diff --git a/letta/otel/sqlalchemy_instrumentation.py b/letta/otel/sqlalchemy_instrumentation.py
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..ccab73a1
--- /dev/null
+++ b/letta/otel/sqlalchemy_instrumentation.py
@@ -0,0 +1,548 @@
+import asyncio
+import threading
+import traceback
+from contextlib import contextmanager
+from functools import wraps
+from typing import Any, Callable, Dict, List, Optional
+
+from opentelemetry import trace
+from opentelemetry.trace import Status, StatusCode
+from sqlalchemy import Engine, event
+from sqlalchemy.orm import Session
+from sqlalchemy.orm.loading import load_on_ident, load_on_pk_identity
+from sqlalchemy.orm.strategies import ImmediateLoader, JoinedLoader, LazyLoader, SelectInLoader, SubqueryLoader
+
+_config = {
+    "enabled": True,
+    "sql_truncate_length": 1000,
+    "monitor_joined_loading": True,
+    "log_instrumentation_errors": True,
+}
+
+_instrumentation_state = {
+    "engine_listeners": [],
+    "session_listeners": [],
+    "original_methods": {},
+    "active": False,
+}
+
+_context = threading.local()
+
+
+def _get_tracer():
+    """Get the OpenTelemetry tracer for SQLAlchemy instrumentation."""
+    return trace.get_tracer("sqlalchemy_sync_instrumentation", "1.0.0")
+
+
+def _is_event_loop_running() -> bool:
+    """Check if an asyncio event loop is running in the current thread."""
+    try:
+        loop = asyncio.get_running_loop()
+        return loop.is_running()
+    except RuntimeError:
+        return False
+
+
+def _is_main_thread() -> bool:
+    """Check if we're running on the main thread."""
+    return threading.current_thread() is threading.main_thread()
+
+
+def _truncate_sql(sql: str, max_length: int = 1000) -> str:
+    """Truncate SQL statement to specified length."""
+    if len(sql) <= max_length:
+        return sql
+    return sql[: max_length - 3] + "..."
+
+
+def _create_sync_db_span(
+    operation_type: str,
+    sql_statement: Optional[str] = None,
+    loader_type: Optional[str] = None,
+    relationship_key: Optional[str] = None,
+    is_joined: bool = False,
+    additional_attrs: Optional[Dict[str, Any]] = None,
+) -> Any:
+    """
+    Create an OpenTelemetry span for a synchronous database operation.
+
+    Args:
+        operation_type: Type of database operation
+        sql_statement: SQL statement being executed
+        loader_type: Type of SQLAlchemy loader (selectin, joined, lazy, etc.)
+        relationship_key: Name of relationship attribute if applicable
+        is_joined: Whether this is from joined loading
+        additional_attrs: Additional attributes to add to the span
+
+    Returns:
+        OpenTelemetry span
+    """
+    if not _config["enabled"]:
+        return None
+
+    # Only create spans for potentially problematic operations
+    if not _is_event_loop_running():
+        return None
+
+    tracer = _get_tracer()
+    span = tracer.start_span("db_operation")
+
+    # Set core attributes
+    span.set_attribute("db.operation.type", operation_type)
+
+    # SQL statement
+    if sql_statement:
+        span.set_attribute("db.statement", _truncate_sql(sql_statement, _config["sql_truncate_length"]))
+
+    # Loader information
+    if loader_type:
+        span.set_attribute("sqlalchemy.loader.type", loader_type)
+        span.set_attribute("sqlalchemy.loader.is_joined", is_joined)
+
+    # Relationship information
+    if relationship_key:
+        span.set_attribute("sqlalchemy.relationship.key", relationship_key)
+
+    # Additional attributes
+    if additional_attrs:
+        for key, value in additional_attrs.items():
+            span.set_attribute(key, value)
+
+    return span
+
+
+def _instrument_engine_events(engine: Engine) -> None:
+    """Instrument SQLAlchemy engine events to detect sync operations."""
+
+    # Check if this is an AsyncEngine and get its sync_engine if it is
+    from sqlalchemy.ext.asyncio import AsyncEngine
+
+    if isinstance(engine, AsyncEngine):
+        engine = engine.sync_engine
+
+    def before_cursor_execute(conn, cursor, statement, parameters, context, executemany):
+        """Track cursor execution start."""
+        if not _config["enabled"]:
+            return
+
+        # Store context for the after event
+        context._sync_instrumentation_span = _create_sync_db_span(
+            operation_type="cursor_execute",
+            sql_statement=statement,
+            additional_attrs={
+                "db.executemany": executemany,
+                "db.connection.info": str(conn.info),
+            },
+        )
+
+    def after_cursor_execute(conn, cursor, statement, parameters, context, executemany):
+        """Track cursor execution completion."""
+        if not _config["enabled"]:
+            return
+
+        span = getattr(context, "_sync_instrumentation_span", None)
+        if span:
+            span.set_status(Status(StatusCode.OK))
+            span.end()
+            context._sync_instrumentation_span = None
+
+    def handle_cursor_error(conn, cursor, statement, parameters, context, executemany):
+        """Handle cursor execution errors."""
+        if not _config["enabled"]:
+            return
+
+        span = getattr(context, "_sync_instrumentation_span", None)
+        if span:
+            span.set_status(Status(StatusCode.ERROR, "Database operation failed"))
+            span.end()
+            context._sync_instrumentation_span = None
+
+    # Register engine events
+    event.listen(engine, "before_cursor_execute", before_cursor_execute)
+    event.listen(engine, "after_cursor_execute", after_cursor_execute)
+    event.listen(engine, "handle_error", handle_cursor_error)
+
+    # Store listeners for cleanup
+    _instrumentation_state["engine_listeners"].extend(
+        [
+            (engine, "before_cursor_execute", before_cursor_execute),
+            (engine, "after_cursor_execute", after_cursor_execute),
+            (engine, "handle_error", handle_cursor_error),
+        ]
+    )
+
+
+def _instrument_loader_strategies() -> None:
+    """Instrument SQLAlchemy loader strategies to detect lazy loading."""
+
+    def create_loader_wrapper(loader_class: type, loader_type: str, is_joined: bool = False):
+        """Create a wrapper for loader strategy methods."""
+
+        def wrapper(original_method: Callable):
+            @wraps(original_method)
+            def instrumented_method(self, *args, **kwargs):
+                # Extract relationship information if available
+                relationship_key = getattr(self, "key", None)
+                if hasattr(self, "parent_property"):
+                    relationship_key = getattr(self.parent_property, "key", relationship_key)
+
+                span = _create_sync_db_span(
+                    operation_type="loader_strategy",
+                    loader_type=loader_type,
+                    relationship_key=relationship_key,
+                    is_joined=is_joined,
+                    additional_attrs={
+                        "sqlalchemy.loader.class": loader_class.__name__,
+                        "sqlalchemy.loader.method": original_method.__name__,
+                    },
+                )
+
+                try:
+                    result = original_method(self, *args, **kwargs)
+                    if span:
+                        span.set_status(Status(StatusCode.OK))
+                    return result
+                except Exception as e:
+                    if span:
+                        span.set_status(Status(StatusCode.ERROR, str(e)))
+                    raise
+                finally:
+                    if span:
+                        span.end()
+
+            return instrumented_method
+
+        return wrapper
+
+    # Instrument different loader strategies
+    loaders_to_instrument = [
+        (SelectInLoader, "selectin", False),
+        (JoinedLoader, "joined", True),
+        (LazyLoader, "lazy", False),
+        (SubqueryLoader, "subquery", False),
+        (ImmediateLoader, "immediate", False),
+    ]
+
+    for loader_class, loader_type, is_joined in loaders_to_instrument:
+        # Skip if monitoring joined loading is disabled
+        if is_joined and not _config["monitor_joined_loading"]:
+            continue
+
+        wrapper = create_loader_wrapper(loader_class, loader_type, is_joined)
+
+        # Instrument key methods
+        methods_to_instrument = ["_load_for_path", "load_for_path"]
+
+        for method_name in methods_to_instrument:
+            if hasattr(loader_class, method_name):
+                original_method = getattr(loader_class, method_name)
+                key = f"{loader_class.__name__}.{method_name}"
+
+                # Store original method for cleanup
+                _instrumentation_state["original_methods"][key] = original_method
+
+                # Apply wrapper
+                setattr(loader_class, method_name, wrapper(original_method))
+
+    # Instrument additional joined loading specific methods
+    if _config["monitor_joined_loading"]:
+        joined_methods = [
+            (JoinedLoader, "_create_eager_join"),
+            (JoinedLoader, "_generate_cache_key"),
+        ]
+
+        wrapper = create_loader_wrapper(JoinedLoader, "joined", True)
+
+        for loader_class, method_name in joined_methods:
+            if hasattr(loader_class, method_name):
+                original_method = getattr(loader_class, method_name)
+                key = f"{loader_class.__name__}.{method_name}"
+
+                _instrumentation_state["original_methods"][key] = original_method
+                setattr(loader_class, method_name, wrapper(original_method))
+
+
+def _instrument_loading_functions() -> None:
+    """Instrument SQLAlchemy loading functions."""
+
+    def create_loading_wrapper(func_name: str):
+        """Create a wrapper for loading functions."""
+
+        def wrapper(original_func: Callable):
+            @wraps(original_func)
+            def instrumented_func(*args, **kwargs):
+                span = _create_sync_db_span(
+                    operation_type="loading_function",
+                    additional_attrs={
+                        "sqlalchemy.loading.function": func_name,
+                    },
+                )
+
+                try:
+                    result = original_func(*args, **kwargs)
+                    if span:
+                        span.set_status(Status(StatusCode.OK))
+                    return result
+                except Exception as e:
+                    if span:
+                        span.set_status(Status(StatusCode.ERROR, str(e)))
+                    raise
+                finally:
+                    if span:
+                        span.end()
+
+            return instrumented_func
+
+        return wrapper
+
+    # Instrument loading functions
+    import sqlalchemy.orm.loading as loading_module
+
+    functions_to_instrument = [
+        (loading_module, "load_on_ident", load_on_ident),
+        (loading_module, "load_on_pk_identity", load_on_pk_identity),
+    ]
+
+    for module, func_name, original_func in functions_to_instrument:
+        wrapper = create_loading_wrapper(func_name)
+
+        # Store original function for cleanup
+        _instrumentation_state["original_methods"][f"loading.{func_name}"] = original_func
+
+        # Apply wrapper
+        setattr(module, func_name, wrapper(original_func))
+
+
+def _instrument_session_operations() -> None:
+    """Instrument SQLAlchemy session operations."""
+
+    def before_flush(session, flush_context, instances):
+        """Track session flush operations."""
+        if not _config["enabled"]:
+            return
+
+        span = _create_sync_db_span(
+            operation_type="session_flush",
+            additional_attrs={
+                "sqlalchemy.session.new_count": len(session.new),
+                "sqlalchemy.session.dirty_count": len(session.dirty),
+                "sqlalchemy.session.deleted_count": len(session.deleted),
+            },
+        )
+
+        # Store span in session for cleanup
+        session._sync_instrumentation_flush_span = span
+
+    def after_flush(session, flush_context):
+        """Track session flush completion."""
+        if not _config["enabled"]:
+            return
+
+        span = getattr(session, "_sync_instrumentation_flush_span", None)
+        if span:
+            span.set_status(Status(StatusCode.OK))
+            span.end()
+            session._sync_instrumentation_flush_span = None
+
+    def after_flush_postexec(session, flush_context):
+        """Track session flush post-execution."""
+        if not _config["enabled"]:
+            return
+
+        span = getattr(session, "_sync_instrumentation_flush_span", None)
+        if span:
+            span.set_status(Status(StatusCode.OK))
+            span.end()
+            session._sync_instrumentation_flush_span = None
+
+    # Register session events
+    event.listen(Session, "before_flush", before_flush)
+    event.listen(Session, "after_flush", after_flush)
+    event.listen(Session, "after_flush_postexec", after_flush_postexec)
+
+    # Store listeners for cleanup
+    _instrumentation_state["session_listeners"].extend(
+        [
+            (Session, "before_flush", before_flush),
+            (Session, "after_flush", after_flush),
+            (Session, "after_flush_postexec", after_flush_postexec),
+        ]
+    )
+
+
+def setup_sqlalchemy_sync_instrumentation(
+    engines: Optional[List[Engine]] = None,
+    config_overrides: Optional[Dict[str, Any]] = None,
+    lazy_loading_only: bool = True,
+) -> None:
+    """
+    Set up SQLAlchemy synchronous operation instrumentation.
+
+    Args:
+        engines: List of SQLAlchemy engines to instrument. If None, will attempt
+                to discover engines automatically.
+        config_overrides: Dictionary of configuration overrides.
+        lazy_loading_only: If True, only instrument lazy loading operations.
+    """
+    if _instrumentation_state["active"]:
+        return  # Already active
+
+    try:
+        # Apply configuration overrides
+        if config_overrides:
+            _config.update(config_overrides)
+
+        # If lazy_loading_only is True, update config to focus on lazy loading
+        if lazy_loading_only:
+            _config.update(
+                {
+                    "monitor_joined_loading": False,  # Don't monitor joined loading
+                }
+            )
+
+        # Discover engines if not provided
+        if engines is None:
+            engines = []
+            # Try to find engines from the database registry
+            try:
+                from letta.server.db import db_registry
+
+                if hasattr(db_registry, "_async_engines"):
+                    engines.extend(db_registry._async_engines.values())
+                if hasattr(db_registry, "_sync_engines"):
+                    engines.extend(db_registry._sync_engines.values())
+            except ImportError:
+                pass
+
+        # Instrument loader strategies (focus on lazy loading if specified)
+        _instrument_loader_strategies()
+
+        # Instrument loading functions
+        _instrument_loading_functions()
+
+        # Instrument session operations
+        _instrument_session_operations()
+
+        # Instrument engines last to avoid potential errors with async engines
+        for engine in engines:
+            try:
+                _instrument_engine_events(engine)
+            except Exception as e:
+                if _config["log_instrumentation_errors"]:
+                    print(f"Error instrumenting engine {engine}: {e}")
+                    # Continue with other engines
+
+        _instrumentation_state["active"] = True
+
+    except Exception as e:
+        if _config["log_instrumentation_errors"]:
+            print(f"Error setting up SQLAlchemy instrumentation: {e}")
+            import traceback
+
+            traceback.print_exc()
+        raise
+
+
+def teardown_sqlalchemy_sync_instrumentation() -> None:
+    """Tear down SQLAlchemy synchronous operation instrumentation."""
+    if not _instrumentation_state["active"]:
+        return  # Not active
+
+    try:
+        # Remove engine listeners
+        for engine, event_name, listener in _instrumentation_state["engine_listeners"]:
+            event.remove(engine, event_name, listener)
+
+        # Remove session listeners
+        for target, event_name, listener in _instrumentation_state["session_listeners"]:
+            event.remove(target, event_name, listener)
+
+        # Restore original methods
+        for key, original_method in _instrumentation_state["original_methods"].items():
+            if "." in key:
+                module_or_class_name, method_name = key.rsplit(".", 1)
+
+                if key.startswith("loading."):
+                    # Restore loading function
+                    import sqlalchemy.orm.loading as loading_module
+
+                    setattr(loading_module, method_name, original_method)
+                else:
+                    # Restore class method
+                    class_name = module_or_class_name
+                    # Find the class
+                    for cls in [SelectInLoader, JoinedLoader, LazyLoader, SubqueryLoader, ImmediateLoader]:
+                        if cls.__name__ == class_name:
+                            setattr(cls, method_name, original_method)
+                            break
+
+        # Clear state
+        _instrumentation_state["engine_listeners"].clear()
+        _instrumentation_state["session_listeners"].clear()
+        _instrumentation_state["original_methods"].clear()
+        _instrumentation_state["active"] = False
+
+    except Exception as e:
+        if _config["log_instrumentation_errors"]:
+            print(f"Error tearing down SQLAlchemy instrumentation: {e}")
+            traceback.print_exc()
+        raise
+
+
+def configure_instrumentation(**kwargs) -> None:
+    """
+    Configure SQLAlchemy synchronous operation instrumentation.
+
+    Args:
+        **kwargs: Configuration options to update.
+    """
+    _config.update(kwargs)
+
+
+def get_instrumentation_config() -> Dict[str, Any]:
+    """Get current instrumentation configuration."""
+    return _config.copy()
+
+
+def is_instrumentation_active() -> bool:
+    """Check if instrumentation is currently active."""
+    return _instrumentation_state["active"]
+
+
+# Context manager for temporary instrumentation
+@contextmanager
+def temporary_instrumentation(**config_overrides):
+    """
+    Context manager for temporary SQLAlchemy instrumentation.
+
+    Args:
+        **config_overrides: Configuration overrides for the instrumentation.
+    """
+    was_active = _instrumentation_state["active"]
+
+    if not was_active:
+        setup_sqlalchemy_sync_instrumentation(config_overrides=config_overrides)
+
+    try:
+        yield
+    finally:
+        if not was_active:
+            teardown_sqlalchemy_sync_instrumentation()
+
+
+# FastAPI integration helper
+def setup_fastapi_instrumentation(app):
+    """
+    Set up SQLAlchemy instrumentation for FastAPI application.
+
+    Args:
+        app: FastAPI application instance
+    """
+
+    @app.on_event("startup")
+    async def startup_instrumentation():
+        setup_sqlalchemy_sync_instrumentation()
+
+    @app.on_event("shutdown")
+    async def shutdown_instrumentation():
+        teardown_sqlalchemy_sync_instrumentation()
diff --git a/letta/otel/sqlalchemy_instrumentation_integration.py b/letta/otel/sqlalchemy_instrumentation_integration.py
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..fe05d3a4
--- /dev/null
+++ b/letta/otel/sqlalchemy_instrumentation_integration.py
@@ -0,0 +1,124 @@
+"""
+Integration module for SQLAlchemy synchronous operation instrumentation.
+
+This module provides easy integration with the existing Letta application,
+including automatic discovery of database engines and integration with
+the existing OpenTelemetry setup.
+"""
+
+import logging
+from typing import Any, Dict, Optional
+
+from letta.otel.sqlalchemy_instrumentation import (
+    configure_instrumentation,
+    get_instrumentation_config,
+    is_instrumentation_active,
+    setup_sqlalchemy_sync_instrumentation,
+    teardown_sqlalchemy_sync_instrumentation,
+)
+from letta.server.db import db_registry
+
+logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
+
+
+def setup_letta_db_instrumentation(
+    enable_joined_monitoring: bool = True,
+    sql_truncate_length: int = 1000,
+    additional_config: Optional[Dict[str, Any]] = None,
+) -> None:
+    """
+    Set up SQLAlchemy instrumentation for Letta application.
+
+    Args:
+        enable_joined_monitoring: Whether to monitor joined loading operations
+        sql_truncate_length: Maximum length of SQL statements in traces
+        additional_config: Additional configuration options
+    """
+    if is_instrumentation_active():
+        logger.info("SQLAlchemy instrumentation already active")
+        return
+
+    # Build configuration
+    config = {
+        "enabled": True,
+        "monitor_joined_loading": enable_joined_monitoring,
+        "sql_truncate_length": sql_truncate_length,
+        "log_instrumentation_errors": True,
+    }
+
+    if additional_config:
+        config.update(additional_config)
+
+    # Get engines from db_registry
+    engines = []
+    try:
+        if hasattr(db_registry, "_async_engines"):
+            engines.extend(db_registry._async_engines.values())
+        if hasattr(db_registry, "_sync_engines"):
+            engines.extend(db_registry._sync_engines.values())
+    except Exception as e:
+        logger.warning(f"Could not discover engines from db_registry: {e}")
+
+    if not engines:
+        logger.warning("No SQLAlchemy engines found for instrumentation")
+        return
+
+    try:
+        setup_sqlalchemy_sync_instrumentation(
+            engines=engines,
+            config_overrides=config,
+        )
+        logger.info(f"SQLAlchemy instrumentation setup complete for {len(engines)} engines")
+
+        # Log configuration
+        logger.info("Instrumentation configuration:")
+        for key, value in get_instrumentation_config().items():
+            logger.info(f"  {key}: {value}")
+
+    except Exception as e:
+        logger.error(f"Failed to setup SQLAlchemy instrumentation: {e}")
+        raise
+
+
+def teardown_letta_db_instrumentation() -> None:
+    """Tear down SQLAlchemy instrumentation for Letta application."""
+    if not is_instrumentation_active():
+        logger.info("SQLAlchemy instrumentation not active")
+        return
+
+    try:
+        teardown_sqlalchemy_sync_instrumentation()
+        logger.info("SQLAlchemy instrumentation teardown complete")
+    except Exception as e:
+        logger.error(f"Failed to teardown SQLAlchemy instrumentation: {e}")
+        raise
+
+
+def configure_letta_db_instrumentation(**kwargs) -> None:
+    """
+    Configure SQLAlchemy instrumentation for Letta application.
+
+    Args:
+        **kwargs: Configuration options to update
+    """
+    configure_instrumentation(**kwargs)
+    logger.info(f"SQLAlchemy instrumentation configuration updated: {kwargs}")
+
+
+# FastAPI integration
+def setup_fastapi_db_instrumentation(app, **config_kwargs):
+    """
+    Set up SQLAlchemy instrumentation for FastAPI application.
+
+    Args:
+        app: FastAPI application instance
+        **config_kwargs: Configuration options for instrumentation
+    """
+
+    @app.on_event("startup")
+    async def startup_db_instrumentation():
+        setup_letta_db_instrumentation(**config_kwargs)
+
+    @app.on_event("shutdown")
+    async def shutdown_db_instrumentation():
+        teardown_letta_db_instrumentation()
diff --git a/letta/otel/tracing.py b/letta/otel/tracing.py
index 05cd485a..db22d013 100644
--- a/letta/otel/tracing.py
+++ b/letta/otel/tracing.py
@@ -143,7 +143,43 @@ def setup_tracing(
     if settings.sqlalchemy_tracing:
         from opentelemetry.instrumentation.sqlalchemy import SQLAlchemyInstrumentor
 
-        SQLAlchemyInstrumentor().instrument()
+        from letta.server.db import db_registry
+
+        # For OpenTelemetry SQLAlchemy instrumentation, we need to use the sync_engine
+        async_engine = db_registry.get_async_engine()
+        if async_engine:
+            # Access the sync_engine attribute safely
+            try:
+                SQLAlchemyInstrumentor().instrument(
+                    engine=async_engine.sync_engine,
+                    enable_commenter=True,
+                    commenter_options={},
+                    enable_attribute_commenter=True,
+                )
+            except Exception:
+                # Fall back to instrumenting without specifying an engine
+                # This will still capture some SQL operations
+                SQLAlchemyInstrumentor().instrument(
+                    enable_commenter=True,
+                    commenter_options={},
+                    enable_attribute_commenter=True,
+                )
+        else:
+            # If no async engine is available, instrument without an engine
+            SQLAlchemyInstrumentor().instrument(
+                enable_commenter=True,
+                commenter_options={},
+                enable_attribute_commenter=True,
+            )
+
+        # Additionally set up our custom instrumentation
+        try:
+            from letta.otel.sqlalchemy_instrumentation_integration import setup_letta_db_instrumentation
+
+            setup_letta_db_instrumentation(enable_joined_monitoring=True)
+        except Exception as e:
+            # Log but continue if our custom instrumentation fails
+            logger.warning(f"Failed to setup Letta DB instrumentation: {e}")
 
     if app:
         # Add middleware first
diff --git a/letta/server/db.py b/letta/server/db.py
index a5ff37dd..089b94a6 100644
--- a/letta/server/db.py
+++ b/letta/server/db.py
@@ -259,6 +259,11 @@ class DatabaseRegistry:
         self.initialize_sync()
         return self._engines.get(name)
 
+    def get_async_engine(self, name: str = "default") -> Engine:
+        """Get a database engine by name."""
+        self.initialize_async()
+        return self._async_engines.get(name)
+
     def get_session_factory(self, name: str = "default") -> sessionmaker:
         """Get a session factory by name."""
         self.initialize_sync()
diff --git a/letta/server/rest_api/app.py b/letta/server/rest_api/app.py
index c630e2f5..286e94e3 100644
--- a/letta/server/rest_api/app.py
+++ b/letta/server/rest_api/app.py
@@ -157,6 +157,17 @@ async def lifespan(app_: FastAPI):
         logger.info(f"[Worker {worker_id}] Scheduler shutdown completed")
     except Exception as e:
         logger.error(f"[Worker {worker_id}] Scheduler shutdown failed: {e}", exc_info=True)
+
+    # Cleanup SQLAlchemy instrumentation
+    if not settings.disable_tracing and settings.sqlalchemy_tracing:
+        try:
+            from letta.otel.sqlalchemy_instrumentation_integration import teardown_letta_db_instrumentation
+
+            teardown_letta_db_instrumentation()
+            logger.info(f"[Worker {worker_id}] SQLAlchemy instrumentation shutdown completed")
+        except Exception as e:
+            logger.warning(f"[Worker {worker_id}] SQLAlchemy instrumentation shutdown failed: {e}")
+
     logger.info(f"[Worker {worker_id}] Lifespan shutdown completed")
 
 
@@ -314,6 +325,20 @@ def create_application() -> "FastAPI":
         )
         setup_metrics(endpoint=otlp_endpoint, app=app, service_name=service_name)
 
+        # Set up SQLAlchemy synchronous operation instrumentation
+        if settings.sqlalchemy_tracing:
+            from letta.otel.sqlalchemy_instrumentation_integration import setup_letta_db_instrumentation
+
+            try:
+                setup_letta_db_instrumentation(
+                    enable_joined_monitoring=True,  # Monitor joined loading operations
+                    sql_truncate_length=1500,  # Longer SQL statements for debugging
+                )
+                print("▶ SQLAlchemy synchronous operation instrumentation enabled")
+            except Exception as e:
+                logger.warning(f"Failed to setup SQLAlchemy instrumentation: {e}")
+                # Don't fail startup if instrumentation fails
+
     for route in v1_routes:
         app.include_router(route, prefix=API_PREFIX)
         # this gives undocumented routes for "latest" and bare api calls.
diff --git a/poetry.lock b/poetry.lock
index e0be4803..e1a49e78 100644
--- a/poetry.lock
+++ b/poetry.lock
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-# This file is automatically @generated by Poetry 2.1.3 and should not be changed by hand.
+# This file is automatically @generated by Poetry 2.1.2 and should not be changed by hand.
 
 [[package]]
 name = "aioboto3"
@@ -4573,6 +4573,28 @@ opentelemetry-util-http = "0.51b0"
 [package.extras]
 instruments = ["requests (>=2.0,<3.0)"]
 
+[[package]]
+name = "opentelemetry-instrumentation-sqlalchemy"
+version = "0.51b0"
+description = "OpenTelemetry SQLAlchemy instrumentation"
+optional = false
+python-versions = ">=3.8"
+groups = ["main"]
+files = [
+    {file = "opentelemetry_instrumentation_sqlalchemy-0.51b0-py3-none-any.whl", hash = "sha256:5ff4816228b496aef1511149e2b17a25e0faacec4d5eb65bf18a9964af40f1af"},
+    {file = "opentelemetry_instrumentation_sqlalchemy-0.51b0.tar.gz", hash = "sha256:dbfe95b69006017f903dda194606be458d54789e6b3419d37161fb8861bb98a5"},
+]
+
+[package.dependencies]
+opentelemetry-api = ">=1.12,<2.0"
+opentelemetry-instrumentation = "0.51b0"
+opentelemetry-semantic-conventions = "0.51b0"
+packaging = ">=21.0"
+wrapt = ">=1.11.2"
+
+[package.extras]
+instruments = ["sqlalchemy (>=1.0.0,<2.1.0)"]
+
 [[package]]
 name = "opentelemetry-proto"
 version = "1.30.0"
@@ -8107,4 +8129,4 @@ tests = ["wikipedia"]
 [metadata]
 lock-version = "2.1"
 python-versions = "<3.14,>=3.10"
-content-hash = "78dd3924afcef62f87fc4e03a33da6fbb1dc0f4f5fee435fef9ae02018414fd5"
+content-hash = "03cb9e2fb78259e20c53617103da09ff9366315a72181d8306b10d73eb08a42d"
diff --git a/pyproject.toml b/pyproject.toml
index cfedeeff..02b367e2 100644
--- a/pyproject.toml
+++ b/pyproject.toml
@@ -77,6 +77,7 @@ openai = "^1.60.0"
 opentelemetry-api = "1.30.0"
 opentelemetry-sdk = "1.30.0"
 opentelemetry-instrumentation-requests = "0.51b0"
+opentelemetry-instrumentation-sqlalchemy = "0.51b0"
 opentelemetry-exporter-otlp = "1.30.0"
 google-genai = {version = "^1.15.0", optional = true}
 faker = "^36.1.0"