Merge PR #2552: docs: replace git-backed with Dolt-powered, document git-free usage

docs: replace "git-backed" with "Dolt-powered", document git-free usage

Author: steveyegge

.github/copilot-instructions.md

@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
 
 ## Project Overview
 
-**beads** (command: `bd`) is a Git-backed issue tracker designed for AI-supervised coding workflows. We dogfood our own tool for all task tracking.
+**beads** (command: `bd`) is a Dolt-powered issue tracker designed for AI-supervised coding workflows. Git integration is optional. We dogfood our own tool for all task tracking.
 
 **Key Features:**
 - Dependency-aware issue tracking

README.md

@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 # bd - Beads
 
-**Distributed, git-backed graph issue tracker for AI agents.**
+**Distributed graph issue tracker for AI agents, powered by [Dolt](https://github.com/dolthub/dolt).**
 
 **Platforms:** macOS, Linux, Windows, FreeBSD
 
@@ -55,7 +55,7 @@ Beads supports hierarchical IDs for epics:
 * `bd-a3f8.1` (Task)
 * `bd-a3f8.1.1` (Sub-task)
 
-**Stealth Mode:** Run `bd init --stealth` to use Beads locally without committing files to the main repo. Perfect for personal use on shared projects.
+**Stealth Mode:** Run `bd init --stealth` to use Beads locally without committing files to the main repo. Perfect for personal use on shared projects. See [Git-Free Usage](#-git-free-usage) below.
 
 **Contributor vs Maintainer:** When working on open-source projects:
 
@@ -74,6 +74,37 @@ Beads supports hierarchical IDs for epics:
 
 See [docs/COMMUNITY_TOOLS.md](docs/COMMUNITY_TOOLS.md) for a curated list of community-built UIs, extensions, and integrations—including terminal interfaces, web UIs, editor extensions, and native apps.
 
+## 🚀 Git-Free Usage
+
+Beads works without git. The Dolt database is the storage backend — git
+integration (hooks, repo discovery, identity) is optional.
+
+```bash
+# Initialize without git
+export BEADS_DIR=/path/to/your/project/.beads
+bd init --quiet --stealth
+
+# All core commands work with zero git calls
+bd create "Fix auth bug" -p 1 -t bug
+bd ready --json
+bd update bd-a1b2 --claim
+bd prime
+bd close bd-a1b2 "Fixed"
+```
+
+`BEADS_DIR` tells bd where to put the `.beads/` database directory,
+bypassing git repo discovery. `--stealth` sets `no-git-ops: true` in
+config, disabling all git hook installation and git operations.
+
+This is useful for:
+- **Non-git VCS** (Sapling, Jujutsu, Piper) — no `.git/` directory needed
+- **Monorepos** — point `BEADS_DIR` at a specific subdirectory
+- **CI/CD** — isolated task tracking without repo-level side effects
+- **Evaluation/testing** — ephemeral databases in `/tmp`
+
+For daemon mode without git, use `bd daemon start --local`
+(see [PR #433](https://github.com/steveyegge/beads/pull/433)).
+
 ## 📝 Documentation
 
 * [Installing](docs/INSTALLING.md) | [Agent Workflow](AGENT_INSTRUCTIONS.md) | [Copilot Setup](docs/COPILOT_INTEGRATION.md) | [Articles](ARTICLES.md) | [Sync Branch Mode](docs/PROTECTED_BRANCHES.md) | [Troubleshooting](docs/TROUBLESHOOTING.md) | [FAQ](docs/FAQ.md)

claude-plugin/skills/beads/SKILL.md

@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 ---
 name: beads
 description: >
-  Git-backed issue tracker for multi-session work with dependencies and persistent
+  Dolt-powered issue tracker for multi-session work with dependencies and persistent
   memory across conversation compaction. Use when work spans sessions, has blockers,
   or needs context recovery after compaction. Trigger with "create task", "what's
   ready", "track this work", "resume after compaction". Make sure to use this skill
@@ -25,7 +25,7 @@ Graph-based issue tracker that survives conversation compaction. Provides persis
 | bd (persistent) | TodoWrite (ephemeral) |
 |-----------------|----------------------|
 | Multi-session, dependencies, compaction survival | Single-session linear tasks |
-| Git-backed team sync | Conversation-scoped |
+| Dolt-backed team sync | Conversation-scoped |
 
 See [BOUNDARIES.md](${CLAUDE_SKILL_DIR}/resources/BOUNDARIES.md) for detailed comparison.
 
@@ -36,7 +36,7 @@ bd --version  # Requires v0.60.0+
 ```
 
 - **bd CLI** installed and in PATH
-- **Git repository** (bd requires git for sync)
+- **Git repository** (optional — use `BEADS_DIR` + `--stealth` for git-free operation)
 - **Initialization**: `bd init` run once (humans do this, not agents)
 
 ## CLI Reference

claude-plugin/skills/beads/resources/BOUNDARIES.md

@@ -86,7 +86,7 @@ Need to resume work after significant time with full context.
 - Complex features split across sprints
 - Research projects with long investigation periods
 
-**Why bd wins**: Git-backed database persists indefinitely. All context, decisions, and history available on resume. No relying on conversation scrollback or markdown files.
+**Why bd wins**: Dolt-backed database persists indefinitely. All context, decisions, and history available on resume. No relying on conversation scrollback or markdown files.
 
 ---
 
@@ -142,7 +142,7 @@ Just need a checklist to show progress to user.
 
 | Aspect | bd | TodoWrite |
 |--------|-----|-----------|
-| **Persistence** | Git-backed, survives compaction | Session-only, lost after conversation |
+| **Persistence** | Dolt-backed, survives compaction | Session-only, lost after conversation |
 | **Dependencies** | Graph-based, automatic ready detection | Manual, no automatic tracking |
 | **Discoverability** | `bd ready` surfaces work | Scroll conversation for todos |
 | **Complexity** | Handles nested epics, blockers | Flat list only |

docs/ARCHITECTURE.md

@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@ This document describes bd's overall architecture - the data model, sync mechani
 
 ## The Two-Layer Data Model
 
-bd's core design enables a distributed, git-backed issue tracker that feels like a centralized database. The architecture has two synchronized layers:
+bd's core design enables a distributed, Dolt-powered issue tracker that feels like a centralized database. The architecture has two synchronized layers:
 
 ```
 ┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐

docs/CLAUDE.md

@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@ This file provides guidance to Claude Code (claude.ai/code) when working with co
 
 ## Project Overview
 
-**beads** (command: `bd`) is a git-backed issue tracker for AI-supervised coding workflows. We dogfood our own tool.
+**beads** (command: `bd`) is a Dolt-powered issue tracker for AI-supervised coding workflows. Git integration is optional — see `BEADS_DIR` + `--stealth` for git-free operation. We dogfood our own tool.
 
 **IMPORTANT**: See [AGENTS.md](../AGENTS.md) for complete workflow instructions, bd commands, and development guidelines.
 

npm-package/INTEGRATION_GUIDE.md

@@ -224,7 +224,7 @@ bd init --quiet 2>&1 | grep -v "already initialized"
 - ✅ **Persistent memory**: Issue context survives session resets
 - ✅ **Structured planning**: Dependencies create clear work order
 - ✅ **Automatic setup**: No manual intervention needed
-- ✅ **Git-backed**: All issues are version controlled
+- ✅ **Dolt-backed**: All issues are version controlled
 - ✅ **Fast queries**: `bd ready` finds work instantly
 
 ### For Humans

npm-package/LAUNCH.md

@@ -124,8 +124,8 @@ Create `.github/workflows/publish-npm.yml` to auto-publish on GitHub releases.
 - ✅ **Platform detection** - Works on macOS, Linux, Windows
 - ✅ **Full feature parity** - Native SQLite, all commands work
 - ✅ **Claude Code ready** - Perfect for SessionStart hooks
-- ✅ **Git-backed** - Issues version controlled
-- ✅ **Multi-agent** - Shared database via git
+- ✅ **Dolt-backed** - Issues version controlled
+- ✅ **Multi-agent** - Shared database via Dolt remotes
 
 ## 📈 Package Stats
 

scripts/update-winget.sh

@@ -81,9 +81,9 @@ PackageUrl: https://github.com/steveyegge/beads
 License: MIT
 LicenseUrl: https://github.com/steveyegge/beads/blob/main/LICENSE
 Copyright: Copyright (c) 2024 Steve Yegge
-ShortDescription: Distributed, git-backed graph issue tracker for AI agents
+ShortDescription: Distributed, Dolt-powered graph issue tracker for AI agents
 Description: |
-  beads (bd) is a distributed, git-backed graph issue tracker designed for AI-supervised coding workflows.
+  beads (bd) is a distributed, Dolt-powered graph issue tracker designed for AI-supervised coding workflows.
   It provides a persistent, structured memory for coding agents, replacing messy markdown plans with a
   dependency-aware graph that allows agents to handle long-horizon tasks without losing context.
 Moniker: bd

website/docs/intro.md

@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@ slug: /
 
 # Beads Documentation
 
-**Beads** (`bd`) is a git-backed issue tracker designed for AI-supervised coding workflows.
+**Beads** (`bd`) is a Dolt-powered issue tracker designed for AI-supervised coding workflows.
 
 ## Why Beads?