feat: admin notification system with priority ordering, bell icon, and /notifications page

Two-tier notification system: new_booking (all public bookings) + pending_booking (notes/today).
Priority-sorted queue, unread count polling, enriched responses with user_name/booking_start_time.
Fix critical bug: edit_requested cleanup was broken (wrong reason string in 3 handlers).
Add 15 new tests covering priority ordering, enrichment, and notification creation flows.
Update Admin Manual, Technical Manual, and gap backlog docs.

backend/auth/jwt.go

@@ -36,17 +36,20 @@ func VerifyToken(tokenString string, ctx context.Context) (userID string, role s
 		return "", "", err
 	}
 
-	claims, err := token.AsMap(ctx)
+	var uidVal interface{}
-	if err != nil {
+	if err := token.Get("user_id", &uidVal); err != nil {
-		return "", "", err
+		return "", "", fmt.Errorf("invalid user_id claim")
 	}
-
+	userID, ok := uidVal.(string)
-	userID, ok := claims["user_id"].(string)
 	if !ok {
 		return "", "", fmt.Errorf("invalid user_id claim")
 	}
 
-	role, ok = claims["role"].(string)
+	var roleVal interface{}
+	if err := token.Get("role", &roleVal); err != nil {
+		return "", "", fmt.Errorf("invalid role claim")
+	}
+	role, ok = roleVal.(string)
 	if !ok {
 		return "", "", fmt.Errorf("invalid role claim")
 	}

backend/handlers/admin/bookings_test.go

@@ -1720,7 +1720,7 @@ func TestAdminBookings_ApproveEditRequest(t *testing.T) {
 	// Create admin notification
 	_, err = db.DB.Exec(context.Background(),
 		`INSERT INTO admin_notifications (reason, booking_id, user_id)
-		VALUES ('edit_request', $1, $2)`,
+		VALUES ('edit_requested', $1, $2)`,
 		bookingID, userID)
 	if err != nil {
 		t.Fatalf("failed to create admin notification: %v", err)
@@ -1773,7 +1773,7 @@ func TestAdminBookings_ApproveEditRequest(t *testing.T) {
 	var ackTime *time.Time
 	err = db.DB.QueryRow(context.Background(),
 		`SELECT acknowledged_at FROM admin_notifications
-		WHERE booking_id = $1 AND reason = 'edit_request'`,
+		WHERE booking_id = $1 AND reason = 'edit_requested'`,
 		bookingID).Scan(&ackTime)
 	if err != nil {
 		t.Fatalf("failed to query notification: %v", err)

backend/handlers/bookings/bookings.go

@@ -1672,27 +1672,37 @@ func CreateBookingHandler(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
 		}
 	}
 
-	// Determine notification reason: has notes OR booking is for today
+	// Always create low-priority notification for all bookings
-	notificationReason := "pending_booking"
+	if _, err := tx.Exec(r.Context(), `
+		INSERT INTO admin_notifications (reason, booking_id, user_id) VALUES ('new_booking', $1, $2)
+	`, booking.ID, userID); err != nil {
+		log.Printf("Failed to create admin notification for booking %s: %v", booking.ID, err)
+		http.Error(w, "Internal server error", http.StatusInternalServerError)
+		return
+	}
+
+	// If booking needs approval (has notes or is for today), also create high-priority notification
+	needsApproval := false
 	if req.Notes != nil && *req.Notes != "" {
-		notificationReason = "pending_booking" // Notes means pending approval too
+		needsApproval = true
 	} else {
-		// Check if booking is for today (same day in London timezone)
 		london, _ := time.LoadLocation("Europe/London")
 		now := time.Now().In(london)
 		bookingDay := req.StartTime.In(london)
 		if now.Year() == bookingDay.Year() && now.YearDay() == bookingDay.YearDay() {
-			notificationReason = "pending_booking" // Today's booking
+			needsApproval = true
 		}
 	}
 
+	if needsApproval {
 		if _, err := tx.Exec(r.Context(), `
-		INSERT INTO admin_notifications (reason, booking_id, user_id) VALUES ($1, $2, $3)
+			INSERT INTO admin_notifications (reason, booking_id, user_id) VALUES ('pending_booking', $1, $2)
-	`, notificationReason, booking.ID, userID); err != nil {
+		`, booking.ID, userID); err != nil {
-		log.Printf("Failed to create admin notification for booking %s: %v", booking.ID, err)
+			log.Printf("Failed to create pending approval notification for booking %s: %v", booking.ID, err)
 			http.Error(w, "Internal server error", http.StatusInternalServerError)
 			return
 		}
+	}
 
 	if err := tx.Commit(r.Context()); err != nil {
 		http.Error(w, "Internal server error", http.StatusInternalServerError)
@@ -2169,6 +2179,10 @@ func ProgressBookingHandler(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
 		if paymentCount > 0 {
 			db.DB.Exec(r.Context(), `UPDATE users SET deposits_required = GREATEST(0, deposits_required - 1) WHERE id = $1`, booking.User.ID)
 		}
+		// TODO: When online payments are live, create 'deposit_paid' notification here for:
+		//   - Online deposit payments (user pays deposit via Square)
+		//   - Early/late balance payments made online by the user
+		//   NOT for admin-recorded in-person payments — admin already knows about those.
 	}
 
 	w.Header().Set("Content-Type", "application/json")

backend/handlers/bookings/bookings_test.go

@@ -2644,7 +2644,7 @@ func TestCreateEditRequest(t *testing.T) {
 	var notifCount int
 	err = db.DB.QueryRow(context.Background(),
 		`SELECT COUNT(*) FROM admin_notifications
-		WHERE booking_id = $1 AND reason = 'edit_request' AND acknowledged_at IS NULL`,
+		WHERE booking_id = $1 AND reason = 'edit_requested' AND acknowledged_at IS NULL`,
 		bookingID).Scan(&notifCount)
 	if err != nil {
 		t.Fatalf("failed to query notifications: %v", err)
@@ -2790,7 +2790,7 @@ func TestDeleteEditRequest(t *testing.T) {
 	// Create admin notification
 	_, err = db.DB.Exec(context.Background(),
 		`INSERT INTO admin_notifications (reason, booking_id, user_id)
-		VALUES ('edit_request', $1, $2)`,
+		VALUES ('edit_requested', $1, $2)`,
 		bookingID, userID)
 	if err != nil {
 		t.Fatalf("failed to create admin notification: %v", err)
@@ -2821,7 +2821,7 @@ func TestDeleteEditRequest(t *testing.T) {
 	var notifCount int
 	err = db.DB.QueryRow(context.Background(),
 		`SELECT COUNT(*) FROM admin_notifications
-		WHERE booking_id = $1 AND reason = 'edit_request'`,
+		WHERE booking_id = $1 AND reason = 'edit_requested'`,
 		bookingID).Scan(&notifCount)
 	if err != nil {
 		t.Fatalf("failed to query notifications: %v", err)
@@ -2885,7 +2885,7 @@ func TestAdminApproveEditRequest(t *testing.T) {
 	// Create admin notification
 	_, err = db.DB.Exec(context.Background(),
 		`INSERT INTO admin_notifications (reason, booking_id, user_id)
-		VALUES ('edit_request', $1, $2)`,
+		VALUES ('edit_requested', $1, $2)`,
 		bookingID, userID)
 	if err != nil {
 		t.Fatalf("failed to create admin notification: %v", err)
@@ -2895,7 +2895,7 @@ func TestAdminApproveEditRequest(t *testing.T) {
 	var ackTime *time.Time
 	err = db.DB.QueryRow(context.Background(),
 		`SELECT acknowledged_at FROM admin_notifications
-		WHERE booking_id = $1 AND reason = 'edit_request'`,
+		WHERE booking_id = $1 AND reason = 'edit_requested'`,
 		bookingID).Scan(&ackTime)
 	if err != nil {
 		t.Fatalf("failed to query notification: %v", err)
@@ -2937,7 +2937,7 @@ func TestAdminApproveEditRequest(t *testing.T) {
 	var ackTimeAfter *time.Time
 	err = db.DB.QueryRow(context.Background(),
 		`SELECT acknowledged_at FROM admin_notifications
-		WHERE booking_id = $1 AND reason = 'edit_request'`,
+		WHERE booking_id = $1 AND reason = 'edit_requested'`,
 		bookingID).Scan(&ackTimeAfter)
 	if err != nil {
 		t.Fatalf("failed to query notification: %v", err)
@@ -2996,7 +2996,7 @@ func TestAdminRejectEditRequest(t *testing.T) {
 	// Create admin notification
 	_, err = db.DB.Exec(context.Background(),
 		`INSERT INTO admin_notifications (reason, booking_id, user_id)
-		VALUES ('edit_request', $1, $2)`,
+		VALUES ('edit_requested', $1, $2)`,
 		bookingID, userID)
 	if err != nil {
 		t.Fatalf("failed to create admin notification: %v", err)
@@ -3006,7 +3006,7 @@ func TestAdminRejectEditRequest(t *testing.T) {
 	var ackTime *time.Time
 	err = db.DB.QueryRow(context.Background(),
 		`SELECT acknowledged_at FROM admin_notifications
-		WHERE booking_id = $1 AND reason = 'edit_request'`,
+		WHERE booking_id = $1 AND reason = 'edit_requested'`,
 		bookingID).Scan(&ackTime)
 	if err != nil {
 		t.Fatalf("failed to query notification: %v", err)
@@ -3048,7 +3048,7 @@ func TestAdminRejectEditRequest(t *testing.T) {
 	var ackTimeAfter *time.Time
 	err = db.DB.QueryRow(context.Background(),
 		`SELECT acknowledged_at FROM admin_notifications
-		WHERE booking_id = $1 AND reason = 'edit_request'`,
+		WHERE booking_id = $1 AND reason = 'edit_requested'`,
 		bookingID).Scan(&ackTimeAfter)
 	if err != nil {
 		t.Fatalf("failed to query notification: %v", err)
@@ -3485,7 +3485,7 @@ func TestBookings_RequestEdit_AlreadyHasPending(t *testing.T) {
 	// Create admin notification for the initial edit request
 	_, err = db.DB.Exec(context.Background(),
 		`INSERT INTO admin_notifications (reason, booking_id, user_id)
-		VALUES ('edit_request', $1, $2)`,
+		VALUES ('edit_requested', $1, $2)`,
 		bookingID, userID)
 	if err != nil {
 		t.Fatalf("failed to create admin notification: %v", err)
@@ -4661,3 +4661,181 @@ func TestGuestBooking_SkipsDepositCheck(t *testing.T) {
 		t.Errorf("expected guest to bypass deposit check, got %d. body: %s", w2.Code, w2.Body.String())
 	}
 }
+
+// =============================================================================
+// Booking Notification Creation Tests
+// =============================================================================
+
+func TestCreateBooking_Notifications_NewBookingAlwaysCreated(t *testing.T) {
+	resetTestData(t)
+	seedDefaultWorkingHours(t)
+
+	userID, err := fixtures.CreateTestUser(db.DB)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("failed to create test user: %v", err)
+	}
+	defer fixtures.DeleteUser(db.DB, userID)
+
+	_, err = db.DB.Exec(context.Background(), "UPDATE users SET deposits_required = 0 WHERE id = $1", userID)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("failed to set deposits_required: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	serviceID, err := fixtures.CreateTestService(db.DB)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("failed to create test service: %v", err)
+	}
+	defer fixtures.DeleteService(db.DB, serviceID)
+
+	token := jwt.GenerateUserToken(userID)
+
+	futureTime := time.Now().Add(72 * time.Hour).Truncate(time.Second)
+	futureTime = time.Date(futureTime.Year(), futureTime.Month(), futureTime.Day(), 10, 0, 0, 0, futureTime.Location())
+	req := CreateBookingRequest{
+		StartTime:  futureTime,
+		ServiceIDs: []string{serviceID},
+	}
+
+	handler := http.HandlerFunc(CreateBookingHandler)
+	w := makeRequest(handler, "POST", "/api/bookings", req, token)
+
+	if w.Code != http.StatusCreated {
+		t.Fatalf("expected status 201, got %d. body: %s", w.Code, w.Body.String())
+	}
+
+	var bookingID string
+	err = db.DB.QueryRow(context.Background(), "SELECT id FROM bookings WHERE user_id = $1 ORDER BY created_at DESC LIMIT 1", userID).Scan(&bookingID)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("failed to get booking ID: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	var notifCount int
+	err = db.DB.QueryRow(context.Background(),
+		"SELECT COUNT(*) FROM admin_notifications WHERE booking_id = $1 AND reason = 'new_booking'", bookingID).Scan(&notifCount)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("failed to query notifications: %v", err)
+	}
+	if notifCount != 1 {
+		t.Errorf("expected 1 new_booking notification, got %d", notifCount)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestCreateBooking_Notifications_PendingBookingWithNotes(t *testing.T) {
+	resetTestData(t)
+	seedDefaultWorkingHours(t)
+
+	userID, err := fixtures.CreateTestUser(db.DB)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("failed to create test user: %v", err)
+	}
+	defer fixtures.DeleteUser(db.DB, userID)
+
+	_, err = db.DB.Exec(context.Background(), "UPDATE users SET deposits_required = 0 WHERE id = $1", userID)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("failed to set deposits_required: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	serviceID, err := fixtures.CreateTestService(db.DB)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("failed to create test service: %v", err)
+	}
+	defer fixtures.DeleteService(db.DB, serviceID)
+
+	token := jwt.GenerateUserToken(userID)
+
+	futureTime := time.Now().Add(72 * time.Hour).Truncate(time.Second)
+	futureTime = time.Date(futureTime.Year(), futureTime.Month(), futureTime.Day(), 10, 0, 0, 0, futureTime.Location())
+	notes := "Please do French tips with gold foil"
+	req := CreateBookingRequest{
+		StartTime:  futureTime,
+		ServiceIDs: []string{serviceID},
+		Notes:      &notes,
+	}
+
+	handler := http.HandlerFunc(CreateBookingHandler)
+	w := makeRequest(handler, "POST", "/api/bookings", req, token)
+
+	if w.Code != http.StatusCreated {
+		t.Fatalf("expected status 201, got %d. body: %s", w.Code, w.Body.String())
+	}
+
+	var bookingID string
+	err = db.DB.QueryRow(context.Background(), "SELECT id FROM bookings WHERE user_id = $1 ORDER BY created_at DESC LIMIT 1", userID).Scan(&bookingID)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("failed to get booking ID: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	var newBookingCount int
+	err = db.DB.QueryRow(context.Background(),
+		"SELECT COUNT(*) FROM admin_notifications WHERE booking_id = $1 AND reason = 'new_booking'", bookingID).Scan(&newBookingCount)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("failed to query new_booking notifications: %v", err)
+	}
+	if newBookingCount != 1 {
+		t.Errorf("expected 1 new_booking notification, got %d", newBookingCount)
+	}
+
+	var pendingCount int
+	err = db.DB.QueryRow(context.Background(),
+		"SELECT COUNT(*) FROM admin_notifications WHERE booking_id = $1 AND reason = 'pending_booking'", bookingID).Scan(&pendingCount)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("failed to query pending_booking notifications: %v", err)
+	}
+	if pendingCount != 1 {
+		t.Errorf("expected 1 pending_booking notification for booking with notes, got %d", pendingCount)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestCreateBooking_Notifications_NoPendingBookingWithoutNotes(t *testing.T) {
+	resetTestData(t)
+	seedDefaultWorkingHours(t)
+
+	userID, err := fixtures.CreateTestUser(db.DB)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("failed to create test user: %v", err)
+	}
+	defer fixtures.DeleteUser(db.DB, userID)
+
+	_, err = db.DB.Exec(context.Background(), "UPDATE users SET deposits_required = 0 WHERE id = $1", userID)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("failed to set deposits_required: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	serviceID, err := fixtures.CreateTestService(db.DB)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("failed to create test service: %v", err)
+	}
+	defer fixtures.DeleteService(db.DB, serviceID)
+
+	token := jwt.GenerateUserToken(userID)
+
+	futureTime := time.Now().Add(72 * time.Hour).Truncate(time.Second)
+	futureTime = time.Date(futureTime.Year(), futureTime.Month(), futureTime.Day(), 10, 0, 0, 0, futureTime.Location())
+	req := CreateBookingRequest{
+		StartTime:  futureTime,
+		ServiceIDs: []string{serviceID},
+	}
+
+	handler := http.HandlerFunc(CreateBookingHandler)
+	w := makeRequest(handler, "POST", "/api/bookings", req, token)
+
+	if w.Code != http.StatusCreated {
+		t.Fatalf("expected status 201, got %d. body: %s", w.Code, w.Body.String())
+	}
+
+	var bookingID string
+	err = db.DB.QueryRow(context.Background(), "SELECT id FROM bookings WHERE user_id = $1 ORDER BY created_at DESC LIMIT 1", userID).Scan(&bookingID)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("failed to get booking ID: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	var pendingCount int
+	err = db.DB.QueryRow(context.Background(),
+		"SELECT COUNT(*) FROM admin_notifications WHERE booking_id = $1 AND reason = 'pending_booking'", bookingID).Scan(&pendingCount)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("failed to query pending_booking notifications: %v", err)
+	}
+	if pendingCount != 0 {
+		t.Errorf("expected 0 pending_booking notifications for booking without notes, got %d", pendingCount)
+	}
+}

backend/handlers/bookings/manage.go

@@ -917,7 +917,7 @@ func DeleteEditRequestHandler(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
 	// Delete the admin notification for this edit request
 	_, err = tx.Exec(r.Context(), `
 		DELETE FROM admin_notifications
-		WHERE booking_id = $1 AND reason = 'edit_request' AND user_id = $2
+		WHERE booking_id = $1 AND reason = 'edit_requested' AND user_id = $2
 	`, bookingID, userID)
 	if err != nil {
 		log.Printf("Failed to delete admin notification for booking %s: %v", bookingID, err)
@@ -1086,10 +1086,10 @@ func RequestEditHandler(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
 		}
 	}
 
-	// Delete existing admin notification for edit_request before creating new one (refreshes timestamp)
+	// Always create low-priority notification for edit requests
 	_, err = tx.Exec(r.Context(), `
 		DELETE FROM admin_notifications
-		WHERE booking_id = $1 AND reason = 'edit_request'
+		WHERE booking_id = $1 AND reason = 'edit_requested'
 	`, bookingID)
 	if err != nil {
 		log.Printf("Failed to delete old admin notification for booking %s: %v", bookingID, err)
@@ -1097,20 +1097,18 @@ func RequestEditHandler(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
 		return
 	}
 
-	// Create admin notification with reason 'edit_request'
 	_, err = tx.Exec(r.Context(), `
 		INSERT INTO admin_notifications (reason, booking_id, user_id)
-		VALUES ($1, $2, $3)
+		VALUES ('edit_requested', $1, $2)
-	`, "edit_request", bookingID, userID)
+	`, bookingID, userID)
 	if err != nil {
 		log.Printf("Failed to create admin notification for edit request %s: %v", bookingID, err)
 		http.Error(w, "Internal server error", http.StatusInternalServerError)
 		return
 	}
 
-	// If booking status is 'pending', acknowledge existing pending_booking notification and create new one
+	// If booking is pending, also create high-priority approval notification
 	if currentStatus == "pending" {
-		// Acknowledge existing pending_booking notification
 		_, err = tx.Exec(r.Context(), `
 			UPDATE admin_notifications
 			SET acknowledged_at = NOW()
@@ -1120,11 +1118,10 @@ func RequestEditHandler(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
 			log.Printf("Failed to acknowledge pending booking notification for %s: %v", bookingID, err)
 		}
 
-		// Create new pending_booking notification (admin will see the edit request)
 		_, err = tx.Exec(r.Context(), `
 			INSERT INTO admin_notifications (reason, booking_id, user_id)
-			VALUES ($1, $2, $3)
+			VALUES ('pending_booking', $1, $2)
-		`, "pending_booking", bookingID, userID)
+		`, bookingID, userID)
 		if err != nil {
 			log.Printf("Failed to create pending booking notification for %s: %v", bookingID, err)
 		}
@@ -1411,7 +1408,7 @@ func AdminApproveEditRequestHandler(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
 	_, err = tx.Exec(r.Context(), `
 		UPDATE admin_notifications
 		SET acknowledged_at = NOW()
-		WHERE booking_id = $1 AND reason = 'edit_request' AND acknowledged_at IS NULL
+		WHERE booking_id = $1 AND reason = 'edit_requested' AND acknowledged_at IS NULL
 	`, bookingID)
 	if err != nil {
 		log.Printf("Failed to acknowledge admin notification for booking %s: %v", bookingID, err)
@@ -1485,7 +1482,7 @@ func AdminRejectEditRequestHandler(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
 	_, err = tx.Exec(r.Context(), `
 		UPDATE admin_notifications
 		SET acknowledged_at = NOW()
-		WHERE booking_id = $1 AND reason = 'edit_request' AND acknowledged_at IS NULL
+		WHERE booking_id = $1 AND reason = 'edit_requested' AND acknowledged_at IS NULL
 	`, bookingID)
 	if err != nil {
 		log.Printf("Failed to acknowledge admin notification for booking %s: %v", bookingID, err)

backend/handlers/notifications/notifications.go

@@ -21,6 +21,9 @@ type AdminNotification struct {
 	Reason           string     `json:"reason"`
 	BookingID        *string    `json:"booking_id,omitempty"`
 	UserID           *string    `json:"user_id,omitempty"`
+	UserName         *string    `json:"user_name,omitempty"`
+	BookingStartTime *time.Time `json:"booking_start_time,omitempty"`
+	AcknowledgedAt   *time.Time `json:"acknowledged_at,omitempty"`
 	CreatedAt        time.Time  `json:"created_at"`
 }
 
@@ -32,6 +35,10 @@ type AdminNotificationListResponse struct {
 }
 
 // GET /api/admin/notifications
+// Query params:
+//   page, per_page — pagination (default page=1, per_page=20)
+//   include_acknowledged — if "true", returns all notifications sorted newest-first.
+//     Default (false/omitted): only unacknowledged, sorted by priority then oldest-first.
 func GetNotifications(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
 	// Parse query params
 	page := 1
@@ -44,33 +51,61 @@ func GetNotifications(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
 		perPage = pp
 	}
 
+	includeAcknowledged := r.URL.Query().Get("include_acknowledged") == "true"
 	reasonFilter := r.URL.Query().Get("reason")
 
 	baseQuery := `
-		SELECT id, reason, booking_id, user_id, created_at
+		SELECT an.id, an.reason, an.booking_id, an.user_id,
-		FROM admin_notifications
+		       u.n_first_name || ' ' || u.n_last_name AS user_name,
-		WHERE acknowledged_at IS NULL
+		       b.start_time AS booking_start_time,
+		       an.acknowledged_at, an.created_at
+		FROM admin_notifications an
+		LEFT JOIN users u ON an.user_id = u.id
+		LEFT JOIN bookings b ON an.booking_id = b.id
 `
 	countQuery := `
 		SELECT COUNT(*) FROM admin_notifications
-		WHERE acknowledged_at IS NULL
 `
 
 	args := []any{}
 	countArgs := []any{}
 	param := 1
 
-	// Optional reason filter
+	if !includeAcknowledged {
+		baseQuery += fmt.Sprintf(" WHERE an.acknowledged_at IS NULL")
+		countQuery += ` WHERE acknowledged_at IS NULL`
+	}
+
 	if reasonFilter != "" {
-		baseQuery += fmt.Sprintf(" AND reason = $%d", param)
+		if !includeAcknowledged {
+			baseQuery += fmt.Sprintf(" AND an.reason = $%d", param)
 			countQuery += fmt.Sprintf(" AND reason = $%d", param)
+		} else {
+			baseQuery += fmt.Sprintf(" WHERE an.reason = $%d", param)
+			countQuery += fmt.Sprintf(" WHERE reason = $%d", param)
+		}
 		args = append(args, reasonFilter)
 		countArgs = append(countArgs, reasonFilter)
 		param++
 	}
 
-	// ORDER & pagination
+	if includeAcknowledged {
-	baseQuery += " ORDER BY created_at DESC"
+		baseQuery += " ORDER BY an.created_at DESC"
+	} else {
+		baseQuery += ` ORDER BY CASE an.reason
+			WHEN 'pending_booking' THEN 1
+			WHEN 'cancelled_booking' THEN 2
+			WHEN 'late_cancellation' THEN 3
+			WHEN 'no_deposit' THEN 4
+			WHEN 'deposit_paid' THEN 5
+			WHEN 'affiliate_claim' THEN 6
+			WHEN 'edit_requested' THEN 7
+			WHEN 'new_booking' THEN 8
+			WHEN '1_month_no_pay' THEN 9
+			WHEN '1_week_no_pay' THEN 10
+			ELSE 11
+		END, an.created_at ASC`
+	}
 	baseQuery += fmt.Sprintf(" LIMIT $%d OFFSET $%d", param, param+1)
 	args = append(args, perPage, (page-1)*perPage)
 
@@ -98,12 +133,18 @@ func GetNotifications(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
 		var n AdminNotification
 		var bookingID sql.NullString
 		var userID sql.NullString
+		var userName sql.NullString
+		var bookingStartTime sql.NullTime
+		var acknowledgedAt sql.NullTime
 
 		err := rows.Scan(
 			&n.ID,
 			&n.Reason,
 			&bookingID,
 			&userID,
+			&userName,
+			&bookingStartTime,
+			&acknowledgedAt,
 			&n.CreatedAt,
 		)
 		if err != nil {
@@ -118,6 +159,15 @@ func GetNotifications(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
 		if userID.Valid {
 			n.UserID = &userID.String
 		}
+		if userName.Valid {
+			n.UserName = &userName.String
+		}
+		if bookingStartTime.Valid {
+			n.BookingStartTime = &bookingStartTime.Time
+		}
+		if acknowledgedAt.Valid {
+			n.AcknowledgedAt = &acknowledgedAt.Time
+		}
 
 		notifications = append(notifications, n)
 	}
@@ -137,6 +187,27 @@ func GetNotifications(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
 	}
 }
 
+// GET /api/admin/notifications/unread-count
+// Returns the count of unacknowledged notifications for the bell icon.
+func GetUnreadCount(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
+	var count int
+	err := db.DB.QueryRow(r.Context(),
+		`SELECT COUNT(*) FROM admin_notifications WHERE acknowledged_at IS NULL`,
+	).Scan(&count)
+	if err != nil {
+		log.Printf("Failed to count unread notifications: %v", err)
+		http.Error(w, "Internal server error", http.StatusInternalServerError)
+		return
+	}
+
+	w.Header().Set("Content-Type", "application/json")
+	if err := json.NewEncoder(w).Encode(map[string]int{"count": count}); err != nil {
+		log.Printf("Failed to encode response: %v", err)
+		http.Error(w, "Internal server error", http.StatusInternalServerError)
+		return
+	}
+}
+
 func AcknowledgeNotification(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
 	idStr := chi.URLParam(r, "id")
 	if idStr == "" {

backend/handlers/notifications/notifications_extended_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,559 @@
+//go:build test
+// +build test
+
+package notifications
+
+import (
+	"bytes"
+	"context"
+	"encoding/json"
+	"fmt"
+	"net/http"
+	"net/http/httptest"
+	"testing"
+	"time"
+
+	"crussell/db"
+	"crussell/mw"
+
+	"github.com/go-chi/chi/v5"
+	"github.com/jackc/pgx/v5/pgxpool"
+)
+
+func makeExtendedAdminRequest(handler http.Handler, method, path string, body interface{}) *httptest.ResponseRecorder {
+	var req *http.Request
+	if body != nil {
+		bodyBytes, _ := json.Marshal(body)
+		req = httptest.NewRequest(method, path, bytes.NewReader(bodyBytes))
+		req.Header.Set("Content-Type", "application/json")
+	} else {
+		req = httptest.NewRequest(method, path, nil)
+	}
+
+	rctx := chi.NewRouteContext()
+	if id, _ := extractIDFromPath(path); id != "" {
+		rctx.URLParams.Add("id", id)
+	}
+	ctx := context.WithValue(req.Context(), chi.RouteCtxKey, rctx)
+	ctx = context.WithValue(ctx, mw.UserIDKey, "admin001")
+	ctx = context.WithValue(ctx, mw.UserRoleKey, "admin")
+	req = req.WithContext(ctx)
+
+	w := httptest.NewRecorder()
+	handler.ServeHTTP(w, req)
+	return w
+}
+
+func createTestUser(t *testing.T) string {
+	t.Helper()
+	var userID string
+	err := db.DB.QueryRow(context.Background(), `
+		INSERT INTO users (n_first_name, n_last_name, email, phone, date_of_birth, password_hash, account_role, account_type)
+		VALUES ('Test', 'User', 'test@test.com', '+447700900000', '1990-01-01', 'hash', 'verified_email', 'email')
+		RETURNING id
+	`).Scan(&userID)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("failed to create user: %v", err)
+	}
+	return userID
+}
+
+func createNotification(t *testing.T, reason, userID string, acknowledged bool) int {
+	t.Helper()
+	var notificationID int
+	if userID == "" {
+		query := `INSERT INTO admin_notifications (reason) VALUES ($1) RETURNING id`
+		if acknowledged {
+			query = `INSERT INTO admin_notifications (reason, acknowledged_at) VALUES ($1, NOW()) RETURNING id`
+		}
+		err := db.DB.QueryRow(context.Background(), query, reason).Scan(&notificationID)
+		if err != nil {
+			t.Fatalf("failed to create notification: %v", err)
+		}
+	} else {
+		query := `INSERT INTO admin_notifications (reason, user_id) VALUES ($1, $2) RETURNING id`
+		if acknowledged {
+			query = `INSERT INTO admin_notifications (reason, user_id, acknowledged_at) VALUES ($1, $2, NOW()) RETURNING id`
+		}
+		err := db.DB.QueryRow(context.Background(), query, reason, userID).Scan(&notificationID)
+		if err != nil {
+			t.Fatalf("failed to create notification: %v", err)
+		}
+	}
+	return notificationID
+}
+
+// =============================================================================
+// include_acknowledged param tests
+// =============================================================================
+
+func TestNotifications_IncludeAcknowledged_Default(t *testing.T) {
+	resetTestData(t)
+	userID := createTestUser(t)
+
+	createNotification(t, "pending_booking", userID, false)
+	createNotification(t, "cancelled_booking", userID, true)
+
+	handler := http.HandlerFunc(GetNotifications)
+	w := makeExtendedAdminRequest(handler, "GET", "/api/admin/notifications", nil)
+
+	var resp AdminNotificationListResponse
+	if err := json.Unmarshal(w.Body.Bytes(), &resp); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("failed to unmarshal: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	if len(resp.Notifications) != 1 {
+		t.Errorf("expected 1 unacknowledged notification, got %d", len(resp.Notifications))
+	}
+}
+
+func TestNotifications_IncludeAcknowledged_True(t *testing.T) {
+	resetTestData(t)
+	userID := createTestUser(t)
+
+	createNotification(t, "pending_booking", userID, false)
+	createNotification(t, "cancelled_booking", userID, true)
+
+	handler := http.HandlerFunc(GetNotifications)
+	w := makeExtendedAdminRequest(handler, "GET", "/api/admin/notifications?include_acknowledged=true", nil)
+
+	var resp AdminNotificationListResponse
+	if err := json.Unmarshal(w.Body.Bytes(), &resp); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("failed to unmarshal: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	if len(resp.Notifications) != 2 {
+		t.Errorf("expected 2 notifications with include_acknowledged=true, got %d", len(resp.Notifications))
+	}
+}
+
+func TestNotifications_IncludeAcknowledged_ResponseHasAcknowledgedAt(t *testing.T) {
+	resetTestData(t)
+	userID := createTestUser(t)
+
+	createNotification(t, "pending_booking", userID, true)
+
+	handler := http.HandlerFunc(GetNotifications)
+	w := makeExtendedAdminRequest(handler, "GET", "/api/admin/notifications?include_acknowledged=true", nil)
+
+	var resp AdminNotificationListResponse
+	if err := json.Unmarshal(w.Body.Bytes(), &resp); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("failed to unmarshal: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	if len(resp.Notifications) != 1 {
+		t.Fatalf("expected 1 notification, got %d", len(resp.Notifications))
+	}
+
+	if resp.Notifications[0].AcknowledgedAt == nil {
+		t.Error("expected acknowledged_at to be set for acknowledged notification")
+	}
+}
+
+// =============================================================================
+// Priority ordering tests
+// =============================================================================
+
+func TestNotifications_PriorityOrdering(t *testing.T) {
+	resetTestData(t)
+	userID := createTestUser(t)
+
+	// Create notifications in reverse priority order
+	reasons := []string{
+		"1_week_no_pay",
+		"affiliate_claim",
+		"pending_booking",
+		"cancelled_booking",
+	}
+	for _, reason := range reasons {
+		createNotification(t, reason, userID, false)
+	}
+
+	handler := http.HandlerFunc(GetNotifications)
+	w := makeExtendedAdminRequest(handler, "GET", "/api/admin/notifications", nil)
+
+	var resp AdminNotificationListResponse
+	if err := json.Unmarshal(w.Body.Bytes(), &resp); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("failed to unmarshal: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	if len(resp.Notifications) != 4 {
+		t.Fatalf("expected 4 notifications, got %d", len(resp.Notifications))
+	}
+
+	// Verify priority order: pending_booking(1) > cancelled_booking(3) > affiliate_claim(6) > 1_week_no_pay(10)
+	expectedOrder := []string{"pending_booking", "cancelled_booking", "affiliate_claim", "1_week_no_pay"}
+	for i, expected := range expectedOrder {
+		if resp.Notifications[i].Reason != expected {
+			t.Errorf("position %d: expected %s, got %s", i, expected, resp.Notifications[i].Reason)
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+func TestNotifications_PriorityOrdering_OldestFirstWithinPriority(t *testing.T) {
+	resetTestData(t)
+	userID := createTestUser(t)
+
+	// Create two pending_booking notifications with a time gap
+	createNotification(t, "pending_booking", userID, false)
+	time.Sleep(10 * time.Millisecond)
+	createNotification(t, "pending_booking", userID, false)
+
+	handler := http.HandlerFunc(GetNotifications)
+	w := makeExtendedAdminRequest(handler, "GET", "/api/admin/notifications", nil)
+
+	var resp AdminNotificationListResponse
+	if err := json.Unmarshal(w.Body.Bytes(), &resp); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("failed to unmarshal: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	if len(resp.Notifications) != 2 {
+		t.Fatalf("expected 2 notifications, got %d", len(resp.Notifications))
+	}
+
+	// Oldest first within same priority
+	if resp.Notifications[0].CreatedAt.After(resp.Notifications[1].CreatedAt) {
+		t.Error("expected oldest notification first within same priority level")
+	}
+}
+
+func TestNotifications_AllNotifications_NewestFirst(t *testing.T) {
+	resetTestData(t)
+	userID := createTestUser(t)
+
+	createNotification(t, "pending_booking", userID, false)
+	time.Sleep(10 * time.Millisecond)
+	createNotification(t, "cancelled_booking", userID, true)
+
+	handler := http.HandlerFunc(GetNotifications)
+	w := makeExtendedAdminRequest(handler, "GET", "/api/admin/notifications?include_acknowledged=true", nil)
+
+	var resp AdminNotificationListResponse
+	if err := json.Unmarshal(w.Body.Bytes(), &resp); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("failed to unmarshal: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	if len(resp.Notifications) != 2 {
+		t.Fatalf("expected 2 notifications, got %d", len(resp.Notifications))
+	}
+
+	// Newest first when include_acknowledged=true
+	if resp.Notifications[0].CreatedAt.Before(resp.Notifications[1].CreatedAt) {
+		t.Error("expected newest notification first when include_acknowledged=true")
+	}
+}
+
+// =============================================================================
+// GetUnreadCount tests
+// =============================================================================
+
+func TestNotifications_UnreadCount(t *testing.T) {
+	resetTestData(t)
+	userID := createTestUser(t)
+
+	createNotification(t, "pending_booking", userID, false)
+	createNotification(t, "cancelled_booking", userID, false)
+	createNotification(t, "affiliate_claim", userID, true)
+
+	handler := http.HandlerFunc(GetUnreadCount)
+	w := makeExtendedAdminRequest(handler, "GET", "/api/admin/notifications/unread-count", nil)
+
+	if w.Code != http.StatusOK {
+		t.Errorf("expected status 200, got %d", w.Code)
+	}
+
+	var resp map[string]int
+	if err := json.Unmarshal(w.Body.Bytes(), &resp); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("failed to unmarshal: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	if resp["count"] != 2 {
+		t.Errorf("expected count 2, got %d", resp["count"])
+	}
+}
+
+func TestNotifications_UnreadCount_Zero(t *testing.T) {
+	resetTestData(t)
+	userID := createTestUser(t)
+
+	createNotification(t, "pending_booking", userID, true)
+
+	handler := http.HandlerFunc(GetUnreadCount)
+	w := makeExtendedAdminRequest(handler, "GET", "/api/admin/notifications/unread-count", nil)
+
+	var resp map[string]int
+	if err := json.Unmarshal(w.Body.Bytes(), &resp); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("failed to unmarshal: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	if resp["count"] != 0 {
+		t.Errorf("expected count 0, got %d", resp["count"])
+	}
+}
+
+func TestNotifications_UnreadCount_Empty(t *testing.T) {
+	resetTestData(t)
+
+	handler := http.HandlerFunc(GetUnreadCount)
+	w := makeExtendedAdminRequest(handler, "GET", "/api/admin/notifications/unread-count", nil)
+
+	var resp map[string]int
+	if err := json.Unmarshal(w.Body.Bytes(), &resp); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("failed to unmarshal: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	if resp["count"] != 0 {
+		t.Errorf("expected count 0, got %d", resp["count"])
+	}
+}
+
+// =============================================================================
+// New notification reason tests
+// =============================================================================
+
+func TestNotifications_NewBookingReason(t *testing.T) {
+	resetTestData(t)
+	userID := createTestUser(t)
+
+	createNotification(t, "new_booking", userID, false)
+
+	handler := http.HandlerFunc(GetNotifications)
+	w := makeExtendedAdminRequest(handler, "GET", "/api/admin/notifications", nil)
+
+	var resp AdminNotificationListResponse
+	if err := json.Unmarshal(w.Body.Bytes(), &resp); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("failed to unmarshal: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	if len(resp.Notifications) != 1 {
+		t.Fatalf("expected 1 notification, got %d", len(resp.Notifications))
+	}
+
+	if resp.Notifications[0].Reason != "new_booking" {
+		t.Errorf("expected reason new_booking, got %s", resp.Notifications[0].Reason)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestNotifications_EditRequestedReason(t *testing.T) {
+	resetTestData(t)
+	userID := createTestUser(t)
+
+	createNotification(t, "edit_requested", userID, false)
+
+	handler := http.HandlerFunc(GetNotifications)
+	w := makeExtendedAdminRequest(handler, "GET", "/api/admin/notifications", nil)
+
+	var resp AdminNotificationListResponse
+	if err := json.Unmarshal(w.Body.Bytes(), &resp); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("failed to unmarshal: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	if len(resp.Notifications) != 1 {
+		t.Fatalf("expected 1 notification, got %d", len(resp.Notifications))
+	}
+
+	if resp.Notifications[0].Reason != "edit_requested" {
+		t.Errorf("expected reason edit_requested, got %s", resp.Notifications[0].Reason)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestNotifications_Priority_NewBookingBelowPendingBooking(t *testing.T) {
+	resetTestData(t)
+	userID := createTestUser(t)
+
+	createNotification(t, "new_booking", userID, false)
+	createNotification(t, "pending_booking", userID, false)
+
+	handler := http.HandlerFunc(GetNotifications)
+	w := makeExtendedAdminRequest(handler, "GET", "/api/admin/notifications", nil)
+
+	var resp AdminNotificationListResponse
+	if err := json.Unmarshal(w.Body.Bytes(), &resp); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("failed to unmarshal: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	if len(resp.Notifications) != 2 {
+		t.Fatalf("expected 2 notifications, got %d", len(resp.Notifications))
+	}
+
+	if resp.Notifications[0].Reason != "pending_booking" {
+		t.Errorf("expected pending_booking first, got %s", resp.Notifications[0].Reason)
+	}
+}
+
+// =============================================================================
+// Combined param tests
+// =============================================================================
+
+func TestNotifications_IncludeAcknowledgedWithReasonFilter(t *testing.T) {
+	resetTestData(t)
+	userID := createTestUser(t)
+
+	createNotification(t, "pending_booking", userID, false)
+	createNotification(t, "pending_booking", userID, true)
+	createNotification(t, "cancelled_booking", userID, false)
+
+	handler := http.HandlerFunc(GetNotifications)
+	w := makeExtendedAdminRequest(handler, "GET", "/api/admin/notifications?include_acknowledged=true&reason=pending_booking", nil)
+
+	var resp AdminNotificationListResponse
+	if err := json.Unmarshal(w.Body.Bytes(), &resp); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("failed to unmarshal: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	if len(resp.Notifications) != 2 {
+		t.Errorf("expected 2 pending_booking notifications, got %d", len(resp.Notifications))
+	}
+}
+
+// =============================================================================
+// Response enrichment tests (user_name, booking_start_time)
+// =============================================================================
+
+func TestNotifications_ResponseEnriched_WithUserAndBooking(t *testing.T) {
+	resetTestData(t)
+
+	// Create a service
+	var serviceID string
+	err := db.DB.QueryRow(context.Background(), `
+		INSERT INTO services (name, description, price, duration_minutes, is_active)
+		VALUES ('Manicure', 'Test service', 25.00, 30, true)
+		RETURNING id
+	`).Scan(&serviceID)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("failed to create service: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	// Create a user
+	var userID string
+	err = db.DB.QueryRow(context.Background(), `
+		INSERT INTO users (n_first_name, n_last_name, email, phone, date_of_birth, password_hash, account_role, account_type)
+		VALUES ('Alice', 'Smith', 'alice@test.com', '+447700900001', '1990-01-01', 'hash', 'verified_email', 'email')
+		RETURNING id
+	`).Scan(&userID)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("failed to create user: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	// Create a booking
+	var bookingID string
+	err = db.DB.QueryRow(context.Background(), `
+		INSERT INTO bookings (user_id, start_time, status)
+		VALUES ($1, NOW() + INTERVAL '3 days', 'pending')
+		RETURNING id
+	`, userID).Scan(&bookingID)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("failed to create booking: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	// Create notification with both user_id and booking_id
+	createNotificationWithBooking(t, "pending_booking", userID, bookingID, false)
+
+	handler := http.HandlerFunc(GetNotifications)
+	w := makeExtendedAdminRequest(handler, "GET", "/api/admin/notifications", nil)
+
+	var resp AdminNotificationListResponse
+	if err := json.Unmarshal(w.Body.Bytes(), &resp); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("failed to unmarshal: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	if len(resp.Notifications) != 1 {
+		t.Fatalf("expected 1 notification, got %d", len(resp.Notifications))
+	}
+
+	n := resp.Notifications[0]
+	if n.UserName == nil || *n.UserName != "Alice Smith" {
+		t.Errorf("expected user_name 'Alice Smith', got %v", n.UserName)
+	}
+	if n.BookingStartTime == nil {
+		t.Error("expected booking_start_time to be set")
+	}
+}
+
+func TestNotifications_ResponseEnriched_NoUserOrBooking(t *testing.T) {
+	resetTestData(t)
+
+	// Create notification without user_id or booking_id
+	createNotification(t, "1_week_no_pay", "", false)
+
+	handler := http.HandlerFunc(GetNotifications)
+	w := makeExtendedAdminRequest(handler, "GET", "/api/admin/notifications", nil)
+
+	var resp AdminNotificationListResponse
+	if err := json.Unmarshal(w.Body.Bytes(), &resp); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("failed to unmarshal: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	if len(resp.Notifications) != 1 {
+		t.Fatalf("expected 1 notification, got %d", len(resp.Notifications))
+	}
+
+	n := resp.Notifications[0]
+	if n.UserName != nil {
+		t.Errorf("expected user_name to be nil, got %v", n.UserName)
+	}
+	if n.BookingStartTime != nil {
+		t.Errorf("expected booking_start_time to be nil, got %v", n.BookingStartTime)
+	}
+}
+
+// =============================================================================
+// Acknowledge notification tests (extended)
+// =============================================================================
+
+func TestNotifications_Acknowledge_ViaExtendedHandler(t *testing.T) {
+	resetTestData(t)
+	userID := createTestUser(t)
+
+	notifID := createNotification(t, "pending_booking", userID, false)
+
+	handler := http.HandlerFunc(AcknowledgeNotification)
+	w := makeExtendedAdminRequest(handler, "POST", fmt.Sprintf("/api/admin/notifications/%d/acknowledge", notifID), nil)
+
+	if w.Code != http.StatusOK {
+		t.Errorf("expected status 200, got %d. body: %s", w.Code, w.Body.String())
+	}
+
+	// Verify acknowledged
+	var ackTime *time.Time
+	err := db.DB.QueryRow(context.Background(),
+		"SELECT acknowledged_at FROM admin_notifications WHERE id = $1", notifID).Scan(&ackTime)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("failed to query notification: %v", err)
+	}
+	if ackTime == nil {
+		t.Error("expected acknowledged_at to be set")
+	}
+}
+
+func TestNotifications_Acknowledge_AlreadyAcknowledged_Extended(t *testing.T) {
+	resetTestData(t)
+	userID := createTestUser(t)
+
+	notifID := createNotification(t, "pending_booking", userID, true)
+
+	handler := http.HandlerFunc(AcknowledgeNotification)
+	w := makeExtendedAdminRequest(handler, "POST", fmt.Sprintf("/api/admin/notifications/%d/acknowledge", notifID), nil)
+
+	if w.Code != http.StatusNotFound {
+		t.Errorf("expected status 404 for already acknowledged, got %d", w.Code)
+	}
+}
+
+// createNotificationWithBooking creates a notification with both user_id and booking_id
+func createNotificationWithBooking(t *testing.T, reason, userID, bookingID string, acknowledged bool) int {
+	t.Helper()
+	var notificationID int
+	query := `INSERT INTO admin_notifications (reason, user_id, booking_id) VALUES ($1, $2, $3) RETURNING id`
+	if acknowledged {
+		query = `INSERT INTO admin_notifications (reason, user_id, booking_id, acknowledged_at) VALUES ($1, $2, $3, NOW()) RETURNING id`
+	}
+	err := db.DB.QueryRow(context.Background(), query, reason, userID, bookingID).Scan(&notificationID)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("failed to create notification: %v", err)
+	}
+	return notificationID
+}
+
+// Ensure test compilation
+var _ = func() *pgxpool.Pool { return nil }

backend/handlers/notifications/notifications_test.go

@@ -199,7 +199,7 @@ func TestNotifications_ListFilterByReason(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 
 	// Create notifications with different reasons
-	reasons := []string{"pending_booking", "cancelled_booking", "edit_request"}
+	reasons := []string{"pending_booking", "cancelled_booking", "edit_requested"}
 	for _, reason := range reasons {
 		_, err := db.DB.Exec(context.Background(), `
 			INSERT INTO admin_notifications (reason, user_id)

backend/handlers/user/account.go

@@ -45,6 +45,7 @@ func DeleteAccountHandler(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
 			http.Error(w, "server error", http.StatusInternalServerError)
 			return
 		}
+		// TODO: Create 'user_anonymized' notification for admin audit trail
 	}
 
 	// Delete CardDAV contact (non-blocking, best-effort)

backend/main.go

@@ -264,6 +264,7 @@ r.Route("/admin/users", func(r chi.Router) {
 
 		r.Route("/admin/notifications", func(r chi.Router) {
 			r.Get("/", notifications.GetNotifications)
+			r.Get("/unread-count", notifications.GetUnreadCount)
 			r.Post("/{id}/acknowledge", notifications.AcknowledgeNotification)
 		})
 

frontend/src/lib/components/admin/ApprovalModal.svelte

@@ -62,6 +62,51 @@
 	let overlappingBookings = $state<OverlappingBooking[]>([]);
 	let loadingOverlaps = $state(false);
 
+	function getBookingDateTime(): string {
+		if (!booking?.start_time) return '';
+		const d = new Date(booking.start_time);
+		return d.toLocaleDateString('en-GB', {
+			weekday: 'long',
+			day: 'numeric',
+			month: 'long',
+			year: 'numeric'
+		}) + ' at ' + d.toLocaleTimeString('en-GB', {
+			hour: 'numeric',
+			minute: '2-digit',
+			hour12: true
+		});
+	}
+
+	function getTotalCost(): number {
+		if (!booking?.services?.length) return 0;
+		let total = 0;
+		for (const service of booking.services) {
+			if (!service?.service_id) continue;
+			const override = serviceOverrides[service.service_id];
+			if (override && hasPriceChanged(service.service_id)) {
+				total += parseFloat(override.price) || 0;
+			} else {
+				total += service.price || 0;
+			}
+		}
+		return Math.round(total * 100) / 100;
+	}
+
+	function getTotalDuration(): number {
+		if (!booking?.services?.length) return 0;
+		let total = 0;
+		for (const service of booking.services) {
+			if (!service?.service_id) continue;
+			const override = serviceOverrides[service.service_id];
+			if (override && hasDurationChanged(service.service_id)) {
+				total += parseInt(override.duration) || 0;
+			} else {
+				total += service.duration_minutes || 0;
+			}
+		}
+		return total;
+	}
+
 	interface OverlappingBooking {
 		id: string;
 		start_time: string;
@@ -401,7 +446,6 @@
 				</div>
 			{/if}
 
-			<!-- Customer Contact Info -->
 		<!-- Customer Contact Info -->
 		<div class="rounded-lg border border-gray-200 bg-gray-50 p-4">
 			<h3 class="mb-3 text-sm font-semibold tracking-wide text-gray-600 uppercase">
@@ -425,6 +469,14 @@
 			</div>
 		</div>
 
+		<!-- Booking Date & Time -->
+		<div class="rounded-lg border border-gray-200 bg-gray-50 p-4">
+			<h3 class="mb-2 text-sm font-semibold tracking-wide text-gray-600 uppercase">
+				Booking Date & Time
+			</h3>
+			<div class="text-lg font-medium">{getBookingDateTime()}</div>
+		</div>
+
 			<!-- Booking Notes -->
 			<div>
 				<label for="booking-notes" class="mb-2 block text-sm font-medium"> Booking Notes </label>
@@ -546,6 +598,12 @@
 		</div>
 
 		<Modal.Footer class="flex items-center justify-between gap-2">
+			<div class="flex items-center gap-4 text-sm text-gray-600">
+				<span class="font-medium">Total: £{getTotalCost().toFixed(2)}</span>
+				<span class="text-gray-400">|</span>
+				<span>{getTotalDuration()} min</span>
+			</div>
+			<div class="flex items-center gap-2">
 				<Button
 					variant="destructive"
 					onclick={() => (showDeclineConfirm = true)}
@@ -553,7 +611,6 @@
 				>
 					Decline Booking
 				</Button>
-			<div class="flex gap-2">
 				<Button
 					onclick={handleApprove}
 					disabled={submitting}

frontend/src/lib/components/layout/NavBar.svelte

@@ -1,8 +1,10 @@
 <script lang="ts">
+	import { onMount, onDestroy } from 'svelte';
+	import { navigating, page } from '$app/stores';
+	import { goto } from '$app/navigation';
+	import { authStore } from '$lib/stores/auth.svelte';
 	import { Button } from '$lib/components/ui/button';
 	import { Skeleton } from '$lib/components/ui/skeleton';
-	import { navigating, page } from '$app/stores';
-	import { authStore } from '$lib/stores/auth.svelte';
 
 	// Centralized link definition
 	const links = [
@@ -53,6 +55,40 @@
 	// Derived values for auth state - ensures reactivity
 	let isAuthenticated = $derived(authStore.isAuthenticated);
 	let isLoading = $derived(authStore.isLoading);
+
+	// Notification bell state
+	let unreadCount = $state(0);
+	let pollInterval: ReturnType<typeof setInterval> | null = null;
+
+	async function fetchUnreadCount() {
+		if (!authStore.isAuthenticated || !authStore.currentToken) return;
+		try {
+			const res = await fetch('/api/admin/notifications/unread-count', {
+				headers: { Authorization: `Bearer ${authStore.currentToken}` }
+			});
+			if (res.ok) {
+				const data = await res.json();
+				unreadCount = data.count;
+			}
+		} catch {
+			// Silently fail - bell is non-critical
+		}
+	}
+
+	onMount(() => {
+		if (authStore.isAuthenticated) {
+			fetchUnreadCount();
+			if (authStore.currentUser?.role === 'admin') {
+				pollInterval = setInterval(fetchUnreadCount, 60000);
+			}
+		}
+	});
+
+	onDestroy(() => {
+		if (pollInterval) {
+			clearInterval(pollInterval);
+		}
+	});
 </script>
 
 <nav
@@ -104,8 +140,27 @@
 				{/each}
 			</div>
 
-			<!-- Desktop Login Button -->
+		<div class="hidden items-center gap-4 md:flex">
-			<div class="hidden items-center md:flex">
+			{#if isAuthenticated}
+				<a
+					href="/notifications"
+					class="relative text-gray-600 hover:text-primary"
+					aria-label="Notifications"
+				>
+					<svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="24" height="24" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none"
+						stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round">
+						<path d="M6 8a6 6 0 0 1 12 0c0 7 3 9 3 9H3s3-2 3-9" />
+						<path d="M10.3 21a1.94 1.94 0 0 0 3.4 0" />
+					</svg>
+					{#if unreadCount > 0}
+						<span
+							class="absolute -top-1 -right-1 flex h-4 w-4 items-center justify-center rounded-full bg-red-500 text-[10px] font-bold text-white"
+						>
+							{unreadCount > 9 ? '9+' : unreadCount}
+						</span>
+					{/if}
+				</a>
+			{/if}
 			{#if !isLoading && !isAuthenticated && $page.url.pathname !== '/login'}
 				<Button href="/login">Login</Button>
 			{/if}
@@ -149,6 +204,20 @@
 					{/if}
 				{/each}
 
+				{#if isAuthenticated}
+					<a
+						href="/notifications"
+						class="flex items-center justify-center gap-2 rounded px-3 py-2 text-primary hover:text-gray-800"
+					>
+						<span>Notifications</span>
+						{#if unreadCount > 0}
+							<span class="flex h-5 w-5 items-center justify-center rounded-full bg-red-500 text-[10px] font-bold text-white">
+								{unreadCount > 9 ? '9+' : unreadCount}
+							</span>
+						{/if}
+					</a>
+				{/if}
+
 				{#if isLoading}
 					<Skeleton class="mt-2 h-8 w-full rounded" />
 				{:else if !isAuthenticated}

frontend/src/routes/notifications/+page.svelte

@@ -0,0 +1,428 @@
+<script lang="ts">
+	import { onMount, onDestroy } from 'svelte';
+	import { fly } from 'svelte/transition';
+	import { cubicOut } from 'svelte/easing';
+	import { goto } from '$app/navigation';
+	import { browser } from '$app/environment';
+	import { authStore } from '$lib/stores/auth.svelte';
+	import { Skeleton } from '$lib/components/ui/skeleton';
+	import { Button } from '$lib/components/ui/button';
+	import ApprovalModal from '$lib/components/admin/ApprovalModal.svelte';
+	import BookingModal from '$lib/components/admin/BookingModal.svelte';
+	import UserModal from '$lib/components/admin/UserModal.svelte';
+	import { toast } from 'svelte-sonner';
+
+	interface Notification {
+		id: number;
+		reason: string;
+		booking_id?: string;
+		user_id?: string;
+		user_name?: string;
+		booking_start_time?: string;
+		acknowledged_at?: string;
+		created_at: string;
+	}
+
+	let notifications = $state<Notification[]>([]);
+	let loading = $state(true);
+	let error = $state(false);
+	let page = $state(1);
+	let perPage = $state(20);
+	let total = $state(0);
+	let includeAcknowledged = $state(false);
+
+	let showApprovalModal = $state(false);
+	let selectedBooking = $state<any>(null);
+	let showBookingModal = $state(false);
+	let showUserModal = $state(false);
+	let selectedUserId = $state<string | null>(null);
+
+	let pageState = $state<'loading' | 'authorized' | 'unauthorized'>('loading');
+
+	$effect(() => {
+		if (!browser) return;
+		if (authStore.isLoading) {
+			pageState = 'loading';
+			return;
+		}
+		if (!authStore.isAuthenticated || authStore.currentUser?.role !== 'admin') {
+			pageState = 'unauthorized';
+			return;
+		}
+		pageState = 'authorized';
+	});
+
+	const reasonLabels: Record<string, string> = {
+		pending_booking: 'Booking Pending Approval',
+		edit_request: 'Customer Requested Booking Change',
+		edit_requested: 'Booking Edit Requested',
+		new_booking: 'New Booking Received',
+		cancelled_booking: 'Booking Cancelled',
+		late_cancellation: 'Late Cancellation (< 24h)',
+		no_deposit: 'Deposit Issue',
+		deposit_paid: 'Deposit Payment Received',
+		affiliate_claim: 'Affiliate Referral Claimed',
+		'1_month_no_pay': 'No Payments in 1 Month',
+		'1_week_no_pay': 'No Payments in 1 Week'
+	};
+
+	function hasAction(reason: string): string | null {
+		switch (reason) {
+			case 'pending_booking':
+				return 'approve';
+			case 'edit_request':
+			case 'edit_requested':
+			case 'new_booking':
+				return 'view';
+			case 'late_cancellation':
+			case 'no_deposit':
+			case '1_week_no_pay':
+			case '1_month_no_pay':
+				return 'see_user';
+			default:
+				return null;
+		}
+	}
+
+	async function fetchNotifications() {
+		loading = true;
+		error = false;
+		try {
+			const params = new URLSearchParams({
+				page: page.toString(),
+				per_page: perPage.toString(),
+				include_acknowledged: includeAcknowledged.toString()
+			});
+			const response = await fetch(`/api/admin/notifications?${params}`, {
+				headers: { Authorization: `Bearer ${authStore.currentToken}` }
+			});
+			if (!response.ok) {
+				throw new Error(`Failed: ${response.status}`);
+			}
+			const data = await response.json();
+			notifications = data.notifications;
+			total = data.total;
+		} catch {
+			error = true;
+		} finally {
+			loading = false;
+		}
+	}
+
+	async function fetchBookingDetails(bookingId: string): Promise<any> {
+		const response = await fetch(`/api/admin/bookings/${bookingId}`, {
+			headers: { Authorization: `Bearer ${authStore.currentToken}` }
+		});
+		if (!response.ok) return null;
+		return response.json();
+	}
+
+	async function handleAction(notification: Notification) {
+		if (!notification.acknowledged_at) {
+			await fetch(`/api/admin/notifications/${notification.id}/acknowledge`, {
+				method: 'POST',
+				headers: {
+					'Content-Type': 'application/json',
+					Authorization: `Bearer ${authStore.currentToken}`
+				}
+			});
+		}
+
+		const action = hasAction(notification.reason);
+		if (action === 'approve' && notification.booking_id) {
+			const booking = await fetchBookingDetails(notification.booking_id);
+			if (booking) {
+				selectedBooking = booking;
+				showApprovalModal = true;
+			} else {
+				toast.error('Could not load booking details');
+			}
+		} else if (action === 'view' && notification.booking_id) {
+			const booking = await fetchBookingDetails(notification.booking_id);
+			if (booking) {
+				selectedBooking = booking;
+				showBookingModal = true;
+			} else {
+				toast.error('Could not load booking details');
+			}
+		} else if (action === 'see_user' && notification.user_id) {
+			selectedUserId = notification.user_id;
+			showUserModal = true;
+		}
+	}
+
+	async function handleAcknowledge(notification: Notification) {
+		try {
+			const response = await fetch(`/api/admin/notifications/${notification.id}/acknowledge`, {
+				method: 'POST',
+				headers: {
+					'Content-Type': 'application/json',
+					Authorization: `Bearer ${authStore.currentToken}`
+				}
+			});
+			if (!response.ok) {
+				toast.error('Failed to acknowledge notification');
+				return;
+			}
+			notifications = notifications.filter((n) => n.id !== notification.id);
+			total = Math.max(0, total - 1);
+			if (notifications.length === 0 && page > 1) {
+				page--;
+				await fetchNotifications();
+			}
+		} catch {
+			toast.error('Network error');
+		}
+	}
+
+	function handleApproved() {
+		showApprovalModal = false;
+		selectedBooking = null;
+		fetchNotifications();
+	}
+
+	function toggleView() {
+		includeAcknowledged = !includeAcknowledged;
+		page = 1;
+		fetchNotifications();
+	}
+
+	function prevPage() {
+		if (page > 1) {
+			page--;
+			fetchNotifications();
+		}
+	}
+
+	function nextPage() {
+		if (page * perPage < total) {
+			page++;
+			fetchNotifications();
+		}
+	}
+
+	function formatRelative(iso: string): string {
+		const d = new Date(iso);
+		const now = new Date();
+		const diffMs = now.getTime() - d.getTime();
+		const diffMin = Math.floor(diffMs / 60000);
+		const diffHr = Math.floor(diffMin / 60);
+		const diffDay = Math.floor(diffHr / 24);
+		const diffWeek = Math.floor(diffDay / 7);
+
+		if (diffMin < 1) return 'Just now';
+		if (diffMin < 60) return `${diffMin}m ago`;
+		if (diffHr < 24) return `${diffHr}h ago`;
+		if (diffDay < 7) return `${diffDay}d ago`;
+		if (diffWeek < 5) return `${diffWeek}w ago`;
+		return d.toLocaleDateString('en-GB', {
+			day: 'numeric',
+			month: 'short',
+			year: d.getFullYear() !== now.getFullYear() ? 'numeric' : undefined
+		});
+	}
+
+	function formatBookingDate(iso: string): string {
+		const d = new Date(iso);
+		const now = new Date();
+		const today = new Date(now.getFullYear(), now.getMonth(), now.getDate());
+		const tomorrow = new Date(today);
+		tomorrow.setDate(tomorrow.getDate() + 1);
+		const bookingDay = new Date(d.getFullYear(), d.getMonth(), d.getDate());
+		const diffDays = Math.round((bookingDay.getTime() - today.getTime()) / 86400000);
+
+		if (diffDays === 0) return 'Today';
+		if (diffDays === 1) return 'Tomorrow';
+		if (diffDays === -1) return 'Yesterday';
+		if (diffDays > 1 && diffDays <= 6) {
+			return d.toLocaleDateString('en-GB', { weekday: 'long' });
+		}
+		if (diffDays > 6 && diffDays <= 13) {
+			return 'Next ' + d.toLocaleDateString('en-GB', { weekday: 'long' });
+		}
+		return d.toLocaleDateString('en-GB', {
+			weekday: 'long',
+			day: 'numeric',
+			month: 'long',
+			year: d.getFullYear() !== now.getFullYear() ? 'numeric' : undefined
+		});
+	}
+
+	function getNotificationTitle(n: Notification): string {
+		const base = reasonLabels[n.reason] || n.reason;
+		if (n.booking_start_time) {
+			return `${base} — ${formatBookingDate(n.booking_start_time)}`;
+		}
+		return base;
+	}
+
+	function getNotificationSubtitle(n: Notification): string {
+		const parts = [formatRelative(n.created_at)];
+		if (n.user_name) {
+			parts.push(n.user_name);
+		}
+		return parts.join(' — ');
+	}
+
+	const totalPages = Math.ceil(total / perPage);
+
+	onMount(() => {
+		if (pageState === 'authorized') {
+			fetchNotifications();
+		}
+	});
+</script>
+
+{#if pageState === 'loading'}
+	<div class="mx-auto max-w-3xl space-y-4 p-6 pt-24">
+		<Skeleton class="h-8 w-48" />
+		{#each Array(5) as _, i (i)}
+			<Skeleton class="h-24 w-full" />
+		{/each}
+	</div>
+{:else if pageState === 'unauthorized'}
+	<div class="flex min-h-screen items-center justify-center p-4">
+		<div class="max-w-md text-center">
+			<svg
+				class="mx-auto mb-4 h-16 w-16 text-gray-400"
+				fill="none"
+				stroke="currentColor"
+				viewBox="0 0 24 24"
+			>
+				<path
+					stroke-linecap="round"
+					stroke-linejoin="round"
+					stroke-width="2"
+					d="M12 9v2m0 4h.01m-6.938 4h13.856c1.54 0 2.502-1.667 1.732-3L13.732 4c-.77-1.333-2.694-1.333-3.464 0L3.34 16c-.77 1.333.192 3 1.732 3z"
+				/>
+			</svg>
+			<h2 class="mb-2 text-xl font-semibold text-gray-900">Coming Soon</h2>
+			<p class="text-gray-600">
+				Notifications are available for admin accounts. This feature will be enabled for all users
+				before launch.
+			</p>
+		</div>
+	</div>
+{:else if error}
+	<div class="flex min-h-screen items-center justify-center p-4">
+		<div class="max-w-md text-center">
+			<h2 class="mb-2 text-xl font-semibold text-gray-900">Unable to Load Notifications</h2>
+			<p class="mb-4 text-gray-600">Something went wrong. Please try again.</p>
+			<Button onclick={fetchNotifications}>Retry</Button>
+		</div>
+	</div>
+{:else}
+	<div class="mx-auto max-w-3xl p-6 pt-24">
+		<div class="mb-6 flex items-center justify-between">
+			<h1 class="text-2xl font-semibold text-gray-900">Notifications</h1>
+			<label class="flex cursor-pointer items-center gap-2 text-sm text-gray-600">
+				<input
+					type="checkbox"
+					checked={includeAcknowledged}
+					onchange={toggleView}
+					class="h-4 w-4 rounded border-gray-300 text-primary focus:ring-primary"
+				/>
+				Show acknowledged
+			</label>
+		</div>
+
+		{#if notifications.length === 0}
+			<div class="rounded-lg border border-gray-200 bg-gray-50 py-16 text-center">
+				<svg
+					class="mx-auto mb-3 h-12 w-12 text-gray-400"
+					fill="none"
+					stroke="currentColor"
+					viewBox="0 0 24 24"
+				>
+					<path
+						stroke-linecap="round"
+						stroke-linejoin="round"
+						stroke-width="1.5"
+						d="M15 17h5l-1.405-1.405A2.032 2.032 0 0118 14.158V11a6.002 6.002 0 00-4-5.659V5a2 2 0 10-4 0v.341C7.67 6.165 6 8.388 6 11v3.159c0 .538-.214 1.055-.595 1.436L4 17h5m6 0v1a3 3 0 11-6 0v-1m6 0H9"
+					/>
+				</svg>
+				<p class="text-gray-500">
+					{includeAcknowledged ? 'No notifications yet' : 'No unread notifications'}
+				</p>
+			</div>
+		{:else}
+			<div class="space-y-3">
+				{#each notifications as n (n.id)}
+					<div
+						transition:fly={{ x: 100, duration: 250, easing: cubicOut }}
+						class="rounded-lg border p-4 transition-colors {n.acknowledged_at
+							? 'border-gray-200 bg-gray-50'
+							: 'border-gray-300 bg-white'}"
+					>
+						<div class="flex flex-col gap-3 sm:flex-row sm:items-start sm:justify-between">
+							<div class="min-w-0 flex-1">
+								<div class="flex items-center gap-2">
+									{#if !n.acknowledged_at}
+										<span class="h-2 w-2 shrink-0 rounded-full bg-primary"></span>
+									{/if}
+									<h3 class="font-medium text-gray-900">{getNotificationTitle(n)}</h3>
+								</div>
+								<p class="mt-1 text-sm text-gray-500">{getNotificationSubtitle(n)}</p>
+							</div>
+							<div class="flex shrink-0 items-center gap-2 sm:flex-col sm:items-end">
+								{#if hasAction(n.reason)}
+									<Button size="sm" onclick={() => handleAction(n)}>
+										{#if hasAction(n.reason) === 'approve'}
+											Approve Booking
+										{:else if hasAction(n.reason) === 'see_user'}
+											See User
+										{:else}
+											See Booking
+										{/if}
+									</Button>
+								{/if}
+								{#if !n.acknowledged_at}
+									<Button size="sm" variant="outline" onclick={() => handleAcknowledge(n)}>
+										Acknowledge
+									</Button>
+								{/if}
+							</div>
+						</div>
+					</div>
+				{/each}
+			</div>
+
+			{#if totalPages > 1}
+				<div class="mt-6 flex items-center justify-between">
+					<p class="text-sm text-gray-500">
+						{(page - 1) * perPage + 1}–{Math.min(page * perPage, total)} of {total}
+					</p>
+					<div class="flex gap-2">
+						<Button size="sm" variant="outline" onclick={prevPage} disabled={page <= 1}>
+							Previous
+						</Button>
+						<Button
+							size="sm"
+							variant="outline"
+							onclick={nextPage}
+							disabled={page * perPage >= total}
+						>
+							Next
+						</Button>
+					</div>
+				</div>
+			{/if}
+		{/if}
+	</div>
+{/if}
+
+{#if showApprovalModal && selectedBooking}
+	<ApprovalModal
+		bind:open={showApprovalModal}
+		booking={selectedBooking}
+		onApproved={handleApproved}
+	/>
+{/if}
+
+{#if showBookingModal && selectedBooking}
+	<BookingModal bind:open={showBookingModal} bookingId={selectedBooking.id} />
+{/if}
+
+{#if showUserModal && selectedUserId}
+	<UserModal bind:open={showUserModal} userId={selectedUserId} />
+{/if}

init-scripts/init-script.sql

@@ -523,7 +523,7 @@ INSERT INTO business_settings (
     'https://www.website.co.uk'
 );
 
-CREATE TYPE admin_notification_reason AS ENUM ('pending_booking', 'cancelled_booking', 'rescheduled_booking', '1_week_no_pay', '1_month_no_pay', 'affiliate_claim', 'late_cancellation', 'no_deposit', 'deposit_paid', 'edit_request');
+CREATE TYPE admin_notification_reason AS ENUM ('pending_booking', 'cancelled_booking', 'rescheduled_booking', '1_week_no_pay', '1_month_no_pay', 'affiliate_claim', 'late_cancellation', 'no_deposit', 'deposit_paid', 'edit_request', 'new_booking', 'edit_requested');
 
 CREATE TABLE admin_notifications (
     id SERIAL PRIMARY KEY,

local-dev-2.sh

@@ -699,6 +699,28 @@ for ((i=0; i<${#PENDING_BOOKING_IDS[@]}; i++)); do
 done
 echo "${C_GREEN}✅ Confirmed $confirmed_count bookings, left $skipped_count pending for admin review${C_RESET}"
 
+# ===========================================================================
+# 5b. USER BOOKINGS WITH NOTES (triggers pending_booking notifications)
+# These use the public endpoint so notifications are created.
+# ===========================================================================
+echo -e "\n${C_BLUE}📝 Creating User Bookings with Notes (notification triggers)..."
+
+USER_NOTE_COUNT=0
+
+# Emma — booking with special request notes (triggers new_booking + pending_booking)
+D_NOTE1=$(open_day "$(TZ=Europe/London date -d "$TODAY +8 days" +%Y-%m-%d)")
+if create_booking "$EMMA_TOKEN" "$(format_london_time "$D_NOTE1" "$SLOT_E")" "[\"$(get_svc 1)\"]" "Hi! Could I please have a nude base with white french tips and a single gold foil accent on the ring finger? Also I have a slight nail ridge on my left thumb - nothing major but worth noting." "Emma - French tips + gold foil (+8 days)"; then
+  USER_NOTE_COUNT=$((USER_NOTE_COUNT+1))
+fi
+
+# Isla — booking with notes for a different day (triggers new_booking + pending_booking)
+D_NOTE2=$(open_day "$(TZ=Europe/London date -d "$TODAY +10 days" +%Y-%m-%d)")
+if create_booking "$ISLA_TOKEN" "$(format_london_time "$D_NOTE2" "$SLOT_E")" "[\"$(get_svc 1)\",\"$(get_svc 5)\"]" "I'd like a chrome/mirror-ball effect on all nails if possible. Also I'm thinking of getting married soon so want to trial a bridal look - can we discuss options?" "Isla - Chrome trial (+10 days)"; then
+  USER_NOTE_COUNT=$((USER_NOTE_COUNT+1))
+fi
+
+echo "${C_GREEN}✅ Created $USER_NOTE_COUNT User Bookings with Notes (pending notifications)${C_RESET}"
+
 # ===========================================================================
 # 6. GUEST BOOKINGS
 # ===========================================================================
@@ -1004,6 +1026,7 @@ echo -e "  Bookings — total   : $TOTAL_BOOKINGS"
 echo -e "  Cancellations      : $cancel_count"
 echo -e "  Confirmed          : $confirmed_count  |  Still pending: $skipped_count"
 echo -e "  Bookings — guest   : $count_guest"
+echo -e "  Bookings — w/ notes: $USER_NOTE_COUNT (pending notifications)"
 echo -e "  Payments           : $payment_count completed bookings"
 echo -e "  Time blockers      : $count_blockers"
 echo -e "  Schedule groups    : $sched_success/3"

obsidian/.obsidian/workspace.json

@@ -171,11 +171,11 @@
   },
   "active": "0e456d61bc5b6ded",
   "lastOpenFiles": [
+    "Crussell/Overview.md",
+    "Crussell/Future Work - Gap Backlog.md",
     "Crussell/Technical Manual.md",
     "Crussell/User Manual.md",
     "Crussell/Admin Manual.md",
-    "Crussell/Overview.md",
-    "Crussell/Future Work - Gap Backlog.md",
     "Crussell/Test Implementation Plan.md",
     "Crussell/Crussell Nails.md",
     "Crussell/Backend/bookings.md",

obsidian/Crussell/Admin Manual.md

@@ -328,6 +328,75 @@ The window shows the full booking details so you can review them before making y
 
 ---
 
+## Notifications
+
+The notifications page keeps you informed about everything happening with your bookings and customers. You'll find a bell icon in the top-right corner of the navigation bar — if there's a red dot on it, you have unread notifications.
+
+### How to Access
+
+Click the **bell icon** in the top-right corner of the website to go to the Notifications page. The bell shows a number indicating how many unread notifications you have.
+
+### What You'll See
+
+Notifications are sorted by importance, with the most urgent at the top:
+
+1. **Booking Pending Approval** — A booking needs your review and approval
+2. **Booking Cancelled** — A booking was cancelled
+3. **Late Cancellation (< 24h)** — A customer cancelled less than 24 hours before their appointment
+4. **Deposit Issue** — A deposit-related problem
+5. **Deposit Payment Received** — A deposit payment came through
+6. **Affiliate Referral Claimed** — Someone used a referral code
+7. **Booking Edit Requested** — A customer wants to change their booking
+8. **New Booking Received** — A new booking was made online
+9. **No Payments in 1 Month** — No payments recorded in the last month
+10. **No Payments in 1 Week** — No payments recorded in the last week
+
+Within each priority level, older notifications appear first so you see the ones that have been waiting longest.
+
+### What Each Notification Does
+
+**Booking Pending Approval:**
+- Shows **"Approve Booking"** button
+- Opens the approval window where you can confirm or decline the booking
+- You can also adjust the price, duration, and add notes before confirming
+
+**New Booking Received / Booking Edit Requested:**
+- Shows **"See Booking"** button
+- Opens a read-only view of the booking details
+- No approval needed — just for your awareness
+
+**Late Cancellation / Deposit Issue / No Payments:**
+- Shows **"See User"** button
+- Opens the customer's full profile so you can review their history, spending, and notes
+
+**All other notifications:**
+- Show only the **"Acknowledge"** button
+- These are informational — no further action needed
+
+### Acknowledging Notifications
+
+Every notification has an **"Acknowledge"** button. Clicking it marks the notification as seen and removes it from the default view.
+
+When you click **"Approve Booking"**, **"See Booking"**, or **"See User"**, the notification is automatically acknowledged for you — you don't need to click Acknowledge separately.
+
+### Viewing Old Notifications
+
+At the top of the Notifications page, there's a **"Show acknowledged"** toggle. Turn it on to see all notifications you've already acknowledged, sorted newest first. This is useful if you need to look back at something you've already dealt with.
+
+### Pagination
+
+If you have many notifications, they're split into pages of 20. Use the **Previous** and **Next** buttons at the bottom to navigate.
+
+### How Notifications Are Created
+
+- **Every booking** made through the website creates a "New Booking Received" notification
+- If a booking has **notes** attached or is for **today**, an additional "Booking Pending Approval" notification is also created so you know it needs your attention
+- **Edit requests** from customers create a "Booking Edit Requested" notification
+- If the booking being edited is still **pending**, an additional "Booking Pending Approval" notification is also created
+- Admin-created bookings (walk-ins, call-ins) do **not** create notifications — you already know about them because you created them
+
+---
+
 ## Uploading Portfolio Images
 
 The portfolio is the salon's gallery of nail art photos that customers can browse on the website.

obsidian/Crussell/Future Work - Gap Backlog.md

@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@ No external dependencies. No paid services. No API keys needed.
 
 | #     | Gap                                                      | Effort   | Area       | Notes                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          |
 | ----- | -------------------------------------------------------- | -------- | ---------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
-| 5     | **Admin notification panel**                             | M (1-2d) | Frontend   | Backend fully wired (GET/acknowledge). No frontend UI to display notifications. Admin has no visibility into pending bookings, cancellations, no-shows.                                                                                                                                                        |
+| ~~5~~     | ~~**Admin notification panel**~~ ✅                             | ~~M (1-2d)~~ | ~~Frontend~~   | ~~Backend fully wired (GET/acknowledge). No frontend UI to display notifications. Admin has no visibility into pending bookings, cancellations, no-shows.~~ Two-tier system live: `new_booking` (all) + `pending_booking` (notes/today). Priority ordering, bell icon, `/notifications` page, acknowledge flow, enriched responses.
 | 6     | **Reservation/anonymization cron**                       | S (2-3h) | Backend    | `CleanupOldReservations()` and `AnonymizeStaleGuestAccounts()` only fire on availability fetch. If no one fetches availability, expired reservations persist and stale guests aren't anonymized. Should be a background ticker in `main.go`.                                                                   |
 | 7     | **GDPR data export endpoint**                            | M (1d)   | Backend    | `export_all_user_data()` SQL function exists (JSON export). No Go handler wired. Required for GDPR Article 15 SAR requests.                                                                                                                                                                                    |
 | 8     | **VAT/Tax export endpoints**                             | M (1-2d) | Backend    | `get_vat_return_data()`, `export_sales_transactions()` SQL functions exist. No admin API to trigger them. Needed for HMRC compliance.                                                                                                                                                                          |
@@ -143,7 +143,7 @@ Require paid accounts, API approval, or external service credentials. **Do not a
 │                                                         │
 │  #3 Approval decline ✅──→ #13 Booking reschedule         │
 │                                                         │
-│  #5 Admin notification panel ──→ #15 Preferences UI    │
+│  ~~#5 Admin notification panel~~ ✅ ──→ #15 Preferences UI    │
 │                              ──→ #48 Waitlist (removed)  │
 │                                                         │
 │  #2 Walk-in guest fix ──→ #9 Reservation transition     │
@@ -179,7 +179,7 @@ Require paid accounts, API approval, or external service credentials. **Do not a
 
 9. **#2** Wire WalkInCreateModal guest booking (1-2h) ✅
 10. **#3** ApprovalModal decline/cancel (2-3h) ✅
-11. **#5** Admin notification panel (1-2d)
+11. ~~**#5** Admin notification panel (1-2d)~~ ✅
 12. **#4** CurrentAppointment Extend + Cancel actions (1d) — skip TakePayment (blocked on E1). **Edit** ✅ — now opens `EditBookingModal` for service management.
 13. **#12** Booking cancellation from user account (2-3h)
 14. **#40** No-show tracking dashboard (2-3h)

obsidian/Crussell/Technical Manual.md

@@ -230,6 +230,7 @@ src/lib/components/
 | GET | `/api/admin/today/appointments` | Today's appointments |
 | GET | `/api/admin/today/pending-approvals` | Pending approval queue |
 | GET | `/api/admin/notifications` | List notifications |
+| GET | `/api/admin/notifications/unread-count` | Unread count for bell icon |
 | POST | `/api/admin/notifications/{id}/acknowledge` | Acknowledge notification |
 | GET | `/api/admin/time-blockers` | List time blockers |
 | POST | `/api/admin/time-blockers` | Create time blocker |
@@ -261,7 +262,7 @@ src/lib/components/
 | `payment_type` | `deposit`, `full`, `tip`, `balance`, `partial` |
 | `payment_method` | `online_square`, `in_person_card`, `cash`, `giftcard`, `discount` |
 | `payment_status` | `pending`, `completed`, `failed`, `refunded` |
-| `admin_notification_reason` | `pending_booking`, `cancelled_booking`, `rescheduled_booking`, `1_week_no_pay`, `1_month_no_pay`, `affiliate_claim`, `late_cancellation`, `no_deposit`, `deposit_paid`, `edit_request` |
+| `admin_notification_reason` | `pending_booking`, `cancelled_booking`, `rescheduled_booking`, `1_week_no_pay`, `1_month_no_pay`, `affiliate_claim`, `late_cancellation`, `no_deposit`, `deposit_paid`, `edit_request`, `new_booking`, `edit_requested` |
 | `campaign_type` | `time_based`, `milestone` |
 | `milestone_type` | `per_user_booking_count`, `global_booking_count`, `anniversary` |
 | `milestone_unit` | `bookings`, `months`, `years` |
@@ -452,6 +453,37 @@ src/lib/components/
 
 ---
 
+### Notifications
+
+**How it works:** Two-tier notification system. Every public booking creates a `new_booking` notification (low priority, acknowledge-only). If the booking has notes or is for today, an additional `pending_booking` notification is also created (high priority, approve/deny action).
+
+**Endpoints:**
+- `GET /api/admin/notifications` — List notifications. Query params: `page`, `per_page`, `include_acknowledged` (bool), `reason` (filter). Default: unacknowledged only, sorted by priority CASE WHEN then oldest-first. With `include_acknowledged=true`: all notifications, newest-first.
+- `GET /api/admin/notifications/unread-count` — Returns `{"count": N}` for the bell icon.
+- `POST /api/admin/notifications/{id}/acknowledge` — Sets `acknowledged_at = NOW()`. Idempotent (404 if already acknowledged).
+
+**Priority order** (SQL CASE WHEN):
+
+| Priority | Reason | Frontend Action |
+|----------|--------|-----------------|
+| 1 | `pending_booking` | Approve/Decline (ApprovalModal) |
+| 2 | `cancelled_booking` | Acknowledge |
+| 3 | `late_cancellation` | Acknowledge + See User |
+| 4 | `no_deposit` | Acknowledge + See User |
+| 5 | `deposit_paid` | Acknowledge |
+| 6 | `affiliate_claim` | Acknowledge |
+| 7 | `edit_requested` | See Booking (BookingModal) |
+| 8 | `new_booking` | See Booking (BookingModal) |
+| 9 | `1_month_no_pay` | Acknowledge + See User |
+| 10 | `1_week_no_pay` | Acknowledge + See User |
+
+**Auto-acknowledge behavior:** Clicking "Approve Booking", "See Booking", or "See User" automatically acknowledges the notification before opening the modal. The standalone "Acknowledge" button is for dismissing without action.
+
+**Creation sources:**
+- Public bookings (`POST /api/bookings`) → always `new_booking`, plus `pending_booking` if notes or today
+- Edit requests (`POST /api/bookings/{id}/edit-request`) → always `edit_requested`, plus `pending_booking` if booking status is pending
+- Admin bookings (`POST /api/admin/bookings`) → no notifications (admin already knows)
+
 ### Loyalty & Discount System
 
 **Loyalty Stamps:**