diff --git a/internal/cmd/prime.go b/internal/cmd/prime.go
index 528371fd..47853f2f 100644
--- a/internal/cmd/prime.go
+++ b/internal/cmd/prime.go
@@ -906,11 +906,12 @@ func showMoleculeProgress(b *beads.Beads, rootID string) {
 
 // outputDeaconPatrolContext shows patrol molecule status for the Deacon.
 // Deacon uses wisps (Wisp:true issues in main .beads/) for patrol cycles.
+// Deacon is a town-level role, so it uses town root beads (not rig beads).
 func outputDeaconPatrolContext(ctx RoleContext) {
 	cfg := PatrolConfig{
 		RoleName:        "deacon",
 		PatrolMolName:   "mol-deacon-patrol",
-		BeadsDir:        ctx.WorkDir,
+		BeadsDir:        ctx.TownRoot, // Town-level role uses town root beads
 		Assignee:        "deacon",
 		HeaderEmoji:     "🔄",
 		HeaderTitle:     "Patrol Status (Wisp-based)",