bool \`json:"all"\` // Include closed gates
}

type GateListResult struct {
    Gates []*types.Issue \`json:"gates"\`
}

type GateWaitArgs struct {
    GateID  string   \`json:"gate_id"\`
    Waiters []string \`json:"waiters"\` // Additional waiters to add
}

type GateWaitResult struct {
    Gate        *types.Issue \`json:"gate"\`
    AddedCount  int          \`json:"added_count"\`
}
```

### 2. Add handler methods to internal/daemon/rpc_handler.go

```go
func (h *RPCHandler) GateCreate(ctx context.Context, args *rpc.GateCreateArgs) (*rpc.GateCreateResult, error) {
    now := time.Now()
    gate := &types.Issue{
        Title:     args.Title,
        IssueType: types.TypeGate,
        Status:    types.StatusOpen,
        Priority:  1,
        Assignee:  "deacon/",
        Wisp:      true,
        AwaitType: args.AwaitType,
        AwaitID:   args.AwaitID,
        Timeout:   args.Timeout,
        Waiters:   args.Waiters,
        CreatedAt: now,
        UpdatedAt: now,
    }
    gate.ContentHash = gate.ComputeContentHash()

    if err := h.store.CreateIssue(ctx, gate, h.actor); err != nil {
        return nil, err
    }

    return &rpc.GateCreateResult{Issue: gate}, nil
}

func (h *RPCHandler) GateList(ctx context.Context, args *rpc.GateListArgs) (*rpc.GateListResult, error) {
    gateType := types.TypeGate
    filter := types.IssueFilter{IssueType: &gateType}
    if !args.All {
        openStatus := types.StatusOpen
        filter.Status = &openStatus
    }

    gates, err := h.store.SearchIssues(ctx, "", filter)
    if err != nil {
        return nil, err
    }

    return &rpc.GateListResult{Gates: gates}, nil
}

func (h *RPCHandler) GateWait(ctx context.Context, args *rpc.GateWaitArgs) (*rpc.GateWaitResult, error) {
    gate, err := h.store.GetIssue(ctx, args.GateID)
    if err != nil {
        return nil, err
    }
    if gate.IssueType != types.TypeGate {
        return nil, fmt.Errorf("%s is not a gate", args.GateID)
    }

    // Merge waiters (dedupe)
    waiterSet := make(map[string]bool)
    for _, w := range gate.Waiters {
        waiterSet[w] = true
    }
    added := 0
    for _, w := range args.Waiters {
        if !waiterSet[w] {
            gate.Waiters = append(gate.Waiters, w)
            waiterSet[w] = true
            added++
        }
    }

    if added > 0 {
        // Update via store
        updates := map[string]interface{}{
            "waiters": gate.Waiters,
        }
        if err := h.store.UpdateIssue(ctx, args.GateID, updates, h.actor); err != nil {
            return nil, err
        }
    }

    return &rpc.GateWaitResult{Gate: gate, AddedCount: added}, nil
}
```

### 3. Register methods in daemon

In internal/daemon/server.go, register the new methods:
```go
rpc.RegisterMethod("gate.create", h.GateCreate)
rpc.RegisterMethod("gate.list", h.GateList)
rpc.RegisterMethod("gate.wait", h.GateWait)
```

### 4. Add client methods to internal/rpc/client.go

```go
func (c *Client) GateCreate(ctx context.Context, args *GateCreateArgs) (*GateCreateResult, error) {
    var result GateCreateResult
    err := c.Call(ctx, "gate.create", args, &result)
    return &result, err
}

func (c *Client) GateList(ctx context.Context, args *GateListArgs) (*GateListResult, error) {
    var result GateListResult
    err := c.Call(ctx, "gate.list", args, &result)
    return &result, err
}

func (c *Client) GateWait(ctx context.Context, args *GateWaitArgs) (*GateWaitResult, error) {
    var result GateWaitResult
    err := c.Call(ctx, "gate.wait", args, &result)
    return &result, err
}
```

### 5. Update cmd/bd/gate.go to use daemon

```go
// In gateCreateCmd Run:
if daemonClient != nil {
    result, err := daemonClient.GateCreate(ctx, &rpc.GateCreateArgs{
        Title:     title,
        AwaitType: awaitType,
        AwaitID:   awaitID,
        Timeout:   timeout,
        Waiters:   notifyAddrs,
    })
    if err != nil {
        FatalError("gate create: %v", err)
    }
    gate = result.Issue
} else {
    // Existing direct store code
}
```

## Files to Modify

1. **internal/rpc/protocol.go** - Add Gate*Args/Result types
2. **internal/daemon/rpc_handler.go** - Add handler methods
3. **internal/daemon/server.go** - Register methods
4. **internal/rpc/client.go** - Add client methods
5. **cmd/bd/gate.go** - Use daemon client when available

## Testing

```bash
# Start daemon
bd daemon start

# Test via daemon (should work without --no-daemon)
bd gate create --await timer:5m --notify beads/dave
bd gate list
bd gate wait <id> --notify beads/alice

# Verify daemon handled it
bd daemons logs . | grep gate
```

## Success Criteria
- All gate commands work without --no-daemon
- Same behavior in daemon vs direct mode
- Waiters array updates correctly via RPC
- Tests pass for RPC gate operations


activity --follow: Silent error handling

In activity.go:175-179, when the daemon is down or errors occur during polling in --follow mode, errors are silently ignored:

```go
newEvents, err := fetchMutations(lastPoll)
if err != nil {
    // Daemon might be down, continue trying
    continue
}
```

This means:
- Users won't know if the daemon is unreachable
- Could appear frozen when actually failing
- No indication of lost events

Should at least show a warning after N consecutive failures, or show '...' indicator to show polling status.

Discovered during code review of bd-xo1o implementation.


mol-beads-release

Release checklist for beads version 0.99.0.

This molecule ensures all release steps are completed properly.
Variable: 0.99.0 - target version (e.g., 0.35.0)

## Step: update-release-notes
Update cmd/bd/info.go with release notes for 0.99.0.

Add a new VersionChange entry at the top of versionChanges slice:
```go
{
    Version: "0.99.0",
    Date:    "YYYY-MM-DD",
    Changes: []string{
        "NEW: Feature description",
        "FIX: Bug fix description",
        "IMPROVED: Enhancement description",
    },
},
```

Run `git log --oneline v<previous>..HEAD` to see what changed.

## Step: update-changelog
Update CHANGELOG.md with detailed release notes.

Add a new section after [Unreleased]:
```markdown
## [0.99.0] - YYYY-MM-DD

### Added
- **Feature name** (issue-id) - Description

### Changed
- **Change description** (issue-id)

### Fixed
- **Bug fix** (issue-id) - Description
```

Sort by importance, not chronologically.
Needs: update-release-notes

## Step: bump-version
Run the version bump script.

```bash
./scripts/bump-version.sh 0.99.0
```

This updates version in all files:
- cmd/bd/version.go
- .claude-plugin/*.json
- integrations/beads-mcp/pyproject.toml
- npm-package/package.json
- Hook templates

Needs: update-changelog

## Step: run-tests
Run tests and verify lint passes.

```bash
go test -short ./...
```

CI will run full lint, but fix any obvious issues first.
Needs: bump-version

## Step: commit-release
Commit the release changes.

```bash
git add -A
git commit -m "chore: bump version to v0.99.0"
```

Needs: run-tests

## Step: push-and-tag
Push commit and create release tag.

```bash
git push origin main
git tag v0.99.0
git push origin v0.99.0
```

This triggers GitHub Actions release workflow.
Needs: commit-release

## Step: wait-for-ci
Wait for GitHub Actions to complete.

Monitor: https://github.com/steveyegge/beads/actions

CI will:
- Build binaries via GoReleaser
- Create GitHub Release with assets
- Publish to npm (@beads/bd)
- Publish to PyPI (beads-mcp)
- Update Homebrew tap

Wait until all jobs succeed (~5-10 min).
Needs: push-and-tag

## Step: verify-release
Verify the release is complete.

```bash
# Check GitHub release
gh release view v0.99.0

# Check Homebrew
brew update && brew info steveyegge/beads/bd

# Check npm
npm view @beads/bd version

# Check PyPI
pip index versions beads-mcp
```

Needs: wait-for-ci

## Step: update-local
Update local installations.

```bash
# Upgrade Homebrew
brew upgrade steveyegge/beads/bd

# Or install from source
./scripts/bump-version.sh 0.99.0 --install

# Install MCP locally
pip install -e integrations/beads-mcp

# Restart daemons
pkill -f "bd daemon" || true
```

Verify: `bd --version` shows 0.99.0
Needs: verify-release

## Step: manual-publish
(Optional) Manual publish if CI failed.

```bash
# npm (requires npm login)
./scripts/bump-version.sh 0.99.0 --publish-npm

# PyPI (requires TWINE credentials)
./scripts/bump-version.sh 0.99.0 --publish-pypi

# Or both
./scripts/bump-version.sh 0.99.0 --publish-all
```

Only needed if CI publishing failed.
Needs: wait-for-ci


Update all code to use dependencies API for edges

Find and update all code that reads/writes:
- replies_to field -> use dependency API
- relates_to field -> use dependency API
- duplicate_of field -> use dependency API
- superseded_by field -> use dependency API

Commands affected: bd mail, bd relate, bd duplicate, bd supersede, bd show, etc.


bd pin: pinned field overwritten by subsequent bd commands

## Summary

The `bd pin` command correctly sets `pinned=1` in SQLite, but any subsequent `bd` command (including read-only commands like `bd show`) resets `pinned` to 0.

## Reproduction Steps

```bash
bd --no-daemon pin <issue-id> --for=max
sqlite3 .beads/beads.db "SELECT id, pinned FROM issues WHERE id=\"<issue-id>\""
# Shows pinned=1 ✓

bd --no-daemon show <issue-id> --json
sqlite3 .beads/beads.db "SELECT id, pinned FROM issues WHERE id=\"<issue-id>\""
# Shows pinned=0 ✗ WRONG
```

## Root Cause Investigation

### Prime Suspects

1. **JSONL import overwrites DB** - The `pinned` field has `omitempty` so false values arent in JSONL. When JSONL is imported, it overwrites the DB pinned=1 with default pinned=0.

2. **Files to check:**
   - `internal/importer/importer.go` - ImportIssue() may unconditionally set all fields
   - `internal/storage/sqlite/issues.go` - UpsertIssue() may not preserve pinned
   - `cmd/bd/main.go` - ensureStoreActive() may trigger import

### Debug Steps

```bash
# Add debug logging to track what is writing pinned=0
grep -rn "pinned" internal/storage/sqlite/*.go
grep -rn "Pinned" internal/importer/*.go
```

## Likely Fix

In `internal/importer/importer.go` or `internal/storage/sqlite/issues.go`:

```go
// When upserting from JSONL, preserve pinned field if already set
func (s *SQLiteStorage) UpsertIssue(ctx context.Context, issue *types.Issue) error {
    // Check if issue exists and is pinned
    existing, _ := s.GetIssue(ctx, issue.ID)
    if existing != nil && existing.Pinned && !issue.Pinned {
        // Preserve existing pinned status
        issue.Pinned = existing.Pinned
    }
    // ... rest of upsert
}
```

OR the import should skip fields that are omitempty and not present in JSONL:

```go
// In importer, only update fields that are explicitly set in JSONL
// Pinned with omitempty means absent = dont change, not absent = false
```

## Testing

```bash
# After fix:
bd --no-daemon pin <issue-id> --for=max
bd --no-daemon show <issue-id> --json  # Should not reset pinned
bd list --pinned  # Should show the pinned issue
bd hook --agent max  # Should show pinned work
```

## Files to Modify

1. **internal/importer/importer.go** - Preserve pinned on import
2. **internal/storage/sqlite/issues.go** - UpsertIssue preserve pinned
3. **Add test** in internal/importer/importer_test.go

## Success Criteria
- `bd pin` survives subsequent bd commands
- `bd list --pinned` shows pinned issues
- `bd hook --agent X` shows pinned work
- Existing tests still pass


Remove Storage Cache from Server Struct

Eliminate cache fields and use s.storage directly


Add tests for validation functions

Validation functions like ParseIssueType have 0% coverage. These are critical for ensuring data quality and preventing invalid data from entering the system.


Detect/prevent child→parent dependency anti-pattern

## Problem

When filing issues with dependencies, it's easy to fall into the "temporal trap":
- Thinking "Phase 1 comes before Phase 2"
- Writing `bd dep add phase1 phase2`
- But that means "phase1 depends on phase2" (backwards!)

A specific variant: children depending on their parent epic. This is ALWAYS wrong because:
1. Parent-child relationship already captures the dependency (parent closes when children done)
2. Child→parent dep creates a block: child can't start because parent is "open"
3. Parent can't close because children aren't done
4. Deadlock

## Solution

### 1. Prevent at creation (`bd dep add`)

When user runs `bd dep add X Y`:
- Check if X is a child of Y (X.id starts with Y.id + ".")
- If so, error: "Cannot add dependency: X is already a child of Y. Children inherit dependency on parent completion via hierarchy."

### 2. Detect in `bd doctor`

Add a check that finds all cases where:
- Issue A depends on Issue B
- A.id matches pattern B.id + ".*" (A is child of B)

Report as: "Child→parent dependency detected (anti-pattern)"
Offer repair: "Remove N backwards dependencies? [y/N]"

## Implementation

- `dep_add.go`: Add parent-child check before adding dependency
- `doctor.go`: Add backwards-dep detection to health checks


Ephemeral issue cleanup and history compaction

## Problem

Beads history grows without bound. Every message, handoff, work assignment
stays in issues.jsonl forever. Enterprise users will balk at "git as database."

## Solution: Two-Tier Cleanup

### Tier 1: Ephemeral Cleanup (v1)

bd cleanup --ephemeral --closed

- Deletes closed issues where ephemeral=true from issues.jsonl
- Safe: only removes explicitly marked ephemeral + closed
- Preserves git history (commits still exist)
- Run after swarm completion

### Tier 2: History Compaction (v2)

bd compact --squash

- Rewrites issues.jsonl to remove tombstones
- Optionally squashes git history (interactive rebase equivalent)
- Preserves Merkle proofs for deleted items
- Advanced: cold storage tiering

## HOP Context

| Layer | HOP Role | Persistence |
|-------|----------|-------------|
| Execution trace | None | Ephemeral |
| Work scaffolding | None | Summarizable |
| Work outcome | CV entry | Permanent |
| Validation record | Stake proof | Permanent |

"Execution is ephemeral. Outcomes are permanent. You can't squash your CV."

## Success Criteria

- After cleanup --ephemeral: issues.jsonl only contains persistent work
- Work outcomes preserved (CV entries)
- Validation records preserved (stake proofs)
- Execution scaffolding removed (transient coordination)

## Implementation Plan (REVISED after code review)

See history/EPHEMERAL_MOLECULES_DESIGN.md for comprehensive design + review.

## Key Simplification

After code review, Tier 1 is MUCH simpler than originally designed:

- **Original**: Separate ephemeral repo with routing.ephemeral config
- **Revised**: Just set Wisp: true in cloneSubgraph()

The wisp field and bd cleanup --wisp already exist\!

## Child Tasks (in dependency order)

1. **bd-2vh3.2**: Tier 1 - Ephemeral spawning (SIMPLIFIED) [READY]
   - Just add Wisp: true to template.go:474
   - Add --persistent flag to opt out
2. **bd-2vh3.3**: Tier 2 - Basic bd mol squash command
3. **bd-2vh3.4**: Tier 3 - AI-powered squash summarization
4. **bd-2vh3.5**: Tier 4 - Auto-squash on molecule completion
5. **bd-2vh3.6**: Tier 5 - JSONL archive rotation (DEFERRED: post-1.0)

## What Already Exists

| Component | Location |
|-----------|----------|
| Ephemeral field | internal/types/types.go:45 |
| bd cleanup --wisp | cmd/bd/cleanup.go:72 |
| cloneSubgraph() | cmd/bd/template.go:456 |
| loadTemplateSubgraph() | cmd/bd/template.go |

## HOP Alignment

'Execution is ephemeral. Outcomes are permanent. You can't squash your CV.'


Add external_projects to config schema

Add external_projects mapping to .beads/config.yaml:

```yaml
external_projects:
  beads: ../beads
  gastown: ../gastown
  other: /absolute/path/to/project
```

Used by bd ready and other commands to resolve external: references.

Part of cross-project dependency system.
See: gastown/docs/cross-project-deps.md


Verify MCP Server Compatibility

Ensure MCP server works with cache-free daemon


Run bump-version.sh {{version}}

Run ./scripts/bump-version.sh {{version}} to update version in all files


Cleanup: --ephemeral flag

Update bd cleanup to handle ephemeral issues.

New flag:
- bd cleanup --ephemeral - deletes all CLOSED issues with ephemeral=true

Behavior:
- Only deletes if status=closed AND ephemeral=true
- Respects --dry-run flag
- Reports count of deleted ephemeral issues

This allows swarm cleanup to remove transient messages without affecting permanent issues.


Test work item


Pinned field available in beads v0.37.0

Hey max,

Heads up on your mail overhaul work:

1. **Pinned field is available** - beads v0.37.0 (released by dave earlier) includes the pinned field on issues. You'll want to add this to BeadsMessage in types.go.

2. **Database migration** - Check if existing .beads databases need migration to support the pinned field. Run `bd doctor` to see if it flags anything.

3. **Sorting task** - Once you have the pinned field, gt-ngu1 (pinned beads first in mail inbox) needs implementing. Since messages now come from `bd list --type=message`, you'll need to either:
   - Sort in listBeads() after fetching, or
   - Ensure bd list returns pinned items first (may already do this?)

Check what version of bd you're building against.

-- Mayor


--parent flag reports success but doesn't persist to JSONL

The --parent flag for bd update reports success but the change doesn't persist.

Reported by: Mayor
Location: show.go:810-814 handles the logic

Symptoms:
- bd update <id> --parent=<new-parent> returns success
- But the parent change is not written to JSONL
- Subsequent bd show reveals parent unchanged

This shipped in v0.39.1 as part of bd-cj2e (--parent flag for reparenting).

Investigation: Check the update path from show.go through to JSONL export. The RPC/daemon layer may be dropping the parent field, or the storage layer isn't persisting it.


Reduce global state in cmd/bd/main.go (25+ variables)

Code health review found main.go has 25+ global variables (lines 57-112):

- dbPath, actor, store, jsonOutput, daemonClient, noDaemon
- rootCtx, rootCancel, autoFlushEnabled
- isDirty (marked 'USED BY LEGACY CODE')
- needsFullExport (marked 'USED BY LEGACY CODE')
- flushTimer (marked 'DEPRECATED')
- flushMutex, storeMutex, storeActive
- flushFailureCount, lastFlushError, flushManager
- skipFinalFlush, autoImportEnabled
- versionUpgradeDetected, previousVersion, upgradeAcknowledged

Impact:
- Hard to test individual commands
- Race conditions possible
- State leakage between commands

Fix: Move toward dependency injection. Remove deprecated variables. Consider cmd/bd/internal package.

COMPLETED: Migration of legacy flush state to FlushManager. The main work (isDirty, needsFullExport, flushTimer) moved to local vars in FlushManager.run() lines 170-173. This fixes the race conditions. Remaining globals are: Cobra flag bindings (standard), runtime state (store, daemonClient - structural), store coordination (storeActive/storeMutex). Future: move error tracking to FlushManager, create cmd/bd/internal for encapsulation.


Make merge requests ephemeral wisps instead of permanent issues

## Problem

Merge requests (MRs) are currently created as regular beads issues (type: merge-request). This means they:
- Sync to JSONL and propagate via git
- Accumulate in the issue database indefinitely
- Clutter `bd list` output with closed MRs
- Create permanent records for inherently transient artifacts

MRs are process artifacts, not work products. They exist briefly while code awaits merge, then their purpose is fulfilled. The git merge commit and GitHub PR (if applicable) provide the permanent audit trail - the beads MR is redundant.

## Proposed Solution

Make MRs ephemeral wisps that exist only during the merge process:

1. **Create MRs as wisps**: When a polecat completes work and requests merge, create the MR in `.beads-wisp/` instead of `.beads/`

2. **Refinery visibility**: This works because all clones within a rig share the same database:
   ```
   beads/              ← Rig root
   ├── .beads/         ← Permanent issues (synced to JSONL)
   ├── .beads-wisp/    ← Ephemeral wisps (NOT synced)
   ├── crew/dave/      ← Uses rig's shared DB
   ├── polecats/*/     ← Uses rig's shared DB
   └── refinery/       ← Uses rig's shared DB
   ```
   The refinery can see wisp MRs immediately - same SQLite database.

3. **On merge completion**: Burn the wisp (delete without digest). The git merge commit IS the permanent record. No digest needed since:
   - Digest wouldn't be smaller than the MR itself (~200-300 bytes either way)
   - Git history provides complete audit trail
   - GitHub PR (if used) provides discussion/approval record

4. **On merge rejection/abandonment**: Burn the wisp. Optionally notify the source polecat via mail.

## Benefits

- **Clean JSONL**: MRs never pollute the permanent issue history
- **No accumulation**: Wisps are burned on completion, no cleanup needed
- **Correct semantics**: Wisps are for "operational ephemera" - MRs fit perfectly
- **Reduced sync churn**: Fewer JSONL updates, faster `bd sync`
- **Cleaner queries**: `bd list` shows work items, not process artifacts

## Implementation Notes

### Where MRs are created

Currently MRs are created by the witness or polecat when work is ready for merge. This code needs to:
- Set `wisp: true` on the MR issue
- Or use a dedicated wisp creation path

### Refinery changes

The refinery queries for pending MRs to process. It needs to:
- Query wisp storage as well as (or instead of) permanent storage
- Use `bd mol burn` or equivalent to delete processed MRs

### What about cross-rig MRs?

If an MR needs to be visible outside the rig (e.g., external collaborators):
- They would see the GitHub PR anyway
- Or we could create a permanent "merge completed" notification issue
- But this is likely unnecessary - MRs are internal coordination

### Migration

Existing MRs in permanent storage:
- Can be cleaned up with `bd cleanup` or manual deletion
- Or left to age out naturally
- No migration of open MRs needed (they'll complete under old system

## Alternatives Considered

1. **Auto-cleanup of closed MRs**: Keep MRs as permanent issues but auto-delete after 24h. Simpler but still creates sync churn and temporary JSONL pollution.

2. **MRs as mail only**: Polecat sends mail to refinery with merge details, no MR issue at all. Loses queryability (bd-801b [P2] [merge-request] closed - Merge: bd-bqcc
bd-pvu0 [P2] [merge-request] closed - Merge: bd-4opy
bd-i0rx [P2] [merge-request] closed - Merge: bd-ao0s
bd-u0sb [P2] [merge-request] closed - Merge: bd-uqfn
bd-8e0q [P2] [merge-request] closed - Merge: beads-ocs
bd-hvng [P2] [merge-request] closed - Merge: bd-w193
bd-4sfl [P2] [merge-request] closed - Merge: bd-14ie
bd-sumr [P2] [merge-request] closed - Merge: bd-t4sb
bd-3x9o [P2] [merge-request] closed - Merge: bd-by0d
bd-whgv [P2] [merge-request] closed - Merge: bd-401h
bd-f3ll [P2] [merge-request] closed - Merge: bd-ot0w
bd-fmdy [P3] [merge-request] closed - Merge: bd-kzda).

3. **Separate merge queue**: Refinery maintains internal state for pending merges, not in beads at all. Clean but requires new infrastructure.

Wisps are the cleanest solution - they already exist, have the right semantics, and require minimal changes.

## Related

- Wisp architecture:
- Current MR creation: witness/refinery code paths
- bd-pvu0, bd-801b: Example MRs currently in permanent storage
EOF
)


Update .claude-plugin/plugin.json to 0.30.4

Update version field in .claude-plugin/plugin.json:
```json
"version": "0.30.4"
```

```verify
jq -e '.version == "0.30.4"' .claude-plugin/plugin.json
```


Support redirect files in .beads/ directory

Gas Town creates polecat worktrees with .beads/redirect files that point to a shared beads database. The bd CLI should:

1. When finding a .beads/ directory, check if it contains a 'redirect' file
2. If redirect exists, read the relative path and use that as the beads directory
3. This allows multiple git worktrees to share a single beads database

Example:
- polecats/alpha/.beads/redirect contains '../../mayor/rig/.beads'
- bd commands from alpha should use mayor/rig/.beads

Currently bd ignores redirect files and either uses the local .beads/ or walks up to find a parent .beads/.

Related: gt-nriy (test message that can't be retrieved due to missing redirect support)


Phase 1.3: Basic TOON read/write operations

Add basic TOON read/write operations to bdt executable. Implement create, list, and show commands that use the internal/toon package for encoding/decoding to TOON format.

## Subtasks
1. Implement bdt create command - Create issues and serialize to TOON format
2. Implement bdt list command - Read issues.toon and display all issues
3. Implement bdt show command - Display single issue by ID
4. Add file I/O operations for issues.toon
5. Integrate internal/toon package (EncodeTOON, DecodeJSON)
6. Write tests for create, list, show operations

## Files to Create/Modify
- cmd/bdt/create.go - Create command
- cmd/bdt/list.go - List command
- cmd/bdt/show.go - Show command
- cmd/bdt/storage.go - File I/O helper

## Success Criteria
- bdt create "Issue title" creates and saves to issues.toon
- bdt list displays all issues in human-readable format
- bdt list --json shows JSON output
- bdt show <id> displays single issue
- Issues round-trip correctly: create → list → show
- All tests passing with >80% coverage


Fix --as flag: uses title instead of ID in mol bond

In bondProtoProto, the --as flag is documented as 'Custom ID for compound proto' but the implementation uses it as the title, not the issue ID.

**Current behavior (mol.go:637-638):**
```go
if customID != '' {
    compoundTitle = customID  // Used as title, not ID
}
```

**Options:**
1. Change flag description to say 'Custom title' (documentation fix)
2. Actually use it as a custom ID prefix or full ID (feature change)
3. Add separate --title flag and make --as actually set ID

Recommend option 1 for simplest fix - change 'Custom ID' to 'Custom title' in the flag description.


GetBlockedIssues shows external deps as blocking even when satisfied

GetBlockedIssues (ready.go:385-493) shows external:* refs in the blocked_by list but doesn't check if they're actually satisfied using CheckExternalDep.

This can be confusing - an issue shows as blocked by external:project:capability even if that capability has been shipped (closed issue with provides: label exists).

Options:
1. Call CheckExternalDep for each external ref and filter satisfied ones from blocked_by
2. Add a note in output indicating external deps need lazy resolution
3. Document this is expected behavior (bd blocked shows all deps, bd ready shows resolved state)

Related: GetReadyWork correctly filters by external deps, but GetBlockedIssues doesn't.


Replace map[string]interface{} with typed JSON response structs

Many CLI commands use map[string]interface{} for JSON output which loses type safety and compile-time error detection.

Files with map[string]interface{}:
- cmd/bd/compact.go (10+ instances)
- cmd/bd/cleanup.go
- cmd/bd/daemons.go
- cmd/bd/daemon_lifecycle.go

Example fix:
```go
// Before
result := map[string]interface{}{
    "status": "ok",
    "count": 42,
}

// After
type CompactResponse struct {
    Status string `json:"status"`
    Count  int    `json:"count"`
}
result := CompactResponse{Status: "ok", Count: 42}
```

Benefits:
- Compile-time type checking
- IDE autocompletion
- Easier refactoring
- Self-documenting API


Update integrations/beads-mcp/pyproject.toml to 0.30.4

Update version in pyproject.toml:
```toml
version = "0.30.4"
```

```verify
grep -q 'version = "0.30.4"' integrations/beads-mcp/pyproject.toml
```


Add .beads-backup-* pattern to gitignore template

Update the gitignore template in doctor package to include backup directories.

## Change
Add `.beads-backup-*/` to the GitignoreTemplate in `cmd/bd/doctor/gitignore.go`

## Why
Backup directories created by `bd reset --backup` should not be committed to git.
They are local-only recovery tools.

## File
`cmd/bd/doctor/gitignore.go` - look for GitignoreTemplate constant


Add 'bd where' command to show active beads location

## Problem

When using redirects, it's unclear which beads database is actually being used. This caused debugging confusion during the v0.39.0 release.

## Proposed Solution

Add `bd where` command:

```bash
bd where
# → /Users/stevey/gt/beads/mayor/rig/.beads (via redirect from crew/dave/.beads)

bd where --json
# → {"path": "...", "redirected_from": "...", "prefix": "bd"}
```

## Alternatives Considered

- `bd info --beads-path` - but `bd where` is more discoverable
- Just fix the UX so it's never confusing - defense in depth is better

## Desire Paths

This supports the 'desire paths' design principle: make the system's behavior visible so agents can debug and understand it.


Gate eval: Consider rate limiting for GitHub API calls

Each gate evaluation makes a network call to GitHub API via gh CLI. With many gates, this could hit API rate limits.

Future improvements:
1. Batch queries where possible
2. Add caching with TTL for recently-checked gates
3. Exponential backoff on rate limit errors

Low priority - unlikely to be an issue until we have many concurrent gates.


Migrate sort.Slice to slices.SortFunc

Go 1.21+ provides slices.SortFunc which is cleaner and slightly faster than sort.Slice.

Found 15+ instances of sort.Slice in:
- cmd/bd/autoflush.go
- cmd/bd/count.go
- cmd/bd/daemon_sync.go
- cmd/bd/doctor.go
- cmd/bd/export.go
- cmd/bd/import.go
- cmd/bd/integrity.go
- cmd/bd/jira.go
- cmd/bd/list.go
- cmd/bd/migrate_hash_ids.go
- cmd/bd/rename_prefix.go
- cmd/bd/show.go

Example migration:
```go
// Before
sort.Slice(issues, func(i, j int) bool {
    return issues[i].Priority < issues[j].Priority
})

// After
slices.SortFunc(issues, func(a, b *types.Issue) int {
    return cmp.Compare(a.Priority, b.Priority)
})
```

Benefits:
- Cleaner 3-way comparison
- Slightly better performance
- Modern idiomatic Go


Commit release

git add -A && git commit -m 'release: v{{version}}'


Improve clean vs cleanup command naming/documentation

Clarify the difference between bd clean and bd cleanup to reduce user confusion.

**Current state:**
- bd clean: Remove temporary artifacts (.beads/bd.sock, logs, etc.)
- bd cleanup: Delete old closed issues from database

**Options:**
1. Rename for clarity:
   - bd clean → bd clean-temp
   - bd cleanup → bd cleanup-issues

2. Keep names but improve help text and documentation

3. Add prominent warnings in help output

**Preferred approach:** Option 2 (improve documentation)
- Update short/long descriptions in commands
- Add examples to help text
- Update README.md
- Add cross-references in help output

**Files to modify:**
- cmd/bd/clean.go
- cmd/bd/cleanup.go
- README.md or ADVANCED.md


Beads commands operate on stale database without warning

All beads read operations should validate database is in sync with JSONL before proceeding.

**Current Behavior:**
- Commands can query/read from stale database
- Only mutation operations (like 'bd sync') check if JSONL is newer
- User gets incorrect results without realizing database is out of sync

**Expected Behavior:**
- All beads commands should have pre-flight check for database freshness
- If JSONL is newer than database, refuse to operate with error: "Database out of sync. Run 'bd import' first."
- Same safety check that exists for 'bd sync' should apply to ALL operations

**Impact:**
- Users make decisions based on incomplete/outdated data
- Silent failures lead to confusion (e.g., thinking issues don't exist when they do)
- Similar to running git commands on stale repo without being warned to pull

**Example:**
- Searched for bd-g9eu issue file: not found
- Issue exists in .beads/issues.jsonl (in git)
- Database was stale, but no warning was given
- Led to incorrect conclusion that issue was already closed/deleted

## Implementation Complete

**Phase 1: Created staleness check (cmd/bd/staleness.go)**
- ensureDatabaseFresh() function checks JSONL mtime vs last_import_time
- Returns error with helpful message when database is stale
- Auto-skips in daemon mode (daemon has auto-import)

**Phase 2: Added to all read commands**
- list, show, ready, status, stale, info, duplicates, validate
- Check runs before database queries in direct mode
- Daemon mode already protected via checkAndAutoImportIfStale()

**Phase 3: Code Review Findings**
See follow-up issues:
- bd-XXXX: Add warning when staleness check errors
- bd-YYYY: Improve CheckStaleness error handling
- bd-ZZZZ: Refactor redundant daemon checks (low priority)

**Testing:**
- Build successful: go build ./cmd/bd
- Binary works: ./bd --version
- Ready for manual testing

**Next Steps:**
1. Test with stale database scenario
2. Implement review improvements
3. Close issue when tests pass


Protect pinned issues from bd cleanup/compact

Update bd cleanup and bd compact to never delete pinned issues, even if they are closed. Pinned issues should persist indefinitely as reference material.


gt swarm dispatch command not working

The 'gt swarm dispatch' command shown in help doesn't appear to work as expected.

**Observed:**
```
$ gt swarm dispatch bd-784c
[prints help text instead of dispatching]
```

**Expected:**
Should dispatch the next ready task from the epic to an available worker.

**Workaround:**
Had to manually use 'gt sling <issue> <polecat>' for each task dispatch.

**Impact:**
- Manual task dispatch defeats swarm automation
- Coordinator has to track which tasks are ready and which polecats are free

**Suggestion:**
Implement or fix 'gt swarm dispatch' to:
1. Find next unassigned task in epic
2. Find idle polecat in swarm
3. Sling task to polecat automatically


Sync race: rebase-based divergence recovery resurrects tombstones

## Problem
When two repos sync simultaneously, tombstones can be resurrected:

1. Repo A deletes issue (creates tombstone), pushes to sync branch
2. Repo B (with 'closed' status) exports and tries to push
3. Push fails (non-fast-forward)
4. fetchAndRebaseInWorktree does git rebase
5. Git rebase applies B's 'closed' patch on top of A's 'tombstone'
6. TEXT-level rebase doesn't invoke beads merge driver
7. 'closed' overwrites 'tombstone' = resurrection

## Root Cause
CommitToSyncBranch uses git rebase for divergence recovery, but rebase is text-level, not content-level. The proper content-level merge in PullFromSyncBranch handles tombstones correctly, but it runs AFTER the problematic push.

## Proposed Fix
Option 1: Don't push in CommitToSyncBranch - let PullFromSyncBranch handle merge+push
Option 2: Replace git rebase with content-level merge in fetchAndRebaseInWorktree
Option 3: Reorder sync steps: Export → Pull/Merge → Commit → Push

## Workaround Applied
Excluded tombstones from orphan detection warnings (commit 1e97d9cc).

See also: bd-3852 (Add orphan detection migration)


Verify PyPI package

Confirm PyPI package published.

```bash
pip index versions beads-mcp 2>/dev/null | head -3
```

Or check: https://pypi.org/project/beads-mcp/

Should show 0.39.0.


Test Thread

Initial message for threading test


Implement bd mol stale command

Add command to detect complete-but-unclosed molecules.

**Definition of stale:**
A molecule is stale if:
1. All children are closed (Completed >= Total)
2. Root issue is still open
3. Not assigned to anyone
4. Not pinned to any hook
5. AND it's blocking other assigned work (graph pressure)

**Command design:**
```bash
bd mol stale              # List stale mols
bd mol stale --json       # Machine-readable
bd mol stale --blocking   # Only show those blocking other work
bd mol stale --all        # Include orphaned-but-not-blocking
```

**Output:**
```
Stale molecules (complete but unclosed, blocking work):

  bd-xyz  "Version bump v0.36.0"  (blocking: bd-abc, bd-def)
    → Close with: bd close bd-xyz
    → Or squash: bd mol squash bd-xyz

Orphaned molecules (complete but unclosed, not blocking):
  bd-uvw  "Old patrol cycle"
    → Consider: bd mol burn bd-uvw
```

**Implementation:**
1. Query all open issues with children (potential mols)
2. Compute progress for each (Completed vs Total)
3. Filter to complete ones
4. Check assigned_to field
5. Check pinned status (may need gt integration)
6. Check if blocking other assigned work

Does NOT use time-based staleness. Graph pressure only.


Add stale molecule check to bd doctor

Extend bd doctor to detect stale molecules.

**New check:**
- Name: 'Stale Molecules'
- Category: Workflow
- Severity: Warning (don't fail overall check)

**Detection:**
Reuse logic from bd mol stale command:
- Find mols where Completed >= Total but root is open
- Filter to orphaned (not assigned, not pinned)
- Extra weight if blocking other work

**Output:**
```
⚠ Stale Molecules
  Found 2 complete-but-unclosed molecules:
  - bd-xyz: Version bump v0.36.0 (blocking 1 issue)
  - bd-uvw: Old patrol (not blocking)
  Fix: bd close <id> or bd mol squash <id>
```

**--fix behavior:**
- Auto-close stale mols (with reason 'Auto-closed by bd doctor')
- Or prompt interactively with -i flag

Depends on: bd mol stale command


Add tests for dependency management

Key dependency functions like mergeBidirectionalTrees, GetDependencyTree, and DetectCycles have low or no coverage. These are essential for maintaining data integrity in the dependency graph.


Add tests for helper functions (GetDirtyIssueHash, GetAllDependencyRecords, export hashes)

Several utility functions have 0% coverage:
- GetDirtyIssueHash (dirty.go)
- GetAllDependencyRecords (dependencies.go)
- GetExportHash, SetExportHash, ClearAllExportHashes (hash.go)

These are lower priority but should have basic coverage.


Verify npm package

Confirm npm package published.

```bash
npm show @beads/bd version
```

Should show 0.39.0.

Also check: https://www.npmjs.com/package/@beads/bd


Update cmd/bd/version.go to 0.30.4

Update the Version constant in cmd/bd/version.go:
```go
Version = "0.30.4"
```

```verify
grep -q 'Version = "0.30.4"' cmd/bd/version.go
```


Add test files for internal/storage

The internal/storage package has no test files at all. This package provides the storage interface abstraction.

Current coverage: N/A (no test files)
Target: Add basic interface tests


Test actor flag


Push release v{{version}} to remote

Push the commit and tag:

```bash
git push && git push --tags
```

Verify on GitHub that the tag appears in releases.


bd mol bond --pour should set Wisp=false

In mol_bond.go bondProtoMol(), opts.Wisp is hardcoded to true (line 392). This ignores the --pour flag. When user specifies --pour to make an issue persistent, the Wisp field should be false so the issue is not marked for bulk deletion.

Current behavior:
- --pour flag correctly selects regular storage (not wisp storage)
- But opts.Wisp=true means spawned issues are still marked for cleanup when closed

Expected behavior:
- --pour should set Wisp=false so persistent issues are not auto-cleaned

Comparison with mol_spawn.go (line 204):
  wisp := !pour  // Correctly respects --pour flag
  result, err := spawnMolecule(ctx, store, subgraph, vars, assignee, actor, wisp)

Fix: Pass pour flag to bondProtoMol and set opts.Wisp = !pour


Add GetMoleculeProgress RPC endpoint

New RPC endpoint to get detailed progress for a specific molecule. Returns: moleculeID, title, assignee, and list of steps with their status (done/current/ready/blocked), start/close times. Used when user expands a worker in the activity feed TUI.


bd activity: Real-time molecule state feed

Implement activity feed command for watching molecule state transitions.

## Commands
```bash
bd activity --follow              # Real-time streaming
bd activity --mol <id>            # Activity for specific molecule
bd activity --since 5m            # Last 5 minutes
bd activity --type step           # Only step transitions
```

## Output Format
```
[14:32:01] ✓ patrol-x7k.inbox-check completed
[14:32:03] ✓ patrol-x7k.check-refinery completed
[14:32:08] + patrol-x7k.arm-ace bonded (5 steps)
[14:32:09] → patrol-x7k.arm-ace.capture in_progress
[14:32:10] ✓ patrol-x7k.arm-ace.capture completed
[14:32:14] ✓ patrol-x7k.arm-ace.decide completed (action: nudge-1)
[14:32:17] ✓ patrol-x7k.arm-ace COMPLETE
[14:32:23] ✓ patrol-x7k SQUASHED → digest-x7k
```

## Event Types
- `+` bonded - New molecule/step created
- `→` in_progress - Step started
- `✓` completed - Step/molecule finished
- `✗` failed - Step failed
- `⊘` burned - Wisp discarded
- `◉` squashed - Wisp condensed to digest

## Implementation
- Could use SQLite triggers or polling
- --follow uses OS file watching or polling
- Filter by mol ID, type, time range


Review changes since last release

Understand what's being released.

```bash
git log $(git describe --tags --abbrev=0)..HEAD --oneline
```

Categorize changes:
- Features (feat:)
- Fixes (fix:)
- Breaking changes
- Documentation


Consider FTS5 for text search at scale

SearchIssues uses LIKE patterns for text search which can't use indexes.

**Current query (queries.go:1475-1477):**
```sql
(title LIKE ? OR description LIKE ? OR id LIKE ?)
```

**Problem:** Full table scan on every text search. At 100K+ issues, this becomes slow.

**SQLite FTS5 solution:**
```sql
CREATE VIRTUAL TABLE issues_fts USING fts5(
  id, title, description, design, notes,
  content='issues',
  content_rowid='rowid'
);

-- Triggers to keep FTS in sync
CREATE TRIGGER issues_ai AFTER INSERT ON issues BEGIN
  INSERT INTO issues_fts(rowid, id, title, description, design, notes)
  VALUES (new.rowid, new.id, new.title, new.description, new.design, new.notes);
END;
-- (similar for UPDATE, DELETE)
```

**Trade-offs:**
- Database size increase (~30-50% for text content)
- Additional write overhead (trigger execution)
- Better search capabilities (ranking, phrase search)

**Decision needed:** Is full-text search a priority feature? Current LIKE search may be acceptable for most use cases.

**Benchmark first:** Measure SearchIssues at 100K scale before implementing.


Tier 3: AI-powered squash summarization

## Design: Agent-Provided Summarization (Inversion of Control)

bd is a tool FOR agents, not an agent itself. The calling agent provides
the summary; bd just stores it.

### API

```bash
# Agent generates summary, passes to bd
bd mol squash bd-xxx --summary "Agent-generated summary here"

# Without --summary, falls back to basic concatenation
bd mol squash bd-xxx
```

### Gas Town Integration Pattern

```go
// In polecat completion handler or witness
raw := exec.Command("bd", "mol", "show", molID, "--json").Output()
summary := callHaiku(buildSummaryPrompt(raw))  // agent's job
exec.Command("bd", "mol", "squash", molID, "--summary", summary).Run()
```

### Why This Design

| Concern | bd's job | Agent's job |
|---------|----------|-------------|
| Store data | ✅ | |
| Query data | ✅ | |
| Generate summaries | | ✅ |
| Call LLMs | | ✅ |
| Manage API keys | | ✅ |

### Implementation Status

- [x] --summary flag added to bd mol squash
- [x] Tests for agent-provided summary
- [ ] Gas Town integration (separate task)

### Acceptance Criteria

- ✅ bd mol squash --summary uses provided text
- ✅ Without --summary, falls back to concatenation
- ✅ No LLM calls in bd itself