> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.termpad.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Notifications

> Get alerted when your terminals need attention

When working with multiple terminal worktrees, you need to know when a process changes state. Termpad's notification system keeps you informed without constant context switching.

## How Notifications Work

Termpad monitors your terminal worktrees and sends desktop notifications when terminal status changes to:

* Idle (after a process finishes)
* Waiting (when input is required)
* Error (when a process encounters an error)

## Sidebar Status Indicators

In addition to desktop notifications, Termpad displays status indicators in the sidebar for all worktrees. This gives you a quick visual overview of each worktree's terminal status:

* **Starting** - Process is launching (cyan, pulsing)
* **Running** - Process is actively executing (emerald, pulsing)
* **Waiting** - Process is waiting for input (yellow)
* **Idle** - Process has finished (slate)
* **Stopped** - Process has been stopped (orange)
* **Error** - Process encountered an error (red)

The sidebar provides an at-a-glance view without requiring you to switch between worktrees or wait for notifications.

## Notification Types

### Idle notifications

Sent when a terminal process finishes and the status changes to idle. The notification shows:

* Repository and branch name
* Message: "has finished"
* Click to switch to that worktree

### Waiting notifications

Sent when a terminal is waiting for input. The notification shows:

* Repository and branch name
* Message: "is waiting for your input"
* Click to switch to that worktree

### Error notifications

Sent immediately when a terminal encounters an error. The notification shows:

* Repository and branch name
* Message: "encountered an error"
* Click to switch to that worktree

## Configuring Notifications

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open Settings">
    Click the gear icon to open settings.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Go to Notifications">
    Go to the notifications tab.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Adjust your preferences">
    Enable or disable notification types.
  </Step>
</Steps>

### Available options

| Option               | Description                            |
| -------------------- | -------------------------------------- |
| Enable notifications | Master toggle for all notifications    |
| Background only      | Only notify when Termpad isn't focused |

## Background Only Mode

By default, notifications only appear when Termpad is in the background. This prevents interruption when you're actively working in the app.

To always receive notifications, disable **Background only** in settings.