diff --git a/mcptools/update_bead.sh b/mcptools/update_bead.sh
index adaebf3..49165ee 100755
--- a/mcptools/update_bead.sh
+++ b/mcptools/update_bead.sh
@@ -25,5 +25,21 @@ if [ -z "$MOUNT" ] || [ -z "$BEAD_ID" ] || [ -z "$FIELD" ]; then
     exit 1
 fi
 
-printf "update %s %s '%s'\n" "$BEAD_ID" "$FIELD" "$VALUE" | 9p write anvillm/beads/$MOUNT/ctl
-echo "updated $BEAD_ID.$FIELD: $VALUE"
+if [ "$FIELD" = "parent" ]; then
+    # Reparent: create new bead under parent with same data, then delete original
+    JSON=$(9p read "anvillm/beads/$MOUNT/$BEAD_ID/json")
+    TITLE=$(echo "$JSON" | jq -r '.title')
+    DESC=$(echo "$JSON" | jq -r '.description // ""')
+    STATUS=$(echo "$JSON" | jq -r '.status')
+    
+    # Create under new parent
+    printf "new '%s' '%s' %s\n" "$TITLE" "$DESC" "$VALUE" | 9p write anvillm/beads/$MOUNT/ctl
+    
+    # Delete original
+    printf "delete %s\n" "$BEAD_ID" | 9p write anvillm/beads/$MOUNT/ctl
+    
+    echo "reparented $BEAD_ID under $VALUE"
+else
+    printf "update %s %s '%s'\n" "$BEAD_ID" "$FIELD" "$VALUE" | 9p write anvillm/beads/$MOUNT/ctl
+    echo "updated $BEAD_ID.$FIELD: $VALUE"
+fi