diff --git a/AGRARIAN_DEVELOPMENT_ROADMAP.md b/AGRARIAN_DEVELOPMENT_ROADMAP.md
index e82aa32..112c486 100644
--- a/AGRARIAN_DEVELOPMENT_ROADMAP.md
+++ b/AGRARIAN_DEVELOPMENT_ROADMAP.md
@@ -505,7 +505,11 @@ Target deliverable: A small group can join a server, spawn into one biome, gathe
   `AgrarianUseItem ItemId Quantity` support for MVP consumables, with food
   hunger recovery, raw meat hunger recovery plus sickness risk, bandage injury
   treatment, and restore-on-unsupported-item behavior.
-- [ ] Add equipment slots if needed.
+- [x] Add equipment slots if needed. Decision complete for MVP: dedicated
+  equipment slots are deferred because current tools do not yet drive equipped
+  state; tools remain inventory items until active hand, worn, backpack, armor,
+  weapon, durability, animation, or mesh-attachment rules require replicated and
+  persisted slot state.
 - [ ] Add weight or carry capacity placeholder.
 - [ ] Add inventory UI.
 - [x] Add replication for inventory changes.
diff --git a/Docs/InventoryDataModel.md b/Docs/InventoryDataModel.md
index 47b64d7..5d775a6 100644
--- a/Docs/InventoryDataModel.md
+++ b/Docs/InventoryDataModel.md
@@ -120,6 +120,22 @@ The 0.1.E inventory work should implement these operations on top of the model:
   systems layered on top.
 - UI: read the replicated stack list and send requests back through server RPCs.
 
+## Equipment Slot Decision
+
+Dedicated equipment slots are deferred for the 0.1.E MVP. Current MVP tools,
+including `basic_tool`, do not yet drive a separate equipped-state rule; they
+can stay in inventory and be checked by item ID when a gather, craft, or build
+action needs a tool requirement. Adding slots before a system reads them would
+create replicated state, UI work, and save/load obligations without changing
+gameplay.
+
+Equipment slots should be added when at least one implemented system needs
+state such as active hand item, worn clothing, armor, backpack, held weapon,
+tool durability while equipped, animation stance, or first-person/third-person
+mesh attachment. When that happens, equipment should be server authoritative,
+replicated, persisted, and implemented as a small slot map that references
+inventory stack IDs or moves stack instances between inventory and equipment.
+
 ## Design Rules
 
 - `ItemId` is the stable key. Display names can change.
diff --git a/Docs/TechnicalDesignDocument.md b/Docs/TechnicalDesignDocument.md
index c8a0090..63027ce 100644
--- a/Docs/TechnicalDesignDocument.md
+++ b/Docs/TechnicalDesignDocument.md
@@ -123,6 +123,13 @@ with a small health bump. This gives UI item-use work a concrete authority path
 while leaving tools, structures, and future complex consumables blocked until
 they have explicit gameplay rules.
 
+Dedicated equipment slots are intentionally deferred for the 0.1.E MVP. The
+current `basic_tool` item can remain an inventory item until an implemented
+system needs active hand, worn, backpack, armor, weapon, durability, animation,
+or mesh-attachment state. When that need appears, equipment should be added as
+server-authoritative, replicated, persisted slot state rather than as local UI
+selection only.
+
 ## Time And Environment
 
 The MVP gameplay calendar target is:
diff --git a/Scripts/verify_equipment_slot_decision.py b/Scripts/verify_equipment_slot_decision.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..cce9617
--- /dev/null
+++ b/Scripts/verify_equipment_slot_decision.py
@@ -0,0 +1,57 @@
+from pathlib import Path
+
+
+ROOT = Path(__file__).resolve().parents[1]
+FILES = {
+    "InventoryDataModel.md": ROOT / "Docs" / "InventoryDataModel.md",
+    "TechnicalDesignDocument.md": ROOT / "Docs" / "TechnicalDesignDocument.md",
+    "AGRARIAN_DEVELOPMENT_ROADMAP.md": ROOT / "AGRARIAN_DEVELOPMENT_ROADMAP.md",
+}
+
+EXPECTED = {
+    "InventoryDataModel.md": [
+        "## Equipment Slot Decision",
+        "Dedicated equipment slots are deferred for the 0.1.E MVP.",
+        "`basic_tool`",
+        "can stay in inventory and be checked by item ID",
+        "Adding slots before a system reads them would",
+        "active hand item",
+        "worn clothing",
+        "armor",
+        "backpack",
+        "held weapon",
+        "tool durability while equipped",
+        "mesh attachment",
+        "server authoritative",
+        "replicated",
+        "persisted",
+    ],
+    "TechnicalDesignDocument.md": [
+        "Dedicated equipment slots are intentionally deferred for the 0.1.E MVP.",
+        "`basic_tool` item can remain an inventory item",
+        "server-authoritative, replicated, persisted slot state",
+    ],
+    "AGRARIAN_DEVELOPMENT_ROADMAP.md": [
+        "[x] Add equipment slots if needed.",
+        "equipment slots are deferred",
+        "do not yet drive equipped",
+    ],
+}
+
+
+def main():
+    missing = []
+    for label, path in FILES.items():
+        text = path.read_text(encoding="utf-8")
+        for snippet in EXPECTED[label]:
+            if snippet not in text:
+                missing.append(f"{label}: {snippet}")
+
+    if missing:
+        raise RuntimeError("Equipment slot decision verification failed: " + "; ".join(missing))
+
+    print("Agrarian equipment slot decision verification complete.")
+
+
+if __name__ == "__main__":
+    main()