diff --git a/internal/cmd/formula.go b/internal/cmd/formula.go
index 7fe6f8b4..dfd01264 100644
--- a/internal/cmd/formula.go
+++ b/internal/cmd/formula.go
@@ -2,6 +2,8 @@ package cmd
 
 import (
 	"bufio"
+	"crypto/rand"
+	"encoding/base32"
 	"fmt"
 	"os"
 	"os/exec"
@@ -185,10 +187,24 @@ func runFormulaShow(cmd *cobra.Command, args []string) error {
 	return bdCmd.Run()
 }
 
-// runFormulaRun executes a formula
+// runFormulaRun executes a formula by spawning a convoy of polecats.
+// For convoy-type formulas, it creates a convoy bead, creates leg beads,
+// and slings each leg to a separate polecat with leg-specific prompts.
 func runFormulaRun(cmd *cobra.Command, args []string) error {
 	formulaName := args[0]
 
+	// Find the formula file
+	formulaPath, err := findFormulaFile(formulaName)
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("finding formula: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	// Parse the formula
+	f, err := parseFormulaFile(formulaPath)
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("parsing formula: %w", err)
+	}
+
 	// Determine target rig
 	targetRig := formulaRunRig
 	if targetRig == "" {
@@ -205,35 +221,470 @@ func runFormulaRun(cmd *cobra.Command, args []string) error {
 		}
 	}
 
+	// Handle dry-run mode
 	if formulaRunDryRun {
-		fmt.Printf("%s Would execute formula:\n", style.Dim.Render("[dry-run]"))
-		fmt.Printf("  Formula: %s\n", style.Bold.Render(formulaName))
-		fmt.Printf("  Rig:     %s\n", targetRig)
-		if formulaRunPR > 0 {
-			fmt.Printf("  PR:      #%d\n", formulaRunPR)
-		}
+		return dryRunFormula(f, formulaName, targetRig)
+	}
+
+	// Currently only convoy formulas are supported for execution
+	if f.Type != "convoy" {
+		fmt.Printf("%s Formula type '%s' not yet supported for execution.\n",
+			style.Dim.Render("Note:"), f.Type)
+		fmt.Printf("Currently only 'convoy' formulas can be run.\n")
+		fmt.Printf("\nTo run '%s' manually:\n", formulaName)
+		fmt.Printf("  1. View formula:   gt formula show %s\n", formulaName)
+		fmt.Printf("  2. Cook to proto:  bd cook %s\n", formulaName)
+		fmt.Printf("  3. Pour molecule:  bd pour %s\n", formulaName)
+		fmt.Printf("  4. Sling to rig:   gt sling <mol-id> %s\n", targetRig)
 		return nil
 	}
 
-	// For now, provide instructions on how to execute manually
-	// TODO: Full implementation in gt-574qn (Formula execution: Spawn convoy from formula)
-	fmt.Printf("Formula execution is being implemented.\n\n")
-	fmt.Printf("To run '%s' manually:\n", formulaName)
-	fmt.Printf("  1. View formula:   bd formula show %s\n", formulaName)
-	fmt.Printf("  2. Cook to proto:  bd cook %s\n", formulaName)
-	fmt.Printf("  3. Pour molecule:  bd pour %s\n", formulaName)
-	fmt.Printf("  4. Sling to rig:   gt sling <mol-id> %s\n", targetRig)
+	// Execute convoy formula
+	return executeConvoyFormula(f, formulaName, targetRig)
+}
 
+// dryRunFormula shows what would happen without executing
+func dryRunFormula(f *formulaData, formulaName, targetRig string) error {
+	fmt.Printf("%s Would execute formula:\n", style.Dim.Render("[dry-run]"))
+	fmt.Printf("  Formula: %s\n", style.Bold.Render(formulaName))
+	fmt.Printf("  Type:    %s\n", f.Type)
+	fmt.Printf("  Rig:     %s\n", targetRig)
 	if formulaRunPR > 0 {
-		fmt.Printf("\n  For PR #%d, set variable: --var pr=%d\n", formulaRunPR, formulaRunPR)
+		fmt.Printf("  PR:      #%d\n", formulaRunPR)
 	}
 
-	fmt.Printf("\n%s Full automation coming in gt-574qn\n",
-		style.Dim.Render("Note:"))
+	if f.Type == "convoy" && len(f.Legs) > 0 {
+		fmt.Printf("\n  Legs (%d parallel):\n", len(f.Legs))
+		for _, leg := range f.Legs {
+			fmt.Printf("    • %s: %s\n", leg.ID, leg.Title)
+		}
+		if f.Synthesis != nil {
+			fmt.Printf("\n  Synthesis:\n")
+			fmt.Printf("    • %s\n", f.Synthesis.Title)
+		}
+	}
 
 	return nil
 }
 
+// executeConvoyFormula spawns a convoy of polecats to execute a convoy formula
+func executeConvoyFormula(f *formulaData, formulaName, targetRig string) error {
+	fmt.Printf("%s Executing convoy formula: %s\n\n",
+		style.Bold.Render("🚚"), formulaName)
+
+	// Get town beads directory for convoy creation
+	townRoot, err := workspace.FindFromCwd()
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("finding town root: %w", err)
+	}
+	townBeads := filepath.Join(townRoot, ".beads")
+
+	// Step 1: Create convoy bead
+	convoyID := fmt.Sprintf("hq-cv-%s", generateFormulaShortID())
+	convoyTitle := fmt.Sprintf("%s: %s", formulaName, f.Description)
+	if len(convoyTitle) > 80 {
+		convoyTitle = convoyTitle[:77] + "..."
+	}
+
+	// Build description with formula context
+	description := fmt.Sprintf("Formula convoy: %s\n\nLegs: %d\nRig: %s",
+		formulaName, len(f.Legs), targetRig)
+	if formulaRunPR > 0 {
+		description += fmt.Sprintf("\nPR: #%d", formulaRunPR)
+	}
+
+	createArgs := []string{
+		"create",
+		"--type=convoy",
+		"--id=" + convoyID,
+		"--title=" + convoyTitle,
+		"--description=" + description,
+	}
+
+	createCmd := exec.Command("bd", createArgs...)
+	createCmd.Dir = townBeads
+	createCmd.Stderr = os.Stderr
+	if err := createCmd.Run(); err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("creating convoy bead: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	fmt.Printf("%s Created convoy: %s\n", style.Bold.Render("✓"), convoyID)
+
+	// Step 2: Create leg beads and track them
+	legBeads := make(map[string]string) // leg.ID -> bead ID
+	for _, leg := range f.Legs {
+		legBeadID := fmt.Sprintf("hq-leg-%s", generateFormulaShortID())
+
+		// Build leg description with prompt if available
+		legDesc := leg.Description
+		if f.Prompts != nil {
+			if basePrompt, ok := f.Prompts["base"]; ok {
+				legDesc = fmt.Sprintf("%s\n\n---\nBase Prompt:\n%s", leg.Description, basePrompt)
+			}
+		}
+
+		legArgs := []string{
+			"create",
+			"--type=task",
+			"--id=" + legBeadID,
+			"--title=" + leg.Title,
+			"--description=" + legDesc,
+		}
+
+		legCmd := exec.Command("bd", legArgs...)
+		legCmd.Dir = townBeads
+		legCmd.Stderr = os.Stderr
+		if err := legCmd.Run(); err != nil {
+			fmt.Printf("%s Failed to create leg bead for %s: %v\n",
+				style.Dim.Render("Warning:"), leg.ID, err)
+			continue
+		}
+
+		// Track the leg with the convoy
+		trackArgs := []string{"dep", "add", convoyID, legBeadID, "--type=tracks"}
+		trackCmd := exec.Command("bd", trackArgs...)
+		trackCmd.Dir = townBeads
+		if err := trackCmd.Run(); err != nil {
+			fmt.Printf("%s Failed to track leg %s: %v\n",
+				style.Dim.Render("Warning:"), leg.ID, err)
+		}
+
+		legBeads[leg.ID] = legBeadID
+		fmt.Printf("  %s Created leg: %s (%s)\n", style.Dim.Render("○"), leg.ID, legBeadID)
+	}
+
+	// Step 3: Create synthesis bead if defined
+	var synthesisBeadID string
+	if f.Synthesis != nil {
+		synthesisBeadID = fmt.Sprintf("hq-syn-%s", generateFormulaShortID())
+
+		synDesc := f.Synthesis.Description
+		if synDesc == "" {
+			synDesc = "Synthesize findings from all legs into unified output"
+		}
+
+		synArgs := []string{
+			"create",
+			"--type=task",
+			"--id=" + synthesisBeadID,
+			"--title=" + f.Synthesis.Title,
+			"--description=" + synDesc,
+		}
+
+		synCmd := exec.Command("bd", synArgs...)
+		synCmd.Dir = townBeads
+		synCmd.Stderr = os.Stderr
+		if err := synCmd.Run(); err != nil {
+			fmt.Printf("%s Failed to create synthesis bead: %v\n",
+				style.Dim.Render("Warning:"), err)
+		} else {
+			// Track synthesis with convoy
+			trackArgs := []string{"dep", "add", convoyID, synthesisBeadID, "--type=tracks"}
+			trackCmd := exec.Command("bd", trackArgs...)
+			trackCmd.Dir = townBeads
+			_ = trackCmd.Run()
+
+			// Add dependencies: synthesis depends on all legs
+			for _, legBeadID := range legBeads {
+				depArgs := []string{"dep", "add", synthesisBeadID, legBeadID}
+				depCmd := exec.Command("bd", depArgs...)
+				depCmd.Dir = townBeads
+				_ = depCmd.Run()
+			}
+
+			fmt.Printf("  %s Created synthesis: %s\n", style.Dim.Render("★"), synthesisBeadID)
+		}
+	}
+
+	// Step 4: Sling each leg to a polecat
+	fmt.Printf("\n%s Dispatching legs to polecats...\n\n", style.Bold.Render("→"))
+
+	slingCount := 0
+	for _, leg := range f.Legs {
+		legBeadID, ok := legBeads[leg.ID]
+		if !ok {
+			continue
+		}
+
+		// Build context message for the polecat
+		contextMsg := fmt.Sprintf("Convoy leg: %s\nFocus: %s", leg.Title, leg.Focus)
+
+		// Use gt sling with args for leg-specific context
+		slingArgs := []string{
+			"sling", legBeadID, targetRig,
+			"-a", leg.Description,
+			"-s", leg.Title,
+		}
+
+		slingCmd := exec.Command("gt", slingArgs...)
+		slingCmd.Stdout = os.Stdout
+		slingCmd.Stderr = os.Stderr
+
+		if err := slingCmd.Run(); err != nil {
+			fmt.Printf("%s Failed to sling leg %s: %v\n",
+				style.Dim.Render("Warning:"), leg.ID, err)
+			// Add comment to bead about failure
+			commentArgs := []string{"comment", legBeadID, fmt.Sprintf("Failed to sling: %v", err)}
+			commentCmd := exec.Command("bd", commentArgs...)
+			commentCmd.Dir = townBeads
+			_ = commentCmd.Run()
+			continue
+		}
+
+		slingCount++
+		_ = contextMsg // Used in future for richer context
+	}
+
+	// Summary
+	fmt.Printf("\n%s Convoy dispatched!\n", style.Bold.Render("✓"))
+	fmt.Printf("  Convoy:  %s\n", convoyID)
+	fmt.Printf("  Legs:    %d dispatched\n", slingCount)
+	if synthesisBeadID != "" {
+		fmt.Printf("  Synthesis: %s (blocked until legs complete)\n", synthesisBeadID)
+	}
+	fmt.Printf("\n  Track progress: gt convoy status %s\n", convoyID)
+
+	return nil
+}
+
+// formulaData holds parsed formula information
+type formulaData struct {
+	Name        string
+	Description string
+	Type        string
+	Legs        []formulaLeg
+	Synthesis   *formulaSynthesis
+	Prompts     map[string]string
+}
+
+type formulaLeg struct {
+	ID          string
+	Title       string
+	Focus       string
+	Description string
+}
+
+type formulaSynthesis struct {
+	Title       string
+	Description string
+	DependsOn   []string
+}
+
+// findFormulaFile searches for a formula file by name
+func findFormulaFile(name string) (string, error) {
+	// Search paths in order
+	searchPaths := []string{}
+
+	// 1. Project .beads/formulas/
+	if cwd, err := os.Getwd(); err == nil {
+		searchPaths = append(searchPaths, filepath.Join(cwd, ".beads", "formulas"))
+	}
+
+	// 2. Town .beads/formulas/
+	if townRoot, err := workspace.FindFromCwd(); err == nil {
+		searchPaths = append(searchPaths, filepath.Join(townRoot, ".beads", "formulas"))
+	}
+
+	// 3. User ~/.beads/formulas/
+	if home, err := os.UserHomeDir(); err == nil {
+		searchPaths = append(searchPaths, filepath.Join(home, ".beads", "formulas"))
+	}
+
+	// Try each path with common extensions
+	extensions := []string{".formula.toml", ".formula.json"}
+	for _, basePath := range searchPaths {
+		for _, ext := range extensions {
+			path := filepath.Join(basePath, name+ext)
+			if _, err := os.Stat(path); err == nil {
+				return path, nil
+			}
+		}
+	}
+
+	return "", fmt.Errorf("formula '%s' not found in search paths", name)
+}
+
+// parseFormulaFile parses a formula file into formulaData
+func parseFormulaFile(path string) (*formulaData, error) {
+	data, err := os.ReadFile(path)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+
+	// Use simple TOML parsing for the fields we need
+	// (avoids importing the full formula package which might cause cycles)
+	f := &formulaData{
+		Prompts: make(map[string]string),
+	}
+
+	content := string(data)
+
+	// Parse formula name
+	if match := extractTOMLValue(content, "formula"); match != "" {
+		f.Name = match
+	}
+
+	// Parse description
+	if match := extractTOMLMultiline(content, "description"); match != "" {
+		f.Description = match
+	}
+
+	// Parse type
+	if match := extractTOMLValue(content, "type"); match != "" {
+		f.Type = match
+	}
+
+	// Parse legs (convoy formulas)
+	f.Legs = extractLegs(content)
+
+	// Parse synthesis
+	f.Synthesis = extractSynthesis(content)
+
+	// Parse prompts
+	f.Prompts = extractPrompts(content)
+
+	return f, nil
+}
+
+// extractTOMLValue extracts a simple quoted value from TOML
+func extractTOMLValue(content, key string) string {
+	// Match: key = "value" or key = 'value'
+	for _, line := range strings.Split(content, "\n") {
+		line = strings.TrimSpace(line)
+		if strings.HasPrefix(line, key+" =") || strings.HasPrefix(line, key+"=") {
+			parts := strings.SplitN(line, "=", 2)
+			if len(parts) == 2 {
+				val := strings.TrimSpace(parts[1])
+				// Remove quotes
+				if len(val) >= 2 && (val[0] == '"' || val[0] == '\'') {
+					return val[1 : len(val)-1]
+				}
+				return val
+			}
+		}
+	}
+	return ""
+}
+
+// extractTOMLMultiline extracts a multiline string (""" ... """)
+func extractTOMLMultiline(content, key string) string {
+	// Look for key = """
+	keyPattern := key + ` = """`
+	idx := strings.Index(content, keyPattern)
+	if idx == -1 {
+		// Try single-line
+		return extractTOMLValue(content, key)
+	}
+
+	start := idx + len(keyPattern)
+	end := strings.Index(content[start:], `"""`)
+	if end == -1 {
+		return ""
+	}
+
+	return strings.TrimSpace(content[start : start+end])
+}
+
+// extractLegs parses [[legs]] sections from TOML
+func extractLegs(content string) []formulaLeg {
+	var legs []formulaLeg
+
+	// Split by [[legs]]
+	sections := strings.Split(content, "[[legs]]")
+	for i, section := range sections {
+		if i == 0 {
+			continue // Skip content before first [[legs]]
+		}
+
+		// Find where this section ends (next [[ or EOF)
+		endIdx := strings.Index(section, "[[")
+		if endIdx == -1 {
+			endIdx = len(section)
+		}
+		section = section[:endIdx]
+
+		leg := formulaLeg{
+			ID:          extractTOMLValue(section, "id"),
+			Title:       extractTOMLValue(section, "title"),
+			Focus:       extractTOMLValue(section, "focus"),
+			Description: extractTOMLMultiline(section, "description"),
+		}
+
+		if leg.ID != "" {
+			legs = append(legs, leg)
+		}
+	}
+
+	return legs
+}
+
+// extractSynthesis parses [synthesis] section from TOML
+func extractSynthesis(content string) *formulaSynthesis {
+	idx := strings.Index(content, "[synthesis]")
+	if idx == -1 {
+		return nil
+	}
+
+	section := content[idx:]
+	// Find where section ends
+	if endIdx := strings.Index(section[1:], "\n["); endIdx != -1 {
+		section = section[:endIdx+1]
+	}
+
+	syn := &formulaSynthesis{
+		Title:       extractTOMLValue(section, "title"),
+		Description: extractTOMLMultiline(section, "description"),
+	}
+
+	// Parse depends_on array
+	if depsLine := extractTOMLValue(section, "depends_on"); depsLine != "" {
+		// Simple array parsing: ["a", "b", "c"]
+		depsLine = strings.Trim(depsLine, "[]")
+		for _, dep := range strings.Split(depsLine, ",") {
+			dep = strings.Trim(strings.TrimSpace(dep), `"'`)
+			if dep != "" {
+				syn.DependsOn = append(syn.DependsOn, dep)
+			}
+		}
+	}
+
+	if syn.Title == "" && syn.Description == "" {
+		return nil
+	}
+
+	return syn
+}
+
+// extractPrompts parses [prompts] section from TOML
+func extractPrompts(content string) map[string]string {
+	prompts := make(map[string]string)
+
+	idx := strings.Index(content, "[prompts]")
+	if idx == -1 {
+		return prompts
+	}
+
+	section := content[idx:]
+	// Find where section ends
+	if endIdx := strings.Index(section[1:], "\n["); endIdx != -1 {
+		section = section[:endIdx+1]
+	}
+
+	// Extract base prompt
+	if base := extractTOMLMultiline(section, "base"); base != "" {
+		prompts["base"] = base
+	}
+
+	return prompts
+}
+
+// generateFormulaShortID generates a short random ID (5 lowercase chars)
+func generateFormulaShortID() string {
+	b := make([]byte, 3)
+	rand.Read(b)
+	return strings.ToLower(base32.StdEncoding.EncodeToString(b)[:5])
+}
+
 // runFormulaCreate creates a new formula template
 func runFormulaCreate(cmd *cobra.Command, args []string) error {
 	formulaName := args[0]