diff --git a/internal/beads/beads.go b/internal/beads/beads.go
index f89eb503..fa3fdfa1 100644
--- a/internal/beads/beads.go
+++ b/internal/beads/beads.go
@@ -1436,3 +1436,130 @@ func (b *Beads) AddGateWaiter(gateID, waiter string) error {
 	}
 	return nil
 }
+
+// ===== Merge Slot Functions (serialized conflict resolution) =====
+
+// MergeSlotStatus represents the result of checking a merge slot.
+type MergeSlotStatus struct {
+	ID        string   `json:"id"`
+	Available bool     `json:"available"`
+	Holder    string   `json:"holder,omitempty"`
+	Waiters   []string `json:"waiters,omitempty"`
+	Error     string   `json:"error,omitempty"`
+}
+
+// MergeSlotCreate creates the merge slot bead for the current rig.
+// The slot is used for serialized conflict resolution in the merge queue.
+// Returns the slot ID if successful.
+func (b *Beads) MergeSlotCreate() (string, error) {
+	out, err := b.run("merge-slot", "create", "--json")
+	if err != nil {
+		return "", fmt.Errorf("creating merge slot: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	var result struct {
+		ID     string `json:"id"`
+		Status string `json:"status"`
+	}
+	if err := json.Unmarshal(out, &result); err != nil {
+		return "", fmt.Errorf("parsing merge-slot create output: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	return result.ID, nil
+}
+
+// MergeSlotCheck checks the availability of the merge slot.
+// Returns the current status including holder and waiters if held.
+func (b *Beads) MergeSlotCheck() (*MergeSlotStatus, error) {
+	out, err := b.run("merge-slot", "check", "--json")
+	if err != nil {
+		// Check if slot doesn't exist
+		if strings.Contains(err.Error(), "not found") {
+			return &MergeSlotStatus{Error: "not found"}, nil
+		}
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("checking merge slot: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	var status MergeSlotStatus
+	if err := json.Unmarshal(out, &status); err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("parsing merge-slot check output: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	return &status, nil
+}
+
+// MergeSlotAcquire attempts to acquire the merge slot for exclusive access.
+// If holder is empty, defaults to BD_ACTOR environment variable.
+// If addWaiter is true and the slot is held, the requester is added to the waiters queue.
+// Returns the acquisition result.
+func (b *Beads) MergeSlotAcquire(holder string, addWaiter bool) (*MergeSlotStatus, error) {
+	args := []string{"merge-slot", "acquire", "--json"}
+	if holder != "" {
+		args = append(args, "--holder="+holder)
+	}
+	if addWaiter {
+		args = append(args, "--wait")
+	}
+
+	out, err := b.run(args...)
+	if err != nil {
+		// Parse the output even on error - it may contain useful info
+		var status MergeSlotStatus
+		if jsonErr := json.Unmarshal(out, &status); jsonErr == nil {
+			return &status, nil
+		}
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("acquiring merge slot: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	var status MergeSlotStatus
+	if err := json.Unmarshal(out, &status); err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("parsing merge-slot acquire output: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	return &status, nil
+}
+
+// MergeSlotRelease releases the merge slot after conflict resolution completes.
+// If holder is provided, it verifies the slot is held by that holder before releasing.
+func (b *Beads) MergeSlotRelease(holder string) error {
+	args := []string{"merge-slot", "release", "--json"}
+	if holder != "" {
+		args = append(args, "--holder="+holder)
+	}
+
+	out, err := b.run(args...)
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("releasing merge slot: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	var result struct {
+		Released bool   `json:"released"`
+		Error    string `json:"error,omitempty"`
+	}
+	if err := json.Unmarshal(out, &result); err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("parsing merge-slot release output: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	if !result.Released && result.Error != "" {
+		return fmt.Errorf("slot release failed: %s", result.Error)
+	}
+
+	return nil
+}
+
+// MergeSlotEnsureExists creates the merge slot if it doesn't exist.
+// This is idempotent - safe to call multiple times.
+func (b *Beads) MergeSlotEnsureExists() (string, error) {
+	// Check if slot exists first
+	status, err := b.MergeSlotCheck()
+	if err != nil {
+		return "", err
+	}
+
+	if status.Error == "not found" {
+		// Create it
+		return b.MergeSlotCreate()
+	}
+
+	return status.ID, nil
+}
diff --git a/internal/refinery/engineer.go b/internal/refinery/engineer.go
index 63767a85..995642e3 100644
--- a/internal/refinery/engineer.go
+++ b/internal/refinery/engineer.go
@@ -11,6 +11,7 @@ import (
 	"os"
 	"os/exec"
 	"path/filepath"
+	"strings"
 	"time"
 
 	"github.com/steveyegge/gastown/internal/beads"
@@ -471,6 +472,20 @@ func (e *Engineer) handleSuccessFromQueue(mr *mrqueue.MR, result ProcessResult)
 		fmt.Fprintf(e.output, "[Engineer] Warning: failed to log merged event: %v\n", err)
 	}
 
+	// Release merge slot if this was a conflict resolution
+	// The slot is held while conflict resolution is in progress
+	holder := e.rig.Name + "/refinery"
+	if err := e.beads.MergeSlotRelease(holder); err != nil {
+		// Not an error if slot wasn't held - it's optional
+		// Only log if it seems like an actual issue
+		errStr := err.Error()
+		if !strings.Contains(errStr, "not held") && !strings.Contains(errStr, "not found") {
+			fmt.Fprintf(e.output, "[Engineer] Warning: failed to release merge slot: %v\n", err)
+		}
+	} else {
+		fmt.Fprintf(e.output, "[Engineer] Released merge slot\n")
+	}
+
 	// 1. Close source issue with reference to MR
 	if mr.SourceIssue != "" {
 		closeReason := fmt.Sprintf("Merged in %s", mr.ID)
@@ -551,7 +566,37 @@ func (e *Engineer) handleFailureFromQueue(mr *mrqueue.MR, result ProcessResult)
 //   Priority: inherit from original + boost (P2 -> P1)
 //   Parent: original MR bead
 //   Description: metadata including branch, conflict SHA, etc.
+//
+// Merge Slot Integration:
+// Before creating a conflict resolution task, we acquire the merge-slot for this rig.
+// This serializes conflict resolution - only one polecat can resolve conflicts at a time.
+// If the slot is already held, we skip creating the task and let the MR stay in queue.
+// When the current resolution completes and merges, the slot is released.
 func (e *Engineer) createConflictResolutionTask(mr *mrqueue.MR, result ProcessResult) (string, error) {
+	// === MERGE SLOT GATE: Serialize conflict resolution ===
+	// Ensure merge slot exists (idempotent)
+	slotID, err := e.beads.MergeSlotEnsureExists()
+	if err != nil {
+		fmt.Fprintf(e.output, "[Engineer] Warning: could not ensure merge slot: %v\n", err)
+		// Continue anyway - slot is optional for now
+	} else {
+		// Try to acquire the merge slot
+		holder := e.rig.Name + "/refinery"
+		status, err := e.beads.MergeSlotAcquire(holder, false)
+		if err != nil {
+			fmt.Fprintf(e.output, "[Engineer] Warning: could not acquire merge slot: %v\n", err)
+			// Continue anyway - slot is optional
+		} else if !status.Available && status.Holder != "" && status.Holder != holder {
+			// Slot is held by someone else - skip creating the task
+			// The MR stays in queue and will retry when slot is released
+			fmt.Fprintf(e.output, "[Engineer] Merge slot held by %s - deferring conflict resolution\n", status.Holder)
+			fmt.Fprintf(e.output, "[Engineer] MR %s will retry after current resolution completes\n", mr.ID)
+			return "", nil // Not an error - just deferred
+		}
+		// Either we acquired the slot, or status indicates we already hold it
+		fmt.Fprintf(e.output, "[Engineer] Acquired merge slot: %s\n", slotID)
+	}
+
 	// Get the current main SHA for conflict tracking
 	mainSHA, err := e.git.Rev("origin/" + mr.Target)
 	if err != nil {