diff --git a/internal/beads/beads.go b/internal/beads/beads.go
index 188cfd75..6c99809d 100644
--- a/internal/beads/beads.go
+++ b/internal/beads/beads.go
@@ -424,6 +424,9 @@ func (b *Beads) Create(opts CreateOptions) (*Issue, error) {
 // deterministic IDs rather than auto-generated ones.
 func (b *Beads) CreateWithID(id string, opts CreateOptions) (*Issue, error) {
 	args := []string{"create", "--json", "--id=" + id}
+	if NeedsForceForID(id) {
+		args = append(args, "--force")
+	}
 
 	if opts.Title != "" {
 		args = append(args, "--title="+opts.Title)
diff --git a/internal/beads/beads_agent.go b/internal/beads/beads_agent.go
index 4506f3a7..1f30dac8 100644
--- a/internal/beads/beads_agent.go
+++ b/internal/beads/beads_agent.go
@@ -139,6 +139,9 @@ func (b *Beads) CreateAgentBead(id, title string, fields *AgentFields) (*Issue,
 		"--type=agent",
 		"--labels=gt:agent",
 	}
+	if NeedsForceForID(id) {
+		args = append(args, "--force")
+	}
 
 	// Default actor from BD_ACTOR env var for provenance tracking
 	if actor := os.Getenv("BD_ACTOR"); actor != "" {
diff --git a/internal/beads/beads_rig.go b/internal/beads/beads_rig.go
index 8994ad1d..b645c26f 100644
--- a/internal/beads/beads_rig.go
+++ b/internal/beads/beads_rig.go
@@ -85,6 +85,9 @@ func (b *Beads) CreateRigBead(id, title string, fields *RigFields) (*Issue, erro
 		"--description=" + description,
 		"--labels=gt:rig",
 	}
+	if NeedsForceForID(id) {
+		args = append(args, "--force")
+	}
 
 	// Default actor from BD_ACTOR env var for provenance tracking
 	if actor := os.Getenv("BD_ACTOR"); actor != "" {
diff --git a/internal/beads/force.go b/internal/beads/force.go
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..b6d0ba41
--- /dev/null
+++ b/internal/beads/force.go
@@ -0,0 +1,11 @@
+package beads
+
+import "strings"
+
+// NeedsForceForID returns true when a bead ID uses multiple hyphens.
+// Recent bd versions infer the prefix from the last hyphen, which can cause
+// prefix-mismatch errors for valid system IDs like "st-stockdrop-polecat-nux"
+// and "hq-cv-abc". We pass --force to honor the explicit ID in those cases.
+func NeedsForceForID(id string) bool {
+	return strings.Count(id, "-") > 1
+}
diff --git a/internal/beads/force_test.go b/internal/beads/force_test.go
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..a72cbabb
--- /dev/null
+++ b/internal/beads/force_test.go
@@ -0,0 +1,23 @@
+package beads
+
+import "testing"
+
+func TestNeedsForceForID(t *testing.T) {
+	tests := []struct {
+		id   string
+		want bool
+	}{
+		{id: "", want: false},
+		{id: "hq-mayor", want: false},
+		{id: "gt-abc123", want: false},
+		{id: "hq-mayor-role", want: true},
+		{id: "st-stockdrop-polecat-nux", want: true},
+		{id: "hq-cv-abc", want: true},
+	}
+
+	for _, tc := range tests {
+		if got := NeedsForceForID(tc.id); got != tc.want {
+			t.Fatalf("NeedsForceForID(%q) = %v, want %v", tc.id, got, tc.want)
+		}
+	}
+}
diff --git a/internal/beads/routes.go b/internal/beads/routes.go
index 1afb51a2..cf67d7f6 100644
--- a/internal/beads/routes.go
+++ b/internal/beads/routes.go
@@ -8,6 +8,8 @@ import (
 	"os"
 	"path/filepath"
 	"strings"
+
+	"github.com/steveyegge/gastown/internal/config"
 )
 
 // Route represents a prefix-to-path routing rule.
@@ -150,7 +152,7 @@ func GetPrefixForRig(townRoot, rigName string) string {
 	beadsDir := filepath.Join(townRoot, ".beads")
 	routes, err := LoadRoutes(beadsDir)
 	if err != nil || routes == nil {
-		return "gt" // Default prefix
+		return config.GetRigPrefix(townRoot, rigName)
 	}
 
 	// Look for a route where the path starts with the rig name
@@ -163,7 +165,7 @@ func GetPrefixForRig(townRoot, rigName string) string {
 		}
 	}
 
-	return "gt" // Default prefix
+	return config.GetRigPrefix(townRoot, rigName)
 }
 
 // FindConflictingPrefixes checks for duplicate prefixes in routes.
diff --git a/internal/beads/routes_test.go b/internal/beads/routes_test.go
index 94f7a5f9..811045c5 100644
--- a/internal/beads/routes_test.go
+++ b/internal/beads/routes_test.go
@@ -4,6 +4,8 @@ import (
 	"os"
 	"path/filepath"
 	"testing"
+
+	"github.com/steveyegge/gastown/internal/config"
 )
 
 func TestGetPrefixForRig(t *testing.T) {
@@ -52,6 +54,33 @@ func TestGetPrefixForRig_NoRoutesFile(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 }
 
+func TestGetPrefixForRig_RigsConfigFallback(t *testing.T) {
+	tmpDir := t.TempDir()
+
+	// Write rigs.json with a non-gt prefix
+	rigsPath := filepath.Join(tmpDir, "mayor", "rigs.json")
+	if err := os.MkdirAll(filepath.Dir(rigsPath), 0755); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+
+	cfg := &config.RigsConfig{
+		Version: config.CurrentRigsVersion,
+		Rigs: map[string]config.RigEntry{
+			"project_ideas": {
+				BeadsConfig: &config.BeadsConfig{Prefix: "pi"},
+			},
+		},
+	}
+	if err := config.SaveRigsConfig(rigsPath, cfg); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("SaveRigsConfig: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	result := GetPrefixForRig(tmpDir, "project_ideas")
+	if result != "pi" {
+		t.Errorf("Expected prefix from rigs config, got %q", result)
+	}
+}
+
 func TestExtractPrefix(t *testing.T) {
 	tests := []struct {
 		beadID   string
@@ -100,7 +129,7 @@ func TestGetRigPathForPrefix(t *testing.T) {
 	}{
 		{"ap-", filepath.Join(tmpDir, "ai_platform/mayor/rig")},
 		{"gt-", filepath.Join(tmpDir, "gastown/mayor/rig")},
-		{"hq-", tmpDir}, // Town-level beads return townRoot
+		{"hq-", tmpDir},  // Town-level beads return townRoot
 		{"unknown-", ""}, // Unknown prefix returns empty
 		{"", ""},         // Empty prefix returns empty
 	}
diff --git a/internal/checkpoint/checkpoint.go b/internal/checkpoint/checkpoint.go
index 472333e0..0424ff7f 100644
--- a/internal/checkpoint/checkpoint.go
+++ b/internal/checkpoint/checkpoint.go
@@ -181,9 +181,9 @@ func (cp *Checkpoint) Age() time.Duration {
 	return time.Since(cp.Timestamp)
 }
 
-// IsStale returns true if the checkpoint is older than the threshold.
+// IsStale returns true if the checkpoint is at or older than the threshold.
 func (cp *Checkpoint) IsStale(threshold time.Duration) bool {
-	return cp.Age() > threshold
+	return cp.Age() >= threshold
 }
 
 // Summary returns a concise summary of the checkpoint.
diff --git a/internal/cmd/convoy.go b/internal/cmd/convoy.go
index dbd45907..7a8fe8c7 100644
--- a/internal/cmd/convoy.go
+++ b/internal/cmd/convoy.go
@@ -16,6 +16,7 @@ import (
 
 	tea "github.com/charmbracelet/bubbletea"
 	"github.com/spf13/cobra"
+	"github.com/steveyegge/gastown/internal/beads"
 	"github.com/steveyegge/gastown/internal/style"
 	"github.com/steveyegge/gastown/internal/tui/convoy"
 	"github.com/steveyegge/gastown/internal/workspace"
@@ -319,6 +320,9 @@ func runConvoyCreate(cmd *cobra.Command, args []string) error {
 		"--description=" + description,
 		"--json",
 	}
+	if beads.NeedsForceForID(convoyID) {
+		createArgs = append(createArgs, "--force")
+	}
 
 	createCmd := exec.Command("bd", createArgs...)
 	createCmd.Dir = townBeads
diff --git a/internal/cmd/costs_workdir_test.go b/internal/cmd/costs_workdir_test.go
index 415d7972..3954d69d 100644
--- a/internal/cmd/costs_workdir_test.go
+++ b/internal/cmd/costs_workdir_test.go
@@ -211,7 +211,14 @@ func TestQuerySessionEvents_FindsEventsFromAllLocations(t *testing.T) {
 	if wsErr != nil {
 		t.Fatalf("workspace.FindFromCwdOrError failed: %v", wsErr)
 	}
-	if foundTownRoot != townRoot {
+	normalizePath := func(path string) string {
+		resolved, err := filepath.EvalSymlinks(path)
+		if err != nil {
+			return filepath.Clean(path)
+		}
+		return resolved
+	}
+	if normalizePath(foundTownRoot) != normalizePath(townRoot) {
 		t.Errorf("workspace.FindFromCwdOrError returned %s, expected %s", foundTownRoot, townRoot)
 	}
 
diff --git a/internal/cmd/formula.go b/internal/cmd/formula.go
index ce417046..eaf6bf51 100644
--- a/internal/cmd/formula.go
+++ b/internal/cmd/formula.go
@@ -11,6 +11,7 @@ import (
 	"strings"
 
 	"github.com/spf13/cobra"
+	"github.com/steveyegge/gastown/internal/beads"
 	"github.com/steveyegge/gastown/internal/config"
 	"github.com/steveyegge/gastown/internal/style"
 	"github.com/steveyegge/gastown/internal/workspace"
@@ -335,6 +336,9 @@ func executeConvoyFormula(f *formulaData, formulaName, targetRig string) error {
 		"--title=" + convoyTitle,
 		"--description=" + description,
 	}
+	if beads.NeedsForceForID(convoyID) {
+		createArgs = append(createArgs, "--force")
+	}
 
 	createCmd := exec.Command("bd", createArgs...)
 	createCmd.Dir = townBeads
@@ -365,6 +369,9 @@ func executeConvoyFormula(f *formulaData, formulaName, targetRig string) error {
 			"--title=" + leg.Title,
 			"--description=" + legDesc,
 		}
+		if beads.NeedsForceForID(legBeadID) {
+			legArgs = append(legArgs, "--force")
+		}
 
 		legCmd := exec.Command("bd", legArgs...)
 		legCmd.Dir = townBeads
@@ -405,6 +412,9 @@ func executeConvoyFormula(f *formulaData, formulaName, targetRig string) error {
 			"--title=" + f.Synthesis.Title,
 			"--description=" + synDesc,
 		}
+		if beads.NeedsForceForID(synthesisBeadID) {
+			synArgs = append(synArgs, "--force")
+		}
 
 		synCmd := exec.Command("bd", synArgs...)
 		synCmd.Dir = townBeads
diff --git a/internal/cmd/polecat.go b/internal/cmd/polecat.go
index 74d49a13..54df8d1d 100644
--- a/internal/cmd/polecat.go
+++ b/internal/cmd/polecat.go
@@ -957,7 +957,7 @@ func runPolecatCheckRecovery(cmd *cobra.Command, args []string) error {
 	// We need to read it directly from beads since manager doesn't expose it
 	rigPath := r.Path
 	bd := beads.New(rigPath)
-	agentBeadID := beads.PolecatBeadID(rigName, polecatName)
+	agentBeadID := polecatBeadIDForRig(r, rigName, polecatName)
 	_, fields, err := bd.GetAgentBead(agentBeadID)
 
 	status := RecoveryStatus{
@@ -1158,7 +1158,7 @@ func runPolecatNuke(cmd *cobra.Command, args []string) error {
 			fmt.Printf("  - Kill session: gt-%s-%s\n", p.rigName, p.polecatName)
 			fmt.Printf("  - Delete worktree: %s/polecats/%s\n", p.r.Path, p.polecatName)
 			fmt.Printf("  - Delete branch (if exists)\n")
-			fmt.Printf("  - Close agent bead: %s\n", beads.PolecatBeadID(p.rigName, p.polecatName))
+			fmt.Printf("  - Close agent bead: %s\n", polecatBeadIDForRig(p.r, p.rigName, p.polecatName))
 
 			displayDryRunSafetyCheck(p)
 			fmt.Println()
@@ -1214,7 +1214,7 @@ func runPolecatNuke(cmd *cobra.Command, args []string) error {
 		}
 
 		// Step 5: Close agent bead (if exists)
-		agentBeadID := beads.PolecatBeadID(p.rigName, p.polecatName)
+		agentBeadID := polecatBeadIDForRig(p.r, p.rigName, p.polecatName)
 		closeArgs := []string{"close", agentBeadID, "--reason=nuked"}
 		if sessionID := runtime.SessionIDFromEnv(); sessionID != "" {
 			closeArgs = append(closeArgs, "--session="+sessionID)
diff --git a/internal/cmd/polecat_helpers.go b/internal/cmd/polecat_helpers.go
index 2a028223..fcf1ab8b 100644
--- a/internal/cmd/polecat_helpers.go
+++ b/internal/cmd/polecat_helpers.go
@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@ package cmd
 
 import (
 	"fmt"
+	"path/filepath"
 	"strings"
 
 	"github.com/steveyegge/gastown/internal/beads"
@@ -104,7 +105,7 @@ func checkPolecatSafety(target polecatTarget) *SafetyCheckResult {
 
 	// Check 1: Unpushed commits via cleanup_status or git state
 	bd := beads.New(target.r.Path)
-	agentBeadID := beads.PolecatBeadID(target.rigName, target.polecatName)
+	agentBeadID := polecatBeadIDForRig(target.r, target.rigName, target.polecatName)
 	agentIssue, fields, err := bd.GetAgentBead(agentBeadID)
 
 	if err != nil || fields == nil {
@@ -176,6 +177,15 @@ func checkPolecatSafety(target polecatTarget) *SafetyCheckResult {
 	return result
 }
 
+func rigPrefix(r *rig.Rig) string {
+	townRoot := filepath.Dir(r.Path)
+	return beads.GetPrefixForRig(townRoot, r.Name)
+}
+
+func polecatBeadIDForRig(r *rig.Rig, rigName, polecatName string) string {
+	return beads.PolecatBeadIDWithPrefix(rigPrefix(r), rigName, polecatName)
+}
+
 // displaySafetyCheckBlocked prints blocked polecats and guidance.
 func displaySafetyCheckBlocked(blocked []*SafetyCheckResult) {
 	fmt.Printf("%s Cannot nuke the following polecats:\n\n", style.Error.Render("Error:"))
@@ -202,7 +212,7 @@ func displayDryRunSafetyCheck(target polecatTarget) {
 	fmt.Printf("\n  Safety checks:\n")
 	polecatInfo, infoErr := target.mgr.Get(target.polecatName)
 	bd := beads.New(target.r.Path)
-	agentBeadID := beads.PolecatBeadID(target.rigName, target.polecatName)
+	agentBeadID := polecatBeadIDForRig(target.r, target.rigName, target.polecatName)
 	agentIssue, fields, err := bd.GetAgentBead(agentBeadID)
 
 	// Check 1: Git state
diff --git a/internal/cmd/polecat_identity.go b/internal/cmd/polecat_identity.go
index eaf342c8..f0e98900 100644
--- a/internal/cmd/polecat_identity.go
+++ b/internal/cmd/polecat_identity.go
@@ -232,7 +232,7 @@ func runPolecatIdentityAdd(cmd *cobra.Command, args []string) error {
 
 	// Check if identity already exists
 	bd := beads.New(r.Path)
-	beadID := beads.PolecatBeadID(rigName, polecatName)
+	beadID := polecatBeadIDForRig(r, rigName, polecatName)
 	existingIssue, _, _ := bd.GetAgentBead(beadID)
 	if existingIssue != nil && existingIssue.Status != "closed" {
 		return fmt.Errorf("identity bead %s already exists", beadID)
@@ -385,7 +385,7 @@ func runPolecatIdentityShow(cmd *cobra.Command, args []string) error {
 
 	// Get identity bead
 	bd := beads.New(r.Path)
-	beadID := beads.PolecatBeadID(rigName, polecatName)
+	beadID := polecatBeadIDForRig(r, rigName, polecatName)
 	issue, fields, err := bd.GetAgentBead(beadID)
 	if err != nil {
 		return fmt.Errorf("getting identity bead: %w", err)
@@ -414,10 +414,10 @@ func runPolecatIdentityShow(cmd *cobra.Command, args []string) error {
 	if polecatIdentityShowJSON {
 		output := struct {
 			IdentityInfo
-			Title       string     `json:"title"`
-			CreatedAt   string     `json:"created_at,omitempty"`
-			UpdatedAt   string     `json:"updated_at,omitempty"`
-			CV          *CVSummary `json:"cv,omitempty"`
+			Title     string     `json:"title"`
+			CreatedAt string     `json:"created_at,omitempty"`
+			UpdatedAt string     `json:"updated_at,omitempty"`
+			CV        *CVSummary `json:"cv,omitempty"`
 		}{
 			IdentityInfo: IdentityInfo{
 				Rig:            rigName,
@@ -563,8 +563,8 @@ func runPolecatIdentityRename(cmd *cobra.Command, args []string) error {
 	}
 
 	bd := beads.New(r.Path)
-	oldBeadID := beads.PolecatBeadID(rigName, oldName)
-	newBeadID := beads.PolecatBeadID(rigName, newName)
+	oldBeadID := polecatBeadIDForRig(r, rigName, oldName)
+	newBeadID := polecatBeadIDForRig(r, rigName, newName)
 
 	// Check old identity exists
 	oldIssue, oldFields, err := bd.GetAgentBead(oldBeadID)
@@ -631,7 +631,7 @@ func runPolecatIdentityRemove(cmd *cobra.Command, args []string) error {
 	}
 
 	bd := beads.New(r.Path)
-	beadID := beads.PolecatBeadID(rigName, polecatName)
+	beadID := polecatBeadIDForRig(r, rigName, polecatName)
 
 	// Check identity exists
 	issue, fields, err := bd.GetAgentBead(beadID)
diff --git a/internal/cmd/sling_convoy.go b/internal/cmd/sling_convoy.go
index 06355ade..8828aba8 100644
--- a/internal/cmd/sling_convoy.go
+++ b/internal/cmd/sling_convoy.go
@@ -9,6 +9,7 @@ import (
 	"path/filepath"
 	"strings"
 
+	"github.com/steveyegge/gastown/internal/beads"
 	"github.com/steveyegge/gastown/internal/style"
 	"github.com/steveyegge/gastown/internal/workspace"
 )
@@ -80,6 +81,9 @@ func createAutoConvoy(beadID, beadTitle string) (string, error) {
 		"--title=" + convoyTitle,
 		"--description=" + description,
 	}
+	if beads.NeedsForceForID(convoyID) {
+		createArgs = append(createArgs, "--force")
+	}
 
 	createCmd := exec.Command("bd", append([]string{"--no-daemon"}, createArgs...)...)
 	createCmd.Dir = townBeads
diff --git a/internal/daemon/daemon.go b/internal/daemon/daemon.go
index 6fb50066..2880531f 100755
--- a/internal/daemon/daemon.go
+++ b/internal/daemon/daemon.go
@@ -751,7 +751,8 @@ func (d *Daemon) checkPolecatHealth(rigName, polecatName string) {
 	}
 
 	// Session is dead. Check if the polecat has work-on-hook.
-	agentBeadID := beads.PolecatBeadID(rigName, polecatName)
+	prefix := beads.GetPrefixForRig(d.config.TownRoot, rigName)
+	agentBeadID := beads.PolecatBeadIDWithPrefix(prefix, rigName, polecatName)
 	info, err := d.getAgentBeadInfo(agentBeadID)
 	if err != nil {
 		// Agent bead doesn't exist or error - polecat might not be registered
diff --git a/internal/doctor/role_beads_check.go b/internal/doctor/role_beads_check.go
index af06b545..aa9c9c77 100644
--- a/internal/doctor/role_beads_check.go
+++ b/internal/doctor/role_beads_check.go
@@ -100,12 +100,17 @@ func (c *RoleBeadsCheck) Fix(ctx *CheckContext) error {
 		}
 
 		// Create role bead using bd create --type=role
-		cmd := exec.Command("bd", "create",
+		args := []string{
+			"create",
 			"--type=role",
-			"--id="+role.ID,
-			"--title="+role.Title,
-			"--description="+role.Desc,
-		)
+			"--id=" + role.ID,
+			"--title=" + role.Title,
+			"--description=" + role.Desc,
+		}
+		if beads.NeedsForceForID(role.ID) {
+			args = append(args, "--force")
+		}
+		cmd := exec.Command("bd", args...)
 		cmd.Dir = ctx.TownRoot
 		if output, err := cmd.CombinedOutput(); err != nil {
 			return fmt.Errorf("creating %s: %s", role.ID, strings.TrimSpace(string(output)))