diff --git a/CHANGELOG.md b/CHANGELOG.md
index 3966174a..8b3f4f3c 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -9,6 +9,12 @@ and this project adheres to [Semantic Versioning](https://semver.org/spec/v2.0.0
 
 ### Added
 
+- Add system notifications and update checks
+  -Real-time notifications for system events and alerts
+  -Per-user notification management and dismissal
+  -Update check on startup and every 24 hours to notify users of available versions
+  -Notification center UI component
+  -Automatic cleanup of expired notifications
 - Network Access "Reset to Defaults" button: Added a "Reset to Defaults" button to the Network Access settings form, matching the functionality in Proxy Settings. Users can now quickly restore recommended network access settings with one click.
 - Streams table column visibility toggle: Added column menu to Streams table header allowing users to show/hide optional columns (TVG-ID, Stats) based on preference, with optional columns hidden by default for cleaner default view.
 - Streams table TVG-ID column with search filter and sort: Added TVG-ID column to streams table with search filtering and sort capability for better stream organization. (Closes #866) - Thanks [@CodeBormen](https://github.com/CodeBormen)
diff --git a/core/api_urls.py b/core/api_urls.py
index 75257db1..1ac58455 100644
--- a/core/api_urls.py
+++ b/core/api_urls.py
@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@ from .api_views import (
     UserAgentViewSet,
     StreamProfileViewSet,
     CoreSettingsViewSet,
+    SystemNotificationViewSet,
     environment,
     version,
     rehash_streams_endpoint,
@@ -17,6 +18,7 @@ router = DefaultRouter()
 router.register(r'useragents', UserAgentViewSet, basename='useragent')
 router.register(r'streamprofiles', StreamProfileViewSet, basename='streamprofile')
 router.register(r'settings', CoreSettingsViewSet, basename='coresettings')
+router.register(r'notifications', SystemNotificationViewSet, basename='systemnotification')
 urlpatterns = [
     path('settings/env/', environment, name='token_refresh'),
     path('version/', version, name='version'),
diff --git a/core/api_views.py b/core/api_views.py
index 44001f95..20ef6249 100644
--- a/core/api_views.py
+++ b/core/api_views.py
@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@
 import json
 import ipaddress
 import logging
+from django.db import models
 from rest_framework import viewsets, status
 from rest_framework.response import Response
 from rest_framework.views import APIView
@@ -466,3 +467,159 @@ def get_system_events(request):
         return Response({
             'error': 'Failed to fetch system events'
         }, status=status.HTTP_500_INTERNAL_SERVER_ERROR)
+
+
+# ─────────────────────────────
+# System Notifications API
+# ─────────────────────────────
+from .models import SystemNotification, NotificationDismissal
+from .serializers import SystemNotificationSerializer, NotificationDismissalSerializer
+from django.utils import timezone as dj_timezone
+
+
+class SystemNotificationViewSet(viewsets.ModelViewSet):
+    """
+    API endpoint for system notifications.
+    Users can view active notifications and dismiss them.
+    Admins can create and manage notifications.
+    """
+    serializer_class = SystemNotificationSerializer
+    permission_classes = [IsAuthenticated]
+
+    def get_queryset(self):
+        """
+        Return notifications based on user permissions.
+        Filter out expired and dismissed notifications for regular users.
+        Evaluate conditions for developer notifications.
+        """
+        from core.developer_notifications import evaluate_conditions
+        from django.core.cache import cache
+
+        user = self.request.user
+        now = dj_timezone.now()
+
+        queryset = SystemNotification.objects.filter(is_active=True)
+
+        # Filter out expired notifications
+        queryset = queryset.filter(
+            models.Q(expires_at__isnull=True) | models.Q(expires_at__gt=now)
+        )
+
+        # Filter admin-only notifications for non-admins
+        if not getattr(user, 'is_superuser', False) and getattr(user, 'user_level', 0) < 10:
+            queryset = queryset.filter(admin_only=False)
+
+        # For developer notifications, evaluate conditions
+        # Cache the evaluation per notification to avoid repeated condition checks
+        notifications_to_exclude = []
+        developer_notifications = queryset.filter(source=SystemNotification.Source.DEVELOPER)
+
+        for notification in developer_notifications:
+            action_data = notification.action_data or {}
+            conditions = action_data.get('condition', [])
+
+            if not conditions:
+                continue
+
+            # Cache key based on notification ID and current settings
+            # Cache for 5 minutes to balance freshness with performance
+            cache_key = f'dev_notif_condition_{notification.id}_{user.id}'
+            should_show = cache.get(cache_key)
+
+            if should_show is None:
+                should_show = evaluate_conditions(conditions, user)
+                cache.set(cache_key, should_show, timeout=300)  # 5 minutes
+
+            if not should_show:
+                notifications_to_exclude.append(notification.id)
+
+        if notifications_to_exclude:
+            queryset = queryset.exclude(id__in=notifications_to_exclude)
+
+        return queryset
+
+    def get_serializer_context(self):
+        context = super().get_serializer_context()
+        context['request'] = self.request
+        return context
+
+    def list(self, request):
+        """
+        List all active notifications for the current user.
+        Optionally filter by dismissed status.
+        """
+        queryset = self.get_queryset()
+
+        # Optional: filter out already dismissed notifications
+        include_dismissed = request.query_params.get('include_dismissed', 'false').lower() == 'true'
+        if not include_dismissed:
+            dismissed_ids = NotificationDismissal.objects.filter(
+                user=request.user
+            ).values_list('notification_id', flat=True)
+            queryset = queryset.exclude(id__in=dismissed_ids)
+
+        serializer = self.get_serializer(queryset, many=True)
+        return Response({
+            'notifications': serializer.data,
+            'count': len(serializer.data),
+            'unread_count': queryset.count()
+        })
+
+    @action(detail=True, methods=['post'], url_path='dismiss')
+    def dismiss(self, request, pk=None):
+        """Dismiss a notification for the current user."""
+        notification = self.get_object()
+        action_taken = request.data.get('action_taken', None)
+
+        dismissal, created = NotificationDismissal.objects.get_or_create(
+            user=request.user,
+            notification=notification,
+            defaults={'action_taken': action_taken}
+        )
+
+        if not created and action_taken:
+            dismissal.action_taken = action_taken
+            dismissal.save()
+
+        return Response({
+            'success': True,
+            'message': 'Notification dismissed',
+            'notification_key': notification.notification_key
+        })
+
+    @action(detail=False, methods=['post'], url_path='dismiss-all')
+    def dismiss_all(self, request):
+        """Dismiss all notifications for the current user."""
+        notifications = self.get_queryset()
+
+        # Get notifications not yet dismissed
+        dismissed_ids = NotificationDismissal.objects.filter(
+            user=request.user
+        ).values_list('notification_id', flat=True)
+        to_dismiss = notifications.exclude(id__in=dismissed_ids)
+
+        # Create dismissals for all
+        dismissals = [
+            NotificationDismissal(user=request.user, notification=n)
+            for n in to_dismiss
+        ]
+        NotificationDismissal.objects.bulk_create(dismissals, ignore_conflicts=True)
+
+        return Response({
+            'success': True,
+            'dismissed_count': len(dismissals)
+        })
+
+    @action(detail=False, methods=['get'], url_path='count')
+    def unread_count(self, request):
+        """Get count of unread notifications."""
+        queryset = self.get_queryset()
+        dismissed_ids = NotificationDismissal.objects.filter(
+            user=request.user
+        ).values_list('notification_id', flat=True)
+        unread_count = queryset.exclude(id__in=dismissed_ids).count()
+
+        return Response({
+            'unread_count': unread_count
+        })
+
diff --git a/core/apps.py b/core/apps.py
index 96ccfb3b..12f6d054 100644
--- a/core/apps.py
+++ b/core/apps.py
@@ -22,3 +22,52 @@ class CoreConfig(AppConfig):
     def ready(self):
         # Import signals to ensure they get registered
         import core.signals
+
+        # Sync developer notifications and check for version updates on startup
+        # Only run in the main process (not in management commands or migrations)
+        import sys
+        if 'runserver' in sys.argv or 'uwsgi' in sys.argv[0] if sys.argv else False:
+            self._sync_developer_notifications()
+            self._check_version_update()
+
+    def _sync_developer_notifications(self):
+        """Sync developer notifications from JSON file to database."""
+        from django.db import connection
+        import logging
+
+        logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
+
+        # Check if tables exist (avoid running during migrations)
+        try:
+            with connection.cursor() as cursor:
+                cursor.execute(
+                    "SELECT 1 FROM information_schema.tables WHERE table_name = 'core_systemnotification'"
+                )
+                if not cursor.fetchone():
+                    # For SQLite
+                    cursor.execute(
+                        "SELECT name FROM sqlite_master WHERE type='table' AND name='core_systemnotification'"
+                    )
+                    if not cursor.fetchone():
+                        return
+        except Exception:
+            # If we can't check, the table might not exist yet
+            pass
+
+        try:
+            from core.developer_notifications import sync_developer_notifications
+            sync_developer_notifications()
+        except Exception as e:
+            logger.warning(f"Failed to sync developer notifications on startup: {e}")
+
+    def _check_version_update(self):
+        """Check for version updates on startup."""
+        import logging
+
+        logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
+
+        try:
+            from core.tasks import check_for_version_update
+            check_for_version_update.delay()
+        except Exception as e:
+            logger.warning(f"Failed to check for version updates on startup: {e}")
diff --git a/core/developer_notifications.py b/core/developer_notifications.py
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..cf16e7a2
--- /dev/null
+++ b/core/developer_notifications.py
@@ -0,0 +1,412 @@
+"""
+Developer Notification Sync Service
+
+Handles syncing developer-defined notifications from the JSON file to the database.
+This ensures users receive important notifications from the development team
+about recommended settings, security updates, and other announcements.
+
+JSON Schema (see fixtures/developer_notifications.json):
+    {
+        "id": str,                      # REQUIRED - Unique identifier (notification_key)
+        "title": str,                   # REQUIRED - Notification heading
+        "message": str,                 # REQUIRED - Notification body text
+
+        "notification_type": str,       # OPTIONAL - 'version_update', 'setting_recommendation', 'announcement', 'warning', 'info' (default: 'info')
+        "priority": str,                # OPTIONAL - 'low', 'normal', 'high', 'critical' (default: 'normal')
+        "min_version": str | null,      # OPTIONAL - Minimum version (inclusive), e.g., "0.17.0" (default: null)
+        "max_version": str | null,      # OPTIONAL - Maximum version (inclusive), e.g., "0.18.1" (default: null)
+        "created_at": str,              # OPTIONAL - ISO timestamp for tracking
+        "expires_at": str | null,       # OPTIONAL - ISO timestamp when notification expires (default: null)
+        "condition": list[str],         # OPTIONAL - List of condition check names, AND logic (default: [])
+        "user_level": str,              # OPTIONAL - 'all' or 'admin' (default: 'all')
+        "action_url": str | null,       # OPTIONAL - Internal navigation URL (e.g., "/settings#network-access")
+        "action_text": str | null,      # OPTIONAL - Text for action button (required if action_url is set)
+    }
+
+Condition Checks:
+    Conditions are function names from CONDITION_CHECKS registry that evaluate
+    whether a notification should be shown. All conditions must pass (AND logic).
+
+    Available conditions:
+        - 'm3u_epg_network_insecure': M3U/EPG endpoint allows access from anywhere
+
+    To add new conditions:
+        1. Define a function: check_your_condition(user) -> bool
+        2. Add to CONDITION_CHECKS registry
+        3. Reference in JSON: "condition": ["your_condition"]
+
+Sync Behavior:
+    - Runs on startup (see apps.py)
+    - Runs when relevant settings change (see signals.py)
+    - Adds new notifications if in version range and not expired
+    - Updates existing notifications with latest data
+    - Removes notifications that are:
+        * No longer in JSON file
+        * Out of current version range
+        * Past expiration date
+    - Sends websocket event to refresh frontend
+    - Cache invalidated when triggering settings change
+"""
+import json
+import logging
+from datetime import datetime
+from pathlib import Path
+from typing import Any, Callable
+
+from django.conf import settings
+from django.db import models
+from django.utils import timezone
+from packaging import version
+
+from version import __version__
+
+logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
+
+# Path to developer notifications JSON file
+NOTIFICATIONS_FILE = Path(__file__).parent / 'fixtures' / 'developer_notifications.json'
+
+
+# ─────────────────────────────
+# Condition Checks
+# ─────────────────────────────
+# Each condition function receives (user) and returns True if the notification should show
+
+def check_network_access_is_default(user, endpoint: str = 'M3U_EPG') -> bool:
+    """
+    Check if network access settings for a specific endpoint are insecure (allow all).
+
+    Args:
+        user: The user object (unused but required for condition check signature)
+        endpoint: The endpoint to check (e.g., 'M3U_EPG', 'XC_API')
+
+    Returns:
+        True if the notification should show (insecure settings detected)
+    """
+    from core.models import CoreSettings, NETWORK_ACCESS_KEY
+
+    try:
+        network_settings = CoreSettings._get_group(NETWORK_ACCESS_KEY, {})
+
+        # Empty settings are secure (defaults to local network only)
+        if not network_settings:
+            return False
+
+        # Get the specific endpoint's allowed networks (stored as comma-separated string)
+        allowed_networks_str = network_settings.get(endpoint, '')
+        if not allowed_networks_str:
+            return False
+
+        # Parse comma-separated network addresses
+        allowed_networks = [net.strip() for net in allowed_networks_str.split(',')]
+
+        # Check if settings allow access from anywhere (insecure)
+        if '0.0.0.0/0' in allowed_networks or '::/0' in allowed_networks:
+            return True
+
+        return False
+    except Exception as e:
+        logger.warning(f"Error checking network_access_is_default condition for {endpoint}: {e}")
+        return False
+
+
+# Registry of all available condition checks
+CONDITION_CHECKS: dict[str, Callable] = {
+    'm3u_epg_network_insecure': lambda user: check_network_access_is_default(user, 'M3U_EPG'),
+    # Add more conditions here as needed
+    # 'transcode_not_configured': check_transcode_not_configured,
+    # 'no_backup_configured': check_no_backup_configured,
+}
+
+
+# ─────────────────────────────
+# Version Utilities
+# ─────────────────────────────
+
+def parse_version(version_str: str | None) -> version.Version | None:
+    """Parse a version string, returning None if invalid or empty."""
+    if not version_str:
+        return None
+    try:
+        return version.parse(version_str)
+    except Exception:
+        return None
+
+
+def is_version_in_range(
+    current_version: str,
+    min_version: str | None,
+    max_version: str | None
+) -> bool:
+    """Check if current version is within the specified range."""
+    current = parse_version(current_version)
+    if not current:
+        return True  # If we can't parse version, show notification
+
+    min_ver = parse_version(min_version)
+    max_ver = parse_version(max_version)
+
+    if min_ver and current < min_ver:
+        return False
+    if max_ver and current > max_ver:
+        return False
+
+    return True
+
+
+# ─────────────────────────────
+# Notification Evaluation
+# ─────────────────────────────
+
+def evaluate_conditions(conditions: list[str] | str | None, user) -> bool:
+    """
+    Evaluate notification conditions for a user.
+    All conditions must pass (AND logic).
+    """
+    if not conditions:
+        return True
+
+    # Normalize to list
+    if isinstance(conditions, str):
+        conditions = [conditions]
+
+    for condition in conditions:
+        if condition not in CONDITION_CHECKS:
+            logger.warning(f"Unknown condition: {condition}")
+            continue
+
+        try:
+            if not CONDITION_CHECKS[condition](user):
+                return False
+        except Exception as e:
+            logger.error(f"Error evaluating condition {condition}: {e}")
+            # On error, skip this condition (fail open)
+            continue
+
+    return True
+
+
+def should_show_notification(notification_data: dict, user) -> bool:
+    """
+    Determine if a notification should be shown to a specific user.
+    Checks version range, user level, and conditions.
+    """
+    # Check version range
+    if not is_version_in_range(
+        __version__,
+        notification_data.get('min_version'),
+        notification_data.get('max_version')
+    ):
+        return False
+
+    # Check user level
+    user_level = notification_data.get('user_level', 'all')
+    if user_level == 'admin' and not getattr(user, 'is_superuser', False):
+        return False
+
+    # Check conditions
+    conditions = notification_data.get('condition', [])
+    if not evaluate_conditions(conditions, user):
+        return False
+
+    return True
+
+
+# ─────────────────────────────
+# Sync Service
+# ─────────────────────────────
+
+def load_developer_notifications() -> list[dict]:
+    """Load notifications from the JSON file."""
+    if not NOTIFICATIONS_FILE.exists():
+        logger.warning(f"Developer notifications file not found: {NOTIFICATIONS_FILE}")
+        return []
+
+    try:
+        with open(NOTIFICATIONS_FILE, 'r', encoding='utf-8') as f:
+            data = json.load(f)
+        return data.get('notifications', [])
+    except json.JSONDecodeError as e:
+        logger.error(f"Error parsing developer notifications JSON: {e}")
+        return []
+    except Exception as e:
+        logger.error(f"Error loading developer notifications: {e}")
+        return []
+
+
+def sync_developer_notifications() -> dict[str, int]:
+    """
+    Sync developer notifications from JSON file to database.
+
+    - Adds new notifications that don't exist in the DB
+    - Removes DB notifications that are no longer in the JSON file
+    - Updates existing notifications if they've changed
+
+    Returns a dict with counts of added, updated, and removed notifications.
+    """
+    from core.models import SystemNotification
+
+    results = {'added': 0, 'updated': 0, 'removed': 0, 'skipped': 0}
+
+    notifications = load_developer_notifications()
+    json_notification_keys = set()
+    notifications_to_remove = set()  # Track notifications to remove (out of range or expired)
+
+    for notif_data in notifications:
+        notification_id = notif_data.get('id')
+        if not notification_id:
+            logger.warning("Notification missing 'id' field, skipping")
+            results['skipped'] += 1
+            continue
+
+        json_notification_keys.add(notification_id)
+
+        # Check version constraints (only add if current version is in range)
+        if not is_version_in_range(
+            __version__,
+            notif_data.get('min_version'),
+            notif_data.get('max_version')
+        ):
+            logger.debug(f"Notification {notification_id} not in version range, marking for removal")
+            results['skipped'] += 1
+            notifications_to_remove.add(notification_id)
+            continue
+
+        # Parse expires_at if provided
+        expires_at = None
+        if notif_data.get('expires_at'):
+            try:
+                expires_at = datetime.fromisoformat(
+                    notif_data['expires_at'].replace('Z', '+00:00')
+                )
+                # Skip if already expired and mark for removal
+                if expires_at < timezone.now():
+                    logger.debug(f"Notification {notification_id} has expired, marking for removal")
+                    results['skipped'] += 1
+                    notifications_to_remove.add(notification_id)
+                    continue
+            except (ValueError, TypeError) as e:
+                logger.warning(f"Invalid expires_at for {notification_id}: {e}")
+
+        # Map notification_type from JSON to model choices
+        type_mapping = {
+            'version_update': SystemNotification.NotificationType.VERSION_UPDATE,
+            'setting_recommendation': SystemNotification.NotificationType.SETTING_RECOMMENDATION,
+            'announcement': SystemNotification.NotificationType.ANNOUNCEMENT,
+            'warning': SystemNotification.NotificationType.WARNING,
+            'info': SystemNotification.NotificationType.INFO,
+        }
+        notification_type = type_mapping.get(
+            notif_data.get('notification_type', 'info'),
+            SystemNotification.NotificationType.INFO
+        )
+
+        # Map priority
+        priority_mapping = {
+            'low': SystemNotification.Priority.LOW,
+            'normal': SystemNotification.Priority.NORMAL,
+            'high': SystemNotification.Priority.HIGH,
+            'critical': SystemNotification.Priority.CRITICAL,
+        }
+        priority = priority_mapping.get(
+            notif_data.get('priority', 'normal'),
+            SystemNotification.Priority.NORMAL
+        )
+
+        # Prepare action_data
+        action_data = {
+            'action_url': notif_data.get('action_url'),
+            'action_text': notif_data.get('action_text'),
+            'condition': notif_data.get('condition', []),
+            'min_version': notif_data.get('min_version'),
+            'max_version': notif_data.get('max_version'),
+            'user_level': notif_data.get('user_level', 'all'),
+        }
+
+        # Determine if admin-only based on user_level
+        admin_only = notif_data.get('user_level', 'all') == 'admin'
+
+        # Create or update the notification
+        notification, created = SystemNotification.objects.update_or_create(
+            notification_key=notification_id,
+            defaults={
+                'notification_type': notification_type,
+                'priority': priority,
+                'source': SystemNotification.Source.DEVELOPER,
+                'title': notif_data.get('title', 'Notification'),
+                'message': notif_data.get('message', ''),
+                'action_data': action_data,
+                'is_active': True,
+                'admin_only': admin_only,
+                'expires_at': expires_at,
+            }
+        )
+
+        if created:
+            logger.info(f"Added developer notification: {notification_id}")
+            results['added'] += 1
+        else:
+            logger.debug(f"Updated developer notification: {notification_id}")
+            results['updated'] += 1
+
+    # Remove developer notifications that are:
+    # - No longer in the JSON file, OR
+    # - Out of version range for the current version, OR
+    # - Expired
+    removed_count, _ = SystemNotification.objects.filter(
+        source=SystemNotification.Source.DEVELOPER
+    ).filter(
+        models.Q(notification_key__in=notifications_to_remove) |
+        ~models.Q(notification_key__in=json_notification_keys)
+    ).delete()
+
+    if removed_count:
+        logger.info(f"Removed {removed_count} obsolete/expired/out-of-range developer notification(s)")
+        results['removed'] = removed_count
+
+    logger.info(
+        f"Developer notification sync complete: "
+        f"{results['added']} added, {results['updated']} updated, "
+        f"{results['removed']} removed, {results['skipped']} skipped"
+    )
+
+    # Send websocket notification to frontend to refresh notifications
+    try:
+        from core.utils import send_websocket_update
+        send_websocket_update('updates', 'update', {
+            'type': 'notifications_cleared',
+        })
+        logger.debug("Sent websocket notification for notifications refresh")
+    except Exception as e:
+        logger.warning(f"Failed to send websocket update: {e}")
+
+    return results
+
+
+def get_user_developer_notifications(user) -> list:
+    """
+    Get all developer notifications that should be shown to a specific user.
+    Evaluates conditions and user_level for each notification.
+    """
+    from core.models import SystemNotification
+
+    # Get all active developer notifications
+    notifications = SystemNotification.objects.filter(
+        source=SystemNotification.Source.DEVELOPER,
+        is_active=True
+    )
+
+    # Filter by admin_only based on user
+    if not getattr(user, 'is_superuser', False):
+        notifications = notifications.filter(admin_only=False)
+
+    # Filter by conditions
+    result = []
+    for notification in notifications:
+        action_data = notification.action_data or {}
+
+        # Evaluate conditions
+        conditions = action_data.get('condition', [])
+        if evaluate_conditions(conditions, user):
+            result.append(notification)
+
+    return result
diff --git a/core/fixtures/developer_notifications.json b/core/fixtures/developer_notifications.json
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..0040682e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/core/fixtures/developer_notifications.json
@@ -0,0 +1,43 @@
+{
+  "_schema_documentation": {
+    "description": "Developer notification definitions. Each notification is evaluated at sync time.",
+    "fields": {
+      "id": "[REQUIRED] Unique identifier (notification_key in database).",
+      "notification_type": "[OPTIONAL] Type: 'version_update', 'setting_recommendation', 'announcement', 'warning', 'info'. Default: 'info'",
+      "priority": "[OPTIONAL] Priority level: 'low', 'normal', 'high', 'critical'. Default: 'normal'",
+      "title": "[REQUIRED] Notification title/heading.",
+      "message": "[REQUIRED] Detailed notification message body.",
+      "min_version": "[OPTIONAL] Minimum version (inclusive). null = no minimum. Example: '0.17.0'",
+      "max_version": "[OPTIONAL] Maximum version (inclusive). null = no maximum. Example: '0.18.1'",
+      "created_at": "[OPTIONAL] ISO timestamp when notification was created. For tracking only.",
+      "expires_at": "[OPTIONAL] ISO timestamp when notification expires. null = never expires. Example: '2026-12-31T23:59:59Z'",
+      "condition": "[OPTIONAL] Array of condition check names that must all pass. Empty/null = always show. Example: ['m3u_epg_network_insecure']",
+      "user_level": "[OPTIONAL] User level required: 'all' or 'admin'. Default: 'all'",
+      "action_url": "[OPTIONAL] Internal URL to navigate to when action button clicked. Example: '/settings#network-access'",
+      "action_text": "[OPTIONAL] Text for action button. Required if action_url is set. Example: 'Review Settings'"
+    },
+    "notes": [
+      "Notifications are synced from this file to database on startup and when relevant settings change",
+      "Out-of-range versions are automatically removed from database",
+      "Expired notifications are automatically removed from database",
+      "Conditions are evaluated per-user at display time (see CONDITION_CHECKS in developer_notifications.py)"
+    ]
+  },
+  "notifications": [
+    {
+      "id": "network_security_m3u_epg",
+      "notification_type": "warning",
+      "priority": "high",
+      "title": "Network Access Security Warning",
+      "message": "Your EPG/M3U output is accessible from any network. Consider restricting access to improve security.",
+      "min_version": null,
+      "max_version": null,
+      "created_at": "2026-02-02T00:00:00Z",
+      "expires_at": null,
+      "condition": ["m3u_epg_network_insecure"],
+      "user_level": "admin",
+      "action_url": "/settings#network-access",
+      "action_text": "Review Settings"
+    }
+  ]
+}
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/core/migrations/0021_systemnotification_notificationdismissal.py b/core/migrations/0021_systemnotification_notificationdismissal.py
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..66eb9b18
--- /dev/null
+++ b/core/migrations/0021_systemnotification_notificationdismissal.py
@@ -0,0 +1,52 @@
+# Generated by Django 5.2.9 on 2026-02-02 20:38
+
+import django.db.models.deletion
+from django.conf import settings
+from django.db import migrations, models
+
+
+class Migration(migrations.Migration):
+
+    dependencies = [
+        ('core', '0020_change_coresettings_value_to_jsonfield'),
+        migrations.swappable_dependency(settings.AUTH_USER_MODEL),
+    ]
+
+    operations = [
+        migrations.CreateModel(
+            name='SystemNotification',
+            fields=[
+                ('id', models.BigAutoField(auto_created=True, primary_key=True, serialize=False, verbose_name='ID')),
+                ('notification_key', models.CharField(db_index=True, max_length=255, unique=True)),
+                ('notification_type', models.CharField(choices=[('version_update', 'Version Update Available'), ('setting_recommendation', 'Recommended Setting Change'), ('announcement', 'System Announcement'), ('warning', 'Warning'), ('info', 'Information')], db_index=True, default='info', max_length=50)),
+                ('priority', models.CharField(choices=[('low', 'Low'), ('normal', 'Normal'), ('high', 'High'), ('critical', 'Critical')], default='normal', max_length=20)),
+                ('source', models.CharField(choices=[('system', 'System Generated'), ('developer', 'Developer Notification')], db_index=True, default='system', max_length=20)),
+                ('title', models.CharField(max_length=255)),
+                ('message', models.TextField()),
+                ('action_data', models.JSONField(blank=True, default=dict)),
+                ('is_active', models.BooleanField(db_index=True, default=True)),
+                ('admin_only', models.BooleanField(default=False)),
+                ('expires_at', models.DateTimeField(blank=True, db_index=True, null=True)),
+                ('created_at', models.DateTimeField(auto_now_add=True)),
+                ('updated_at', models.DateTimeField(auto_now=True)),
+            ],
+            options={
+                'ordering': ['-priority', '-created_at'],
+                'indexes': [models.Index(fields=['is_active', '-created_at'], name='core_system_is_acti_afab03_idx'), models.Index(fields=['notification_type', 'is_active'], name='core_system_notific_2179e3_idx'), models.Index(fields=['source', 'is_active'], name='core_system_source_a35829_idx')],
+            },
+        ),
+        migrations.CreateModel(
+            name='NotificationDismissal',
+            fields=[
+                ('id', models.BigAutoField(auto_created=True, primary_key=True, serialize=False, verbose_name='ID')),
+                ('dismissed_at', models.DateTimeField(auto_now_add=True)),
+                ('action_taken', models.CharField(blank=True, max_length=50, null=True)),
+                ('user', models.ForeignKey(on_delete=django.db.models.deletion.CASCADE, related_name='dismissed_notifications', to=settings.AUTH_USER_MODEL)),
+                ('notification', models.ForeignKey(on_delete=django.db.models.deletion.CASCADE, related_name='dismissals', to='core.systemnotification')),
+            ],
+            options={
+                'indexes': [models.Index(fields=['user', 'notification'], name='core_notifi_user_id_93e02e_idx')],
+                'unique_together': {('user', 'notification')},
+            },
+        ),
+    ]
diff --git a/core/models.py b/core/models.py
index 683acb0d..a694a76b 100644
--- a/core/models.py
+++ b/core/models.py
@@ -370,3 +370,153 @@ class SystemEvent(models.Model):
 
     def __str__(self):
         return f"{self.event_type} - {self.channel_name or 'N/A'} @ {self.timestamp}"
+
+
+class SystemNotification(models.Model):
+    """
+    Stores system notifications that users can view and dismiss.
+    Used for version updates, recommended settings, announcements, etc.
+    """
+    class NotificationType(models.TextChoices):
+        VERSION_UPDATE = 'version_update', 'Version Update Available'
+        SETTING_RECOMMENDATION = 'setting_recommendation', 'Recommended Setting Change'
+        ANNOUNCEMENT = 'announcement', 'System Announcement'
+        WARNING = 'warning', 'Warning'
+        INFO = 'info', 'Information'
+
+    class Priority(models.TextChoices):
+        LOW = 'low', 'Low'
+        NORMAL = 'normal', 'Normal'
+        HIGH = 'high', 'High'
+        CRITICAL = 'critical', 'Critical'
+
+    class Source(models.TextChoices):
+        SYSTEM = 'system', 'System Generated'
+        DEVELOPER = 'developer', 'Developer Notification'
+
+    # Unique identifier for the notification (e.g., 'version-0.19.0', 'setting-proxy-buffer')
+    # This allows deduplication and targeted dismissals
+    notification_key = models.CharField(max_length=255, unique=True, db_index=True)
+
+    notification_type = models.CharField(
+        max_length=50,
+        choices=NotificationType.choices,
+        default=NotificationType.INFO,
+        db_index=True
+    )
+    priority = models.CharField(
+        max_length=20,
+        choices=Priority.choices,
+        default=Priority.NORMAL
+    )
+
+    # Source of the notification (system-generated vs developer-defined)
+    source = models.CharField(
+        max_length=20,
+        choices=Source.choices,
+        default=Source.SYSTEM,
+        db_index=True
+    )
+
+    title = models.CharField(max_length=255)
+    message = models.TextField()
+
+    # Optional action data (e.g., setting key/value for recommendations, release URL for versions)
+    action_data = models.JSONField(default=dict, blank=True)
+
+    # Whether this notification is currently active
+    is_active = models.BooleanField(default=True, db_index=True)
+
+    # Admin-only notifications require admin privileges to view
+    admin_only = models.BooleanField(default=False)
+
+    # Auto-expire after this date (null = never expires)
+    expires_at = models.DateTimeField(null=True, blank=True, db_index=True)
+
+    created_at = models.DateTimeField(auto_now_add=True)
+    updated_at = models.DateTimeField(auto_now=True)
+
+    class Meta:
+        ordering = ['-priority', '-created_at']
+        indexes = [
+            models.Index(fields=['is_active', '-created_at']),
+            models.Index(fields=['notification_type', 'is_active']),
+            models.Index(fields=['source', 'is_active']),
+        ]
+
+    def __str__(self):
+        return f"[{self.notification_type}] {self.title}"
+
+    @classmethod
+    def create_version_notification(cls, version, release_url=None, release_notes=None):
+        """Create or update a version update notification. Returns (notification, created) tuple."""
+        key = f"version-{version}"
+        notification, created = cls.objects.update_or_create(
+            notification_key=key,
+            defaults={
+                'notification_type': cls.NotificationType.VERSION_UPDATE,
+                'priority': cls.Priority.HIGH,
+                'title': f'Version {version} Available',
+                'message': f'A new version of Dispatcharr ({version}) is available.',
+                'action_data': {
+                    'version': version,
+                    'release_url': release_url,
+                    'release_notes': release_notes,
+                },
+                'is_active': True,
+                'admin_only': True,
+            }
+        )
+        return notification, created
+
+    @classmethod
+    def create_setting_recommendation(cls, setting_key, recommended_value, reason, current_value=None):
+        """Create a setting recommendation notification. Returns (notification, created) tuple."""
+        key = f"setting-{setting_key}"
+        notification, created = cls.objects.update_or_create(
+            notification_key=key,
+            defaults={
+                'notification_type': cls.NotificationType.SETTING_RECOMMENDATION,
+                'priority': cls.Priority.NORMAL,
+                'title': f'Recommended Setting: {setting_key}',
+                'message': reason,
+                'action_data': {
+                    'setting_key': setting_key,
+                    'recommended_value': recommended_value,
+                    'current_value': current_value,
+                },
+                'is_active': True,
+                'admin_only': True,
+            }
+        )
+        return notification, created
+
+
+class NotificationDismissal(models.Model):
+    """
+    Tracks which users have dismissed which notifications.
+    Allows users to dismiss notifications once without seeing them again.
+    """
+    user = models.ForeignKey(
+        settings.AUTH_USER_MODEL,
+        on_delete=models.CASCADE,
+        related_name='dismissed_notifications'
+    )
+    notification = models.ForeignKey(
+        SystemNotification,
+        on_delete=models.CASCADE,
+        related_name='dismissals'
+    )
+    dismissed_at = models.DateTimeField(auto_now_add=True)
+
+    # Optional: track if user accepted/applied the recommendation
+    action_taken = models.CharField(max_length=50, blank=True, null=True)
+
+    class Meta:
+        unique_together = ['user', 'notification']
+        indexes = [
+            models.Index(fields=['user', 'notification']),
+        ]
+
+    def __str__(self):
+        return f"{self.user.username} dismissed {self.notification.notification_key}"
diff --git a/core/serializers.py b/core/serializers.py
index b2bd8ecc..03ba33e8 100644
--- a/core/serializers.py
+++ b/core/serializers.py
@@ -64,7 +64,12 @@ class CoreSettingsSerializer(serializers.ModelSerializer):
                     }
                 )
 
-        return super().update(instance, validated_data)
+        result = super().update(instance, validated_data)
+
+        # Note: Cache invalidation and notification sync is handled by post_save signal
+        # in core/signals.py to ensure it happens even if settings are updated elsewhere
+
+        return result
 
 class ProxySettingsSerializer(serializers.Serializer):
     """Serializer for proxy settings stored as JSON in CoreSettings"""
@@ -98,3 +103,45 @@ class ProxySettingsSerializer(serializers.Serializer):
         if value < 0 or value > 60:
             raise serializers.ValidationError("Channel init grace period must be between 0 and 60 seconds")
         return value
+
+
+class SystemNotificationSerializer(serializers.ModelSerializer):
+    """Serializer for system notifications."""
+    is_dismissed = serializers.SerializerMethodField()
+
+    class Meta:
+        from .models import SystemNotification
+        model = SystemNotification
+        fields = [
+            'id',
+            'notification_key',
+            'notification_type',
+            'priority',
+            'title',
+            'message',
+            'action_data',
+            'is_active',
+            'admin_only',
+            'expires_at',
+            'created_at',
+            'is_dismissed',
+            'source',
+        ]
+        read_only_fields = ['created_at']
+
+    def get_is_dismissed(self, obj):
+        """Check if the current user has dismissed this notification."""
+        request = self.context.get('request')
+        if request and request.user.is_authenticated:
+            return obj.dismissals.filter(user=request.user).exists()
+        return False
+
+
+class NotificationDismissalSerializer(serializers.ModelSerializer):
+    """Serializer for notification dismissals."""
+
+    class Meta:
+        from .models import NotificationDismissal
+        model = NotificationDismissal
+        fields = ['id', 'notification', 'dismissed_at', 'action_taken']
+        read_only_fields = ['dismissed_at']
diff --git a/core/signals.py b/core/signals.py
index 6844a890..bbb73dd9 100644
--- a/core/signals.py
+++ b/core/signals.py
@@ -1,9 +1,39 @@
-from django.db.models.signals import pre_delete
+from django.db.models.signals import pre_delete, post_save
 from django.dispatch import receiver
 from django.core.exceptions import ValidationError
-from .models import StreamProfile
+from .models import StreamProfile, CoreSettings, NETWORK_ACCESS_KEY
 
 @receiver(pre_delete, sender=StreamProfile)
 def prevent_deletion_if_locked(sender, instance, **kwargs):
     if instance.locked:
         raise ValidationError("This profile is locked and cannot be deleted.")
+
+@receiver(post_save, sender=CoreSettings)
+def handle_network_access_update(sender, instance, **kwargs):
+    """Invalidate cache and sync notifications when network access settings change."""
+    if instance.key == NETWORK_ACCESS_KEY:
+        from django.core.cache import cache
+        from core.developer_notifications import sync_developer_notifications
+        import logging
+
+        logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
+
+        # Invalidate all notification condition caches
+        try:
+            cache.delete_pattern('dev_notif_condition_*')
+            logger.info("Invalidated notification condition cache due to network access settings update")
+        except Exception as e:
+            logger.warning(f"Failed to delete cache pattern: {e}")
+            # Fallback: try to clear entire cache (if delete_pattern not supported)
+            try:
+                cache.clear()
+            except Exception:
+                pass
+
+        # Re-sync developer notifications to re-evaluate conditions
+        # (websocket notification is sent by sync_developer_notifications)
+        try:
+            sync_developer_notifications()
+            logger.info("Re-synced developer notifications after network access settings update")
+        except Exception as e:
+            logger.error(f"Failed to sync developer notifications: {e}")
diff --git a/core/tasks.py b/core/tasks.py
index 78a3e0ec..44ddc68a 100644
--- a/core/tasks.py
+++ b/core/tasks.py
@@ -765,3 +765,227 @@ def cleanup_vod_persistent_connections():
 
     except Exception as e:
         logger.error(f"Error during VOD persistent connection cleanup: {e}")
+
+
+@shared_task
+def check_for_version_update():
+    """
+    Check for new Dispatcharr versions on GitHub and create a notification if available.
+    This task should be run periodically (e.g., daily) via Celery Beat.
+
+    For dev builds (identified by __timestamp__), checks for stable releases only.
+    For production builds, checks for stable releases.
+
+    Note: Dev builds are container images from the dev branch and don't have GitHub releases.
+    This checks if a stable release is available so dev users know when to upgrade.
+    """
+    import requests
+    from datetime import datetime, timezone
+    from packaging import version as pkg_version
+    from version import __version__, __timestamp__
+    from core.models import SystemNotification
+    from core.utils import send_websocket_notification
+
+    try:
+        is_dev_build = __timestamp__ is not None
+        DISPATCHARR_HEADERS = {'User-Agent': f'Dispatcharr/{__version__}'}
+        if is_dev_build:
+            # Check Docker Hub for newer dev builds
+            docker_hub_url = "https://hub.docker.com/v2/repositories/dispatcharr/dispatcharr/tags/dev"
+
+            response = requests.get(docker_hub_url, headers=DISPATCHARR_HEADERS, timeout=10)
+
+            if response.status_code != 200:
+                logger.warning(f"Failed to check Docker Hub for dev updates: HTTP {response.status_code}")
+                return
+
+            dev_tag_data = response.json()
+            docker_last_updated = dev_tag_data.get("last_updated")
+
+            if not docker_last_updated:
+                logger.warning("No last_updated timestamp found in Docker Hub response")
+                return
+
+            # Parse timestamps for comparison
+            local_dt = datetime.strptime(__timestamp__, "%Y%m%d%H%M%S").replace(tzinfo=timezone.utc)
+            docker_dt = datetime.fromisoformat(docker_last_updated.replace('Z', '+00:00'))
+
+            # Calculate difference in minutes
+            diff_minutes = (docker_dt - local_dt).total_seconds() / 60
+
+            # Threshold to account for build/push time differences
+            THRESHOLD_MINUTES = 10
+
+            if diff_minutes > THRESHOLD_MINUTES:
+                logger.info(f"New dev build available on Docker Hub (updated {int(diff_minutes)} minutes after current build)")
+
+                # Delete any old version update notifications (both dev and stable, in case user switched)
+                deleted_count = SystemNotification.objects.filter(
+                    notification_type='version_update'
+                ).delete()[0]
+                if deleted_count > 0:
+                    logger.debug(f"Deleted {deleted_count} old dev build notification(s)")
+                    send_websocket_update(
+                        'updates',
+                        'update',
+                        {
+                            'success': True,
+                            'type': 'notifications_cleared',
+                            'count': deleted_count
+                        }
+                    )
+
+                # Create notification for new dev build
+                notification, created = SystemNotification.objects.get_or_create(
+                    notification_key=f'version-dev-{docker_last_updated}',
+                    defaults={
+                        'notification_type': 'version_update',
+                        'title': 'New Dev Build Available',
+                        'message': f'A newer development build is available on Docker Hub (v{__version__}-dev)',
+                        'priority': 'medium',
+                        'action_data': {
+                            'current_version': __version__,
+                            'current_timestamp': __timestamp__,
+                            'docker_updated': docker_last_updated,
+                            'update_url': 'https://hub.docker.com/r/dispatcharr/dispatcharr/tags'
+                        },
+                        'is_active': True,
+                        'admin_only': True,
+                    }
+                )
+
+                if created:
+                    # Only send WebSocket for newly created notifications
+                    send_websocket_notification(notification)
+                    logger.info(f"New dev build notification created and sent via WebSocket")
+            else:
+                logger.debug(f"Dev build is up to date (Docker Hub image is {abs(int(diff_minutes))} minutes {'newer' if diff_minutes > 0 else 'older'})")
+
+                # Delete all version update notifications when up to date (both dev and stable)
+                deleted_count = SystemNotification.objects.filter(
+                    notification_type='version_update'
+                ).delete()[0]
+
+                if deleted_count > 0:
+                    logger.info(f"Deleted {deleted_count} outdated dev build notification(s)")
+                    send_websocket_update(
+                        'updates',
+                        'update',
+                        {
+                            'success': True,
+                            'type': 'notifications_cleared',
+                            'count': deleted_count
+                        }
+                    )
+        else:
+            # Production build - check GitHub for stable releases
+            github_api_url = "https://api.github.com/repos/Dispatcharr/Dispatcharr/releases/latest"
+            headers = {"Accept": "application/vnd.github.v3+json", **DISPATCHARR_HEADERS}
+            response = requests.get(
+                github_api_url,
+                headers=headers,
+                timeout=10
+            )
+
+            if response.status_code != 200:
+                logger.warning(f"Failed to check for updates: HTTP {response.status_code}")
+                return
+
+            release_data = response.json()
+            latest_version = release_data.get("tag_name", "").lstrip("v")
+            release_url = release_data.get("html_url", "")
+
+            if not latest_version:
+                logger.warning("No version tag found in GitHub release")
+                return
+
+            # Compare versions
+            current = pkg_version.parse(__version__)
+            latest = pkg_version.parse(latest_version)
+            if latest > current:
+                logger.info(f"New stable version available: {latest_version} (current: {__version__})")
+
+                # Delete any old version update notifications (superseded by this one)
+                deleted_count = SystemNotification.objects.filter(
+                    notification_type='version_update'
+                ).exclude(
+                    notification_key=f"version-{latest_version}"
+                ).delete()[0]
+                if deleted_count > 0:
+                    logger.debug(f"Deleted {deleted_count} old version notification(s)")
+                    send_websocket_update(
+                        'updates',
+                        'update',
+                        {
+                            'success': True,
+                            'type': 'notifications_cleared',
+                            'count': deleted_count
+                        }
+                    )
+
+                # Create or update the notification for the new version
+                notification, created = SystemNotification.create_version_notification(
+                    version=latest_version,
+                    release_url=release_url,
+                )
+
+                if created:
+                    # Only send WebSocket for newly created notifications
+                    send_websocket_notification(notification)
+                    logger.info(f"New version notification created and sent via WebSocket")
+            else:
+                logger.debug(f"Dispatcharr is up to date (v{__version__})")
+
+                # Delete ALL version update notifications when up to date (no longer needed)
+                deleted_count = SystemNotification.objects.filter(
+                    notification_type='version_update'
+                ).delete()[0]
+
+                if deleted_count > 0:
+                    logger.info(f"Deleted {deleted_count} outdated version notification(s)")
+                    send_websocket_update(
+                        'updates',
+                        'update',
+                        {
+                            'success': True,
+                            'type': 'notifications_cleared',
+                            'count': deleted_count
+                        }
+                    )
+
+    except requests.RequestException as e:
+        logger.warning(f"Network error checking for updates: {e}")
+    except Exception as e:
+        logger.error(f"Error checking for version updates: {e}")
+
+
+def create_setting_recommendation(setting_key, recommended_value, reason, current_value=None):
+    """
+    Create a setting recommendation notification.
+    This is a helper function that can be called from anywhere in the codebase.
+
+    Args:
+        setting_key: The setting key (e.g., 'proxy_settings.buffering_timeout')
+        recommended_value: The recommended value for the setting
+        reason: Why this setting is recommended
+        current_value: The current value (optional)
+
+    Returns:
+        The created SystemNotification instance
+    """
+    from core.models import SystemNotification
+    from core.utils import send_websocket_notification
+
+    notification, created = SystemNotification.create_setting_recommendation(
+        setting_key=setting_key,
+        recommended_value=recommended_value,
+        reason=reason,
+        current_value=current_value
+    )
+
+    # Only send via WebSocket for newly created notifications
+    if created:
+        send_websocket_notification(notification)
+
+    return notification
+
diff --git a/core/utils.py b/core/utils.py
index e3d6c389..5c5a0045 100644
--- a/core/utils.py
+++ b/core/utils.py
@@ -437,3 +437,76 @@ def log_system_event(event_type, channel_id=None, channel_name=None, **details):
     except Exception as e:
         # Don't let event logging break the main application
         logger.error(f"Failed to log system event {event_type}: {e}")
+
+
+def send_websocket_notification(notification):
+    """
+    Send a system notification to all connected WebSocket clients.
+
+    Args:
+        notification: A SystemNotification model instance or dict with notification data
+
+    Example:
+        from core.models import SystemNotification
+        notification = SystemNotification.create_version_notification('0.19.0', 'https://...')
+        send_websocket_notification(notification)
+    """
+    try:
+        channel_layer = get_channel_layer()
+
+        # Convert model instance to dict if needed
+        if hasattr(notification, 'id'):
+            notification_data = {
+                'id': notification.id,
+                'notification_key': notification.notification_key,
+                'notification_type': notification.notification_type,
+                'priority': notification.priority,
+                'title': notification.title,
+                'message': notification.message,
+                'action_data': notification.action_data,
+                'is_active': notification.is_active,
+                'admin_only': notification.admin_only,
+                'created_at': notification.created_at.isoformat() if notification.created_at else None,
+            }
+        else:
+            notification_data = notification
+
+        async_to_sync(channel_layer.group_send)(
+            'updates',
+            {
+                'type': 'update',
+                'data': {
+                    'type': 'system_notification',
+                    'notification': notification_data,
+                }
+            }
+        )
+        logger.debug(f"Sent WebSocket notification: {notification_data.get('title', 'Unknown')}")
+    except Exception as e:
+        logger.error(f"Failed to send WebSocket notification: {e}")
+
+
+def send_notification_dismissed(notification_key):
+    """
+    Notify all connected clients that a notification was dismissed.
+    Useful for syncing dismissal state across multiple browser tabs/sessions.
+
+    Args:
+        notification_key: The unique key of the dismissed notification
+    """
+    try:
+        channel_layer = get_channel_layer()
+
+        async_to_sync(channel_layer.group_send)(
+            'updates',
+            {
+                'type': 'update',
+                'data': {
+                    'type': 'notification_dismissed',
+                    'notification_key': notification_key,
+                }
+            }
+        )
+    except Exception as e:
+        logger.error(f"Failed to send notification dismissed event: {e}")
+
diff --git a/dispatcharr/settings.py b/dispatcharr/settings.py
index b65ee2d0..7af6e939 100644
--- a/dispatcharr/settings.py
+++ b/dispatcharr/settings.py
@@ -236,6 +236,11 @@ CELERY_BEAT_SCHEDULE = {
         "task": "apps.channels.tasks.maintain_recurring_recordings",
         "schedule": 3600.0,  # Once an hour ensure recurring schedules stay ahead
     },
+    # Check for version updates daily
+    "check-version-updates": {
+        "task": "core.tasks.check_for_version_update",
+        "schedule": 86400.0,  # Once every 24 hours
+    },
 }
 
 MEDIA_ROOT = BASE_DIR / "media"
diff --git a/frontend/src/WebSocket.jsx b/frontend/src/WebSocket.jsx
index 034418f6..2d6cc0d9 100644
--- a/frontend/src/WebSocket.jsx
+++ b/frontend/src/WebSocket.jsx
@@ -845,6 +845,59 @@ export const WebsocketProvider = ({ children }) => {
               break;
             }
 
+            case 'system_notification': {
+              // Handle real-time system notifications (version updates, setting recommendations, etc.)
+              const notificationData = parsedEvent.data.notification;
+              if (notificationData) {
+                // Import and update the notifications store
+                const { default: useNotificationsStore } =
+                  await import('./store/notifications');
+                useNotificationsStore
+                  .getState()
+                  .addNotification(notificationData);
+
+                // Show a toast notification for high priority items
+                if (
+                  notificationData.priority === 'high' ||
+                  notificationData.priority === 'critical'
+                ) {
+                  const color =
+                    notificationData.notification_type === 'version_update'
+                      ? 'green'
+                      : notificationData.notification_type === 'warning'
+                        ? 'orange'
+                        : 'blue';
+
+                  notifications.show({
+                    title: notificationData.title,
+                    message: notificationData.message,
+                    color,
+                    autoClose: 10000,
+                  });
+                }
+              }
+              break;
+            }
+
+            case 'notification_dismissed': {
+              // Handle notification dismissed from another session
+              const { notification_key } = parsedEvent.data;
+              if (notification_key) {
+                const { default: useNotificationsStore } =
+                  await import('./store/notifications');
+                useNotificationsStore
+                  .getState()
+                  .dismissNotification(notification_key);
+              }
+              break;
+            }
+
+            case 'notifications_cleared': {
+              // Handle bulk notification clearing (e.g., when version is updated)
+              API.getNotifications();
+              break;
+            }
+
             default:
               console.error(
                 `Unknown websocket event type: ${parsedEvent.data?.type}`
diff --git a/frontend/src/api.js b/frontend/src/api.js
index a831ad22..676e97d8 100644
--- a/frontend/src/api.js
+++ b/frontend/src/api.js
@@ -2890,4 +2890,107 @@ export default class API {
       errorNotification('Failed to retrieve system events', e);
     }
   }
+
+  // ─────────────────────────────
+  // System Notifications
+  // ─────────────────────────────
+
+  /**
+   * Get all active notifications for the current user
+   * @param {boolean} includeDismissed - Whether to include already dismissed notifications
+   */
+  static async getNotifications(includeDismissed = false) {
+    try {
+      const params = new URLSearchParams();
+      if (includeDismissed) {
+        params.append('include_dismissed', 'true');
+      }
+      const response = await request(
+        `${host}/api/core/notifications/?${params.toString()}`
+      );
+
+      // Update the store with fetched notifications
+      const { default: useNotificationsStore } = await import(
+        './store/notifications'
+      );
+      useNotificationsStore.getState().setNotifications(response.notifications);
+
+      return response;
+    } catch (e) {
+      errorNotification('Failed to retrieve notifications', e);
+    }
+  }
+
+  // Get unread notification count
+  static async getNotificationCount() {
+    try {
+      const response = await request(`${host}/api/core/notifications/count/`);
+
+      // Update the store with the count
+      const { default: useNotificationsStore } = await import(
+        './store/notifications'
+      );
+      useNotificationsStore.getState().setUnreadCount(response.unread_count);
+
+      return response;
+    } catch (e) {
+      // Silent fail for count - not critical
+      console.error('Failed to get notification count:', e);
+      return { unread_count: 0 };
+    }
+  }
+
+  /**
+   * Dismiss a specific notification
+   * @param {number} notificationId - The notification ID to dismiss
+   * @param {string} actionTaken - Optional action taken (e.g., 'applied', 'ignored')
+   */
+  static async dismissNotification(notificationId, actionTaken = null) {
+    try {
+      const body = {};
+      if (actionTaken) {
+        body.action_taken = actionTaken;
+      }
+
+      const response = await request(
+        `${host}/api/core/notifications/${notificationId}/dismiss/`,
+        {
+          method: 'POST',
+          body,
+        }
+      );
+
+      // Update the store
+      const { default: useNotificationsStore } = await import(
+        './store/notifications'
+      );
+      useNotificationsStore.getState().dismissNotification(response.notification_key);
+
+      return response;
+    } catch (e) {
+      errorNotification('Failed to dismiss notification', e);
+    }
+  }
+
+  // Dismiss all notifications
+  static async dismissAllNotifications() {
+    try {
+      const response = await request(
+        `${host}/api/core/notifications/dismiss-all/`,
+        {
+          method: 'POST',
+        }
+      );
+
+      // Update the store
+      const { default: useNotificationsStore } = await import(
+        './store/notifications'
+      );
+      useNotificationsStore.getState().dismissAllNotifications();
+
+      return response;
+    } catch (e) {
+      errorNotification('Failed to dismiss all notifications', e);
+    }
+  }
 }
diff --git a/frontend/src/components/NotificationCenter.jsx b/frontend/src/components/NotificationCenter.jsx
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..f7da56ad
--- /dev/null
+++ b/frontend/src/components/NotificationCenter.jsx
@@ -0,0 +1,429 @@
+import React, { useEffect, useState, useCallback } from 'react';
+import { useNavigate } from 'react-router-dom';
+import {
+  ActionIcon,
+  Badge,
+  Box,
+  Button,
+  Card,
+  Divider,
+  Group,
+  Indicator,
+  Popover,
+  ScrollArea,
+  Stack,
+  Text,
+  ThemeIcon,
+  Tooltip,
+  useMantineTheme,
+} from '@mantine/core';
+import {
+  Bell,
+  Check,
+  CheckCheck,
+  Download,
+  ExternalLink,
+  Info,
+  Settings,
+  AlertTriangle,
+  Megaphone,
+  X,
+  Eye,
+  EyeOff,
+  ArrowRight,
+} from 'lucide-react';
+import useNotificationsStore from '../store/notifications';
+import API from '../api';
+
+// Get icon for notification type
+const getNotificationIcon = (type) => {
+  switch (type) {
+    case 'version_update':
+      return <Download size={16} />;
+    case 'setting_recommendation':
+      return <Settings size={16} />;
+    case 'announcement':
+      return <Megaphone size={16} />;
+    case 'warning':
+      return <AlertTriangle size={16} />;
+    case 'info':
+    default:
+      return <Info size={16} />;
+  }
+};
+
+// Get color for notification priority
+const getPriorityColor = (priority) => {
+  switch (priority) {
+    case 'critical':
+      return 'red';
+    case 'high':
+      return 'orange';
+    case 'normal':
+      return 'blue';
+    case 'low':
+    default:
+      return 'gray';
+  }
+};
+
+// Get color for notification type
+const getTypeColor = (type) => {
+  switch (type) {
+    case 'version_update':
+      return 'green';
+    case 'setting_recommendation':
+      return 'blue';
+    case 'announcement':
+      return 'violet';
+    case 'warning':
+      return 'orange';
+    case 'info':
+    default:
+      return 'gray';
+  }
+};
+
+// Individual notification item component
+const NotificationItem = ({ notification, onDismiss, onAction, onClose }) => {
+  const theme = useMantineTheme();
+  const navigate = useNavigate();
+  const typeColor = getTypeColor(notification.notification_type);
+  const priorityColor = getPriorityColor(notification.priority);
+  const isDismissed = notification.is_dismissed;
+
+  const handleDismiss = (e) => {
+    e.stopPropagation();
+    onDismiss(notification.id, 'dismissed');
+  };
+
+  const handleAction = () => {
+    // Handle action_url from action_data
+    const actionUrl = notification.action_data?.action_url;
+    const releaseUrl = notification.action_data?.release_url;
+
+    if (actionUrl) {
+      // Internal navigation
+      onClose(); // Close the popover
+      navigate(actionUrl);
+    } else if (releaseUrl) {
+      // External link
+      window.open(releaseUrl, '_blank');
+    }
+
+    if (onAction) {
+      onAction(notification);
+    }
+  };
+
+  return (
+    <Card
+      padding="sm"
+      radius="md"
+      withBorder
+      style={{
+        borderLeft: `3px solid ${theme.colors[priorityColor][5]}`,
+        backgroundColor:
+          notification.priority === 'critical'
+            ? theme.colors.red[9] + '10'
+            : undefined,
+        opacity: isDismissed ? 0.6 : 1,
+        position: 'relative',
+      }}
+    >
+      {/* Dismiss button for non-setting notifications (only if not already dismissed) */}
+      {notification.notification_type !== 'setting_recommendation' &&
+        !isDismissed && (
+          <ActionIcon
+            variant="subtle"
+            color="gray"
+            size="sm"
+            onClick={handleDismiss}
+            style={{ position: 'absolute', top: 8, right: 8 }}
+          >
+            <X size={14} />
+          </ActionIcon>
+        )}
+
+      <Group wrap="nowrap" align="flex-start" gap="sm">
+        <ThemeIcon color={typeColor} variant="light" size="md" radius="xl">
+          {getNotificationIcon(notification.notification_type)}
+        </ThemeIcon>
+        <Box style={{ flex: 1 }}>
+          <Group gap="xs" mb={4}>
+            <Text size="sm" fw={600} lineClamp={1}>
+              {notification.title}
+            </Text>
+            {isDismissed && (
+              <Badge size="xs" color="gray" variant="light">
+                Dismissed
+              </Badge>
+            )}
+            {notification.priority === 'high' ||
+            notification.priority === 'critical' ? (
+              <Badge size="xs" color={priorityColor} variant="filled">
+                {notification.priority}
+              </Badge>
+            ) : null}
+          </Group>
+          <Text size="xs" c="dimmed" lineClamp={5}>
+            {notification.message}
+          </Text>
+
+          {/* Action buttons for specific notification types */}
+          {notification.notification_type === 'version_update' &&
+            notification.action_data?.release_url && (
+              <Button
+                size="xs"
+                variant="light"
+                color="green"
+                mt="xs"
+                leftSection={<ExternalLink size={12} />}
+                onClick={handleAction}
+              >
+                View Release
+              </Button>
+            )}
+
+          {/* Generic action button for notifications with action_url/action_text */}
+          {notification.action_data?.action_url &&
+            notification.action_data?.action_text && (
+              <Button
+                size="xs"
+                variant="light"
+                color={typeColor}
+                mt="xs"
+                rightSection={<ArrowRight size={12} />}
+                onClick={handleAction}
+              >
+                {notification.action_data.action_text}
+              </Button>
+            )}
+
+          {notification.notification_type === 'setting_recommendation' &&
+            !notification.action_data?.action_url && (
+              <Group gap="xs" mt="xs">
+                <Button
+                  size="xs"
+                  variant="light"
+                  color="blue"
+                  onClick={() => {
+                    onDismiss(notification.id, 'applied');
+                    // Navigate to settings or apply the setting
+                    if (onAction) onAction(notification);
+                  }}
+                >
+                  Apply
+                </Button>
+                <Button
+                  size="xs"
+                  variant="subtle"
+                  color="gray"
+                  onClick={handleDismiss}
+                >
+                  Ignore
+                </Button>
+              </Group>
+            )}
+        </Box>
+      </Group>
+
+      <Text size="xs" c="dimmed" mt="xs" ta="right">
+        {new Date(notification.created_at).toLocaleDateString()}
+      </Text>
+    </Card>
+  );
+};
+
+// Main notification center component with bell icon and popover
+const NotificationCenter = ({ onSettingAction }) => {
+  const [opened, setOpened] = useState(false);
+  const [showDismissed, setShowDismissed] = useState(false);
+
+  const notifications = useNotificationsStore((s) => s.notifications);
+  const unreadCount = useNotificationsStore((s) => s.unreadCount);
+  const getUnreadNotifications = useNotificationsStore(
+    (s) => s.getUnreadNotifications
+  );
+
+  // Fetch notifications on mount and periodically
+  const fetchNotifications = useCallback(async () => {
+    try {
+      await API.getNotifications(showDismissed);
+    } catch (error) {
+      console.error('Failed to fetch notifications:', error);
+    }
+  }, [showDismissed]);
+
+  useEffect(() => {
+    fetchNotifications();
+
+    // Refresh notifications every 5 minutes
+    const interval = setInterval(fetchNotifications, 5 * 60 * 1000);
+    return () => clearInterval(interval);
+  }, [fetchNotifications]);
+
+  const handleDismiss = async (notificationId, actionTaken = null) => {
+    try {
+      await API.dismissNotification(notificationId, actionTaken);
+    } catch (error) {
+      console.error('Failed to dismiss notification:', error);
+    }
+  };
+
+  const handleDismissAll = async () => {
+    try {
+      await API.dismissAllNotifications();
+    } catch (error) {
+      console.error('Failed to dismiss all notifications:', error);
+    }
+  };
+
+  const handleAction = (notification) => {
+    if (
+      notification.notification_type === 'setting_recommendation' &&
+      onSettingAction
+    ) {
+      onSettingAction(notification);
+    }
+  };
+
+  const unreadNotifications = getUnreadNotifications();
+  const displayedNotifications = showDismissed
+    ? notifications
+    : unreadNotifications;
+
+  return (
+    <Popover
+      opened={opened}
+      onChange={setOpened}
+      width={380}
+      position="bottom-end"
+      shadow="lg"
+      withArrow
+    >
+      <Popover.Target>
+        <Indicator
+          color="red"
+          size={16}
+          label={unreadCount > 9 ? '9+' : unreadCount}
+          disabled={unreadCount === 0}
+          offset={4}
+          processing={unreadCount > 0}
+        >
+          <ActionIcon
+            variant="subtle"
+            color="gray"
+            size="lg"
+            onClick={() => setOpened((o) => !o)}
+            aria-label="Notifications"
+          >
+            <Bell size={20} />
+          </ActionIcon>
+        </Indicator>
+      </Popover.Target>
+
+      <Popover.Dropdown p={0}>
+        {/* Header */}
+        <Group justify="space-between" p="sm" pb="xs">
+          <Group gap="xs">
+            <Text fw={600} size="sm">
+              Notifications
+            </Text>
+            {unreadCount > 0 && (
+              <Badge size="sm" color="blue" variant="light">
+                {unreadCount} new
+              </Badge>
+            )}
+          </Group>
+          <Group gap="xs">
+            <Tooltip
+              label={showDismissed ? 'Hide dismissed' : 'Show dismissed'}
+            >
+              <ActionIcon
+                variant="subtle"
+                color="gray"
+                size="sm"
+                onClick={() => setShowDismissed((prev) => !prev)}
+              >
+                {showDismissed ? <EyeOff size={16} /> : <Eye size={16} />}
+              </ActionIcon>
+            </Tooltip>
+            {unreadCount > 0 && (
+              <Tooltip label="Mark all as read">
+                <ActionIcon
+                  variant="subtle"
+                  color="gray"
+                  size="sm"
+                  onClick={handleDismissAll}
+                >
+                  <CheckCheck size={16} />
+                </ActionIcon>
+              </Tooltip>
+            )}
+          </Group>
+        </Group>
+
+        <Divider />
+
+        {/* Notification list */}
+        <ScrollArea.Autosize mah={400} type="auto" offsetScrollbars>
+          {displayedNotifications.length === 0 ? (
+            <Box p="lg" ta="center">
+              <ThemeIcon
+                color="gray"
+                variant="light"
+                size="xl"
+                radius="xl"
+                mb="sm"
+              >
+                <Check size={20} />
+              </ThemeIcon>
+              <Text size="sm" c="dimmed">
+                {showDismissed
+                  ? 'No dismissed notifications'
+                  : 'All caught up!'}
+              </Text>
+              <Text size="xs" c="dimmed">
+                {showDismissed
+                  ? 'Dismissed notifications appear here'
+                  : 'No new notifications'}
+              </Text>
+            </Box>
+          ) : (
+            <Stack gap="xs" p="xs">
+              {displayedNotifications.map((notification) => (
+                <NotificationItem
+                  key={notification.id}
+                  notification={notification}
+                  onDismiss={handleDismiss}
+                  onAction={handleAction}
+                  onClose={() => setOpened(false)}
+                />
+              ))}
+            </Stack>
+          )}
+        </ScrollArea.Autosize>
+
+        {/* Footer with info text */}
+        {!showDismissed &&
+          notifications.length > unreadNotifications.length && (
+            <>
+              <Divider />
+              <Box p="xs" ta="center">
+                <Text size="xs" c="dimmed">
+                  {notifications.length - unreadNotifications.length} dismissed
+                  notification
+                  {notifications.length - unreadNotifications.length !== 1
+                    ? 's'
+                    : ''}
+                </Text>
+              </Box>
+            </>
+          )}
+      </Popover.Dropdown>
+    </Popover>
+  );
+};
+
+export default NotificationCenter;
diff --git a/frontend/src/components/Sidebar.jsx b/frontend/src/components/Sidebar.jsx
index 435509e0..6c997cfe 100644
--- a/frontend/src/components/Sidebar.jsx
+++ b/frontend/src/components/Sidebar.jsx
@@ -36,6 +36,7 @@ import useSettingsStore from '../store/settings';
 import useAuthStore from '../store/auth';
 import { USER_LEVELS } from '../constants';
 import UserForm from './forms/User';
+import NotificationCenter from './NotificationCenter';
 
 const NavLink = ({ item, isActive, collapsed }) => {
   return (
@@ -232,7 +233,7 @@ const Sidebar = ({ collapsed, toggleDrawer, drawerWidth, miniDrawerWidth }) => {
         }}
       >
         {isAuthenticated && (
-          <Group>
+          <Stack gap="sm">
             {!collapsed && (
               <TextInput
                 label="Public IP"
@@ -262,34 +263,54 @@ const Sidebar = ({ collapsed, toggleDrawer, drawerWidth, miniDrawerWidth }) => {
               />
             )}
 
-            <Avatar src="" radius="xl" />
             {!collapsed && authUser && (
               <Group
-                style={{
-                  flex: 1,
-                  justifyContent: 'space-between',
-                  whiteSpace: 'nowrap',
-                }}
+                gap="xs"
+                style={{ justifyContent: 'space-between', width: '100%' }}
               >
-                <UnstyledButton onClick={() => setUserFormOpen(true)}>
-                  {authUser.first_name || authUser.username}
-                </UnstyledButton>
-
+                <Group gap="xs">
+                  <Avatar src="" radius="xl" />
+                  <UnstyledButton onClick={() => setUserFormOpen(true)}>
+                    {authUser.first_name || authUser.username}
+                  </UnstyledButton>
+                </Group>
                 <ActionIcon variant="transparent" color="white" size="sm">
                   <LogOut onClick={logout} />
                 </ActionIcon>
               </Group>
             )}
-          </Group>
+            {collapsed && (
+              <Group gap="xs">
+                <Avatar src="" radius="xl" />
+              </Group>
+            )}
+          </Stack>
         )}
       </Box>
 
-      {/* Version is always shown when sidebar is expanded, regardless of auth status */}
+      {/* Version and Notification */}
       {!collapsed && (
-        <Text size="xs" style={{ padding: '0 16px 16px' }} c="dimmed">
-          v{appVersion?.version || '0.0.0'}
-          {appVersion?.timestamp ? `-${appVersion.timestamp}` : ''}
-        </Text>
+        <Group
+          gap="xs"
+          style={{ padding: '0 16px 16px', justifyContent: 'space-between' }}
+        >
+          <Text size="xs" c="dimmed">
+            v{appVersion?.version || '0.0.0'}
+            {appVersion?.timestamp ? `-${appVersion.timestamp}` : ''}
+          </Text>
+          {isAuthenticated && <NotificationCenter />}
+        </Group>
+      )}
+      {collapsed && isAuthenticated && (
+        <Box
+          style={{
+            padding: '0 16px 16px',
+            display: 'flex',
+            justifyContent: 'center',
+          }}
+        >
+          <NotificationCenter />
+        </Box>
       )}
 
       <UserForm user={authUser} isOpen={userFormOpen} onClose={closeUserForm} />
diff --git a/frontend/src/pages/Settings.jsx b/frontend/src/pages/Settings.jsx
index 4ce519a3..a2ee0545 100644
--- a/frontend/src/pages/Settings.jsx
+++ b/frontend/src/pages/Settings.jsx
@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
-import React, { Suspense, useState } from 'react';
+import React, { Suspense, useState, useEffect } from 'react';
+import { useLocation } from 'react-router-dom';
 import {
   Accordion,
   AccordionControl,
@@ -7,48 +8,64 @@ import {
   Box,
   Center,
   Text,
-  Loader
+  Loader,
 } from '@mantine/core';
-const UserAgentsTable = React.lazy(() =>
-  import('../components/tables/UserAgentsTable.jsx'));
-const StreamProfilesTable = React.lazy(() =>
-  import('../components/tables/StreamProfilesTable.jsx'));
-const BackupManager = React.lazy(() =>
-  import('../components/backups/BackupManager.jsx'));
+const UserAgentsTable = React.lazy(
+  () => import('../components/tables/UserAgentsTable.jsx')
+);
+const StreamProfilesTable = React.lazy(
+  () => import('../components/tables/StreamProfilesTable.jsx')
+);
+const BackupManager = React.lazy(
+  () => import('../components/backups/BackupManager.jsx')
+);
 import useAuthStore from '../store/auth';
 import { USER_LEVELS } from '../constants';
 import UiSettingsForm from '../components/forms/settings/UiSettingsForm.jsx';
 import ErrorBoundary from '../components/ErrorBoundary.jsx';
-const NetworkAccessForm = React.lazy(() =>
-  import('../components/forms/settings/NetworkAccessForm.jsx'));
-const ProxySettingsForm = React.lazy(() =>
-  import('../components/forms/settings/ProxySettingsForm.jsx'));
-const StreamSettingsForm = React.lazy(() =>
-  import('../components/forms/settings/StreamSettingsForm.jsx'));
-const DvrSettingsForm = React.lazy(() =>
-  import('../components/forms/settings/DvrSettingsForm.jsx'));
-const SystemSettingsForm = React.lazy(() =>
-  import('../components/forms/settings/SystemSettingsForm.jsx'));
+const NetworkAccessForm = React.lazy(
+  () => import('../components/forms/settings/NetworkAccessForm.jsx')
+);
+const ProxySettingsForm = React.lazy(
+  () => import('../components/forms/settings/ProxySettingsForm.jsx')
+);
+const StreamSettingsForm = React.lazy(
+  () => import('../components/forms/settings/StreamSettingsForm.jsx')
+);
+const DvrSettingsForm = React.lazy(
+  () => import('../components/forms/settings/DvrSettingsForm.jsx')
+);
+const SystemSettingsForm = React.lazy(
+  () => import('../components/forms/settings/SystemSettingsForm.jsx')
+);
 
 const SettingsPage = () => {
   const authUser = useAuthStore((s) => s.user);
+  const location = useLocation();
 
-  const [accordianValue, setAccordianValue] = useState(null);
+  const [accordianValue, setAccordianValue] = useState('ui-settings');
+
+  // Handle hash navigation to open specific accordion
+  useEffect(() => {
+    const hash = location.hash.replace('#', '');
+    if (hash) {
+      setAccordianValue(hash);
+    }
+  }, [location.hash]);
 
   return (
     <Center p={10}>
       <Box w={'100%'} maw={800}>
         <Accordion
           variant="separated"
-          defaultValue="ui-settings"
+          value={accordianValue}
           onChange={setAccordianValue}
           miw={400}
         >
           <AccordionItem value="ui-settings">
             <AccordionControl>UI Settings</AccordionControl>
             <AccordionPanel>
-              <UiSettingsForm
-                  active={accordianValue === 'ui-settings'} />
+              <UiSettingsForm active={accordianValue === 'ui-settings'} />
             </AccordionPanel>
           </AccordionItem>
 
@@ -60,7 +77,8 @@ const SettingsPage = () => {
                   <ErrorBoundary>
                     <Suspense fallback={<Loader />}>
                       <DvrSettingsForm
-                        active={accordianValue === 'dvr-settings'} />
+                        active={accordianValue === 'dvr-settings'}
+                      />
                     </Suspense>
                   </ErrorBoundary>
                 </AccordionPanel>
@@ -72,7 +90,8 @@ const SettingsPage = () => {
                   <ErrorBoundary>
                     <Suspense fallback={<Loader />}>
                       <StreamSettingsForm
-                        active={accordianValue === 'stream-settings'} />
+                        active={accordianValue === 'stream-settings'}
+                      />
                     </Suspense>
                   </ErrorBoundary>
                 </AccordionPanel>
@@ -84,7 +103,8 @@ const SettingsPage = () => {
                   <ErrorBoundary>
                     <Suspense fallback={<Loader />}>
                       <SystemSettingsForm
-                        active={accordianValue === 'system-settings'} />
+                        active={accordianValue === 'system-settings'}
+                      />
                     </Suspense>
                   </ErrorBoundary>
                 </AccordionPanel>
@@ -96,7 +116,8 @@ const SettingsPage = () => {
                   <ErrorBoundary>
                     <Suspense fallback={<Loader />}>
                       <UserAgentsTable
-                          active={accordianValue === 'user-agents'} />
+                        active={accordianValue === 'user-agents'}
+                      />
                     </Suspense>
                   </ErrorBoundary>
                 </AccordionPanel>
@@ -108,7 +129,8 @@ const SettingsPage = () => {
                   <ErrorBoundary>
                     <Suspense fallback={<Loader />}>
                       <StreamProfilesTable
-                          active={accordianValue === 'stream-profiles'} />
+                        active={accordianValue === 'stream-profiles'}
+                      />
                     </Suspense>
                   </ErrorBoundary>
                 </AccordionPanel>
@@ -127,7 +149,8 @@ const SettingsPage = () => {
                   <ErrorBoundary>
                     <Suspense fallback={<Loader />}>
                       <NetworkAccessForm
-                          active={accordianValue === 'network-access'} />
+                        active={accordianValue === 'network-access'}
+                      />
                     </Suspense>
                   </ErrorBoundary>
                 </AccordionPanel>
@@ -141,7 +164,8 @@ const SettingsPage = () => {
                   <ErrorBoundary>
                     <Suspense fallback={<Loader />}>
                       <ProxySettingsForm
-                          active={accordianValue === 'proxy-settings'} />
+                        active={accordianValue === 'proxy-settings'}
+                      />
                     </Suspense>
                   </ErrorBoundary>
                 </AccordionPanel>
diff --git a/frontend/src/store/notifications.jsx b/frontend/src/store/notifications.jsx
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..438b0cbc
--- /dev/null
+++ b/frontend/src/store/notifications.jsx
@@ -0,0 +1,111 @@
+import { create } from 'zustand';
+
+// Store for managing system notifications (version updates, recommended settings, announcements)
+const useNotificationsStore = create((set, get) => ({
+  notifications: [],
+  unreadCount: 0,
+  isLoading: false,
+  error: null,
+  lastFetched: null,
+
+  // Set notifications directly (used by API layer)
+  setNotifications: (notifications) => {
+    const unreadCount = notifications.filter((n) => !n.is_dismissed).length;
+    set({
+      notifications,
+      unreadCount,
+      lastFetched: new Date().toISOString(),
+    });
+  },
+
+  // Add a new notification (e.g., from WebSocket)
+  addNotification: (notification) => {
+    set((state) => {
+      const exists = state.notifications.some(
+        (n) => n.notification_key === notification.notification_key
+      );
+      if (exists) {
+        // Update existing notification
+        return {
+          notifications: state.notifications.map((n) =>
+            n.notification_key === notification.notification_key
+              ? { ...n, ...notification }
+              : n
+          ),
+        };
+      }
+      // Add new notification
+      const newNotifications = [notification, ...state.notifications];
+      return {
+        notifications: newNotifications,
+        unreadCount: newNotifications.filter((n) => !n.is_dismissed).length,
+      };
+    });
+  },
+
+  // Mark a notification as dismissed locally
+  dismissNotification: (notificationKey) => {
+    set((state) => {
+      const notifications = state.notifications.map((n) =>
+        n.notification_key === notificationKey
+          ? { ...n, is_dismissed: true }
+          : n
+      );
+      return {
+        notifications,
+        unreadCount: notifications.filter((n) => !n.is_dismissed).length,
+      };
+    });
+  },
+
+  // Mark all notifications as dismissed locally
+  dismissAllNotifications: () => {
+    set((state) => ({
+      notifications: state.notifications.map((n) => ({
+        ...n,
+        is_dismissed: true,
+      })),
+      unreadCount: 0,
+    }));
+  },
+
+  // Remove a notification from the store
+  removeNotification: (notificationKey) => {
+    set((state) => {
+      const notifications = state.notifications.filter(
+        (n) => n.notification_key !== notificationKey
+      );
+      return {
+        notifications,
+        unreadCount: notifications.filter((n) => !n.is_dismissed).length,
+      };
+    });
+  },
+
+  // Update unread count
+  setUnreadCount: (count) => {
+    set({ unreadCount: count });
+  },
+
+  // Set loading state
+  setLoading: (isLoading) => {
+    set({ isLoading });
+  },
+
+  // Set error state
+  setError: (error) => {
+    set({ error });
+  },
+
+  // Get notifications by type
+  getNotificationsByType: (type) => {
+    return get().notifications.filter((n) => n.notification_type === type);
+  },
+
+  // Get unread notifications only
+  getUnreadNotifications: () => {
+    return get().notifications.filter((n) => !n.is_dismissed);
+  },
+}));
+
+export default useNotificationsStore;
diff --git a/pyproject.toml b/pyproject.toml
index 9400a55d..82961ccb 100644
--- a/pyproject.toml
+++ b/pyproject.toml
@@ -34,6 +34,7 @@ dependencies = [
     "django-filter",
     "django-celery-beat",
     "lxml==6.0.2",
+    "packaging",
 ]
 
 [build-system]