diff --git a/api/_notifications.ts b/api/_notifications.ts
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..bae5517a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/api/_notifications.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,39 @@
+import { getAdminClient } from "./_supabase";
+
+export async function createNotification(
+  userId: string,
+  type: string,
+  title: string,
+  message: string,
+): Promise<void> {
+  try {
+    const admin = getAdminClient();
+    await admin.from("notifications").insert({
+      user_id: userId,
+      type,
+      title,
+      message,
+    });
+  } catch (error) {
+    console.warn("Failed to create notification:", error);
+    // Non-blocking - don't throw
+  }
+}
+
+export async function notifyAccountLinked(userId: string, provider: string): Promise<void> {
+  await createNotification(
+    userId,
+    "success",
+    `🔗 Account Linked: ${provider}`,
+    `Your ${provider} account has been successfully linked.`,
+  );
+}
+
+export async function notifyOnboardingComplete(userId: string): Promise<void> {
+  await createNotification(
+    userId,
+    "success",
+    "🎉 Welcome to AeThex!",
+    "You've completed your profile setup. Let's get started!",
+  );
+}