diff --git a/backend/controllers/notification.controller.js b/backend/controllers/notification.controller.js
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..a778174
--- /dev/null
+++ b/backend/controllers/notification.controller.js
@@ -0,0 +1,21 @@
+const Notification = require("../models/notification.model");
+
+exports.getNotifications = async (req, res) => {
+  try {
+    const { userId } = req.params;
+    const notifications = await Notification.find({ userId }).sort({ createdAt: -1 });
+    res.json(notifications);
+  } catch (err) {
+    res.status(500).json({ error: err.message });
+  }
+};
+
+exports.markAsRead = async (req, res) => {
+  try {
+    const { id } = req.params;
+    await Notification.findByIdAndUpdate(id, { isRead: true });
+    res.json({ success: true });
+  } catch (err) {
+    res.status(500).json({ error: err.message });
+  }
+};
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/backend/models/notification.model.js b/backend/models/notification.model.js
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..05d55c0
--- /dev/null
+++ b/backend/models/notification.model.js
@@ -0,0 +1,16 @@
+const mongoose = require("mongoose");
+
+const notificationSchema = new mongoose.Schema(
+  {
+    userId: { type: String, required: true },
+    type: {
+      type: String,
+      enum: ["message", "like", "comment", "request", "system"],
+    },
+    content: String,
+    isRead: { type: Boolean, default: false },
+  },
+  { timestamps: true }
+);
+
+module.exports = mongoose.model("Notification", notificationSchema);
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/backend/routes/notification.routes.js b/backend/routes/notification.routes.js
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..f55fde6
--- /dev/null
+++ b/backend/routes/notification.routes.js
@@ -0,0 +1,7 @@
+const router = require("express").Router();
+const controller = require("../controllers/notification.controller");
+
+router.get("/:userId", controller.getNotifications);
+router.patch("/:id/read", controller.markAsRead);
+
+module.exports = router;
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/backend/services/socket.js b/backend/services/socket.js
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..254980a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/backend/services/socket.js
@@ -0,0 +1,23 @@
+const { Server } = require("socket.io");
+
+let io;
+
+const initSocket = (server) => {
+  io = new Server(server, {
+    cors: { origin: "*" },
+  });
+
+  io.on("connection", (socket) => {
+    console.log("User connected:", socket.id);
+
+    socket.on("join", (userId) => {
+      socket.join(userId);
+    });
+  });
+};
+
+const sendNotification = (userId, notification) => {
+  io.to(userId).emit("new_notification", notification);
+};
+
+module.exports = { initSocket, sendNotification };
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/frontend/app/chat/page.tsx b/frontend/app/chat/page.tsx
index fcebb4e..4b73fe1 100644
--- a/frontend/app/chat/page.tsx
+++ b/frontend/app/chat/page.tsx
@@ -304,4 +304,301 @@ socket.on("newMessage", (msg) => {
       </div>
     </div>
   );
+}"use client";
+
+import { useState, useEffect, useRef } from "react";
+import { io, Socket } from "socket.io-client";
+import { motion } from "framer-motion";
+
+type Message = {
+  id?: string;
+  user: string;
+  text: string;
+  time?: string;
+  status?: string;
+};
+
+export default function ChatPage() {
+  const [messages, setMessages] = useState<Message[]>([]);
+  const [input, setInput] = useState("");
+  const [username, setUsername] = useState("");
+  const [typingUser, setTypingUser] = useState("");
+  const [onlineUsers, setOnlineUsers] = useState<string[]>([]);
+  const [unreadCount, setUnreadCount] = useState(0);
+
+  const socketRef = useRef<Socket | null>(null);
+  const typingTimeoutRef = useRef<any>(null);
+
+  const containerRef = useRef<HTMLDivElement>(null);
+  const bottomRef = useRef<HTMLDivElement>(null);
+  const isAtBottomRef = useRef(true);
+
+  const audioRef = useRef<HTMLAudioElement | null>(null);
+
+  // SOCKET SETUP
+  useEffect(() => {
+    const socket = io("http://localhost:5000");
+    socketRef.current = socket;
+
+    audioRef.current = new Audio("/ping.mp3");
+
+    // FETCH OLD MESSAGES
+    fetch("http://localhost:5000/api/chat")
+      .then((res) => res.json())
+      .then((data) => {
+        const formatted = data.map((msg: any) => ({
+          id: msg.id,
+          user: msg.username,
+          text: msg.text,
+          time: new Date(msg.created_at).toLocaleTimeString(),
+          status: msg.status || "sent",
+        }));
+        setMessages(formatted);
+      });
+
+    // NEW MESSAGE
+    socket.on("newMessage", (msg) => {
+      setMessages((prev) => {
+        const exists = prev.some((m) => m.id === msg.id);
+        if (exists) return prev;
+
+        return [
+          ...prev,
+          {
+            id: msg.id,
+            user: msg.username,
+            text: msg.text,
+            time: new Date(msg.created_at).toLocaleTimeString(),
+            status: msg.status || "sent",
+          },
+        ];
+      });
+
+      if (!isAtBottomRef.current) {
+        setUnreadCount((prev) => prev + 1);
+        audioRef.current?.play().catch(() => {});
+      }
+    });
+
+    // TYPING
+    socket.on("typing", (user) => {
+      setTypingUser(user);
+
+      if (typingTimeoutRef.current) {
+        clearTimeout(typingTimeoutRef.current);
+      }
+
+      typingTimeoutRef.current = setTimeout(() => {
+        setTypingUser("");
+      }, 1500);
+    });
+
+    // ONLINE USERS
+    socket.on("onlineUsers", (users) => {
+      setOnlineUsers(users);
+    });
+
+    // SEEN
+    socket.on("messageSeen", (messageId) => {
+      setMessages((prev) =>
+        prev.map((msg) =>
+          msg.id === messageId ? { ...msg, status: "seen" } : msg
+        )
+      );
+    });
+
+    return () => socket.disconnect();
+  }, []);
+
+  // JOIN USER
+  useEffect(() => {
+    if (socketRef.current && username.trim()) {
+      socketRef.current.emit("join", username);
+    }
+  }, [username]);
+
+  // AUTO SCROLL
+  useEffect(() => {
+    if (isAtBottomRef.current) {
+      bottomRef.current?.scrollIntoView({ behavior: "smooth" });
+    }
+  }, [messages]);
+
+  // MARK LAST MESSAGE AS SEEN
+  useEffect(() => {
+    if (!socketRef.current) return;
+    const lastMsg = messages[messages.length - 1];
+    if (lastMsg?.id) {
+      socketRef.current.emit("seen", lastMsg.id);
+    }
+  }, [messages]);
+
+  // SEND MESSAGE (Optimistic UI)
+  async function handleSend() {
+    if (!input.trim() || !username.trim()) return;
+
+    const tempId = Date.now().toString();
+
+    setMessages((prev) => [
+      ...prev,
+      {
+        id: tempId,
+        user: username,
+        text: input,
+        time: new Date().toLocaleTimeString(),
+        status: "sending",
+      },
+    ]);
+
+    setInput("");
+
+    try {
+      await fetch("http://localhost:5000/api/chat", {
+        method: "POST",
+        headers: {
+          "Content-Type": "application/json",
+        },
+        body: JSON.stringify({ text: input, username }),
+      });
+    } catch (err) {
+      console.error(err);
+    }
+  }
+
+  // TYPING
+  function handleTyping(e: any) {
+    setInput(e.target.value);
+
+    if (socketRef.current && username.trim()) {
+      socketRef.current.emit("typing", username);
+    }
+  }
+
+  return (
+    <div className="p-4 max-w-4xl mx-auto relative">
+      {/* HEADER */}
+      <div className="sticky top-0 bg-white z-10 pb-2">
+        <h1 className="text-2xl font-bold mb-2">Team Chat</h1>
+
+        <input
+          value={username}
+          onChange={(e) => setUsername(e.target.value)}
+          placeholder="Enter name"
+          className="mb-2 p-2 border rounded w-full"
+        />
+
+        <div className="text-sm text-green-600">
+          Online: {onlineUsers.join(", ")}
+        </div>
+      </div>
+
+      {/* CHAT BOX */}
+      <div
+        ref={containerRef}
+        onScroll={() => {
+          const el = containerRef.current;
+          if (!el) return;
+
+          const atBottom =
+            el.scrollHeight - el.scrollTop - el.clientHeight < 100;
+
+          isAtBottomRef.current = atBottom;
+
+          if (atBottom) setUnreadCount(0);
+        }}
+        className="h-[60vh] md:h-[400px] overflow-y-auto space-y-2 border p-3 bg-gray-50 rounded"
+      >
+        {messages.map((msg, i) => {
+          const prevMsg = messages[i - 1];
+          const isSameUser = prevMsg && prevMsg.user === msg.user;
+          const isMe = msg.user === username;
+
+          return (
+            <motion.div
+              key={msg.id || i}
+              initial={{ opacity: 0, y: 10 }}
+              animate={{ opacity: 1, y: 0 }}
+              className={`flex ${
+                isMe ? "justify-end" : "justify-start"
+              } ${isSameUser ? "mt-1" : "mt-3"}`}
+            >
+              <div
+                className={`p-3 max-w-xs shadow ${
+                  isMe
+                    ? "bg-green-500 text-white rounded-2xl"
+                    : "bg-gray-200 text-black rounded-2xl"
+                }`}
+              >
+                {/* Avatar + Name */}
+                {!isMe && !isSameUser && (
+                  <div className="flex items-center gap-2 mb-1">
+                    <div className="w-6 h-6 bg-gray-400 text-white flex items-center justify-center rounded-full text-xs">
+                      {msg.user[0]?.toUpperCase()}
+                    </div>
+                    <p className="font-semibold text-sm">{msg.user}</p>
+                  </div>
+                )}
+
+                <p>{msg.text}</p>
+
+                {/* STATUS */}
+                <p className="text-xs text-right opacity-70 flex justify-end gap-1">
+                  {msg.time}
+                  {msg.status === "sending" && "🕓"}
+                  {msg.status === "sent" && "✓"}
+                  {msg.status === "seen" && (
+                    <span className="text-blue-500">✓✓</span>
+                  )}
+                </p>
+              </div>
+            </motion.div>
+          );
+        })}
+
+        <div ref={bottomRef}></div>
+      </div>
+
+      {/* UNREAD BUTTON */}
+      {unreadCount > 0 && (
+        <div className="absolute bottom-24 left-1/2 -translate-x-1/2">
+          <button
+            onClick={() => {
+              bottomRef.current?.scrollIntoView({ behavior: "smooth" });
+              setUnreadCount(0);
+            }}
+            className="bg-blue-500 text-white px-4 py-1 rounded-full shadow-lg hover:scale-105 transition"
+          >
+            {unreadCount} New Message{unreadCount > 1 ? "s" : ""}
+          </button>
+        </div>
+      )}
+
+      {/* TYPING INDICATOR */}
+      {typingUser && typingUser !== username && (
+        <div className="text-sm italic mt-1 flex items-center gap-1">
+          {typingUser} typing
+          <span className="animate-bounce">.</span>
+          <span className="animate-bounce delay-100">.</span>
+          <span className="animate-bounce delay-200">.</span>
+        </div>
+      )}
+
+      {/* INPUT */}
+      <div className="flex mt-3 gap-2">
+        <input
+          value={input}
+          onChange={handleTyping}
+          onKeyDown={(e) => e.key === "Enter" && handleSend()}
+          placeholder="Type message"
+          className="flex-1 border p-2 rounded"
+        />
+        <button
+          onClick={handleSend}
+          className="bg-green-600 text-white px-4 rounded"
+        >
+          Send
+        </button>
+      </div>
+    </div>
+  );
 }
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/frontend/app/dashboard/page.tsx b/frontend/app/dashboard/page.tsx
index 95e8745..e726ef3 100644
--- a/frontend/app/dashboard/page.tsx
+++ b/frontend/app/dashboard/page.tsx
@@ -3,6 +3,71 @@
 import { useState } from "react";
 import Link from "next/link";
 import {
+  Activity,
+  FolderOpen,
+  MessageSquare,
+  ShieldCheck,
+  Sparkles,
+  TrendingUp,
+  Clock,
+} from "lucide-react";
+
+const links = [
+  {
+    href: "/projects",
+    label: "Projects",
+    desc: "Track delivery and create new initiatives.",
+    icon: FolderOpen,
+  },
+  {
+    href: "/workspace",
+    label: "Workspace",
+    desc: "See active developers and live activity.",
+    icon: Activity,
+  },
+  {
+    href: "/chat",
+    label: "Chat",
+    desc: "Keep team communication in one place.",
+    icon: MessageSquare,
+  },
+];
+
+const stats = [
+  {
+    title: "Velocity",
+    value: "+18%",
+    detail: "Growth over last sprint",
+    icon: TrendingUp,
+  },
+  {
+    title: "Deploys",
+    value: "24",
+    detail: "Successful releases this week",
+    icon: Sparkles,
+  },
+  {
+    title: "Incidents",
+    value: "2",
+    detail: "Minor issues currently open",
+    icon: ShieldCheck,
+  },
+];
+
+const activity = [
+  {
+    text: "Sprint planning started for Q2 roadmap.",
+    time: "2h ago",
+  },
+  {
+    text: "New design review added to Marketing campaign.",
+    time: "5h ago",
+  },
+  {
+    text: "Standup summary posted in team chat.",
+    time: "Today",
+  },
+];
   Search,
   TrendingUp,
   Rocket,
@@ -62,6 +127,94 @@ export default function Dashboard() {
   ];
 
   return (
+    <div className="mx-auto w-full max-w-6xl p-4 md:p-10">
+      
+      {/* HEADER */}
+      <div className="mb-8 flex flex-wrap items-center justify-between gap-4">
+        <div>
+          <p className="chip inline-block px-3 py-1 text-xs font-semibold uppercase tracking-wide">
+            Command Center
+          </p>
+          <h1 className="mt-3 text-4xl font-bold tracking-tight text-slate-900">
+            Dashboard
+          </h1>
+          <p className="mt-3 max-w-2xl text-sm text-slate-600">
+            Monitor performance, manage projects, and stay in sync with your team.
+          </p>
+        </div>
+
+        <div className="flex gap-3">
+          <Link
+            href="/projects"
+            className="rounded-xl bg-gradient-to-r from-teal-500 to-cyan-500 px-5 py-2 text-sm font-semibold text-white shadow hover:opacity-90"
+          >
+            + New Sprint
+          </Link>
+          <Link
+            href="/workspace"
+            className="rounded-xl border border-slate-200 bg-white px-4 py-2 text-sm font-semibold text-slate-700 hover:bg-slate-50"
+          >
+            Workspace
+          </Link>
+        </div>
+      </div>
+
+      {/* STATS */}
+      <div className="mb-8 grid gap-5 sm:grid-cols-3">
+        {stats.map((stat) => {
+          const Icon = stat.icon;
+          return (
+            <div
+              key={stat.title}
+              className="rounded-2xl bg-white p-5 shadow-sm border border-slate-100 hover:shadow-md transition"
+            >
+              <div className="flex items-center justify-between">
+                <div>
+                  <p className="text-xs text-slate-500 uppercase">{stat.title}</p>
+                  <p className="mt-2 text-3xl font-bold text-slate-900">
+                    {stat.value}
+                  </p>
+                </div>
+                <div className="bg-teal-100 p-2 rounded-xl text-teal-600">
+                  <Icon size={20} />
+                </div>
+              </div>
+
+              {/* Progress bar (NEW) */}
+              <div className="mt-4 h-2 w-full bg-slate-100 rounded-full">
+                <div className="h-2 rounded-full bg-gradient-to-r from-teal-500 to-cyan-500 w-[70%]" />
+              </div>
+
+              <p className="mt-2 text-xs text-slate-500">{stat.detail}</p>
+            </div>
+          );
+        })}
+      </div>
+
+      {/* MAIN GRID */}
+      <div className="grid gap-6 lg:grid-cols-[1.5fr_1fr]">
+        
+        {/* QUICK ACTIONS */}
+        <div className="grid gap-5 sm:grid-cols-2">
+          {links.map((item) => {
+            const Icon = item.icon;
+            return (
+              <Link
+                key={item.href}
+                href={item.href}
+                className="group rounded-2xl border border-slate-100 bg-white p-5 shadow-sm hover:shadow-md transition hover:-translate-y-1"
+              >
+                <div className="flex items-center gap-4">
+                  <div className="bg-slate-100 p-3 rounded-xl text-teal-600 group-hover:bg-teal-100">
+                    <Icon size={20} />
+                  </div>
+                  <div>
+                    <h2 className="font-semibold text-slate-900">
+                      {item.label}
+                    </h2>
+                    <p className="text-sm text-slate-600">{item.desc}</p>
+                  </div>
+                </div>
     <div className="min-h-screen bg-slate-50 p-6 md:p-10">
       <div className="mx-auto max-w-7xl space-y-8">
         {/* 🔍 SEARCH */}
@@ -130,6 +283,27 @@ export default function Dashboard() {
           })}
         </div>
 
+        {/* ACTIVITY */}
+        <div className="rounded-2xl border border-slate-100 bg-white p-5 shadow-sm">
+          <div className="flex justify-between items-center">
+            <div>
+              <p className="text-xs uppercase text-slate-500">Activity</p>
+              <h2 className="text-xl font-semibold text-slate-900">
+                Recent Updates
+              </h2>
+            </div>
+            <Clock className="text-slate-400" />
+          </div>
+
+          {/* Timeline style */}
+          <div className="mt-6 space-y-5">
+            {activity.map((item, i) => (
+              <div key={i} className="flex gap-3">
+                <div className="w-2 h-2 mt-2 rounded-full bg-teal-500" />
+                <div>
+                  <p className="text-sm text-slate-700">{item.text}</p>
+                  <p className="text-xs text-slate-400">{item.time}</p>
+                </div>
         {/* 📈 CHART */}
         <div className="bg-white p-6 rounded-2xl border shadow-sm">
           <div className="flex justify-between items-center mb-4">
@@ -285,6 +459,34 @@ export default function Dashboard() {
           </div>
         </div>
 
+          <Link
+            href="/chat"
+            className="mt-6 inline-flex items-center text-sm font-semibold text-teal-600 hover:underline"
+          >
+            <MessageSquare className="mr-2 h-4 w-4" />
+            Go to chat
+          </Link>
+        </div>
+      </div>
+
+      {/* EXTRA SECTION (NEW) */}
+      <div className="mt-10 rounded-2xl bg-gradient-to-r from-teal-500 to-cyan-500 p-6 text-white">
+        <div className="flex flex-wrap items-center justify-between gap-4">
+          <div>
+            <h2 className="text-xl font-semibold">
+              Boost your team productivity 🚀
+            </h2>
+            <p className="text-sm opacity-90">
+              Plan better sprints and collaborate smarter with your team.
+            </p>
+          </div>
+
+          <Link
+            href="/projects"
+            className="bg-white text-teal-600 px-4 py-2 rounded-xl text-sm font-semibold hover:bg-slate-100"
+          >
+            Start Planning
+          </Link>
         {/* 📌 BOTTOM */}
         <div className="grid gap-6 md:grid-cols-2">
           <div className="bg-white p-6 rounded-2xl border shadow-sm">
@@ -311,6 +513,7 @@ export default function Dashboard() {
     </div>
   );
 }
+}
 
 /* 🔹 Buttons */
 const btn =