diff --git a/cmd/sdlc/cmd_merge.go b/cmd/sdlc/cmd_merge.go
index d769ca5..546a354 100644
--- a/cmd/sdlc/cmd_merge.go
+++ b/cmd/sdlc/cmd_merge.go
@@ -113,12 +113,21 @@ var mergeCmd = &cobra.Command{
 			_ = resetCmd.Run()
 		}
 
+		// Determine merge ref: prefer local branch, fall back to origin/<branch>
+		// when running in worker pods where resetToMain leaves only remote refs.
+		mergeRef := f.Branch
+		checkBranch := exec.Command("git", "rev-parse", "--verify", f.Branch)
+		checkBranch.Dir = root
+		if err := checkBranch.Run(); err != nil {
+			mergeRef = "origin/" + f.Branch
+		}
+
 		// Merge
 		mergeArgs := []string{"merge"}
 		if strategy == "squash" {
 			mergeArgs = append(mergeArgs, "--squash")
 		}
-		mergeArgs = append(mergeArgs, f.Branch)
+		mergeArgs = append(mergeArgs, mergeRef)
 
 		gitMerge := exec.Command("git", mergeArgs...)
 		gitMerge.Dir = root