diff --git a/.Jules/palette.md b/.Jules/palette.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..d6cdb4a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.Jules/palette.md
@@ -0,0 +1,9 @@
+# Palette's Journal
+
+## 2024-05-22 - [Initial Setup]
+**Learning:** This journal was missing, so I created it to track critical UX/accessibility learnings.
+**Action:** Ensure this file is checked before starting work in the future.
+
+## 2024-05-22 - [Dynamic State Labels]
+**Learning:** Dynamic state indicators (like notification badges or status dots) often lack accessible text equivalents in this codebase, relying solely on visual cues (colors/dots).
+**Action:** Always check icon-only buttons for `aria-label` and ensure the label reflects the *current state* (e.g., "Notifications, 3 unread") rather than just the static name ("Notifications").
diff --git a/src/components/notifications/notification-bell.tsx b/src/components/notifications/notification-bell.tsx
index 318e870..9b4ea47 100644
--- a/src/components/notifications/notification-bell.tsx
+++ b/src/components/notifications/notification-bell.tsx
@@ -82,10 +82,14 @@ export function NotificationBell() {
           variant="ghost"
           size="icon"
           className="relative text-foreground/70 hover:text-foreground hover:bg-accent/10"
+          aria-label={count > 0 ? `Notifications, ${count} unread` : "Notifications"}
         >
-          <Bell className="w-5 h-5" />
+          <Bell className="w-5 h-5" aria-hidden="true" />
           {count > 0 && (
-            <span className="absolute top-2 right-2 h-2.5 w-2.5 rounded-full bg-red-500 border border-black animate-pulse" />
+            <span
+              className="absolute top-2 right-2 h-2.5 w-2.5 rounded-full bg-red-500 border border-black animate-pulse"
+              aria-hidden="true"
+            />
           )}
         </Button>
       </PopoverTrigger>
diff --git a/src/lib/supabase/server.ts b/src/lib/supabase/server.ts
index 0cdb125..714d8cc 100644
--- a/src/lib/supabase/server.ts
+++ b/src/lib/supabase/server.ts
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@ export async function createClient() {
         setAll(cookiesToSet) {
           try {
             cookiesToSet.forEach(({ name, value, options }) =>
-              cookieStore.set(name, value, options),
+              cookieStore.set(name, value, options)
             );
           } catch {
             // The `setAll` method was called from a Server Component.
diff --git a/verify_bell.py b/verify_bell.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..e8bc36e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/verify_bell.py
@@ -0,0 +1,50 @@
+from playwright.sync_api import sync_playwright
+
+def verify_notification_bell():
+    with sync_playwright() as p:
+        browser = p.chromium.launch(headless=True)
+        page = browser.new_page()
+
+        try:
+            # 1. Navigate to the verification page
+            print("Navigating to verification page...")
+            page.goto("http://localhost:3000/verify-notification-bell")
+
+            # Wait for content to load
+            page.wait_for_selector("text=Notification Bell Verification", timeout=10000)
+
+            # 2. Find the notification button by its aria-label
+            # Initially count is 0, so label should be "Notifications"
+            print("Locating bell button...")
+            bell_button = page.locator("button[aria-label='Notifications']")
+
+            # 3. Assert it is visible
+            if bell_button.is_visible():
+                print("✅ Bell button found with correct aria-label 'Notifications'")
+            else:
+                print("❌ Bell button NOT found with expected aria-label")
+                # Try to find it by icon to see what the label actually is
+                all_buttons = page.locator("button").all()
+                for btn in all_buttons:
+                    print(f"Found button with label: {btn.get_attribute('aria-label')}")
+
+            # 4. Check that the icon inside is hidden from screen readers
+            icon = bell_button.locator("svg.lucide-bell")
+            if icon.get_attribute("aria-hidden") == "true":
+                print("✅ Bell icon correctly marked as aria-hidden='true'")
+            else:
+                print(f"❌ Bell icon missing or incorrect aria-hidden: {icon.get_attribute('aria-hidden')}")
+
+            # 5. Take a screenshot
+            screenshot_path = "/home/jules/verification/notification-bell.png"
+            page.screenshot(path=screenshot_path)
+            print(f"Screenshot saved to {screenshot_path}")
+
+        except Exception as e:
+            print(f"Verification failed: {e}")
+            page.screenshot(path="/home/jules/verification/error.png")
+        finally:
+            browser.close()
+
+if __name__ == "__main__":
+    verify_notification_bell()