diff --git a/bmad/workflows/merge-upstream/checklist.md b/bmad/workflows/merge-upstream/checklist.md
index b8c03e22..78aed5c5 100644
--- a/bmad/workflows/merge-upstream/checklist.md
+++ b/bmad/workflows/merge-upstream/checklist.md
@@ -46,10 +46,18 @@
 - [ ] Graphiti episode includes: modification preservation status
 - [ ] Both memory systems confirmed successful storage
 
+## Backup Branch Cleanup
+
+- [ ] Backup branches identified: `git branch | grep backup-before-pull` executed
+- [ ] All backup branches matching pattern backup-before-pull-\* listed
+- [ ] Backup branches deleted successfully
+- [ ] Deletion confirmed: `git branch` shows no backup-before-pull branches remain
+- [ ] Number of cleaned up branches reported in summary
+
 ## Completeness
 
 - [ ] Merge commit hash documented in completion summary
-- [ ] Backup branch name documented for potential rollback
+- [ ] Backup branches cleaned up count included in summary
 - [ ] Files changed statistics recorded (files, insertions, deletions)
 - [ ] Modification preservation status documented (preserved/manually restored)
 - [ ] Reference documentation location confirmed: claudedocs/installer-modification-reference.md
@@ -86,6 +94,10 @@
 
 - [ ] Issue List:
 
+### Backup Branch Cleanup Issues
+
+- [ ] Issue List:
+
 ### Completeness Issues
 
 - [ ] Issue List:
diff --git a/bmad/workflows/merge-upstream/instructions.md b/bmad/workflows/merge-upstream/instructions.md
index d6e31bc7..f4e80113 100644
--- a/bmad/workflows/merge-upstream/instructions.md
+++ b/bmad/workflows/merge-upstream/instructions.md
@@ -140,13 +140,33 @@ Reference file should include:
 <action>Verify both memory systems confirm successful storage</action>
 </step>
 
-<step n="9" goal="Report completion and next steps">
+<step n="9" goal="Clean up backup branches">
+<action>List all backup branches created during merge process</action>
+<action>Identify backup branches matching pattern: backup-before-pull-*</action>
+
+<critical>Command: git branch | grep backup-before-pull</critical>
+
+<check if="backup branches found">
+  <action>Display found backup branches to user</action>
+  <action>Delete all backup branches matching the pattern</action>
+  <action>Confirm deletion with git branch output</action>
+  <action>Report number of branches cleaned up</action>
+</check>
+
+<check if="no backup branches found">
+  <action>Inform user that no backup branches need cleanup</action>
+</check>
+
+<action>Verify backup branches have been removed from git branch list</action>
+</step>
+
+<step n="10" goal="Report completion and next steps">
 <action>Generate comprehensive merge completion summary for {user_name}</action>
 
 <action>Include in summary:
 
 - Merge status (success/conflicts resolved)
-- Backup branch name and location
+- Backup branches cleaned up (count)
 - Merge commit hash
 - Files changed statistics
 - Modification preservation status (preserved/manually restored)