diff --git a/internal/beads/beads.go b/internal/beads/beads.go
index c1811e22..1ec4f2f6 100644
--- a/internal/beads/beads.go
+++ b/internal/beads/beads.go
@@ -387,6 +387,25 @@ func (b *Beads) CloseWithReason(reason string, ids ...string) error {
 	return err
 }
 
+// Pin pins an issue to an agent's hook.
+// This sets the pinned boolean field and optionally the assignee.
+// If agent is empty, only sets the pinned field.
+func (b *Beads) Pin(id string, agent string) error {
+	args := []string{"--no-daemon", "pin", id}
+	if agent != "" {
+		args = append(args, "--for="+agent)
+	}
+	_, err := b.run(args...)
+	return err
+}
+
+// Unpin removes the pinned flag from an issue.
+func (b *Beads) Unpin(id string) error {
+	args := []string{"unpin", id, "--json"}
+	_, err := b.run(args...)
+	return err
+}
+
 // Release moves an in_progress issue back to open status.
 // This is used to recover stuck steps when a worker dies mid-task.
 // It clears the assignee so the step can be claimed by another worker.
diff --git a/internal/cmd/sling.go b/internal/cmd/sling.go
index 73614bcf..5e34cd54 100644
--- a/internal/cmd/sling.go
+++ b/internal/cmd/sling.go
@@ -1057,11 +1057,21 @@ func pinToHook(beadsPath, agentAddress, issueID string, moleculeCtx *MoleculeCon
 		attachedMolecule = moleculeCtx.RootIssueID
 	}
 
-	// Attach molecule to handoff bead
+	// Attach molecule to handoff bead (stores in description)
 	_, err = b.AttachMolecule(handoff.ID, attachedMolecule)
 	if err != nil {
 		return fmt.Errorf("attaching molecule: %w", err)
 	}
 
+	// Also pin the work issue itself to the agent
+	// This sets the pinned boolean field AND assignee so bd hook can find it
+	// NOTE: There's a known issue (gt-o3is) where bd pin via subprocess doesn't
+	// actually set the pinned field, even though it reports success.
+	if err := b.Pin(attachedMolecule, role); err != nil {
+		// Non-fatal - the handoff bead attachment is the primary mechanism
+		// This just enables bd hook visibility
+		fmt.Printf("  %s pin work issue: %v\n", style.Dim.Render("Note: could not"), err)
+	}
+
 	return nil
 }