diff --git a/internal/formula/formulas/mol-polecat-work.formula.toml b/internal/formula/formulas/mol-polecat-work.formula.toml
index 3992f502..a6b50fb7 100644
--- a/internal/formula/formulas/mol-polecat-work.formula.toml
+++ b/internal/formula/formulas/mol-polecat-work.formula.toml
@@ -362,20 +362,14 @@ Should be empty. If not:
 - Pop and commit: `git stash pop && git add -A && git commit`
 - Or drop if garbage: `git stash drop`
 
-**4. Push your branch:**
-```bash
-git push -u origin $(git branch --show-current)
-```
-
-**5. Verify nothing left behind:**
+**4. Verify nothing left behind:**
 ```bash
 git status                  # Clean
 git stash list              # Empty
-git log origin/main..HEAD   # Your commits
-git diff origin/main...HEAD # Your changes (expected)
+git log origin/main..HEAD   # Your commits (local only, not pushed)
 ```
 
-**Exit criteria:** Branch pushed, workspace clean, no cruft."""
+**Exit criteria:** Workspace clean, commits ready for Refinery."""
 
 [[steps]]
 id = "prepare-for-review"
@@ -442,7 +436,7 @@ You should see output like:
 
 **3. You're recyclable:**
 Your work is in the queue. The Witness knows you're done.
-Your sandbox can be cleaned up - all work is pushed to origin.
+Refinery will access your local branch via shared .repo.git.
 
 If you have context remaining, you may:
 - Pick up new work from `bd ready`
diff --git a/internal/templates/roles/polecat.md.tmpl b/internal/templates/roles/polecat.md.tmpl
index 93dd8936..14eb7fcd 100644
--- a/internal/templates/roles/polecat.md.tmpl
+++ b/internal/templates/roles/polecat.md.tmpl
@@ -226,14 +226,14 @@ and submits your branch to the merge queue. The Witness handles the rest.
 
 > **Work is NOT landed until it's on `main` OR in the Refinery MQ.**
 
-Your branch sitting on origin is NOT landed. You must run `gt done` to submit it
-to the merge queue. Without this step:
+Your local branch is NOT landed. You must run `gt done` to submit it to the
+merge queue. Without this step:
 - Your work is invisible to other agents
 - The branch will go stale as main diverges
 - Merge conflicts will compound over time
 - Work can be lost if your polecat is recycled
 
-**Branch → `gt done` → MR in queue → Refinery merges → LANDED**
+**Local branch → `gt done` → MR in queue → Refinery merges → LANDED**
 
 ## If You're Stuck
 
diff --git a/internal/templates/roles/refinery.md.tmpl b/internal/templates/roles/refinery.md.tmpl
index 8661f80d..4e19dde3 100644
--- a/internal/templates/roles/refinery.md.tmpl
+++ b/internal/templates/roles/refinery.md.tmpl
@@ -225,7 +225,7 @@ If queue empty, skip to context-check step.
 
 **process-branch**: Pick next branch, rebase on main
 ```bash
-git checkout -b temp origin/polecat/<worker>
+git checkout -b temp polecat/<worker>    # Local branch (shared via .repo.git)
 git rebase origin/{{ .DefaultBranch }}
 ```
 If conflicts unresolvable: notify polecat, skip to loop-check.
@@ -255,7 +255,7 @@ git checkout {{ .DefaultBranch }}
 git merge --ff-only temp
 git push origin {{ .DefaultBranch }}
 git branch -d temp
-git push origin --delete polecat/<worker>
+git branch -d polecat/<worker>           # Delete local polecat branch
 ```
 
 **loop-check**: More branches? Return to process-branch.
diff --git a/templates/polecat-CLAUDE.md b/templates/polecat-CLAUDE.md
index f6545904..3ec7c899 100644
--- a/templates/polecat-CLAUDE.md
+++ b/templates/polecat-CLAUDE.md
@@ -106,7 +106,6 @@ bd close <step-id>          # Mark step complete
 git status                  # Check working tree
 git add <files>             # Stage changes
 git commit -m "msg (issue)" # Commit with issue reference
-git push                    # Push your branch
 ```
 
 ### Communication
@@ -149,15 +148,13 @@ When your work is done, follow this EXACT checklist:
 
 ```
 [ ] 1. Tests pass:        go test ./...
-[ ] 2. COMMIT changes:    git add <files> && git commit -m "msg (issue-id)"
-[ ] 3. Push branch:       git push -u origin HEAD
-[ ] 4. Close issue:       bd close <issue> --reason "..."
-[ ] 5. Sync beads:        bd sync
-[ ] 6. Exit session:      gt done --exit
+[ ] 2. Commit changes:    git add <files> && git commit -m "msg (issue-id)"
+[ ] 3. Sync beads:        bd sync
+[ ] 4. Exit session:      gt done --exit
 ```
 
-**CRITICAL**: You MUST commit and push BEFORE running `gt done --exit`.
-If you skip the commit, your work will be lost!
+**Note**: No push needed - your branch stays local. Refinery accesses it
+via shared .repo.git and merges to main.
 
 The `gt done --exit` command:
 - Creates a merge request bead
@@ -169,14 +166,14 @@ The `gt done --exit` command:
 
 > **Work is NOT landed until it's on `main` OR in the Refinery MQ.**
 
-Your branch sitting on origin is NOT landed. You must run `gt done` to submit it
-to the merge queue. Without this step:
+Your local branch is NOT landed. You must run `gt done` to submit it to the
+merge queue. Without this step:
 - Your work is invisible to other agents
 - The branch will go stale as main diverges
 - Merge conflicts will compound over time
 - Work can be lost if your polecat is recycled
 
-**Branch → `gt done` → MR in queue → Refinery merges → LANDED**
+**Local branch → `gt done` → MR in queue → Refinery merges → LANDED**
 
 ---