diff --git a/internal/cmd/sling.go b/internal/cmd/sling.go
index 81c0583b..e12c0aec 100644
--- a/internal/cmd/sling.go
+++ b/internal/cmd/sling.go
@@ -130,38 +130,8 @@ func runSling(cmd *cobra.Command, args []string) error {
 
 		// Try as bead first
 		if err := verifyBeadExists(firstArg); err == nil {
-			// It's a bead - check if it's a proto (template) that needs instantiation
-			if isProto, err := isBeadProto(firstArg); err == nil && isProto {
-				// It's a proto - check if we have --var flags
-				if len(slingVars) > 0 {
-					if slingDryRun {
-						// Dry run - just indicate what would happen
-						fmt.Printf("Proto detected, would pour with variables:\n")
-						for _, v := range slingVars {
-							fmt.Printf("  --var %s\n", v)
-						}
-						// Use original proto ID for remaining checks (it won't actually be slung)
-						beadID = firstArg
-					} else {
-						// Auto-pour the proto with variables
-						fmt.Printf("Proto detected, pouring with variables...\n")
-						pouredID, pourErr := pourProtoWithVars(firstArg, slingVars)
-						if pourErr != nil {
-							return fmt.Errorf("auto-pouring proto: %w", pourErr)
-						}
-						fmt.Printf("%s Poured proto %s → %s\n", style.Bold.Render("✓"), firstArg, pouredID)
-						beadID = pouredID
-					}
-				} else {
-					// Proto without --var - warn user about unsubstituted variables
-					fmt.Printf("%s Slinging proto without --var ({{variables}} won't be substituted)\n",
-						style.Dim.Render("Warning:"))
-					beadID = firstArg
-				}
-			} else {
-				// Regular bead (not a proto)
-				beadID = firstArg
-			}
+			// It's a bead
+			beadID = firstArg
 		} else {
 			// Not a bead - try as standalone formula
 			if err := verifyFormulaExists(firstArg); err == nil {
@@ -662,62 +632,3 @@ func runSlingFormula(args []string) error {
 
 	return nil
 }
-
-// isBeadProto checks if a bead has the "template" label (is a proto/molecule template).
-func isBeadProto(beadID string) (bool, error) {
-	cmd := exec.Command("bd", "show", beadID, "--json")
-	out, err := cmd.Output()
-	if err != nil {
-		return false, fmt.Errorf("fetching bead: %w", err)
-	}
-
-	// Parse the bead to check labels
-	var issues []struct {
-		Labels []string `json:"labels"`
-	}
-	if err := json.Unmarshal(out, &issues); err != nil {
-		return false, fmt.Errorf("parsing bead: %w", err)
-	}
-	if len(issues) == 0 {
-		return false, fmt.Errorf("bead not found")
-	}
-
-	// Check for "template" label
-	for _, label := range issues[0].Labels {
-		if label == "template" {
-			return true, nil
-		}
-	}
-	return false, nil
-}
-
-// pourProtoWithVars instantiates a proto with variable substitution.
-// Returns the new molecule ID.
-func pourProtoWithVars(protoID string, vars []string) (string, error) {
-	// Build pour command: bd --no-daemon pour <id> --var key=val --json
-	args := []string{"--no-daemon", "pour", protoID}
-	for _, v := range vars {
-		args = append(args, "--var", v)
-	}
-	args = append(args, "--json")
-
-	cmd := exec.Command("bd", args...)
-	cmd.Stderr = os.Stderr
-	out, err := cmd.Output()
-	if err != nil {
-		return "", fmt.Errorf("bd pour failed: %w", err)
-	}
-
-	// Parse the result to get new_epic_id
-	var result struct {
-		NewEpicID string `json:"new_epic_id"`
-	}
-	if err := json.Unmarshal(out, &result); err != nil {
-		return "", fmt.Errorf("parsing pour output: %w", err)
-	}
-	if result.NewEpicID == "" {
-		return "", fmt.Errorf("pour returned empty new_epic_id")
-	}
-
-	return result.NewEpicID, nil
-}