diff --git a/src/components/NotificationBell.tsx b/src/components/NotificationBell.tsx
index b0c1934..04f9063 100644
--- a/src/components/NotificationBell.tsx
+++ b/src/components/NotificationBell.tsx
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@ import { dateLocaleCode } from '@/lib/dateFnsI18n';
 import { useEffect, useMemo, useState } from 'react';
 import { Link } from 'react-router-dom';
 import { nip19 } from 'nostr-tools';
-import { Bell, Users, Check, Loader2, EyeOff, Globe, CheckCheck, Heart, Radio, ArrowRight, Handshake } from 'lucide-react';
+import { Bell, Users, Check, Loader2, EyeOff, Globe, CheckCheck, Heart, Radio, ArrowRight, Handshake, MessageCircle } from 'lucide-react';
 import { Button } from '@/components/ui/button';
 import { Popover, PopoverContent, PopoverTrigger } from '@/components/ui/popover';
 import { ScrollArea } from '@/components/ui/scroll-area';
@@ -18,6 +18,7 @@ import { ImageWithFallback } from '@/components/ImageWithFallback';
 import { EmptyState as SharedEmptyState } from '@/components/EmptyState';
 import { useCrewNotifications, useIsPendingMember } from '@/hooks/useCrewNotifications';
 import { useCordnJoinNotifications } from '@/hooks/useCordnJoinNotifications';
+import { useDmUnreadSummary } from '@/hooks/useDmUnreadSummary';
 import { useActivityNotifications } from '@/hooks/useActivityNotifications';
 import { useTradeNotifications } from '@/hooks/useTradeNotifications';
 import { useNotificationsRead } from '@/hooks/useNotificationsRead';
@@ -226,6 +227,7 @@ export function NotificationBell({
     isLoading: cordnJoinLoading,
     dismiss: dismissCordnJoin,
   } = useCordnJoinNotifications(open);
+  const { unreadCount: unreadDms, markSeen: markDmEnvelopesSeen } = useDmUnreadSummary(!!user);
   const { lastRead, seenAt, markAllRead } = useNotificationsRead();
 
   // Buying/selling steps: an offer on your listing, a counter it's your turn to
@@ -285,7 +287,7 @@ export function NotificationBell({
   );
 
   // Badge = only UNACKNOWLEDGED items, so "Mark read" actually clears it.
-  const badgeTotal = unreadCrew + unreadActivity + unreadNewsletter + unreadTrades;
+  const badgeTotal = unreadCrew + unreadActivity + unreadNewsletter + unreadTrades + unreadDms;
 
   // Opening the bell marks social + crew as read (and newsletter, since the
   // News tab is right there). Newsletter read state also clears on the /newsletter page.
@@ -359,7 +361,7 @@ export function NotificationBell({
           {badgeTotal > 0 ? (
             <button
               type="button"
-              onClick={markAllRead}
+              onClick={() => { markAllRead(); markDmEnvelopesSeen(); }}
               className="flex items-center gap-1 rounded-full border border-white/10 bg-white/5 px-2.5 py-1 text-[10px] font-black uppercase tracking-wide text-gray-300 transition-all active:scale-95 hover:border-teal-400/40 hover:bg-teal-500/10 hover:text-teal-300"
             >
               <CheckCheck className="h-3 w-3" /> {t('socialUi.bell.markRead')}
@@ -417,10 +419,26 @@ export function NotificationBell({
                   <Loader2 className="h-4 w-4 animate-spin" /> {t('socialUi.bell.checkingUpdates')}
                 </div>
               )}
-              {!isLoading && crewTotal === 0 && activity.length === 0 && newsletterIssues.length === 0 && tradeNotifs.length === 0 && (
+              {!isLoading && crewTotal === 0 && activity.length === 0 && newsletterIssues.length === 0 && tradeNotifs.length === 0 && unreadDms === 0 && (
                 <EmptyState label={t('socialUi.bell.emptyAll')} />
               )}
               <div className="space-y-2.5">
+                {unreadDms > 0 && (
+                  <Link
+                    to="/messages"
+                    onClick={() => setOpen(false)}
+                    className="flex items-center gap-3 rounded-xl border border-[#ff0040]/30 bg-[#ff0040]/[0.06] p-3 transition-colors hover:border-[#ff0040]/60 hover:bg-[#ff0040]/10"
+                  >
+                    <div className="flex h-9 w-9 shrink-0 items-center justify-center rounded-xl bg-[#ff0040]/15">
+                      <MessageCircle className="h-4 w-4 text-[#ff0040]" />
+                    </div>
+                    <div className="min-w-0 flex-1">
+                      <p className="text-sm font-black text-white">{t('socialUi.dms.title')}</p>
+                      <p className="text-xs text-gray-400">{t('socialUi.bell.dmsUnread', { count: unreadDms })}</p>
+                    </div>
+                    <ArrowRight className="h-4 w-4 shrink-0 text-[#ff0040]" />
+                  </Link>
+                )}
                 {/* Buying/selling steps first — they're the most time-sensitive. */}
                 {tradeNotifs.map((n) => (
                   <TradeNotificationCard
diff --git a/src/hooks/useDirectMessages.ts b/src/hooks/useDirectMessages.ts
index 4f9ae6e..dc900c1 100644
--- a/src/hooks/useDirectMessages.ts
+++ b/src/hooks/useDirectMessages.ts
@@ -10,6 +10,7 @@ import { useAppContext } from './useAppContext';
 import { hasNip44 as checkNip44, isInteractiveSigner } from '@/lib/signerCapabilities';
 import { useRelays } from '@/lib/relays';
 import { SKATE_RELAY } from '@/lib/types';
+import { markOwnDmWraps } from '@/lib/dmOwnWraps';
 import type { RelayMetadata } from '@/contexts/AppContext';
 import {
   loadDmDecryptCache,
@@ -427,6 +428,10 @@ export function useSendDirectMessage() {
       giftWraps.push(...(await Promise.all(allTargets.map(createSealAndWrap))));
     }
 
+    // Remember our own gift wraps so the decrypt-free DM badge does not count
+    // the sender's self-copy as an incoming message.
+    markOwnDmWraps(giftWraps.map((wrap) => wrap.id));
+
     // 4. Work out where to deliver. NIP-17: publish the wrap to each
     //    RECIPIENT's inbox relays (their kind 10050), plus our own inbox so we
     //    can read our sent copy.
diff --git a/src/hooks/useDmUnreadSummary.ts b/src/hooks/useDmUnreadSummary.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..0f41f80
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/hooks/useDmUnreadSummary.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,67 @@
+import { useCallback, useEffect, useMemo, useRef, useState } from 'react';
+import { useDmEnvelopes } from '@/hooks/useDmEnvelopes';
+import { getOwnDmWrapIds } from '@/lib/dmOwnWraps';
+
+const SEEN_KEY = 'skatespots:dm-envelope-seen';
+const SEEN_EVENT = 'skatespots:dm-envelope-seen-change';
+const MAX_SEEN = 500;
+
+function readSeen(): string[] {
+  try {
+    const raw = localStorage.getItem(SEEN_KEY);
+    const parsed = raw ? JSON.parse(raw) as unknown : [];
+    return Array.isArray(parsed) ? parsed.filter((id): id is string => typeof id === 'string') : [];
+  } catch {
+    return [];
+  }
+}
+
+/**
+ * Lightweight, decrypt-free DM unread indicator for the bell.
+ *
+ * It counts NIP-17 envelope ids not seen on this device. The first ever run
+ * primes history so existing messages don't appear as brand-new; opening the
+ * Messages page acknowledges the current envelopes. No message text is
+ * decrypted and Amber is never prompted.
+ */
+export function useDmUnreadSummary(enabled = true) {
+  const { data: envelopes = [] } = useDmEnvelopes(enabled);
+  const [seen, setSeen] = useState<string[]>(readSeen);
+  const primedRef = useRef<boolean>(typeof localStorage !== 'undefined' && localStorage.getItem(SEEN_KEY) !== null);
+  const [primed, setPrimed] = useState(primedRef.current);
+
+  useEffect(() => {
+    const onChange = (event: Event) => {
+      const detail = (event as CustomEvent<string[]>).detail;
+      if (Array.isArray(detail)) setSeen(detail);
+    };
+    window.addEventListener(SEEN_EVENT, onChange);
+    return () => window.removeEventListener(SEEN_EVENT, onChange);
+  }, []);
+
+  const seenSet = useMemo(() => new Set(seen), [seen]);
+  const unreadCount = useMemo(() => {
+    if (!primed) return 0;
+    const own = getOwnDmWrapIds();
+    return envelopes.filter((envelope) => !seenSet.has(envelope.id) && !own.has(envelope.id)).length;
+  }, [envelopes, primed, seenSet]);
+
+  useEffect(() => {
+    if (primedRef.current || envelopes.length === 0) return;
+    primedRef.current = true;
+    setPrimed(true);
+    const ids = envelopes.map((envelope) => envelope.id).slice(-MAX_SEEN);
+    setSeen(ids);
+    try { localStorage.setItem(SEEN_KEY, JSON.stringify(ids)); } catch { /* ignore */ }
+    window.dispatchEvent(new CustomEvent(SEEN_EVENT, { detail: ids }));
+  }, [envelopes]);
+
+  const markSeen = useCallback(() => {
+    const ids = envelopes.map((envelope) => envelope.id).slice(-MAX_SEEN);
+    setSeen(ids);
+    try { localStorage.setItem(SEEN_KEY, JSON.stringify(ids)); } catch { /* ignore */ }
+    window.dispatchEvent(new CustomEvent(SEEN_EVENT, { detail: ids }));
+  }, [envelopes]);
+
+  return { unreadCount, markSeen };
+}
diff --git a/src/i18n/ca/batch2.ts b/src/i18n/ca/batch2.ts
index 074fb84..2fb9ccb 100644
--- a/src/i18n/ca/batch2.ts
+++ b/src/i18n/ca/batch2.ts
@@ -39,6 +39,7 @@ const batch2 = {
       tabSocial: "Social",
       tabNews: "Notícies",
       tabCrews: "Crews",
+      dmsUnread: "{{count}} missatge(s) xifrat(s) nou(s)",
       checkingUpdates: "Buscant actualitzacions…",
       checkingTrades: "Buscant ofertes i intercanvis…",
       loadingDrops: "Carregant les últimes novetats…",
diff --git a/src/i18n/cs/drift.ts b/src/i18n/cs/drift.ts
index 958e54b..dbb5bd9 100644
--- a/src/i18n/cs/drift.ts
+++ b/src/i18n/cs/drift.ts
@@ -90,6 +90,9 @@ const drift = {
     "form": {
       "cordnGroup": "Skupina Cordn",
       "cordnGroupHint": "Volitelné: vlož odkaz na skupinu ze Staircase nebo Cordn web. Tvoje crew tak získá skutečný end-to-end MLS chat hostovaný na našem koordinátoru."
+    },
+    "bell": {
+      "dmsUnread": "{{count}} nových šifrovaných zpráv"
     }
   },
   "settingsUi": {
diff --git a/src/i18n/de/drift.ts b/src/i18n/de/drift.ts
index a00b8d3..b6b401e 100644
--- a/src/i18n/de/drift.ts
+++ b/src/i18n/de/drift.ts
@@ -93,6 +93,9 @@ const drift = {
       cordnGroup: "Cordn-Gruppe",
       cordnGroupHint: "Optional: Füge den Gruppenlink aus Staircase oder Cordn Web ein. Deine Crew erhält dann echten Ende-zu-Ende-MLS-Chat, gehostet auf unserem Koordinator.",
     },
+    bell: {
+      dmsUnread: "{{count}} neue verschlüsselte Nachricht(en)",
+    },
   },
   settingsUi: {
     loginDialog: {
diff --git a/src/i18n/el/drift.ts b/src/i18n/el/drift.ts
index 89de9ad..30dd0d0 100644
--- a/src/i18n/el/drift.ts
+++ b/src/i18n/el/drift.ts
@@ -95,6 +95,9 @@ const drift = {
       cordnGroup: "Ομάδα Cordn",
       cordnGroupHint: "Προαιρετικό: επικόλλησε τον σύνδεσμο της ομάδας από Staircase ή Cordn web. Το crew σου αποκτά τότε πραγματική end-to-end συνομιλία MLS, φιλοξενούμενη στον συντονιστή μας.",
     },
+    bell: {
+      dmsUnread: "{{count}} νέα κρυπτογραφημένα μηνύματα",
+    },
   },
   settingsUi: {
     loginDialog: {
diff --git a/src/i18n/en.ts b/src/i18n/en.ts
index 74a0cc4..62c9f42 100644
--- a/src/i18n/en.ts
+++ b/src/i18n/en.ts
@@ -3732,6 +3732,7 @@ socialUi: {
       tabSocial: 'Social',
       tabNews: 'News',
       tabCrews: 'Crews',
+      dmsUnread: '{{count}} new encrypted message(s)',
       checkingUpdates: 'Checking for updates…',
       checkingTrades: 'Checking offers and trades…',
       loadingDrops: 'Loading the latest drops…',
diff --git a/src/i18n/es.ts b/src/i18n/es.ts
index 90a5e10..e6e929a 100644
--- a/src/i18n/es.ts
+++ b/src/i18n/es.ts
@@ -3732,6 +3732,7 @@ socialUi: {
       tabSocial: 'Social',
       tabNews: 'Noticias',
       tabCrews: 'Peñas',
+      dmsUnread: '{{count}} mensaje(s) cifrado(s) nuevo(s)',
       checkingUpdates: 'Buscando novedades…',
       checkingTrades: 'Revisando ofertas y tratos…',
       loadingDrops: 'Cargando las últimas entregas…',
diff --git a/src/i18n/eu/batch2.ts b/src/i18n/eu/batch2.ts
index c238920..ca4a2bd 100644
--- a/src/i18n/eu/batch2.ts
+++ b/src/i18n/eu/batch2.ts
@@ -39,6 +39,7 @@ const batch2 = {
       tabSocial: "Soziala",
       tabNews: "Berriak",
       tabCrews: "Koadrilak",
+      dmsUnread: "{{count}} mezu zifratu berri",
       checkingUpdates: "Eguneratzeak egiaztatzen…",
       checkingTrades: "Eskaintzak eta trukeak egiaztatzen…",
       loadingDrops: "Azken bidalketak kargatzen…",
diff --git a/src/i18n/fr/drift.ts b/src/i18n/fr/drift.ts
index 24c456c..67ef7a2 100644
--- a/src/i18n/fr/drift.ts
+++ b/src/i18n/fr/drift.ts
@@ -93,6 +93,9 @@ const drift = {
       cordnGroup: "Groupe Cordn",
       cordnGroupHint: "Facultatif : collez le lien du groupe depuis Staircase ou Cordn web. Votre Crew obtient alors un vrai chat MLS de bout en bout, hébergé sur notre coordinateur.",
     },
+    bell: {
+      dmsUnread: "{{count}} nouveau(x) message(s) chiffré(s)",
+    },
   },
   settingsUi: {
     loginDialog: {
diff --git a/src/i18n/gl/batch2.ts b/src/i18n/gl/batch2.ts
index 1d69d16..f6dc70e 100644
--- a/src/i18n/gl/batch2.ts
+++ b/src/i18n/gl/batch2.ts
@@ -39,6 +39,7 @@ const batch2 = {
       tabSocial: "Social",
       tabNews: "Novidades",
       tabCrews: "Crews",
+      dmsUnread: "{{count}} mensaxe(s) cifrado(s) novo(s)",
       checkingUpdates: "Buscando actualizacións…",
       checkingTrades: "Comprobando ofertas e intercambios…",
       loadingDrops: "Cargando as últimas novidades…",
diff --git a/src/i18n/hi/batch2.ts b/src/i18n/hi/batch2.ts
index 4d4dd98..566a5f3 100644
--- a/src/i18n/hi/batch2.ts
+++ b/src/i18n/hi/batch2.ts
@@ -39,6 +39,7 @@ const batch2 = {
       "tabSocial": "सोशल",
       "tabNews": "समाचार",
       "tabCrews": "क्रू",
+      "dmsUnread": "{{count}} नए एन्क्रिप्टेड संदेश",
       "checkingUpdates": "अपडेट जाँच रहे हैं…",
       "checkingTrades": "ऑफ़र और ट्रेड जाँच रहे हैं…",
       "loadingDrops": "नए ड्रॉप लोड हो रहे हैं…",
diff --git a/src/i18n/id/drift.ts b/src/i18n/id/drift.ts
index cd165c1..6a2510b 100644
--- a/src/i18n/id/drift.ts
+++ b/src/i18n/id/drift.ts
@@ -87,6 +87,9 @@ const driftStrings = {
       cordnGroup: 'Grup Cordn',
       cordnGroupHint: 'Opsional: tempel tautan grup dari Staircase atau Cordn web. Crew-mu lalu mendapat chat MLS ujung-ke-ujung sungguhan, dihosting di koordinator kami.',
     },
+    bell: {
+      dmsUnread: '{{count}} pesan terenkripsi baru',
+    },
   },
   settingsUi: {
     loginDialog: {
diff --git a/src/i18n/it/drift.ts b/src/i18n/it/drift.ts
index 12d4bd4..72730a0 100644
--- a/src/i18n/it/drift.ts
+++ b/src/i18n/it/drift.ts
@@ -93,6 +93,9 @@ const drift = {
       cordnGroup: "Gruppo Cordn",
       cordnGroupHint: "Opzionale: incolla il link del gruppo da Staircase o Cordn web. La tua crew ottiene così una vera chat MLS end-to-end, ospitata sul nostro coordinatore.",
     },
+    bell: {
+      dmsUnread: "{{count}} nuovo/i messaggio/i cifrato/i",
+    },
   },
   settingsUi: {
     loginDialog: {
diff --git a/src/i18n/ja/drift.ts b/src/i18n/ja/drift.ts
index 6615e96..dad9829 100644
--- a/src/i18n/ja/drift.ts
+++ b/src/i18n/ja/drift.ts
@@ -103,6 +103,9 @@ const drift: Dict = {
       cordnGroup: 'Cordnグループ',
       cordnGroupHint: '任意：StaircaseまたはCordnウェブからグループリンクを貼り付けてください。するとクルーに、私たちのコーディネーターでホストされる本物のエンドツーエンドMLSチャットが与えられます。',
     },
+    bell: {
+      dmsUnread: '{{count}}件の新しい暗号化メッセージ',
+    },
   },
   settingsUi: {
     loginDialog: {
diff --git a/src/i18n/ko/drift.ts b/src/i18n/ko/drift.ts
index 0dfd7c2..b7373ee 100644
--- a/src/i18n/ko/drift.ts
+++ b/src/i18n/ko/drift.ts
@@ -103,6 +103,9 @@ const drift: Dict = {
       cordnGroup: 'Cordn 그룹',
       cordnGroupHint: '선택 사항: Staircase 또는 Cordn 웹의 그룹 링크를 붙여넣으세요. 그러면 크루가 우리 코디네이터에서 호스팅되는 실제 종단 간 MLS 채팅을 갖게 됩니다.',
     },
+    bell: {
+      dmsUnread: '새 암호화 메시지 {{count}}개',
+    },
   },
   settingsUi: {
     loginDialog: {
diff --git a/src/i18n/nl/drift.ts b/src/i18n/nl/drift.ts
index 541a30e..1178c47 100644
--- a/src/i18n/nl/drift.ts
+++ b/src/i18n/nl/drift.ts
@@ -90,6 +90,9 @@ const drift = {
     "form": {
       "cordnGroup": "Cordn-groep",
       "cordnGroupHint": "Optioneel: plak de grouplink van Staircase of Cordn web. Je crew krijgt dan echte end-to-end MLS-chat, gehost op onze coördinator."
+    },
+    "bell": {
+      "dmsUnread": "{{count}} nieuw(e) versleutelde bericht(en)"
     }
   },
   "settingsUi": {
diff --git a/src/i18n/pl/drift.ts b/src/i18n/pl/drift.ts
index 2a0f886..5dc78d5 100644
--- a/src/i18n/pl/drift.ts
+++ b/src/i18n/pl/drift.ts
@@ -90,6 +90,9 @@ const drift = {
     "form": {
       "cordnGroup": "Grupa Cordn",
       "cordnGroupHint": "Opcjonalnie: wklej link do grupy ze Staircase lub Cordn web. Twoje crew dostanie wtedy prawdziwy czat MLS end-to-end, hostowany na naszym koordynatorze."
+    },
+    "bell": {
+      "dmsUnread": "{{count}} nowych zaszyfrowanych wiadomości"
     }
   },
   "settingsUi": {
diff --git a/src/i18n/pt/drift.ts b/src/i18n/pt/drift.ts
index fc6ac3d..c2df836 100644
--- a/src/i18n/pt/drift.ts
+++ b/src/i18n/pt/drift.ts
@@ -93,6 +93,9 @@ const drift = {
       cordnGroup: "Grupo Cordn",
       cordnGroupHint: "Opcional: cole o link do grupo do Staircase ou do Cordn web. Sua crew passa a ter um chat MLS real de ponta a ponta, hospedado no nosso coordenador.",
     },
+    bell: {
+      dmsUnread: "{{count}} nova(s) mensagem(ns) criptografada(s)",
+    },
   },
   settingsUi: {
     loginDialog: {
diff --git a/src/i18n/ro/drift.ts b/src/i18n/ro/drift.ts
index 7d1b1cd..3a9dcb8 100644
--- a/src/i18n/ro/drift.ts
+++ b/src/i18n/ro/drift.ts
@@ -90,6 +90,9 @@ const drift = {
     "form": {
       "cordnGroup": "Grup Cordn",
       "cordnGroupHint": "Opțional: lipește linkul grupului din Staircase sau Cordn web. Crew-ul tău primește atunci chat MLS real end-to-end, găzduit pe coordonatorul nostru."
+    },
+    "bell": {
+      "dmsUnread": "{{count}} mesaje criptate noi"
     }
   },
   "settingsUi": {
diff --git a/src/i18n/ru/drift.ts b/src/i18n/ru/drift.ts
index f9e91a0..8e947dc 100644
--- a/src/i18n/ru/drift.ts
+++ b/src/i18n/ru/drift.ts
@@ -95,6 +95,9 @@ const drift = {
       cordnGroup: "Группа Cordn",
       cordnGroupHint: "Необязательно: вставьте ссылку на группу из Staircase или Cordn (веб). Тогда ваш Crew получит настоящий сквозной MLS-чат на нашем координаторе.",
     },
+    bell: {
+      dmsUnread: "{{count}} новых зашифрованных сообщений",
+    },
   },
   settingsUi: {
     loginDialog: {
diff --git a/src/i18n/sv/drift.ts b/src/i18n/sv/drift.ts
index 8d4ea55..b6ab341 100644
--- a/src/i18n/sv/drift.ts
+++ b/src/i18n/sv/drift.ts
@@ -95,6 +95,9 @@ const drift = {
       cordnGroup: "Cordn-grupp",
       cordnGroupHint: "Valfritt: klistra in grupplänken från Staircase eller Cordn webb. Ditt crew får då riktig end-to-end MLS-chatt, hostad på vår koordinator.",
     },
+    bell: {
+      dmsUnread: "{{count}} nya krypterade meddelanden",
+    },
   },
   settingsUi: {
     loginDialog: {
diff --git a/src/i18n/th/drift.ts b/src/i18n/th/drift.ts
index fc67c84..8d603d6 100644
--- a/src/i18n/th/drift.ts
+++ b/src/i18n/th/drift.ts
@@ -87,6 +87,9 @@ const driftStrings = {
       cordnGroup: 'กลุ่ม Cordn',
       cordnGroupHint: 'ไม่บังคับ: วางลิงก์กลุ่มจาก Staircase หรือ Cordn เว็บ crew ของคุณจะได้แชท MLS เข้ารหัสต้นทาง-ปลายทางจริง โฮสต์บน coordinator ของเรา',
     },
+    bell: {
+      dmsUnread: 'ข้อความเข้ารหัสใหม่ {{count}} ข้อความ',
+    },
   },
   settingsUi: {
     loginDialog: {
diff --git a/src/i18n/tr/drift.ts b/src/i18n/tr/drift.ts
index 712eeda..60ed744 100644
--- a/src/i18n/tr/drift.ts
+++ b/src/i18n/tr/drift.ts
@@ -87,6 +87,9 @@ const driftStrings = {
       cordnGroup: 'Cordn grubu',
       cordnGroupHint: "İsteğe bağlı: Staircase veya Cordn web'den grup bağlantısını yapıştır. Crew'in böylece koordinatörümüzde barındırılan gerçek uçtan uca MLS sohbetine kavuşur.",
     },
+    bell: {
+      dmsUnread: '{{count}} yeni şifreli mesaj',
+    },
   },
   settingsUi: {
     loginDialog: {
diff --git a/src/i18n/uk/drift.ts b/src/i18n/uk/drift.ts
index 5d2f1d0..4a90298 100644
--- a/src/i18n/uk/drift.ts
+++ b/src/i18n/uk/drift.ts
@@ -95,6 +95,9 @@ const drift = {
       cordnGroup: "Група Cordn",
       cordnGroupHint: "Необов'язково: вставте посилання на групу зі Staircase або Cordn (веб). Тоді ваша команда отримає справжній наскрізний MLS-чат на нашому координаторі.",
     },
+    bell: {
+      dmsUnread: "{{count}} нових зашифрованих повідомлень",
+    },
   },
   settingsUi: {
     loginDialog: {
diff --git a/src/i18n/vi/drift.ts b/src/i18n/vi/drift.ts
index 0dab02c..5f67fcb 100644
--- a/src/i18n/vi/drift.ts
+++ b/src/i18n/vi/drift.ts
@@ -87,6 +87,9 @@ const driftStrings = {
       cordnGroup: 'Nhóm Cordn',
       cordnGroupHint: 'Tùy chọn: dán liên kết nhóm từ Staircase hoặc Cordn web. Crew của bạn sau đó có chat MLS đầu-cuối thực sự, được lưu trữ trên điều phối viên của chúng tôi.',
     },
+    bell: {
+      dmsUnread: '{{count}} tin nhắn mã hóa mới',
+    },
   },
   settingsUi: {
     loginDialog: {
diff --git a/src/i18n/zh-CN/drift.ts b/src/i18n/zh-CN/drift.ts
index ef22fc5..271258f 100644
--- a/src/i18n/zh-CN/drift.ts
+++ b/src/i18n/zh-CN/drift.ts
@@ -103,6 +103,9 @@ const drift: Dict = {
       cordnGroup: 'Cordn 群组',
       cordnGroupHint: '可选：粘贴来自 Staircase 或 Cordn 网页的群组链接。你的 Crew 随后将获得真正的端到端 MLS 聊天，托管在我们的协调器上。',
     },
+    bell: {
+      dmsUnread: '{{count}} 条新的加密消息',
+    },
   },
   settingsUi: {
     loginDialog: {
diff --git a/src/i18n/zh-TW/drift.ts b/src/i18n/zh-TW/drift.ts
index a2b3946..1034811 100644
--- a/src/i18n/zh-TW/drift.ts
+++ b/src/i18n/zh-TW/drift.ts
@@ -103,6 +103,9 @@ const drift: Dict = {
       cordnGroup: 'Cordn 群組',
       cordnGroupHint: '選填：貼上來自 Staircase 或 Cordn 網頁的群組連結。你的 Crew 隨後將獲得真正的端到端 MLS 聊天，託管在我們的協調器上。',
     },
+    bell: {
+      dmsUnread: '{{count}} 則新的加密訊息',
+    },
   },
   settingsUi: {
     loginDialog: {
diff --git a/src/lib/dmOwnWraps.ts b/src/lib/dmOwnWraps.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..5cf6ba0
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/lib/dmOwnWraps.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,31 @@
+/**
+ * Gift-wrap ids created by this device. NIP-17 sends a copy to the sender, and
+ * envelope-only unread counts can't distinguish that copy from an incoming
+ * message without decrypting. Tracking outbound wrap ids keeps the decrypt-free
+ * bell badge honest.
+ */
+const KEY = 'skatespots:dm-own-wraps';
+const MAX = 500;
+
+function read(): string[] {
+  try {
+    const raw = localStorage.getItem(KEY);
+    const parsed = raw ? JSON.parse(raw) as unknown : [];
+    return Array.isArray(parsed) ? parsed.filter((id): id is string => typeof id === 'string') : [];
+  } catch {
+    return [];
+  }
+}
+
+export function markOwnDmWraps(ids: string[]): void {
+  try {
+    const next = [...new Set([...ids, ...read()])].slice(0, MAX);
+    localStorage.setItem(KEY, JSON.stringify(next));
+  } catch {
+    // best-effort only
+  }
+}
+
+export function getOwnDmWrapIds(): Set<string> {
+  return new Set(read());
+}
diff --git a/src/pages/DirectMessagesPage.tsx b/src/pages/DirectMessagesPage.tsx
index 771339b..8f33857 100644
--- a/src/pages/DirectMessagesPage.tsx
+++ b/src/pages/DirectMessagesPage.tsx
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-import { useState } from 'react';
+import { useEffect, useState } from 'react';
 import { Link } from 'react-router-dom';
 import { useSeoMeta } from '@unhead/react';
 import { nip19 } from 'nostr-tools';
@@ -18,6 +18,7 @@ import { useUserCrews } from '@/hooks/useCrews';
 import { useCordnGroupGids } from '@/hooks/useCordnNative';
 import { SKATE_CREW_KIND } from '@/lib/types';
 import { useDMRead } from '@/hooks/useDMRead';
+import { useDmUnreadSummary } from '@/hooks/useDmUnreadSummary';
 import { useAuthor } from '@/hooks/useAuthor';
 import { genUserName } from '@/lib/genUserName';
 import { useLocalStorage } from '@/hooks/useLocalStorage';
@@ -227,6 +228,7 @@ export default function DirectMessagesPage() {
   const undecryptable = inbox?.undecryptable ?? 0;
   const { data: groups, refetch: refetchGroups } = useGroupConversations();
   const { getLastRead } = useDMRead();
+  const { markSeen: markDmEnvelopesSeen } = useDmUnreadSummary(!!user);
   // The viewer's crews — surfaced here as entry points to their private (MLS)
   // chat. `cordnGids` is a local IndexedDB read (no signer prompt) used to mark
   // which crews already have a chat on this device.
@@ -234,6 +236,10 @@ export default function DirectMessagesPage() {
   const cordnGids = useCordnGroupGids(user?.pubkey);
   const [showNewMessage, setShowNewMessage] = useState(false);
 
+  useEffect(() => {
+    markDmEnvelopesSeen();
+  }, [markDmEnvelopesSeen]);
+
   // A conversation is unread when its latest message is from the OTHER person
   // and newer than the last time we opened that conversation.
   const isUnread = (conv: { pubkey: string; lastMessage?: { createdAt: number; pubkey: string } }) => {