diff --git a/internal/cmd/polecat.go b/internal/cmd/polecat.go
index cf381d34..c5a844df 100644
--- a/internal/cmd/polecat.go
+++ b/internal/cmd/polecat.go
@@ -147,8 +147,8 @@ var polecatGCCmd = &cobra.Command{
 	Long: `Garbage collect stale polecat branches in a rig.
 
 Polecats use unique timestamped branches (polecat/<name>-<timestamp>) to
-prevent drift issues. Over time, these branches accumulate as polecats
-are recreated.
+prevent drift issues. Over time, these branches accumulate when stale
+polecats are repaired.
 
 This command removes orphaned branches:
   - Branches for polecats that no longer exist
diff --git a/internal/cmd/polecat_spawn.go b/internal/cmd/polecat_spawn.go
index 9d25f17b..879e34a4 100644
--- a/internal/cmd/polecat_spawn.go
+++ b/internal/cmd/polecat_spawn.go
@@ -76,7 +76,7 @@ func SpawnPolecatForSling(rigName string, opts SlingSpawnOptions) (*SpawnedPolec
 	}
 	fmt.Printf("Allocated polecat: %s\n", polecatName)
 
-	// Check if polecat already exists (shouldn't, since we allocated fresh)
+	// Check if polecat already exists (shouldn't happen - indicates stale state needing repair)
 	existingPolecat, err := polecatMgr.Get(polecatName)
 
 	// Build add options with hook_bead set atomically at spawn time
@@ -85,7 +85,7 @@ func SpawnPolecatForSling(rigName string, opts SlingSpawnOptions) (*SpawnedPolec
 	}
 
 	if err == nil {
-		// Exists - recreate with fresh worktree
+		// Stale state: polecat exists despite fresh name allocation - repair it
 		// Check for uncommitted work first
 		if !opts.Force {
 			pGit := git.NewGit(existingPolecat.ClonePath)
@@ -95,9 +95,9 @@ func SpawnPolecatForSling(rigName string, opts SlingSpawnOptions) (*SpawnedPolec
 					polecatName, workStatus.String())
 			}
 		}
-		fmt.Printf("Recreating polecat %s with fresh worktree...\n", polecatName)
-		if _, err = polecatMgr.RecreateWithOptions(polecatName, opts.Force, addOpts); err != nil {
-			return nil, fmt.Errorf("recreating polecat: %w", err)
+		fmt.Printf("Repairing stale polecat %s with fresh worktree...\n", polecatName)
+		if _, err = polecatMgr.RepairWorktreeWithOptions(polecatName, opts.Force, addOpts); err != nil {
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("repairing stale polecat: %w", err)
 		}
 	} else if err == polecat.ErrPolecatNotFound {
 		// Create new polecat
diff --git a/internal/polecat/manager.go b/internal/polecat/manager.go
index 0d0b5cc8..de6e109a 100644
--- a/internal/polecat/manager.go
+++ b/internal/polecat/manager.go
@@ -385,20 +385,24 @@ func (m *Manager) ReleaseName(name string) {
 	_ = m.namePool.Save() // non-fatal: state file update
 }
 
-// Recreate removes an existing polecat and creates a fresh worktree.
-// This ensures the polecat starts with the latest code from the base branch.
-// The name is preserved (not released to pool) since we're recreating immediately.
+// RepairWorktree repairs a stale polecat by removing it and creating a fresh worktree.
+// This is NOT for normal operation - it handles reconciliation when AllocateName
+// returns a name that unexpectedly already exists (stale state recovery).
+//
+// The polecat starts with the latest code from origin/<default-branch>.
+// The name is preserved (not released to pool) since we're repairing immediately.
 // force controls whether to bypass uncommitted changes check.
 //
-// Branch naming: Each recreation gets a unique branch (polecat/<name>-<timestamp>).
+// Branch naming: Each repair gets a unique branch (polecat/<name>-<timestamp>).
 // Old branches are left for garbage collection - they're never pushed to origin.
-func (m *Manager) Recreate(name string, force bool) (*Polecat, error) {
-	return m.RecreateWithOptions(name, force, AddOptions{})
+func (m *Manager) RepairWorktree(name string, force bool) (*Polecat, error) {
+	return m.RepairWorktreeWithOptions(name, force, AddOptions{})
 }
 
-// RecreateWithOptions removes an existing polecat and creates a fresh worktree with options.
-// This allows setting hook_bead atomically at recreation time.
-func (m *Manager) RecreateWithOptions(name string, force bool, opts AddOptions) (*Polecat, error) {
+// RepairWorktreeWithOptions repairs a stale polecat and creates a fresh worktree with options.
+// This is NOT for normal operation - see RepairWorktree for context.
+// Allows setting hook_bead atomically at repair time.
+func (m *Manager) RepairWorktreeWithOptions(name string, force bool, opts AddOptions) (*Polecat, error) {
 	if !m.exists(name) {
 		return nil, ErrPolecatNotFound
 	}