diff --git a/lib/crewai-core/src/crewai_core/lock_store.py b/lib/crewai-core/src/crewai_core/lock_store.py
index 0f09fa7f66..be1d08faaf 100644
--- a/lib/crewai-core/src/crewai_core/lock_store.py
+++ b/lib/crewai-core/src/crewai_core/lock_store.py
@@ -1,14 +1,18 @@
 """Centralised lock factory.
 
-If ``REDIS_URL`` is set and the ``redis`` package is installed, locks are
-distributed via ``portalocker.RedisLock``. Otherwise, falls back to the
-standard file-based ``portalocker.Lock`` in the system temp dir.
+By default, if ``REDIS_URL`` is set and the ``redis`` package is installed,
+locks are distributed via ``portalocker.RedisLock``. Otherwise, falls back to
+the standard file-based ``portalocker.Lock`` in the system temp dir.
+
+The backend can be replaced via :func:`set_lock_backend` to plug in a custom
+locking strategy (e.g. a different distributed lock service, or an in-process
+lock for tests).
 """
 
 from __future__ import annotations
 
-from collections.abc import Iterator
-from contextlib import contextmanager
+from collections.abc import Callable, Iterator
+from contextlib import AbstractContextManager, contextmanager
 from functools import lru_cache
 from hashlib import md5
 import logging
@@ -30,6 +34,25 @@
 
 _DEFAULT_TIMEOUT: Final[int] = 120
 
+# A backend is called as ``backend(name, timeout=...)`` and returns a context
+# manager that holds the lock while the ``with`` block runs.
+LockBackend = Callable[..., AbstractContextManager[None]]
+
+# ``None`` means use the built-in Redis/file selection.
+_backend: LockBackend | None = None
+
+
+def set_lock_backend(backend: LockBackend | None) -> None:
+    """Replace the process-wide locking backend used by :func:`lock`.
+
+    Intended for one-time setup at startup. Pass ``None`` to restore the
+    built-in Redis/file default. In-flight :func:`lock` calls keep the backend
+    they started with, but swapping backends while other threads acquire locks
+    is otherwise unsynchronised.
+    """
+    global _backend
+    _backend = backend
+
 
 def _redis_available() -> bool:
     """Return True if redis is installed and REDIS_URL is set."""
@@ -58,10 +81,19 @@ def lock(name: str, *, timeout: float = _DEFAULT_TIMEOUT) -> Iterator[None]:
     """Acquire a named lock, yielding while it is held.
 
     Args:
-        name: A human-readable lock name (e.g. ``"chromadb_init"``).
-              Automatically namespaced to avoid collisions.
+        name: A human-readable lock name (e.g. ``"chromadb_init"``). The
+              built-in default namespaces it to avoid collisions; a custom
+              backend receives it verbatim.
         timeout: Maximum seconds to wait for the lock before raising.
     """
+    # Snapshot the global once: a concurrent set_lock_backend() must not turn
+    # the check-then-call into calling ``None``.
+    backend = _backend
+    if backend is not None:
+        with backend(name, timeout=timeout):
+            yield
+        return
+
     channel = f"crewai:{md5(name.encode(), usedforsecurity=False).hexdigest()}"
 
     if _redis_available():
diff --git a/lib/crewai/tests/utilities/test_lock_store.py b/lib/crewai/tests/utilities/test_lock_store.py
index 1baa0169a6..baad049d8a 100644
--- a/lib/crewai/tests/utilities/test_lock_store.py
+++ b/lib/crewai/tests/utilities/test_lock_store.py
@@ -1,11 +1,13 @@
 """Tests for lock_store.
 
-We verify our own logic: the _redis_available guard and which portalocker
-backend is selected. We trust portalocker to handle actual locking mechanics.
+We verify our own logic: the _redis_available guard, which portalocker
+backend is selected, and that a custom backend can be plugged in. We trust
+portalocker to handle actual locking mechanics.
 """
 
 from __future__ import annotations
 
+from contextlib import contextmanager
 import sys
 from unittest import mock
 
@@ -20,6 +22,14 @@ def no_redis_url(monkeypatch):
     monkeypatch.setattr(lock_store, "_REDIS_URL", None)
 
 
+@pytest.fixture(autouse=True)
+def reset_backend():
+    """Ensure a custom backend never leaks across tests."""
+    lock_store.set_lock_backend(None)
+    yield
+    lock_store.set_lock_backend(None)
+
+
 # _redis_available
 
 
@@ -64,3 +74,40 @@ def test_uses_redis_lock_when_redis_available(monkeypatch):
     kwargs = mock_redis_lock.call_args.kwargs
     assert kwargs["channel"].startswith("crewai:")
     assert kwargs["connection"] is fake_conn
+
+
+# custom backend
+
+
+def test_custom_backend_is_used():
+    calls = []
+
+    @contextmanager
+    def fake_backend(name, *, timeout):
+        calls.append((name, timeout))
+        yield
+
+    lock_store.set_lock_backend(fake_backend)
+
+    # The default file/redis path must not be touched when overridden.
+    with mock.patch("portalocker.Lock") as mock_lock:
+        with lock("custom_test", timeout=5):
+            pass
+
+    mock_lock.assert_not_called()
+    assert calls == [("custom_test", 5)]
+
+
+def test_clearing_backend_restores_default():
+    @contextmanager
+    def fake_backend(name, *, timeout):
+        yield
+
+    lock_store.set_lock_backend(fake_backend)
+    lock_store.set_lock_backend(None)
+
+    with mock.patch("portalocker.Lock") as mock_lock:
+        with lock("after_clear"):
+            pass
+
+    mock_lock.assert_called_once()