diff --git a/src/core/db.ts b/src/core/db.ts
index 0a7c9f5..208d4a4 100644
--- a/src/core/db.ts
+++ b/src/core/db.ts
@@ -192,32 +192,43 @@ export function getDbForGraph(graphName: string): Database.Database {
  * Migrate existing .memory directory to new graphs system
  */
 export function migrateOldDatabase(): boolean {
-  const oldDir = path.join(process.cwd(), '.memory');
-  const oldDbPath = path.join(oldDir, 'cortex.db');
+  try {
+    const oldDir = path.join(process.cwd(), '.memory');
+    const oldDbPath = path.join(oldDir, 'cortex.db');
 
-  if (!fs.existsSync(oldDbPath)) {
+    if (!fs.existsSync(oldDbPath)) {
+      return false;
+    }
+
+    // Check if we've already migrated
+    const defaultDbPath = getGraphDbPath('default');
+    if (fs.existsSync(defaultDbPath)) {
+      return false;
+    }
+
+    // Create default graph directory
+    const defaultGraphDir = path.dirname(defaultDbPath);
+    fs.mkdirSync(defaultGraphDir, { recursive: true });
+
+    // Copy old database to new location
+    fs.copyFileSync(oldDbPath, defaultDbPath);
+
+    // Try to rename old directory as backup (may fail if locked)
+    try {
+      const backupDir = `${oldDir}.migrated-${Date.now()}`;
+      fs.renameSync(oldDir, backupDir);
+      console.log(`Migrated .memory database to new multi-graph system`);
+      console.log(`Old database backed up to ${backupDir}`);
+    } catch {
+      // Directory might be locked, just leave it
+      console.log(`Migrated .memory database to new multi-graph system`);
+      console.log(`Note: Old .memory directory is in use and was not renamed`);
+    }
+
+    return true;
+  } catch {
+    // Migration failed, probably permissions or file lock
+    // Silently continue - the old database will still work
     return false;
   }
-
-  // Check if we've already migrated
-  const defaultDbPath = getGraphDbPath('default');
-  if (fs.existsSync(defaultDbPath)) {
-    return false;
-  }
-
-  // Create default graph directory
-  const defaultGraphDir = path.dirname(defaultDbPath);
-  fs.mkdirSync(defaultGraphDir, { recursive: true });
-
-  // Copy old database to new location
-  fs.copyFileSync(oldDbPath, defaultDbPath);
-
-  // Rename old directory as backup
-  const backupDir = `${oldDir}.migrated-${Date.now()}`;
-  fs.renameSync(oldDir, backupDir);
-
-  console.log(`Migrated .memory database to new multi-graph system`);
-  console.log(`Old database backed up to ${backupDir}`);
-
-  return true;
 }