diff --git a/modules/BarGroup.qml b/modules/BarGroup.qml
index 5237165..faafb9a 100644
--- a/modules/BarGroup.qml
+++ b/modules/BarGroup.qml
@@ -36,6 +36,16 @@ Item {
         shadowHorizontalOffset: 0
     }
 
+    // Background gradient — accent color fading down, connects to bar's top gradient
+    Rectangle {
+        anchors.fill: parent
+        radius: M.Theme.radius
+        gradient: Gradient {
+            GradientStop { position: 0; color: Qt.rgba(root.borderColor.r, root.borderColor.g, root.borderColor.b, 0.15) }
+            GradientStop { position: 1; color: "transparent" }
+        }
+    }
+
     // Visible border (on top of the glow)
     Rectangle {
         anchors.fill: parent
diff --git a/modules/Notifications.qml b/modules/Notifications.qml
index 48017e4..6812277 100644
--- a/modules/Notifications.qml
+++ b/modules/Notifications.qml
@@ -27,10 +27,10 @@ M.BarSection {
             onRead: line => {
                 try {
                     const d = JSON.parse(line);
-                    const cls = d.class ?? "";
-                    root.count = d.count ?? 0;
-                    root.dnd = cls.includes("dnd");
-                    root.inhibited = cls.includes("inhibited");
+                    const alt = d.alt ?? "";
+                    root.count = parseInt(d.text) || 0;
+                    root.dnd = alt.startsWith("dnd");
+                    root.inhibited = alt.includes("inhibited");
                 } catch (e) {}
             }
         }