diff --git a/internal/beads/builtin_molecules.go b/internal/beads/builtin_molecules.go
index 492cd466..187366da 100644
--- a/internal/beads/builtin_molecules.go
+++ b/internal/beads/builtin_molecules.go
@@ -16,6 +16,7 @@ func BuiltinMolecules() []BuiltinMolecule {
 		ResearchMolecule(),
 		InstallGoBinaryMolecule(),
 		BootstrapGasTownMolecule(),
+		PolecatWorkMolecule(),
 	}
 }
 
@@ -299,6 +300,97 @@ Needs: sync-beads, install-paths`,
 	}
 }
 
+// PolecatWorkMolecule returns the polecat-work molecule definition.
+// This is the full polecat lifecycle from assignment to decommission.
+// It's an operational molecule that enables crash recovery and context survival.
+func PolecatWorkMolecule() BuiltinMolecule {
+	return BuiltinMolecule{
+		ID:    "mol-polecat-work",
+		Title: "Polecat Work",
+		Description: `Full polecat lifecycle from assignment to decommission.
+
+This molecule enables nondeterministic idempotence for polecat work.
+A polecat that crashes after any step can restart, read its molecule state,
+and continue from the last completed step. No work is lost.
+
+## Step: load-context
+Run gt prime and bd prime. Verify issue assignment.
+Check inbox for any relevant messages.
+
+Read the assigned issue and understand the requirements.
+Identify any blockers or missing information.
+
+## Step: implement
+Implement the solution. Follow codebase conventions.
+File discovered work as new issues with bd create.
+
+Make regular commits with clear messages.
+Keep changes focused on the assigned issue.
+Needs: load-context
+
+## Step: self-review
+Review your own changes. Look for:
+- Bugs and edge cases
+- Style issues
+- Missing error handling
+- Security concerns
+
+Fix any issues found before proceeding.
+Needs: implement
+
+## Step: verify-tests
+Run existing tests. Add new tests for new functionality.
+Ensure adequate coverage.
+
+` + "```" + `bash
+go test ./...
+` + "```" + `
+
+Fix any test failures before proceeding.
+Needs: implement
+
+## Step: rebase-main
+Rebase against main to incorporate any changes.
+Resolve conflicts if needed.
+
+` + "```" + `bash
+git fetch origin main
+git rebase origin/main
+` + "```" + `
+
+If there are conflicts, resolve them carefully and
+continue the rebase.
+Needs: self-review, verify-tests
+
+## Step: submit-merge
+Submit to merge queue. Create PR if needed.
+Verify CI passes.
+
+` + "```" + `bash
+gt done  # Signal work ready for merge queue
+` + "```" + `
+
+If there are CI failures, fix them before proceeding.
+Needs: rebase-main
+
+## Step: update-handoff
+Update handoff bead with final state.
+File any remaining work as issues.
+
+Document any important context for the next session
+or for anyone reviewing the work.
+Needs: submit-merge
+
+## Step: request-shutdown
+Send shutdown request to Witness.
+Wait for termination.
+
+The polecat is now ready to be cleaned up.
+Do not exit directly - wait for Witness to kill the session.
+Needs: update-handoff`,
+	}
+}
+
 // SeedBuiltinMolecules creates all built-in molecules in the beads database.
 // It skips molecules that already exist (by title match).
 // Returns the number of molecules created.
diff --git a/internal/beads/builtin_molecules_test.go b/internal/beads/builtin_molecules_test.go
index ba8b1c19..c0045374 100644
--- a/internal/beads/builtin_molecules_test.go
+++ b/internal/beads/builtin_molecules_test.go
@@ -5,8 +5,8 @@ import "testing"
 func TestBuiltinMolecules(t *testing.T) {
 	molecules := BuiltinMolecules()
 
-	if len(molecules) != 4 {
-		t.Errorf("expected 4 built-in molecules, got %d", len(molecules))
+	if len(molecules) != 6 {
+		t.Errorf("expected 6 built-in molecules, got %d", len(molecules))
 	}
 
 	// Verify each molecule can be parsed and validated
@@ -172,3 +172,61 @@ func TestInstallGoBinaryMolecule(t *testing.T) {
 		t.Errorf("install should have no deps, got %v", steps[0].Needs)
 	}
 }
+
+func TestPolecatWorkMolecule(t *testing.T) {
+	mol := PolecatWorkMolecule()
+
+	if mol.ID != "mol-polecat-work" {
+		t.Errorf("expected ID 'mol-polecat-work', got %q", mol.ID)
+	}
+
+	if mol.Title != "Polecat Work" {
+		t.Errorf("expected Title 'Polecat Work', got %q", mol.Title)
+	}
+
+	steps, err := ParseMoleculeSteps(mol.Description)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("failed to parse: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	// Should have 8 steps: load-context, implement, self-review, verify-tests,
+	// rebase-main, submit-merge, update-handoff, request-shutdown
+	if len(steps) != 8 {
+		t.Errorf("expected 8 steps, got %d", len(steps))
+	}
+
+	expectedRefs := []string{
+		"load-context", "implement", "self-review", "verify-tests",
+		"rebase-main", "submit-merge", "update-handoff", "request-shutdown",
+	}
+	for i, expected := range expectedRefs {
+		if i >= len(steps) {
+			t.Errorf("missing step %d: expected %q", i, expected)
+			continue
+		}
+		if steps[i].Ref != expected {
+			t.Errorf("step %d: expected ref %q, got %q", i, expected, steps[i].Ref)
+		}
+	}
+
+	// Verify key dependencies
+	// load-context has no deps
+	if len(steps[0].Needs) != 0 {
+		t.Errorf("load-context should have no deps, got %v", steps[0].Needs)
+	}
+
+	// implement needs load-context
+	if len(steps[1].Needs) != 1 || steps[1].Needs[0] != "load-context" {
+		t.Errorf("implement should need load-context, got %v", steps[1].Needs)
+	}
+
+	// rebase-main needs self-review and verify-tests
+	if len(steps[4].Needs) != 2 {
+		t.Errorf("rebase-main should need 2 deps, got %v", steps[4].Needs)
+	}
+
+	// request-shutdown needs update-handoff
+	if len(steps[7].Needs) != 1 || steps[7].Needs[0] != "update-handoff" {
+		t.Errorf("request-shutdown should need update-handoff, got %v", steps[7].Needs)
+	}
+}