diff --git a/internal/cmd/install.go b/internal/cmd/install.go
index dfd895f6..d993ae0c 100644
--- a/internal/cmd/install.go
+++ b/internal/cmd/install.go
@@ -258,6 +258,12 @@ func runInstall(cmd *cobra.Command, args []string) error {
 	// Town beads (hq- prefix) stores mayor mail, cross-rig coordination, and handoffs.
 	// Rig beads are separate and have their own prefixes.
 	if !installNoBeads {
+		// Kill any orphaned bd daemons before initializing beads.
+		// Stale daemons can interfere with fresh database creation.
+		if killed, _, _ := beads.StopAllBdProcesses(false, true); killed > 0 {
+			fmt.Printf("   ✓ Stopped %d orphaned bd daemon(s)\n", killed)
+		}
+
 		if err := initTownBeads(absPath); err != nil {
 			fmt.Printf("   %s Could not initialize town beads: %v\n", style.Dim.Render("⚠"), err)
 		} else {