diff --git a/internal/cmd/spawn.go b/internal/cmd/spawn.go
index 788905dd..2a901b75 100644
--- a/internal/cmd/spawn.go
+++ b/internal/cmd/spawn.go
@@ -141,6 +141,9 @@ func runSpawn(cmd *cobra.Command, args []string) error {
 	polecatGit := git.NewGit(r.Path)
 	polecatMgr := polecat.NewManager(r, polecatGit)
 
+	// Router for mail operations (used for checking inbox and sending assignments)
+	router := mail.NewRouter(r.Path)
+
 	// Auto-select polecat if not specified
 	if polecatName == "" {
 		polecatName, err = selectIdlePolecat(polecatMgr, r)
@@ -160,6 +163,9 @@ func runSpawn(cmd *cobra.Command, args []string) error {
 		}
 	}
 
+	// Address for this polecat (used for mail operations)
+	polecatAddress := fmt.Sprintf("%s/%s", rigName, polecatName)
+
 	// Check if polecat exists
 	existingPolecat, err := polecatMgr.Get(polecatName)
 	polecatExists := err == nil
@@ -196,8 +202,6 @@ func runSpawn(cmd *cobra.Command, args []string) error {
 		}
 
 		// Check for unread mail (indicates existing unstarted work)
-		polecatAddress := fmt.Sprintf("%s/%s", rigName, polecatName)
-		router := mail.NewRouter(r.Path)
 		mailbox, mailErr := router.GetMailbox(polecatAddress)
 		if mailErr == nil {
 			_, unread, _ := mailbox.Count()
@@ -229,10 +233,6 @@ func runSpawn(cmd *cobra.Command, args []string) error {
 		return fmt.Errorf("getting polecat: %w", err)
 	}
 
-	// Define polecatAddress and router for later use (mail sending)
-	polecatAddress := fmt.Sprintf("%s/%s", rigName, polecatName)
-	router := mail.NewRouter(r.Path)
-
 	// Beads operations use rig-level beads (at rig root, not mayor/rig)
 	beadsPath := r.Path
 
diff --git a/internal/polecat/manager.go b/internal/polecat/manager.go
index b375a4f7..f3485fb7 100644
--- a/internal/polecat/manager.go
+++ b/internal/polecat/manager.go
@@ -281,11 +281,27 @@ func (m *Manager) Recreate(name string, force bool) (*Polecat, error) {
 	_ = mayorGit.WorktreePrune()
 
 	// Delete the old branch so worktree starts fresh from current HEAD
-	_ = mayorGit.DeleteBranch(branchName, true) // force delete
+	// Ignore error - branch may not exist (first recreate) or may fail to delete
+	_ = mayorGit.DeleteBranch(branchName, true)
 
-	// Create fresh worktree with new branch from current HEAD
-	if err := mayorGit.WorktreeAdd(polecatPath, branchName); err != nil {
-		return nil, fmt.Errorf("creating fresh worktree: %w", err)
+	// Check if branch still exists (deletion may have failed or branch was protected)
+	branchExists, err := mayorGit.BranchExists(branchName)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("checking branch existence: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	// Create worktree - handle both cases like Add() does
+	if branchExists {
+		// Branch still exists, create worktree using existing branch
+		// This happens if delete failed (e.g., protected branch)
+		if err := mayorGit.WorktreeAddExisting(polecatPath, branchName); err != nil {
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("creating worktree with existing branch: %w", err)
+		}
+	} else {
+		// Branch was deleted, create fresh worktree with new branch from HEAD
+		if err := mayorGit.WorktreeAdd(polecatPath, branchName); err != nil {
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("creating fresh worktree: %w", err)
+		}
 	}
 
 	// Set up shared beads