diff --git a/cmd/bd/integrity.go b/cmd/bd/integrity.go
index 2c54ad7e..77ecd4c1 100644
--- a/cmd/bd/integrity.go
+++ b/cmd/bd/integrity.go
@@ -12,23 +12,34 @@ import (
 	"github.com/steveyegge/beads/internal/types"
 )
 
+// isJSONLNewer checks if JSONL file is newer than database file.
+// Returns true if JSONL is newer, false otherwise.
+func isJSONLNewer(jsonlPath string) bool {
+	jsonlInfo, jsonlStatErr := os.Stat(jsonlPath)
+	if jsonlStatErr != nil {
+		return false
+	}
+
+	beadsDir := filepath.Dir(jsonlPath)
+	dbPath := filepath.Join(beadsDir, "beads.db")
+	dbInfo, dbStatErr := os.Stat(dbPath)
+	if dbStatErr != nil {
+		return false
+	}
+
+	return jsonlInfo.ModTime().After(dbInfo.ModTime())
+}
+
 // validatePreExport performs integrity checks before exporting database to JSONL.
 // Returns error if critical issues found that would cause data loss.
 func validatePreExport(ctx context.Context, store storage.Storage, jsonlPath string) error {
 	// Check if JSONL is newer than database - if so, must import first
-	jsonlInfo, jsonlStatErr := os.Stat(jsonlPath)
-	if jsonlStatErr == nil {
-		beadsDir := filepath.Dir(jsonlPath)
-		dbPath := filepath.Join(beadsDir, "beads.db")
-		dbInfo, dbStatErr := os.Stat(dbPath)
-		if dbStatErr == nil {
-			// If JSONL is newer, refuse export - caller must import first
-			if jsonlInfo.ModTime().After(dbInfo.ModTime()) {
-				return fmt.Errorf("refusing to export: JSONL is newer than database (import first to avoid data loss)")
-			}
-		}
+	if isJSONLNewer(jsonlPath) {
+		return fmt.Errorf("refusing to export: JSONL is newer than database (import first to avoid data loss)")
 	}
 
+	jsonlInfo, jsonlStatErr := os.Stat(jsonlPath)
+
 	// Get database issue count (fast path with COUNT(*) if available)
 	dbCount, err := countDBIssuesFast(ctx, store)
 	if err != nil {
diff --git a/cmd/bd/sync.go b/cmd/bd/sync.go
index bbb751d4..07586456 100644
--- a/cmd/bd/sync.go
+++ b/cmd/bd/sync.go
@@ -126,6 +126,16 @@ Use --merge to merge the sync branch back to main branch.`,
 		if dryRun {
 			fmt.Println("→ [DRY RUN] Would export pending changes to JSONL")
 		} else {
+			// Smart conflict resolution: if JSONL is newer, auto-import first
+			if isJSONLNewer(jsonlPath) {
+				fmt.Println("→ JSONL is newer than database, importing first...")
+				if err := importFromJSONL(ctx, jsonlPath, renameOnImport); err != nil {
+					fmt.Fprintf(os.Stderr, "Error auto-importing: %v\n", err)
+					os.Exit(1)
+				}
+				fmt.Println("✓ Auto-import complete")
+			}
+
 			// Pre-export integrity checks
 			if err := ensureStoreActive(); err == nil && store != nil {
 				if err := validatePreExport(ctx, store, jsonlPath); err != nil {