diff --git a/app/controllers/event_registrations_controller.rb b/app/controllers/event_registrations_controller.rb
index 424b782ad8..d9bf116ce1 100644
--- a/app/controllers/event_registrations_controller.rb
+++ b/app/controllers/event_registrations_controller.rb
@@ -374,7 +374,7 @@ def event_registration_params
       organization_ids: [],
       registrant_attributes: [ :id, :shoutout_text ],
       comments_attributes: [ :id, :topic, :body, :flagged, :_destroy ],
-      notifications_attributes: [ :id, :channel, :sender_id, :email_subject, :email_body_text, :noticeable_type, :noticeable_id, :_destroy ]
+      notifications_attributes: [ :id, :channel, :sender_id, :email_subject, :email_body_text, :direction, :noticeable_type, :noticeable_id, :_destroy ]
     )
   end
 
diff --git a/app/controllers/notifications_controller.rb b/app/controllers/notifications_controller.rb
index 9cbb7f1aed..045b22ebca 100644
--- a/app/controllers/notifications_controller.rb
+++ b/app/controllers/notifications_controller.rb
@@ -92,6 +92,6 @@ def set_notification
   end
 
   def notification_params
-    params.require(:notification).permit(:responded, :channel, :email_subject, :email_body_text)
+    params.require(:notification).permit(:responded, :channel, :email_subject, :email_body_text, :direction)
   end
 end
diff --git a/app/controllers/people_controller.rb b/app/controllers/people_controller.rb
index d9da1f6002..12c150e2d9 100644
--- a/app/controllers/people_controller.rb
+++ b/app/controllers/people_controller.rb
@@ -620,7 +620,7 @@ def person_params
         :_destroy
       ],
       comments_attributes: [ :id, :topic, :body, :flagged, :_destroy ],
-      notifications_attributes: [ :id, :channel, :sender_id, :email_subject, :email_body_text, :noticeable_type, :noticeable_id, :_destroy ],
+      notifications_attributes: [ :id, :channel, :sender_id, :email_subject, :email_body_text, :direction, :noticeable_type, :noticeable_id, :_destroy ],
       professional_licenses_attributes: [ :id, :number, :kind, :issuing_state, :expires_on, :_destroy ]
     )
   end
diff --git a/app/controllers/scholarships_controller.rb b/app/controllers/scholarships_controller.rb
index 2ce6a2fd52..0db5478d21 100644
--- a/app/controllers/scholarships_controller.rb
+++ b/app/controllers/scholarships_controller.rb
@@ -263,7 +263,7 @@ def scholarship_params
     params.require(:scholarship).permit(
       :amount_dollars, :amount_cents, :tasks_completed, :agreement_signed, :grant_id, :recipient_id,
       comments_attributes: [ :id, :topic, :body, :flagged, :_destroy ],
-      notifications_attributes: [ :id, :channel, :sender_id, :email_subject, :email_body_text, :noticeable_type, :noticeable_id, :_destroy ]
+      notifications_attributes: [ :id, :channel, :sender_id, :email_subject, :email_body_text, :direction, :noticeable_type, :noticeable_id, :_destroy ]
     )
   end
 
diff --git a/app/controllers/stories_controller.rb b/app/controllers/stories_controller.rb
index c680f545ec..06431d825e 100644
--- a/app/controllers/stories_controller.rb
+++ b/app/controllers/stories_controller.rb
@@ -217,7 +217,7 @@ def story_params
       primary_asset_attributes: [ :id, :file, :_destroy ],
       gallery_assets_attributes: [ :id, :file, :_destroy ],
       comments_attributes: [ :id, :topic, :body, :flagged, :_destroy ],
-      notifications_attributes: [ :id, :channel, :sender_id, :email_subject, :email_body_text, :noticeable_type, :noticeable_id, :_destroy ],
+      notifications_attributes: [ :id, :channel, :sender_id, :email_subject, :email_body_text, :direction, :noticeable_type, :noticeable_id, :_destroy ],
     )
   end
 
diff --git a/app/controllers/story_ideas_controller.rb b/app/controllers/story_ideas_controller.rb
index 60c9d34197..3b0a10bb64 100644
--- a/app/controllers/story_ideas_controller.rb
+++ b/app/controllers/story_ideas_controller.rb
@@ -154,7 +154,7 @@ def story_idea_params
       primary_asset_attributes: [ :id, :file, :_destroy ],
       gallery_assets_attributes: [ :id, :file, :_destroy ],
       comments_attributes: [ :id, :topic, :body, :flagged, :_destroy ],
-      notifications_attributes: [ :id, :channel, :sender_id, :email_subject, :email_body_text, :noticeable_type, :noticeable_id, :_destroy ]
+      notifications_attributes: [ :id, :channel, :sender_id, :email_subject, :email_body_text, :direction, :noticeable_type, :noticeable_id, :_destroy ]
     )
   end
 end
diff --git a/app/decorators/notification_decorator.rb b/app/decorators/notification_decorator.rb
index b6b1825670..9df2baac6e 100644
--- a/app/decorators/notification_decorator.rb
+++ b/app/decorators/notification_decorator.rb
@@ -13,10 +13,95 @@ class NotificationDecorator < ApplicationDecorator
   # Shown as the "From" on a communication that no staff member sent by hand.
   PORTAL_SENDER_NAME = "AWBW Portal".freeze
 
+  # At-a-glance audience pill for the compact row/index and detail page — only
+  # the two exceptions are flagged: sky for an incoming message (the person wrote
+  # to us) and a neutral grey "FYI" for an admin copy (recipient_role "admin").
+  # A regular message to the person is the norm and shows no pill.
+  AUDIENCE_META = {
+    "incoming" => { label: "Incoming", classes: "bg-sky-100 text-sky-800" },
+    "fyi" => { label: "FYI", classes: "bg-gray-100 text-gray-700" }
+  }.freeze
+
+  # Additional "Bulk" pill for a communication sent as part of a bulk operation
+  # (the bulk_payment_* kinds), whether the copy to the person or the admin FYI.
+  BULK_META = { label: "Bulk", classes: "bg-indigo-100 text-indigo-800" }.freeze
+
   def sender_name
     sender&.full_name.presence || PORTAL_SENDER_NAME
   end
 
+  # The person on the non-staff side of the communication, resolved from
+  # recipient_email so we can show their name and reveal the email on hover.
+  # Matches a person's primary or secondary email; memoized. One lookup per row —
+  # fine for the paginated admin index; revisit if it ever renders unpaginated.
+  def contact_person
+    return @contact_person if defined?(@contact_person)
+
+    @contact_person = if recipient_email.present?
+      Person.where(email: recipient_email).or(Person.where(email_2: recipient_email)).first
+    end
+  end
+
+  # Name of the person when we know them, otherwise the raw email.
+  def contact_name
+    contact_person&.name.presence || recipient_email
+  end
+
+  # Email to reveal on hover — only when we're showing a resolved name (nil when
+  # the displayed value is already the raw email).
+  def contact_hover
+    recipient_email if contact_person
+  end
+
+  # From/To flip with direction. An outgoing communication is sent by staff (or
+  # the portal) to the person, so From is the sender and To is the person. An
+  # incoming one was sent *by* the person, so the person is From and the staff
+  # member who logged it (the sender) is To. The person side shows their name
+  # (with the email on the matching *_title hover) when we have them on file.
+  def from_name
+    incoming? ? contact_name : sender_name
+  end
+
+  def to_name
+    incoming? ? sender_name : contact_name
+  end
+
+  def from_title
+    incoming? ? contact_hover : nil
+  end
+
+  def to_title
+    incoming? ? nil : contact_hover
+  end
+
+  # "incoming" (the person wrote to us), "fyi" (an admin FYI copy), or nil for a
+  # regular message to the person (the norm — no pill). Drives the audience pill.
+  def audience
+    return "incoming" if incoming?
+
+    "fyi" if recipient_role == "admin"
+  end
+
+  def audience_badge(**options)
+    pill(AUDIENCE_META[audience], **options)
+  end
+
+  # Part of a bulk operation (bulk payment) — sent as part of a bulk or its admin
+  # FYI. Both bulk kinds start with "bulk_".
+  def bulk?
+    kind.to_s.start_with?("bulk_")
+  end
+
+  # Every applicable flag pill for this communication, rendered together:
+  # the audience (Incoming/FYI) plus Bulk when part of a bulk send. Empty for a
+  # plain message to the person.
+  def flag_badges(**options)
+    metas = [ AUDIENCE_META[audience], (BULK_META if bulk?) ].compact
+    return "" if metas.empty?
+
+    h.safe_join(metas.map { |meta| pill(meta, **options) }, " ")
+  end
+
   def title
     "Re #{noticeable_type} ##{noticeable_id}"
   end
@@ -50,4 +135,17 @@ def channel_icon(**options)
 
     h.content_tag(:i, "", { class: "fa-solid #{icon_class} text-gray-400", title: channel.titleize, "aria-hidden": "true" }.merge(options))
   end
+
+  private
+
+  # Renders a coloured label pill from a *_META entry. Returns "" for a nil
+  # entry. A caller-supplied `class:` is appended to the pill's own styling
+  # rather than replacing it.
+  def pill(meta, **options)
+    return "" unless meta
+
+    extra_class = options.delete(:class)
+    classes = [ "inline-flex items-center rounded px-1.5 py-0.5 text-xs font-medium", meta[:classes], extra_class ].compact.join(" ")
+    h.content_tag(:span, meta[:label], { class: classes }.merge(options))
+  end
 end
diff --git a/app/helpers/notifications_helper.rb b/app/helpers/notifications_helper.rb
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..3f65f1fcae
--- /dev/null
+++ b/app/helpers/notifications_helper.rb
@@ -0,0 +1,31 @@
+module NotificationsHelper
+  # Records that embed the communications box and can link into the index with a
+  # "View all". A fixed name→class map (rather than constantizing the param) so a
+  # hostile return_to_type can never be turned into an arbitrary class.
+  RETURN_TO_MODELS = {
+    "Person" => Person,
+    "EventRegistration" => EventRegistration,
+    "Scholarship" => Scholarship,
+    "Story" => Story,
+    "StoryIdea" => StoryIdea
+  }.freeze
+
+  # The record a communications-index visitor came from — set by a record's
+  # "View all" link (return_to_type/return_to_id) so the index can show a back
+  # eyebrow to that record. Nil unless a valid, recognized pair is present.
+  def notification_return_record
+    klass = RETURN_TO_MODELS[params[:return_to_type]]
+    id = params[:return_to_id]
+    return unless klass && id.present?
+
+    klass.find_by(id: id)
+  end
+
+  # Back to where the "View all" was clicked — the record's edit page (which
+  # holds the communications box), falling back to its canonical path.
+  def notification_return_path(record)
+    edit_polymorphic_path(record)
+  rescue NoMethodError
+    routable_path(record) || admin_path
+  end
+end
diff --git a/app/models/notification.rb b/app/models/notification.rb
index 1ebe2ac743..1eae8911d6 100644
--- a/app/models/notification.rb
+++ b/app/models/notification.rb
@@ -100,6 +100,11 @@ class Notification < ApplicationRecord
     person
   ].freeze
 
+  # Direction of a communication relative to the person it is about. "outgoing"
+  # (the default) was sent to the person by staff or the portal; "incoming" was
+  # sent by the person themselves and is being logged after the fact.
+  DIRECTIONS = %w[outgoing incoming].freeze
+
   # Scopes
   scope :delivered, -> { where.not(delivered_at: nil) }
   scope :undelivered, -> { where(delivered_at: nil) }
@@ -115,6 +120,7 @@ class Notification < ApplicationRecord
   validates :recipient_email, presence: true
   validates :notification_type, presence: true
   validates :channel, inclusion: { in: CHANNELS }, allow_nil: true
+  validates :direction, presence: true, inclusion: { in: DIRECTIONS }
   # A hand-logged communication must carry a subject (it's the line shown to the
   # user); the nested flow drops blank-subject rows via reject_if, so this only
   # bites the standalone "New communication" form.
@@ -140,6 +146,10 @@ def manual_log?
     kind == "manual_log"
   end
 
+  def incoming?
+    direction == "incoming"
+  end
+
   # Scopes
   scope :email, ->(email) { where("notifications.recipient_email LIKE ?", "%#{email}%") }
   scope :participant_name, ->(name) { joins(:people)
diff --git a/app/views/comments/_comment_fields.html.erb b/app/views/comments/_comment_fields.html.erb
index 123e1a0faa..3b540e57ff 100644
--- a/app/views/comments/_comment_fields.html.erb
+++ b/app/views/comments/_comment_fields.html.erb
@@ -47,7 +47,7 @@
           <span class="<%= created_color[0] %> <%= created_color[1] %> text-xs px-1.5 py-0.5 rounded cursor-default truncate w-1/2 text-center" title="<%= created_name %>"><%= created_initials.presence || "--" %></span>
           <span class="<%= updated_color[0] %> <%= updated_color[1] %> text-xs px-1.5 py-0.5 rounded cursor-default truncate w-1/2 text-center" title="Edited by <%= updated_name %>"><%= updated_initials.presence || "--" %></span>
         <% else %>
-          <span class="<%= created_color[0] %> <%= created_color[1] %> text-xs px-1.5 py-0.5 rounded cursor-default truncate w-full text-left" title="<%= created_name %>"><%= truncate(created_first_name.presence || "--", length: 10, omission: "..") %></span>
+          <span class="<%= created_color[0] %> <%= created_color[1] %> text-xs px-1.5 py-0.5 rounded cursor-default truncate max-w-full text-left" title="<%= created_name %>"><%= truncate(created_first_name.presence || "--", length: 10, omission: "..") %></span>
         <% end %>
       </span>
       <span class="text-sm <%= is_age_range_data ? "text-amber-700" : "text-gray-900" %> truncate" data-edit-toggle-target="body" title="<%= [ f.object.topic, f.object.body ].compact_blank.join(" — ") %>">
@@ -64,7 +64,7 @@
           <span class="<%= created_color[0] %> <%= created_color[1] %> text-xs px-1.5 py-0.5 rounded cursor-default truncate w-1/2 text-center" title="<%= created_name %>"><%= created_initials.presence || "--" %></span>
           <span class="<%= updated_color[0] %> <%= updated_color[1] %> text-xs px-1.5 py-0.5 rounded cursor-default truncate w-1/2 text-center" title="Edited by <%= updated_name %>"><%= updated_initials.presence || "--" %></span>
         <% else %>
-          <span class="<%= created_color[0] %> <%= created_color[1] %> text-xs px-1.5 py-0.5 rounded cursor-default truncate w-full text-left" title="<%= created_name %>"><%= truncate(created_first_name.presence || "--", length: 10, omission: "..") %></span>
+          <span class="<%= created_color[0] %> <%= created_color[1] %> text-xs px-1.5 py-0.5 rounded cursor-default truncate max-w-full text-left" title="<%= created_name %>"><%= truncate(created_first_name.presence || "--", length: 10, omission: "..") %></span>
         <% end %>
       </span>
       <div class="grow flex items-start gap-x-2"
@@ -89,13 +89,13 @@
     </div>
   <% else %>
     <% current_first_name = current_user&.person&.first_name || current_user&.name.to_s.split.first %>
-    <%# New, unsaved comment — amber background until the registration form is saved. %>
-    <div class="flex items-start mb-3 gap-x-1 rounded-md border border-amber-200 bg-amber-50 px-4 py-2">
+    <%# New, unsaved comment — tinted with the comments theme until the parent form is saved. %>
+    <div class="flex items-start mb-3 gap-x-1 rounded-md border <%= DomainTheme.border_class_for(:comments, intensity: 200) %> <%= DomainTheme.bg_class_for(:comments, intensity: 50) %> px-4 py-2">
       <span class="text-xs text-gray-400 whitespace-nowrap shrink-0 mt-2">
         <%= Time.current.strftime("%-m/%-d/%Y %-I:%M %p") %>
       </span>
       <span class="inline-flex items-center w-20 shrink-0 mt-2">
-        <span class="<%= current_color[0] %> <%= current_color[1] %> text-xs px-1.5 py-0.5 rounded cursor-default truncate w-full text-left" title="<%= current_user&.person&.name || current_user&.name %>"><%= truncate(current_first_name.to_s, length: 10, omission: "..") %></span>
+        <span class="<%= current_color[0] %> <%= current_color[1] %> text-xs px-1.5 py-0.5 rounded cursor-default truncate max-w-full text-left" title="<%= current_user&.person&.name || current_user&.name %>"><%= truncate(current_first_name.to_s, length: 10, omission: "..") %></span>
       </span>
       <div class="grow flex items-start gap-x-2"
            data-controller="field-required"
diff --git a/app/views/events/registrations/show.html.erb b/app/views/events/registrations/show.html.erb
index 8e57b33e54..9c3d749479 100644
--- a/app/views/events/registrations/show.html.erb
+++ b/app/views/events/registrations/show.html.erb
@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@
       <%= link_to "Edit event", edit_event_path(@event_registration.event, expand: "callouts", anchor: "registration_ticket_callouts"), class: "admin-only bg-blue-100 text-sm text-gray-500 hover:text-gray-700 px-2 py-1" %>
     <% end %>
     <% if allowed_to?(:index?, EventRegistration) %>
-      <%= link_to "Registration", edit_event_registration_path(@event_registration), class: "admin-only bg-blue-100 text-sm text-gray-500 hover:text-gray-700 px-2 py-1" %>
+      <%= link_to "Edit registration", edit_event_registration_path(@event_registration), class: "admin-only bg-blue-100 text-sm text-gray-500 hover:text-gray-700 px-2 py-1" %>
     <% end %>
     <%= link_to "Home", root_path, class: "text-sm text-gray-500 hover:text-gray-700 px-2 py-1" %>
   </div>
diff --git a/app/views/notifications/_communications.html.erb b/app/views/notifications/_communications.html.erb
index 7afafa4859..fb902b971e 100644
--- a/app/views/notifications/_communications.html.erb
+++ b/app/views/notifications/_communications.html.erb
@@ -33,13 +33,16 @@
 <% own_notifications_by_id = admin ? record.notifications.index_by(&:id) : {} %>
 <section class="overflow-hidden rounded-xl border border-gray-200 bg-white shadow-sm" data-controller="edit-toggle">
   <div class="flex items-center gap-3 border-b border-gray-100 px-4 py-3">
-    <span class="flex h-8 w-8 shrink-0 items-center justify-center rounded-lg <%= DomainTheme.bg_class_for(:users, intensity: 100) %> <%= DomainTheme.text_class_for(:users, intensity: 600) %>">
+    <span class="flex h-8 w-8 shrink-0 items-center justify-center rounded-lg <%= DomainTheme.bg_class_for(:notifications, intensity: 100) %> <%= DomainTheme.text_class_for(:notifications, intensity: 600) %>">
       <i class="fa-solid fa-bell"></i>
     </span>
     <h2 class="text-sm font-semibold text-gray-700"><%= t(title_key) %></h2>
     <% if email.present? && admin %>
-      <%= link_to notifications_path(email: email),
-                  class: "ml-auto inline-flex items-center gap-1.5 text-xs font-medium text-gray-500 hover:text-gray-700 hover:underline",
+      <%# Admin-only link; on a page non-admins can view, flag it with the blue wash. %>
+      <% view_all_marker = mark_admin_only ? "admin-only bg-blue-100 rounded px-1.5 py-0.5" : "" %>
+      <%# Carry the origin so the index can show a back eyebrow to this record. %>
+      <%= link_to notifications_path(email: email, return_to_type: record_type, return_to_id: record.id),
+                  class: "ml-auto inline-flex items-center gap-1.5 text-xs font-medium text-gray-500 hover:text-gray-700 hover:underline #{view_all_marker}",
                   target: "_blank", rel: "noopener" do %>
         View all
         <i class="fa-solid fa-arrow-up-right-from-square text-[0.6rem]"></i>
diff --git a/app/views/notifications/_direction_toggle.html.erb b/app/views/notifications/_direction_toggle.html.erb
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..64c7c3139e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/app/views/notifications/_direction_toggle.html.erb
@@ -0,0 +1,19 @@
+<%# ---- Slider designating a communication's direction. Off (default) is
+    "outgoing" (staff/portal → person); flipped on it is "incoming", meaning the
+    person the communication is about sent it. The checkbox writes the string
+    column directly (hidden "outgoing" + checked "incoming"); the track is a
+    direct sibling so peer-checked reaches it, and the knob is the track's
+    ::after. Caller passes the form builder `f`; pass compact: true to drop the
+    helper text where space is tight (the inline edit fields). ---- %>
+<% compact = local_assigns.fetch(:compact, false) %>
+<div class="flex items-center gap-2">
+  <label class="relative inline-flex items-center cursor-pointer select-none"
+         title="On = incoming: the person sent this to us, rather than us sending it to them">
+    <%= f.check_box :direction, { class: "peer sr-only", "aria-label": "Incoming — sent by the person" }, "incoming", "outgoing" %>
+    <span class="relative inline-block w-9 h-5 rounded-full bg-gray-300 transition-colors peer-checked:bg-sky-600 after:content-[''] after:absolute after:top-0.5 after:left-0.5 after:h-4 after:w-4 after:rounded-full after:bg-white after:shadow after:transition-transform peer-checked:after:translate-x-4"></span>
+    <span class="ml-2 text-sm text-gray-600 peer-checked:text-sky-700">Incoming</span>
+  </label>
+  <% unless compact %>
+    <span class="text-xs text-gray-400">Sent <em>by</em> the person (not to them)</span>
+  <% end %>
+</div>
diff --git a/app/views/notifications/_index.html.erb b/app/views/notifications/_index.html.erb
index 74f2829ef2..aaf48e0700 100644
--- a/app/views/notifications/_index.html.erb
+++ b/app/views/notifications/_index.html.erb
@@ -13,7 +13,9 @@
 
   <tbody class="divide-y divide-gray-100">
   <% @notifications.each do |notification| %>
-    <tr class="<%= notification.decorate.row_class %>">
+    <% n = notification.decorate %>
+    <tr class="<%= n.row_class %>">
+
       <!-- Sent -->
       <td class="px-4 py-3 text-gray-700 whitespace-nowrap">
         <% if notification.delivered_at.present? %>
@@ -32,10 +34,13 @@
       <%#= notification.kind.to_s.humanize %>
       <!--          </td>-->
 
-      <!-- People -->
+      <!-- People (To on top; From/To values flip for incoming — the person sent it.
+           Names shown when the email is on file, with the email on hover.) -->
       <td class="px-4 py-3 text-gray-700">
-        <div><span class="text-xs uppercase text-gray-500">To:</span> <%= notification.recipient_email %></div>
-        <div class="text-[10px] text-gray-400"><span class="uppercase">From:</span> <%= notification.decorate.sender_name %></div>
+        <div><span class="text-xs uppercase text-gray-500">To:</span> <span title="<%= n.to_title %>"><%= n.to_name %></span></div>
+        <div class="text-[10px] text-gray-400">
+          <span class="uppercase">From:</span> <span title="<%= n.from_title %>"><%= n.from_name %></span>
+        </div>
       </td>
 
       <!-- Subject -->
@@ -43,11 +48,16 @@
         <%= notification.email_subject.presence || "—" %>
       </td>
 
-      <!-- Record -->
+      <!-- Record (with the audience chip to the right of the record type) -->
       <td class="px-4 py-3 text-gray-700">
+        <div class="flex items-center gap-1.5">
+          <% if notification.noticeable.present? %>
+            <span class="text-[10px] uppercase text-gray-400"><%= noticeable_type_label(notification.noticeable) %></span>
+          <% end %>
+          <%= n.flag_badges %>
+        </div>
         <% if notification.noticeable.present? %>
           <% record_path = routable_path(notification.noticeable) %>
-          <div class="text-[10px] uppercase text-gray-400"><%= noticeable_type_label(notification.noticeable) %></div>
           <% if record_path %>
             <%= link_to noticeable_label(notification.noticeable),
                         record_path,
diff --git a/app/views/notifications/_notification_fields.html.erb b/app/views/notifications/_notification_fields.html.erb
index 675643c207..cfb7e88da0 100644
--- a/app/views/notifications/_notification_fields.html.erb
+++ b/app/views/notifications/_notification_fields.html.erb
@@ -1,8 +1,8 @@
 <%# ---- One manual-log communication, editable inline (mirrors the comment
     edit-mode pattern). A persisted entry renders a read-only view target row
     plus a hidden edit target form; the shared `edit-toggle` controller flips
-    between them. A new, unsaved entry renders the amber add
-    form directly. Only manually logged communications addressed to this record
+    between them. A new, unsaved entry renders the add form directly, tinted with
+    the notifications theme color. Only manually logged communications addressed to this record
     render through this partial — automated notifications stay read-only in the
     notifications box. The sender defaults to whoever logs it. ---- %>
 <% channel_default = Notification::MANUAL_CHANNELS.include?(f.object.channel) ? f.object.channel : "email" %>
@@ -24,11 +24,11 @@
     <div data-edit-toggle-target="view">
       <%= render "notifications/notification_row", notification: f.object, admin: true, mark_admin_only: mark_admin_only %>
     </div>
-    <div class="hidden rounded-md border border-amber-200 bg-amber-50 p-3" data-edit-toggle-target="edit">
+    <div class="hidden rounded-md border <%= DomainTheme.border_class_for(:notifications, intensity: 200) %> <%= DomainTheme.bg_class_for(:notifications, intensity: 50) %> p-3" data-edit-toggle-target="edit">
       <%= render "notifications/notification_form", f: f, channel_default: channel_default %>
     </div>
   <% else %>
-    <div class="rounded-md border border-amber-200 bg-amber-50 p-3">
+    <div class="rounded-md border <%= DomainTheme.border_class_for(:notifications, intensity: 200) %> <%= DomainTheme.bg_class_for(:notifications, intensity: 50) %> p-3">
       <%= render "notifications/notification_form", f: f, channel_default: channel_default %>
     </div>
   <% end %>
diff --git a/app/views/notifications/_notification_form.html.erb b/app/views/notifications/_notification_form.html.erb
index d09e63ea98..ac90320b1b 100644
--- a/app/views/notifications/_notification_form.html.erb
+++ b/app/views/notifications/_notification_form.html.erb
@@ -24,21 +24,22 @@
 <% select_class = "min-w-0 flex-1 truncate bg-white rounded-md border border-gray-300 px-3 py-2 text-sm shadow-sm focus:border-blue-500 focus:ring focus:ring-blue-200 focus:outline-none" %>
 <div data-controller="field-required" data-action="input->field-required#update">
   <div class="flex flex-col gap-3 sm:flex-row sm:items-start">
-    <div class="space-y-2 sm:w-48 sm:shrink-0">
-      <%# Invisible spacer matching the Subject/Body field label, so the From row
-          lines up with the top of the Subject input rather than its label. %>
-      <span class="block invisible font-medium mb-1" aria-hidden="true">From</span>
+    <div class="space-y-2 sm:w-56 sm:shrink-0">
+      <label class="flex items-center gap-2">
+        <span class="w-20 shrink-0 text-sm font-medium text-gray-700">Channel</span>
+        <%= f.select :channel, options_for_select(Notification::MANUAL_CHANNELS.map { |c| [ c.titleize, c ] }, channel_default), { include_blank: false }, class: select_class %>
+      </label>
       <%# From — a non-editable sender chip (the comment-author badge); the sender
           is whoever logs the communication, submitted via a hidden field. %>
       <div class="flex items-center gap-2">
-        <span class="w-16 shrink-0 text-sm font-medium text-gray-700">From</span>
+        <span class="w-20 shrink-0 text-sm font-medium text-gray-700">From</span>
         <span class="<%= sender_color[0] %> <%= sender_color[1] %> text-xs px-1.5 py-0.5 rounded cursor-default truncate" title="<%= sender_user&.full_name %>"><%= truncate(sender_first.presence || "--", length: 10, omission: "..") %></span>
       </div>
       <%= f.hidden_field :sender_id, value: sender_user&.id %>
-      <label class="flex items-center gap-2">
-        <span class="w-16 shrink-0 text-sm font-medium text-gray-700">Channel</span>
-        <%= f.select :channel, options_for_select(Notification::MANUAL_CHANNELS.map { |c| [ c.titleize, c ] }, channel_default), { include_blank: false }, class: select_class %>
-      </label>
+      <div class="flex items-center gap-2">
+        <span class="w-20 shrink-0 text-sm font-medium text-gray-700">Direction</span>
+        <%= render "notifications/direction_toggle", f: f, compact: true %>
+      </div>
     </div>
     <%# Subject marked required (shows the asterisk) — a blank subject is dropped
         on save. field-required only enforces it once the row is in use, so an
diff --git a/app/views/notifications/_notification_row.html.erb b/app/views/notifications/_notification_row.html.erb
index c15901099c..fce1b64319 100644
--- a/app/views/notifications/_notification_row.html.erb
+++ b/app/views/notifications/_notification_row.html.erb
@@ -13,25 +13,40 @@
 <% show_body = admin || !body_admin_only %>
 <% subject = notification.email_subject.presence || notification.kind.to_s.humanize %>
 <% body = notification.email_body_text.to_s if show_body %>
-<% sender_name = notification.decorate.sender_name %>
-<div class="flex items-baseline gap-x-2">
-  <span class="shrink-0 whitespace-nowrap text-xs text-gray-400"><%= notification.created_at.strftime("%-m/%-d/%Y") %></span>
-  <%# Fixed, snug width (~"Umberto User") + truncate so the channel icons line up
-      regardless of name length, without a wide gap before the icon. %>
-  <span class="w-[5.5rem] shrink-0 truncate text-xs font-medium text-gray-500" title="<%= sender_name %>"><%= sender_name %></span>
-  <span class="min-w-0 flex-1 truncate text-sm">
-    <%= notification.decorate.channel_icon %>
-    <span class="font-semibold text-gray-900"><%= subject %></span>
-    <% if body.present? %>
-      <% if body_admin_only && mark_admin_only %>
-        <%# Internal staff note on a page non-admins can view — flag it admin-only. %>
-        <span class="admin-only bg-blue-100 rounded px-1 text-gray-700" title="<%= body %>"><%= body %></span>
-      <% elsif body_admin_only %>
-        <%# Internal staff note on an admin-only page — rendered plainly like a comment. %>
-        <span class="text-gray-900" title="<%= body %>"><%= body %></span>
-      <% else %>
-        <span class="text-gray-500" title="<%= body %>"><%= body %></span>
+<%# The name shown is who the communication is *from* — the sender for outgoing,
+    the person themselves for incoming; hover reveals their email when on file. %>
+<% decorated = notification.decorate %>
+<% from_name = decorated.from_name %>
+<%# Admins can click through to the communication's detail page; it opens in a
+    new tab so unsaved edits in the surrounding record form aren't lost. %>
+<% row = capture do %>
+  <div class="flex items-baseline gap-x-2">
+    <span class="shrink-0 whitespace-nowrap text-xs text-gray-400"><%= notification.created_at.strftime("%-m/%-d/%Y") %></span>
+    <%# Fixed, snug width (~"Umberto User") + truncate so the channel icons line up
+        regardless of name length, without a wide gap before the icon. %>
+    <span class="w-[5.5rem] shrink-0 truncate text-xs font-medium text-gray-500" title="<%= decorated.from_title.presence || from_name %>"><%= from_name %></span>
+    <span class="min-w-0 flex-1 truncate text-sm">
+      <%= decorated.channel_icon %>
+      <%# A regular outgoing message is the norm here — only the exceptions get a flag. %>
+      <%= decorated.flag_badges %>
+      <span class="font-semibold text-gray-900"><%= subject %></span>
+      <% if body.present? %>
+        <% if body_admin_only && mark_admin_only %>
+          <%# Internal staff note on a page non-admins can view — flag it admin-only. %>
+          <span class="admin-only bg-blue-100 rounded px-1 text-gray-700" title="<%= body %>"><%= body %></span>
+        <% elsif body_admin_only %>
+          <%# Internal staff note on an admin-only page — rendered plainly like a comment. %>
+          <span class="text-gray-900" title="<%= body %>"><%= body %></span>
+        <% else %>
+          <span class="text-gray-500" title="<%= body %>"><%= body %></span>
+        <% end %>
       <% end %>
-    <% end %>
-  </span>
-</div>
+    </span>
+  </div>
+<% end %>
+<% if admin %>
+  <%= link_to row, notification_path(notification), target: "_blank", rel: "noopener",
+              class: "block rounded px-1 -mx-1 hover:bg-gray-50" %>
+<% else %>
+  <%= row %>
+<% end %>
diff --git a/app/views/notifications/index.html.erb b/app/views/notifications/index.html.erb
index 1d1c9ffcad..b3372abe1e 100644
--- a/app/views/notifications/index.html.erb
+++ b/app/views/notifications/index.html.erb
@@ -1,25 +1,46 @@
-<% content_for(:page_bg_class, "admin-only bg-blue-100") %>
-<div class="<%= DomainTheme.bg_class_for(:admin_only) %> border border-gray-200 rounded-xl shadow p-6">
-      <div class="flex justify-between items-center mb-6">
-        <section class="w-full">
-          <div class="flex flex-wrap items-center justify-between gap-3 mb-4">
-            <h1 class="text-3xl font-bold text-gray-900 my-2"><%= t("communications.title") %></h1>
-            <% if allowed_to?(:new?, with: NotificationPolicy) %>
-              <%= link_to new_notification_path,
-                          class: "inline-flex items-center gap-2 rounded-lg bg-blue-600 px-4 py-2 text-sm font-medium text-white shadow-sm transition-colors hover:bg-blue-700" do %>
-                <i class="fa-solid fa-plus text-xs"></i>
-                <%= t("communications.new") %>
-              <% end %>
-            <% end %>
-          </div>
+<% content_for(:page_bg_class, "admin-only bg-white") %>
+<% return_record = notification_return_record %>
 
-          <%= render "search_boxes" %>
+<%# Eyebrow: back to the record we came from (a person/registration's "View all"),
+    or to admin home when reached directly. %>
+<div class="mb-3">
+  <% if return_record %>
+    <%= link_to notification_return_path(return_record), class: "text-sm text-gray-500 hover:text-gray-700" do %>
+      <i class="fa-solid fa-arrow-left text-xs"></i> <%= noticeable_label(return_record) %>
+    <% end %>
+  <% else %>
+    <%= link_to admin_path, class: "text-sm text-gray-500 hover:text-gray-700" do %>
+      <i class="fa-solid fa-arrow-left text-xs"></i> Admin home
+    <% end %>
+  <% end %>
+</div>
+
+<div class="border border-gray-200 rounded-xl shadow overflow-hidden">
+  <div class="<%= DomainTheme.bg_class_for(:notifications, intensity: 100) %> border-b <%= DomainTheme.border_class_for(:notifications) %> px-8 py-3">
+    <div class="flex items-center gap-2">
+      <i class="fa-solid fa-bell <%= DomainTheme.text_class_for(:notifications, intensity: 700) %>"></i>
+      <span class="text-sm font-semibold <%= DomainTheme.text_class_for(:notifications, intensity: 900) %> uppercase tracking-wide"><%= t("communications.title") %></span>
+    </div>
+  </div>
+
+  <div class="p-4 sm:p-8 space-y-6">
+    <div class="flex flex-wrap items-center justify-between gap-3">
+      <h1 class="text-2xl font-semibold text-gray-900"><%= t("communications.title") %></h1>
+      <% if allowed_to?(:new?, with: NotificationPolicy) %>
+        <%= link_to new_notification_path,
+                    class: "inline-flex items-center gap-2 rounded-lg #{DomainTheme.bg_class_for(:notifications, intensity: 600)} #{DomainTheme.bg_class_for(:notifications, intensity: 600, hover: true)} px-4 py-2 text-sm font-medium text-white shadow-sm transition-colors" do %>
+          <i class="fa-solid fa-plus text-xs"></i>
+          <%= t("communications.new") %>
+        <% end %>
+      <% end %>
+    </div>
+
+    <%= render "search_boxes" %>
 
-          <% result_src = notifications_path + "?" + request.query_string %>
+    <% result_src = notifications_path + "?" + request.query_string %>
 
-          <%= turbo_frame_tag "notifications_results", src: result_src do %>
-            <%= render "results_skeleton" %>
-          <% end %>
-        </section>
-      </div>
+    <%= turbo_frame_tag "notifications_results", src: result_src do %>
+      <%= render "results_skeleton" %>
+    <% end %>
+  </div>
 </div>
diff --git a/app/views/notifications/new.html.erb b/app/views/notifications/new.html.erb
index 5b7e21814f..0e39cf9e04 100644
--- a/app/views/notifications/new.html.erb
+++ b/app/views/notifications/new.html.erb
@@ -1,8 +1,11 @@
 <% content_for(:page_bg_class, "admin-only bg-blue-100") %>
-<div class="max-w-3xl mx-auto <%= DomainTheme.bg_class_for(:admin_only) %> border border-gray-200 rounded-xl shadow p-6">
-  <%= link_to t("communications.back_link"), notifications_path,
-              class: "text-sm text-blue-600 hover:underline" %>
-
+<div class="max-w-3xl mx-auto">
+  <div class="mb-3">
+    <%= link_to notifications_path, class: "text-sm text-gray-500 hover:text-gray-700" do %>
+      <i class="fa-solid fa-arrow-left text-xs"></i> <%= t("communications.back_link") %>
+    <% end %>
+  </div>
+  <div class="<%= DomainTheme.bg_class_for(:admin_only) %> border border-gray-200 rounded-xl shadow p-6">
   <h1 class="mt-3 mb-1 text-2xl font-semibold text-gray-900"><%= t("communications.new") %></h1>
   <p class="mb-5 text-sm text-gray-500">
     Log a communication you had with a person by hand (a call, text, or email sent outside the portal).
@@ -41,6 +44,11 @@
                       input_html: { class: "w-full sm:w-1/3 bg-white rounded-lg border border-gray-300 px-3 py-2 text-gray-800 shadow-sm" } %>
         </div>
 
+        <div>
+          <span class="block text-sm font-medium text-gray-700 mb-1">Direction</span>
+          <%= render "notifications/direction_toggle", f: f %>
+        </div>
+
         <div>
           <%= f.input :email_subject, as: :text, required: true,
                       label: "Subject (visible to user)",
@@ -63,4 +71,5 @@
       </div>
     <% end %>
   </div>
+  </div>
 </div>
diff --git a/app/views/notifications/notifications_results.html.erb b/app/views/notifications/notifications_results.html.erb
index a03b8bf074..c80b07eba5 100644
--- a/app/views/notifications/notifications_results.html.erb
+++ b/app/views/notifications/notifications_results.html.erb
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 <%= turbo_frame_tag "notifications_results" do %>
-  <div class="rounded-xl bg-white p-6 animate-fade blur-on-submit">
+  <div class="overflow-x-auto animate-fade blur-on-submit">
     <%= render "index" %>
   </div>
 
diff --git a/app/views/notifications/show.html.erb b/app/views/notifications/show.html.erb
index b6504383b1..020d9acf4b 100644
--- a/app/views/notifications/show.html.erb
+++ b/app/views/notifications/show.html.erb
@@ -4,14 +4,21 @@
    Safe email preview + metadata
    ========================================= %>
 
+<div class="mb-3">
+  <%= link_to notifications_path, class: "text-sm text-gray-500 hover:text-gray-700" do %>
+    <i class="fa-solid fa-arrow-left text-xs"></i> <%= t("communications.back_link") %>
+  <% end %>
+</div>
+
 <div class="<%= @notification.decorate.card_bg_class %> border rounded-xl shadow p-6" data-turbo="false">
   <div class="space-y-6">
 
   <!-- Header -->
   <div class="flex items-start justify-between gap-4">
     <div>
-      <h1 class="text-2xl font-semibold text-gray-900">
+      <h1 class="flex items-center gap-2 text-2xl font-semibold text-gray-900">
         <%= t("communications.detail_title") %>
+        <%= @notification.decorate.flag_badges %>
       </h1>
 
       <p class="text-sm text-gray-500">
@@ -101,19 +108,20 @@
 
   <!-- Metadata -->
   <div class="bg-white rounded-lg shadow-sm p-4">
+    <% nd = @notification.decorate %>
     <dl class="space-y-3 text-sm">
 
       <div class="flex items-start gap-4">
-        <dt class="w-28 text-gray-500">To</dt>
-        <dd class="text-gray-900 font-medium break-all">
-          <%= @notification.recipient_email || "—" %>
+        <dt class="w-28 text-gray-500">From</dt>
+        <dd class="text-gray-900 font-medium break-all" title="<%= nd.from_title %>">
+          <%= nd.from_name.presence || "—" %>
         </dd>
       </div>
 
       <div class="flex items-start gap-4">
-        <dt class="w-28 text-gray-500">From</dt>
-        <dd class="text-gray-900 font-medium">
-          <%= @notification.decorate.sender_name %>
+        <dt class="w-28 text-gray-500">To</dt>
+        <dd class="text-gray-900 font-medium break-all" title="<%= nd.to_title %>">
+          <%= nd.to_name.presence || "—" %>
         </dd>
       </div>
 
@@ -220,12 +228,6 @@
     <% end %>
   </div>
 
-  <!-- Actions -->
-  <div class="flex justify-between items-center">
-    <%= link_to t("communications.back_link"),
-                notifications_path,
-                class: "text-sm text-blue-600 hover:underline" %>
-  </div>
 
 </div>
 </div>
diff --git a/config/locales/en.yml b/config/locales/en.yml
index 160a971d45..112bfca99b 100644
--- a/config/locales/en.yml
+++ b/config/locales/en.yml
@@ -36,7 +36,7 @@ en:
   communications:
     title: "Communications"
     detail_title: "Communication"
-    back_link: "← Back to communications"
+    back_link: "Communications"
     empty: "No communications found."
     add: "Add communication"
     new: "New communication"
diff --git a/db/migrate/20260812154855_add_direction_to_notifications.rb b/db/migrate/20260812154855_add_direction_to_notifications.rb
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..3bb1a0fdb9
--- /dev/null
+++ b/db/migrate/20260812154855_add_direction_to_notifications.rb
@@ -0,0 +1,14 @@
+class AddDirectionToNotifications < ActiveRecord::Migration[8.0]
+  def up
+    return if column_exists?(:notifications, :direction)
+
+    # "outgoing" (sent to the person) vs "incoming" (sent by the person the
+    # communication is about). Existing rows are outgoing — the portal has only
+    # ever recorded messages sent to people.
+    add_column :notifications, :direction, :string, default: "outgoing", null: false
+  end
+
+  def down
+    remove_column :notifications, :direction, if_exists: true
+  end
+end
diff --git a/db/schema.rb b/db/schema.rb
index 2ee74f8a96..ba95c3cbdd 100644
--- a/db/schema.rb
+++ b/db/schema.rb
@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@
 #
 # It's strongly recommended that you check this file into your version control system.
 
-ActiveRecord::Schema[8.1].define(version: 2026_08_12_015152) do
+ActiveRecord::Schema[8.1].define(version: 2026_08_12_154855) do
   create_table "action_text_mentions", charset: "utf8mb4", collation: "utf8mb4_unicode_ci", force: :cascade do |t|
     t.bigint "action_text_rich_text_id", null: false
     t.datetime "created_at", null: false
@@ -788,6 +788,7 @@
     t.text "custom_message"
     t.string "custom_subject"
     t.datetime "delivered_at"
+    t.string "direction", default: "outgoing", null: false
     t.text "email_body_html", size: :medium
     t.text "email_body_text", size: :medium
     t.text "email_subject", size: :medium
diff --git a/lib/domain_theme.rb b/lib/domain_theme.rb
index bba745a3f9..144cbb5d8c 100644
--- a/lib/domain_theme.rb
+++ b/lib/domain_theme.rb
@@ -30,6 +30,7 @@ module DomainTheme
 
     banners:                  :yellow,
     users:                    :rose,
+    notifications:            :sky,
     comments:                 :purple,
     topic_subscriptions:      :stone,
     topic_subscription_types: :stone,
diff --git a/spec/decorators/notification_decorator_spec.rb b/spec/decorators/notification_decorator_spec.rb
index aeeaac9293..1da4f50c89 100644
--- a/spec/decorators/notification_decorator_spec.rb
+++ b/spec/decorators/notification_decorator_spec.rb
@@ -77,6 +77,53 @@
     end
   end
 
+  describe "#from_name / #to_name" do
+    let(:sender) { build_stubbed(:user, first_name: "Dana", last_name: "Sender", person: nil) }
+
+    it "puts the sender on From and the recipient on To for an outgoing communication" do
+      notification = build_stubbed(:notification, sender: sender, recipient_email: "kim@example.com").decorate
+      expect(notification.from_name).to eq("Dana Sender")
+      expect(notification.to_name).to eq("kim@example.com")
+    end
+
+    it "flips them for an incoming communication — the person is From, the author is To" do
+      notification = build_stubbed(:notification, :incoming, sender: sender, recipient_email: "kim@example.com").decorate
+      expect(notification.from_name).to eq("kim@example.com")
+      expect(notification.to_name).to eq("Dana Sender")
+    end
+  end
+
+  describe "person-name resolution" do
+    it "shows the person's name and hovers the email when the recipient is on file" do
+      create(:person, first_name: "Tiombe", last_name: "Wallace", email: "tiombe@example.com")
+      decorated = create(:notification, recipient_email: "tiombe@example.com").decorate
+
+      expect(decorated.to_name).to eq("Tiombe Wallace")
+      expect(decorated.to_title).to eq("tiombe@example.com")
+    end
+
+    it "falls back to the raw email (no hover) when nobody matches" do
+      decorated = build_stubbed(:notification, recipient_email: "stranger@example.com").decorate
+
+      expect(decorated.to_name).to eq("stranger@example.com")
+      expect(decorated.to_title).to be_nil
+    end
+  end
+
+  describe "#audience" do
+    it "is incoming for a communication the person sent" do
+      expect(build_stubbed(:notification, :incoming).decorate.audience).to eq("incoming")
+    end
+
+    it "is fyi for an admin-directed communication" do
+      expect(build_stubbed(:notification, recipient_role: "admin").decorate.audience).to eq("fyi")
+    end
+
+    it "is nil for a normal message to the person" do
+      expect(build_stubbed(:notification, recipient_role: "person").decorate.audience).to be_nil
+    end
+  end
+
   describe "#channel_icon" do
     {
       "email" => "fa-envelope",
@@ -96,4 +143,41 @@
       expect(build_stubbed(:notification, channel: nil).decorate.channel_icon).to eq("")
     end
   end
+
+  describe "#flag_badges" do
+    it "shows a sky Incoming pill for an incoming communication" do
+      html = build_stubbed(:notification, :incoming).decorate.flag_badges
+      expect(html).to include("bg-sky-100")
+      expect(html).to include("Incoming")
+    end
+
+    it "shows a grey FYI pill for an admin-directed communication" do
+      html = build_stubbed(:notification, recipient_role: "admin").decorate.flag_badges
+      expect(html).to include("bg-gray-100")
+      expect(html).to include("FYI")
+    end
+
+    it "shows a Bulk pill for a bulk communication, alongside FYI when it's an FYI copy" do
+      html = build_stubbed(:notification, kind: "bulk_payment_confirmation_fyi", recipient_role: "admin").decorate.flag_badges
+      expect(html).to include("Bulk")
+      expect(html).to include("FYI")
+    end
+
+    it "shows only Bulk for the bulk copy sent to the person" do
+      html = build_stubbed(:notification, kind: "bulk_payment_confirmation", recipient_role: "person").decorate.flag_badges
+      expect(html).to include("Bulk")
+      expect(html).not_to include("FYI")
+      expect(html).not_to include("Incoming")
+    end
+
+    it "renders nothing for a plain message to the person" do
+      expect(build_stubbed(:notification, recipient_role: "person").decorate.flag_badges).to eq("")
+    end
+
+    it "appends a caller-supplied class to each pill" do
+      html = build_stubbed(:notification, :incoming).decorate.flag_badges(class: "mr-1")
+      expect(html).to include("mr-1")
+      expect(html).to include("bg-sky-100")
+    end
+  end
 end
diff --git a/spec/factories/notifications.rb b/spec/factories/notifications.rb
index 3441951def..18d7fc1b05 100644
--- a/spec/factories/notifications.rb
+++ b/spec/factories/notifications.rb
@@ -5,5 +5,9 @@
     notification_type { 0 }
     recipient_role { :admin }
     recipient_email { Faker::Internet.email }
+
+    trait :incoming do
+      direction { "incoming" }
+    end
   end
 end
diff --git a/spec/models/notification_spec.rb b/spec/models/notification_spec.rb
index 230bab7f99..264f3d77f9 100644
--- a/spec/models/notification_spec.rb
+++ b/spec/models/notification_spec.rb
@@ -56,6 +56,26 @@ def build_notification(**attrs)
     end
   end
 
+  describe "direction" do
+    it "defaults to outgoing" do
+      expect(Notification.new.direction).to eq("outgoing")
+    end
+
+    it "is invalid with an unknown direction" do
+      notification = build(:notification, direction: "sideways")
+      expect(notification).not_to be_valid
+      expect(notification.errors[:direction]).to be_present
+    end
+
+    it "reports incoming? for an incoming communication" do
+      expect(build(:notification, :incoming)).to be_incoming
+    end
+
+    it "does not report incoming? for an outgoing communication" do
+      expect(build(:notification)).not_to be_incoming
+    end
+  end
+
   describe "KINDS" do
     it "includes account_email_change_requested" do
       expect(Notification::KINDS).to include("account_email_change_requested")
diff --git a/spec/requests/notifications_spec.rb b/spec/requests/notifications_spec.rb
index d3f1e6a35e..8ef1966c17 100644
--- a/spec/requests/notifications_spec.rb
+++ b/spec/requests/notifications_spec.rb
@@ -32,6 +32,26 @@
       expect(value).to eq("kim.davis@gmail.com")
     end
 
+    context "back eyebrow" do
+      it "links to the originating record when arrived from it" do
+        person = create(:person, first_name: "Umberto", last_name: "User")
+        get notifications_path(return_to_type: "Person", return_to_id: person.id)
+
+        expect(response.body).to include(edit_person_path(person))
+        expect(response.body).to include("Umberto User")
+      end
+
+      it "falls back to admin home when reached directly" do
+        get notifications_path
+        expect(response.body).to include("Admin home")
+      end
+
+      it "ignores an unrecognized return_to_type" do
+        get notifications_path(return_to_type: "User", return_to_id: user_notification.id)
+        expect(response.body).to include("Admin home")
+      end
+    end
+
     it "filters by email_topic" do
       matching = create(:notification, email_subject: "Confirm your new email address")
       get notifications_path, params: { email_topic: "User: confirm new email" }, headers: turbo_headers
@@ -185,6 +205,16 @@
         expect(response).to redirect_to(notifications_path)
       end
 
+      it "defaults a logged communication to outgoing" do
+        post notifications_path, params: valid_params
+        expect(Notification.last.direction).to eq("outgoing")
+      end
+
+      it "logs an incoming communication when the direction is set" do
+        post notifications_path, params: valid_params.deep_merge(notification: { direction: "incoming" })
+        expect(Notification.last).to be_incoming
+      end
+
       it "re-renders with an error when no person is selected" do
         expect {
           post notifications_path, params: valid_params.except(:person_id)
@@ -256,6 +286,10 @@ def from_row(body)
         Capybara.string(body).find(:xpath, "//dt[normalize-space()='From']/following-sibling::dd[1]")
       end
 
+      def to_row(body)
+        Capybara.string(body).find(:xpath, "//dt[normalize-space()='To']/following-sibling::dd[1]")
+      end
+
       it "names the sending person in the From row when a sender is set" do
         sender = create(:user, :admin, first_name: "Dana", last_name: "Sender")
         sent = create(:notification, kind: "event_registration_reminder", sender: sender)
@@ -272,6 +306,17 @@ def from_row(body)
 
         expect(from_row(response.body)).to have_text("AWBW Portal")
       end
+
+      it "flips From/To for an incoming communication — the person sent it to the author" do
+        author = create(:user, :admin, first_name: "Dana", last_name: "Sender")
+        incoming = create(:notification, :incoming, kind: "manual_log", channel: "phone",
+                          email_subject: "They called us", sender: author, recipient_email: "kim@example.com")
+
+        get notification_path(incoming)
+
+        expect(from_row(response.body)).to have_text("kim@example.com")
+        expect(to_row(response.body)).to have_text("Dana Sender")
+      end
     end
 
     context "as a non-admin owner" do
diff --git a/spec/requests/people_notifications_spec.rb b/spec/requests/people_notifications_spec.rb
index 723bbb3466..0ac1466809 100644
--- a/spec/requests/people_notifications_spec.rb
+++ b/spec/requests/people_notifications_spec.rb
@@ -24,6 +24,16 @@
       expect(notification.noticeable).to eq(person)
     end
 
+    it "logs an incoming communication when the direction is set" do
+      patch person_path(person), params: {
+        person: {
+          notifications_attributes: { "0" => { channel: "phone", email_subject: "They called us", direction: "incoming" } }
+        }
+      }
+
+      expect(person.notifications.order(:created_at).last).to be_incoming
+    end
+
     it "ignores a blank notification with no note" do
       expect {
         patch person_path(person), params: {
diff --git a/spec/system/event_registration_edit_spec.rb b/spec/system/event_registration_edit_spec.rb
index 77a14797b4..e43cc897bf 100644
--- a/spec/system/event_registration_edit_spec.rb
+++ b/spec/system/event_registration_edit_spec.rb
@@ -267,9 +267,12 @@
       sign_in(admin)
       visit edit_event_registration_path(registration)
 
+      notification = Notification.find_by!(email_subject: "Event registration confirmed")
+
       within("section", text: "Registration communications") do
         expect(page).to have_text("Event registration confirmed")
-        expect(page).to have_no_link("Event registration confirmed")
+        # The whole row links through to the communication's detail page.
+        expect(page).to have_link("Event registration confirmed", href: notification_path(notification))
         expect(page).to have_link("View all")
       end
     end
diff --git a/spec/views/notifications/_notification_row.html.erb_spec.rb b/spec/views/notifications/_notification_row.html.erb_spec.rb
index 8d6ecb4b22..b188e816ac 100644
--- a/spec/views/notifications/_notification_row.html.erb_spec.rb
+++ b/spec/views/notifications/_notification_row.html.erb_spec.rb
@@ -17,6 +17,50 @@
     expect(rendered).to include("Called them")
   end
 
+  it "links an admin's row to the communication detail in a new tab" do
+    render partial: "notifications/notification_row", locals: { notification: hand_noted, admin: true }
+
+    expect(rendered).to have_css("a[href='#{notification_path(hand_noted)}'][target='_blank']")
+  end
+
+  it "does not link the row for a non-admin viewer" do
+    render partial: "notifications/notification_row", locals: { notification: autoemail, admin: false }
+
+    expect(rendered).not_to have_css("a")
+  end
+
+  it "shows an incoming badge for an incoming communication" do
+    incoming = build_stubbed(:notification, :incoming, kind: "manual_log", channel: "phone",
+                             email_subject: "They called us")
+    render partial: "notifications/notification_row", locals: { notification: incoming, admin: true }
+
+    expect(rendered).to include("Incoming")
+  end
+
+  it "shows an FYI badge for an admin-directed communication" do
+    fyi = build_stubbed(:notification, recipient_role: "admin", email_subject: "FYI note")
+    render partial: "notifications/notification_row", locals: { notification: fyi, admin: true }
+
+    expect(rendered).to include("FYI")
+  end
+
+  it "shows the person as the from-name for an incoming communication" do
+    incoming = build_stubbed(:notification, :incoming, kind: "manual_log", channel: "phone",
+                             recipient_email: "kim@example.com", email_subject: "They called us")
+    render partial: "notifications/notification_row", locals: { notification: incoming, admin: true }
+
+    expect(rendered).to include("kim@example.com")
+  end
+
+  it "omits the audience pill for a regular message to the person" do
+    regular = build_stubbed(:notification, recipient_role: "person", email_subject: "A note")
+    render partial: "notifications/notification_row", locals: { notification: regular, admin: true }
+
+    expect(rendered).not_to include("Incoming")
+    expect(rendered).not_to include("Outgoing")
+    expect(rendered).not_to include("FYI")
+  end
+
   it "flags a hand-noted body with the admin-only blue wash when mark_admin_only is set" do
     render partial: "notifications/notification_row",
            locals: { notification: hand_noted, admin: true, mark_admin_only: true }
diff --git a/spec/views/page_bg_class_alignment_spec.rb b/spec/views/page_bg_class_alignment_spec.rb
index 8cf63653f2..99beb2a7ca 100644
--- a/spec/views/page_bg_class_alignment_spec.rb
+++ b/spec/views/page_bg_class_alignment_spec.rb
@@ -131,7 +131,7 @@
     "app/views/event_registrations/index.html.erb"     => "admin-only bg-blue-100",
     "app/views/forms/index.html.erb"                   => "admin-only bg-blue-100",
     "app/views/forms/show.html.erb"                    => "admin-only bg-blue-100",
-    "app/views/notifications/index.html.erb"           => "admin-only bg-blue-100",
+    "app/views/notifications/index.html.erb"           => "admin-only bg-white",
     "app/views/notifications/new.html.erb"             => "admin-only bg-blue-100",
     "app/views/organization_statuses/index.html.erb"   => "admin-only bg-blue-100",
     "app/views/quotes/index.html.erb"                  => "admin-only bg-blue-100",