diff --git a/internal/cmd/formula.go b/internal/cmd/formula.go
index eaf6bf51..5a3f63a4 100644
--- a/internal/cmd/formula.go
+++ b/internal/cmd/formula.go
@@ -315,6 +315,12 @@ func executeConvoyFormula(f *formulaData, formulaName, targetRig string) error {
 	}
 	townBeads := filepath.Join(townRoot, ".beads")
 
+	// Ensure custom types (including 'convoy') are registered in town beads.
+	// This handles cases where install didn't complete or beads was initialized manually.
+	if err := beads.EnsureCustomTypes(townBeads); err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("ensuring custom types: %w", err)
+	}
+
 	// Step 1: Create convoy bead
 	convoyID := fmt.Sprintf("hq-cv-%s", generateFormulaShortID())
 	convoyTitle := fmt.Sprintf("%s: %s", formulaName, f.Description)
diff --git a/internal/cmd/sling_convoy.go b/internal/cmd/sling_convoy.go
index 3d04873d..821c4ab1 100644
--- a/internal/cmd/sling_convoy.go
+++ b/internal/cmd/sling_convoy.go
@@ -71,6 +71,12 @@ func createAutoConvoy(beadID, beadTitle string, epicID string) (string, error) {
 
 	townBeads := filepath.Join(townRoot, ".beads")
 
+	// Ensure custom types (including 'convoy') are registered in town beads.
+	// This handles cases where install didn't complete or beads was initialized manually.
+	if err := beads.EnsureCustomTypes(townBeads); err != nil {
+		return "", fmt.Errorf("ensuring custom types: %w", err)
+	}
+
 	// Generate convoy ID with hq-cv- prefix for visual distinction
 	// The hq-cv- prefix is registered in routes during gt install
 	convoyID := fmt.Sprintf("hq-cv-%s", slingGenerateShortID())