The bell icon in the header opens your in-app inbox. Updates shows workspace notifications and items that need action. Chat shows general chat messages when that option is enabled. This inbox is separate from lock-screen alerts and from unread counts on the Chat sidebar.
Who this is for
All signed-in workspace members.
Before you start
You are signed in to Elevale.
Access to the workspace where the notification was sent.
Steps
Click the bell icon in the header to open Inbox.
Open the Updates tab for @mentions, task and OKR alerts, system messages, and items that need your action (for example Otto approvals, duty handoffs, and leave requests).
Open the Chat tab for general chat messages when Chat messages in inbox is enabled in your notification settings.
Click an item to open the related page. Unread rows show a pink dot; read rows show a green dot.
Use Mark read on a row, or Mark all read for the active tab, to clear unread badges.
Click the gear icon in the inbox header to open display settings: Hide completed (show only unread) and Priority first on Updates (pin actions, @mentions, and comment replies to the top).
For routing and email preferences, open your profile → Notifications tab. Under Inbox, turn Chat messages in inbox on or off.
What you should see
Updates lists notifications and actionable items for your current workspace. Chat lists general chat messages when enabled. The bell badge reflects unread updates, pending actions, and unread chat inbox messages. Opening a chat conversation from the sidebar clears that conversation sidebar unread count but does not automatically mark the matching bell Chat row as read.
Troubleshooting
I opened chat but the bell Chat tab still shows unread Bell inbox and Chat sidebar unread are separate. Mark the row read in the bell inbox, or use Mark all read on the Chat tab.
General chat messages are missing from the bell Open profile → Notifications → Inbox and enable Chat messages in inbox. Per-conversation mute settings in Chat still apply.
An approval or handoff is not in Updates Confirm you are in the workspace where the item was created. Switch workspace if you belong to more than one.
Visiting a page did not clear the notification Expected. Bell items are marked read only when you click them in the inbox or use Mark read / Mark all read.
Common questions
What is the difference between Updates and Chat?
Updates is for workspace events, @mentions, comment replies, and items needing action. Chat is only for general chat messages when you enable Chat messages in inbox.
Does Priority first hide other notifications?
No. It sorts the Updates feed so actions and mentions appear first. Turn it off in the inbox gear menu to sort everything by date.
Is this the same as phone or browser notifications?
No. Phone and browser alerts are lock-screen and banner notifications when Elevale is in the background. The bell inbox is always inside the app.
Where do Gmail threads appear?
Connected Gmail lives in Chat, not the bell inbox. See Connected inbox.