diff --git a/.beads/formulas/mol-witness-patrol.formula.toml b/.beads/formulas/mol-witness-patrol.formula.toml
index 1eecbbde..d6fa3fb6 100644
--- a/.beads/formulas/mol-witness-patrol.formula.toml
+++ b/.beads/formulas/mol-witness-patrol.formula.toml
@@ -46,11 +46,25 @@ Create a cleanup wisp for this polecat:
 ```bash
 bd create --wisp --title "cleanup:<polecat>" \
   --description "Verify and cleanup polecat <name>" \
-  --labels cleanup,polecat:<name>
+  --labels cleanup,polecat:<name>,state:pending
 ```
 The wisp's existence IS the pending cleanup. Process in next step.
 Mark mail as read.
 
+**MERGED**:
+A branch was merged successfully. Complete the cleanup.
+```bash
+# Find the cleanup wisp for this polecat
+bd list --wisp --labels=polecat:<name>,state:merge-requested --status=open
+
+# If found, proceed with polecat removal
+gt session kill <rig>/polecats/<name>
+
+# Burn the cleanup wisp
+bd close <wisp-id>
+```
+Mark mail as read.
+
 **HELP / Blocked**:
 Assess the request. Can you help? If not, escalate to Mayor:
 ```bash
@@ -72,7 +86,9 @@ Find and process cleanup wisps (the finalizer pattern).
 bd list --wisp --labels=cleanup --status=open
 ```
 
-For each cleanup wisp:
+For each cleanup wisp, check its state label:
+
+## State: pending (needs verification → MERGE_READY)
 
 1. **Extract polecat name** from wisp title/labels
 
@@ -80,26 +96,43 @@ For each cleanup wisp:
 ```bash
 cd polecats/<name>
 git status                    # Must be clean
-git log origin/main..HEAD     # No unpushed commits
+git log origin/main..HEAD     # Commits should be pushed
 bd show <assigned-issue>      # Issue closed or deferred
 ```
 
-3. **Verify productive work** (ZFC - you make the call):
+3. **Get branch and issue info**:
+```bash
+# Get current branch
+git rev-parse --abbrev-ref HEAD
+
+# Get the hook_bead from agent bead
+bd show <agent-bead>   # Look for hook_bead field
+```
+
+4. **Verify productive work** (ZFC - you make the call):
    - Check git log for commits mentioning the issue
    - Legitimate exceptions: already fixed, duplicate, deferred
    - If closing as 'done' with no commits, flag for review
 
-4. **If clean**: Execute cleanup
+5. **If clean**: Send MERGE_READY to refinery
 ```bash
-gt session kill <rig>/polecats/<name>
-# Worktree removal handled by session kill
+gt mail send <rig>/refinery -s "MERGE_READY <polecat>" -m "Branch: <branch>
+Issue: <issue-id>
+Polecat: <polecat>
+Verified: clean git state, issue closed"
 ```
-Then burn the cleanup wisp:
+Then update the wisp to merge-requested state:
 ```bash
-bd close <wisp-id>   # or bd burn <wisp-id>
+bd update <wisp-id> --labels cleanup,polecat:<name>,state:merge-requested
 ```
+**Do NOT kill the polecat yet** - wait for MERGED confirmation from refinery.
 
-5. **If dirty**: Leave wisp open, log the issue, retry next cycle.
+6. **If dirty**: Leave wisp open, log the issue, retry next cycle.
+
+## State: merge-requested (waiting for refinery)
+
+Skip - waiting for MERGED mail from refinery. The inbox-check step handles
+MERGED messages and completes these cleanup wisps.
 
 **Parallelism**: Use Task tool subagents to process multiple cleanups concurrently.
 Each cleanup is independent - perfect for parallel execution."""
@@ -155,7 +188,7 @@ Each polecat agent bead has fields in its description:
 | running | Actively working | Check progress (Step 3) |
 | idle | No work assigned | Skip (no action needed) |
 | stuck | Self-reported stuck | Handle stuck protocol |
-| done | Work complete | Verify cleanup triggered |
+| done | Work complete | Verify cleanup triggered (see Step 4a) |
 
 **Step 3: For running polecats, assess progress**
 
@@ -182,7 +215,27 @@ Look for:
 | agent_state=running, idle 5-15 min | Gentle nudge |
 | agent_state=running, idle 15+ min | Direct nudge with deadline |
 | agent_state=stuck | Assess and help or escalate |
-| agent_state=done, cleanup pending | Verify cleanup wisp exists |
+| agent_state=done | Verify cleanup triggered (see Step 4a) |
+
+**Step 4a: Handle agent_state=done**
+
+Check if a cleanup wisp exists for this polecat:
+```bash
+bd list --wisp --labels=polecat:<name> --status=open
+```
+
+If cleanup wisp exists:
+- state:pending → Will be processed in process-cleanups
+- state:merge-requested → Waiting for refinery MERGED response
+
+If NO cleanup wisp exists (POLECAT_DONE mail missed):
+Create one to trigger the cleanup flow:
+```bash
+bd create --wisp --title "cleanup:<polecat>" \
+  --description "Discovered done polecat without cleanup wisp" \
+  --labels cleanup,polecat:<name>,state:pending
+```
+This ensures done polecats eventually get cleaned up even if mail was lost.
 
 **Step 5: Execute nudges**
 ```bash