diff --git a/backend/alembic/versions/0014_share_status.py b/backend/alembic/versions/0014_share_status.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..5654064
--- /dev/null
+++ b/backend/alembic/versions/0014_share_status.py
@@ -0,0 +1,67 @@
+"""Add status + accepted_at to heap_shares and folder_shares
+
+Revision ID: 0014_share_status
+Revises: 0013_drop_old_ct
+Create Date: 2026-04-21
+
+Shares used to activate instantly on the owner's side. We now want a
+pending/accepted lifecycle so the recipient gets a notification bell and
+chooses to accept or decline before the shared item shows up in their
+sidebar.
+
+Backfill note: every pre-existing row is treated as `accepted` with
+accepted_at = created_at. This is a pragmatic fiction — it keeps the
+sidebar populated after the migration without anyone having to click
+accept on shares that were already live. Any future "accepted X ago" UI
+inheriting this backfilled timestamp should be aware it's not a real
+user-action moment.
+
+The one-migration trick: we add `status` with `server_default="accepted"`
+so the backfill happens in-place, then drop the default so new inserts
+fall through to the Python-side model default ("pending").
+"""
+from typing import Sequence, Union
+
+import sqlalchemy as sa
+from alembic import op
+
+revision: str = "0014_share_status"
+down_revision: Union[str, None] = "0013_drop_old_ct"
+branch_labels: Union[str, Sequence[str], None] = None
+depends_on: Union[str, Sequence[str], None] = None
+
+
+def upgrade() -> None:
+    for table in ("heap_shares", "folder_shares"):
+        op.add_column(
+            table,
+            sa.Column(
+                "status",
+                sa.String(),
+                nullable=False,
+                server_default="accepted",
+            ),
+        )
+        op.add_column(
+            table,
+            sa.Column("accepted_at", sa.DateTime(), nullable=True),
+        )
+        op.execute(
+            f"UPDATE {table} SET accepted_at = created_at "
+            "WHERE accepted_at IS NULL"
+        )
+        # Drop the DB default so new rows inherit the Python-side
+        # model default ("pending") instead of silently auto-accepting.
+        op.alter_column(table, "status", server_default=None)
+        op.create_index(
+            f"ix_{table}_shared_with_status",
+            table,
+            ["shared_with_id", "status"],
+        )
+
+
+def downgrade() -> None:
+    for table in ("heap_shares", "folder_shares"):
+        op.drop_index(f"ix_{table}_shared_with_status", table_name=table)
+        op.drop_column(table, "accepted_at")
+        op.drop_column(table, "status")
diff --git a/backend/app/models/sharing.py b/backend/app/models/sharing.py
index 29164a8..cd64492 100644
--- a/backend/app/models/sharing.py
+++ b/backend/app/models/sharing.py
@@ -24,12 +24,19 @@ class HeapShare(Base):
     owner_id = Column(String, ForeignKey("users.id"), nullable=False)
     shared_with_id = Column(String, ForeignKey("users.id"), nullable=False)
     permission = Column(String, nullable=False, default="read")  # 'read' | 'write'
+    # Lifecycle: 'pending' while the recipient hasn't acted, 'accepted'
+    # once they've Accept'd in the notification bell. Decline deletes the
+    # row outright — see migration 0014 for the backfill of pre-existing
+    # rows to 'accepted' so nothing vanishes from existing sidebars.
+    status = Column(String, nullable=False, default="pending")
     created_at = Column(DateTime, server_default=func.now())
+    accepted_at = Column(DateTime, nullable=True)
 
     __table_args__ = (
         UniqueConstraint("heap_id", "shared_with_id", name="uq_heap_share"),
         Index("ix_heap_shares_shared_with", "shared_with_id"),
         Index("ix_heap_shares_heap_id", "heap_id"),
+        Index("ix_heap_shares_shared_with_status", "shared_with_id", "status"),
     )
 
 
@@ -43,10 +50,13 @@ class FolderShare(Base):
     owner_id = Column(String, ForeignKey("users.id"), nullable=False)
     shared_with_id = Column(String, ForeignKey("users.id"), nullable=False)
     permission = Column(String, nullable=False, default="read")  # 'read' | 'write'
+    status = Column(String, nullable=False, default="pending")
     created_at = Column(DateTime, server_default=func.now())
+    accepted_at = Column(DateTime, nullable=True)
 
     __table_args__ = (
         UniqueConstraint("folder_id", "shared_with_id", name="uq_folder_share"),
         Index("ix_folder_shares_shared_with", "shared_with_id"),
         Index("ix_folder_shares_folder_id", "folder_id"),
+        Index("ix_folder_shares_shared_with_status", "shared_with_id", "status"),
     )
diff --git a/backend/app/routers/sharing.py b/backend/app/routers/sharing.py
index 9620f4e..6eb402c 100644
--- a/backend/app/routers/sharing.py
+++ b/backend/app/routers/sharing.py
@@ -39,11 +39,16 @@ class ShareResponse(BaseModel):
     shared_with_id: str
     shared_with_username: str
     permission: str
+    status: str  # 'pending' | 'accepted'
     created_at: str
 
 
 class SharedHeapResponse(BaseModel):
+    # `id` is the heap id (used for navigation). `share_id` is the
+    # heap_shares row id, needed so the recipient can "Leave" via the
+    # existing DELETE endpoint without a separate lookup.
     id: str
+    share_id: str
     name: str
     owner_username: str
     permission: str
@@ -52,6 +57,7 @@ class SharedHeapResponse(BaseModel):
 
 class SharedFolderResponse(BaseModel):
     id: str
+    share_id: str
     name: str
     folder_type: str
     owner_username: str
@@ -59,6 +65,22 @@ class SharedFolderResponse(BaseModel):
     photo_count: int
 
 
+class PendingInvite(BaseModel):
+    """A share that exists in the DB but hasn't been accepted yet. Powers
+    the notification bell in the left-sidebar user section."""
+    share_id: str
+    target_id: str  # heap id or folder id
+    target_name: str
+    owner_username: str
+    permission: str
+    created_at: str
+
+
+class PendingInvitesResponse(BaseModel):
+    heaps: list[PendingInvite]
+    folders: list[PendingInvite]
+
+
 class ShareableUser(BaseModel):
     id: str
     username: str
@@ -87,6 +109,69 @@ async def list_shareable_users(
     ]
 
 
+# ── Pending invites (recipient-facing, cross-type) ───────────────────────
+
+@router.get("/pending", response_model=PendingInvitesResponse)
+async def list_pending_invites(
+    db: AsyncSession = Depends(get_db),
+    current_user: User = Depends(get_current_user),
+):
+    """Every share targeting the current user that's still waiting on
+    them to accept. Feeds the notification bell in the sidebar."""
+    heap_rows = (await db.execute(
+        select(HeapShare, Heap, User)
+        .join(Heap, HeapShare.heap_id == Heap.id)
+        .join(User, HeapShare.owner_id == User.id)
+        .where(HeapShare.shared_with_id == current_user.id)
+        .where(HeapShare.status == "pending")
+    )).all()
+
+    heaps = [
+        PendingInvite(
+            share_id=share.id,
+            target_id=heap.id,
+            target_name=heap.name,
+            owner_username=owner.username,
+            permission=share.permission,
+            created_at=share.created_at.isoformat() if share.created_at else "",
+        )
+        for share, heap, owner in heap_rows
+    ]
+
+    folder_rows = (await db.execute(
+        select(FolderShare, User)
+        .join(User, FolderShare.owner_id == User.id)
+        .where(FolderShare.shared_with_id == current_user.id)
+        .where(FolderShare.status == "pending")
+    )).all()
+
+    folders: list[PendingInvite] = []
+    for share, owner in folder_rows:
+        if share.folder_type == "source_root":
+            entity = (await db.execute(
+                select(SourceRoot).where(SourceRoot.id == share.folder_id)
+            )).scalar_one_or_none()
+        else:
+            entity = (await db.execute(
+                select(Folder).where(Folder.id == share.folder_id)
+            )).scalar_one_or_none()
+        # If the underlying folder was deleted while an invite was
+        # still pending, just skip — the share is effectively orphaned
+        # and the owner's revoke path will clean it up.
+        if entity is None:
+            continue
+        folders.append(PendingInvite(
+            share_id=share.id,
+            target_id=share.folder_id,
+            target_name=entity.name,
+            owner_username=owner.username,
+            permission=share.permission,
+            created_at=share.created_at.isoformat() if share.created_at else "",
+        ))
+
+    return PendingInvitesResponse(heaps=heaps, folders=folders)
+
+
 # ── Heap sharing ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
 
 @router.get("/heaps/shared-with-me")
@@ -94,12 +179,14 @@ async def list_shared_heaps(
     db: AsyncSession = Depends(get_db),
     current_user: User = Depends(get_current_user),
 ):
-    """List all heaps that have been shared with the current user."""
+    """List all accepted heap shares for the current user. Pending
+    invites are hidden here and surfaced via /sharing/pending instead."""
     result = await db.execute(
         select(HeapShare, Heap, User)
         .join(Heap, HeapShare.heap_id == Heap.id)
         .join(User, HeapShare.owner_id == User.id)
         .where(HeapShare.shared_with_id == current_user.id)
+        .where(HeapShare.status == "accepted")
     )
     rows = result.all()
 
@@ -115,6 +202,7 @@ async def list_shared_heaps(
 
         items.append(SharedHeapResponse(
             id=heap.id,
+            share_id=share.id,
             name=heap.name,
             owner_username=owner.username,
             permission=share.permission,
@@ -143,6 +231,7 @@ async def list_heap_shares(
             shared_with_id=user.id,
             shared_with_username=user.username,
             permission=share.permission,
+            status=share.status,
             created_at=share.created_at.isoformat() if share.created_at else "",
         )
         for share, user in result.all()
@@ -186,6 +275,54 @@ async def share_heap(
     return {"status": "shared", "share_id": share.id}
 
 
+@router.post("/heaps/{heap_id}/accept", status_code=200)
+async def accept_heap_share(
+    heap_id: str,
+    db: AsyncSession = Depends(get_db),
+    current_user: User = Depends(get_current_user),
+):
+    """Recipient accepts a pending heap invite. Idempotent — if the
+    share is already accepted, returns 200 anyway so double-clicks in
+    the notification popover are harmless."""
+    result = await db.execute(
+        select(HeapShare).where(
+            HeapShare.heap_id == heap_id,
+            HeapShare.shared_with_id == current_user.id,
+        )
+    )
+    share = result.scalar_one_or_none()
+    if share is None:
+        raise HTTPException(status_code=404, detail="Invite not found")
+    if share.status != "accepted":
+        share.status = "accepted"
+        share.accepted_at = func.now()
+        await db.commit()
+    return {"status": "accepted"}
+
+
+@router.post("/heaps/{heap_id}/decline", status_code=200)
+async def decline_heap_share(
+    heap_id: str,
+    db: AsyncSession = Depends(get_db),
+    current_user: User = Depends(get_current_user),
+):
+    """Recipient declines a pending heap invite. The share row is
+    deleted — there's no separate 'declined' status. A re-invite just
+    creates a fresh pending row."""
+    result = await db.execute(
+        select(HeapShare).where(
+            HeapShare.heap_id == heap_id,
+            HeapShare.shared_with_id == current_user.id,
+        )
+    )
+    share = result.scalar_one_or_none()
+    if share is None:
+        raise HTTPException(status_code=404, detail="Invite not found")
+    await db.delete(share)
+    await db.commit()
+    return {"status": "declined"}
+
+
 @router.delete("/heaps/{heap_id}/{share_id}", status_code=204)
 async def revoke_heap_share(
     heap_id: str,
@@ -217,11 +354,14 @@ async def list_shared_folders(
     db: AsyncSession = Depends(get_db),
     current_user: User = Depends(get_current_user),
 ):
-    """List all folders/source roots shared with the current user."""
+    """List all accepted folder/source-root shares for the current
+    user. Pending invites are hidden here and surfaced via
+    /sharing/pending instead."""
     result = await db.execute(
         select(FolderShare, User)
         .join(User, FolderShare.owner_id == User.id)
         .where(FolderShare.shared_with_id == current_user.id)
+        .where(FolderShare.status == "accepted")
     )
     rows = result.all()
 
@@ -270,6 +410,7 @@ async def list_shared_folders(
         count = count_result.scalar() or 0
         items.append(SharedFolderResponse(
             id=share.folder_id,
+            share_id=share.id,
             name=name,
             folder_type=share.folder_type,
             owner_username=owner.username,
@@ -314,6 +455,7 @@ async def list_folder_shares(
             shared_with_id=user.id,
             shared_with_username=user.username,
             permission=share.permission,
+            status=share.status,
             created_at=share.created_at.isoformat() if share.created_at else "",
         )
         for share, user in result.all()
@@ -370,6 +512,50 @@ async def share_folder(
     return {"status": "shared", "share_id": share.id}
 
 
+@router.post("/folders/{folder_id}/accept", status_code=200)
+async def accept_folder_share(
+    folder_id: str,
+    db: AsyncSession = Depends(get_db),
+    current_user: User = Depends(get_current_user),
+):
+    """Recipient accepts a pending folder invite. Idempotent."""
+    result = await db.execute(
+        select(FolderShare).where(
+            FolderShare.folder_id == folder_id,
+            FolderShare.shared_with_id == current_user.id,
+        )
+    )
+    share = result.scalar_one_or_none()
+    if share is None:
+        raise HTTPException(status_code=404, detail="Invite not found")
+    if share.status != "accepted":
+        share.status = "accepted"
+        share.accepted_at = func.now()
+        await db.commit()
+    return {"status": "accepted"}
+
+
+@router.post("/folders/{folder_id}/decline", status_code=200)
+async def decline_folder_share(
+    folder_id: str,
+    db: AsyncSession = Depends(get_db),
+    current_user: User = Depends(get_current_user),
+):
+    """Recipient declines a pending folder invite. Row is deleted."""
+    result = await db.execute(
+        select(FolderShare).where(
+            FolderShare.folder_id == folder_id,
+            FolderShare.shared_with_id == current_user.id,
+        )
+    )
+    share = result.scalar_one_or_none()
+    if share is None:
+        raise HTTPException(status_code=404, detail="Invite not found")
+    await db.delete(share)
+    await db.commit()
+    return {"status": "declined"}
+
+
 @router.delete("/folders/{folder_id}/{share_id}", status_code=204)
 async def revoke_folder_share(
     folder_id: str,
diff --git a/frontend/src/components/heaps/HeapsPanel.tsx b/frontend/src/components/heaps/HeapsPanel.tsx
index de16b00..bb561c9 100644
--- a/frontend/src/components/heaps/HeapsPanel.tsx
+++ b/frontend/src/components/heaps/HeapsPanel.tsx
@@ -11,13 +11,31 @@ import {
   Copy,
   Trash2,
   Users,
+  Eye,
+  LogOut,
   Download as DownloadIcon,
 } from 'lucide-react'
 import { cn } from '@/lib/utils'
 import { useMutation, useQueryClient } from '@tanstack/react-query'
 import { useHeapsQuery, HEAPS_QUERY_KEY } from '../../hooks/useHeapsQuery'
-import { useSharedHeapsQuery } from '../../hooks/useSharingQueries'
-import { heaps as heapsApi, downloads, type Heap } from '../../services/api'
+import {
+  useSharedHeapsQuery,
+  SHARED_HEAPS_KEY,
+} from '../../hooks/useSharingQueries'
+import {
+  heaps as heapsApi,
+  downloads,
+  sharing as sharingApi,
+  type Heap,
+} from '../../services/api'
+import { Avatar } from '../sharing/Avatar'
+import {
+  ContextMenu,
+  ContextMenuContent,
+  ContextMenuItem,
+  ContextMenuSeparator,
+  ContextMenuTrigger,
+} from '@/components/ui/context-menu'
 import { useFilterStore } from '../../store/filterStore'
 import { toast } from '../ToastContainer'
 import { PHOTO_DRAG_MIME } from '../timeline/PhotoThumbnail'
@@ -479,7 +497,9 @@ export function HeapsPanel() {
       </div>
       )}
 
-      {/* Shared with me */}
+      {/* Shared with me — mirrors the folder treatment in LeftSidebar:
+       *  owner avatar + Eye/Pencil permission icon + right-click
+       *  context menu with Open / Leave. */}
       {sharedHeaps.length > 0 && expanded && (
         <div className="mt-1">
           <div className="px-3 py-0.5 text-[9px] font-semibold uppercase tracking-[0.14em] text-text-faint">
@@ -487,39 +507,62 @@ export function HeapsPanel() {
           </div>
           {sharedHeaps.map((sh) => {
             const isFiltered = currentSection === `heap-${sh.id}`
+            const PermissionIcon = sh.permission === 'write' ? Pencil : Eye
             return (
-              <div
-                key={sh.id}
-                className={cn(
-                  'group flex h-[24px] cursor-pointer items-center gap-1 rounded px-2 text-[12px] leading-none',
-                  isFiltered ? 'bg-primary/20 text-primary' : 'text-text hover:bg-surface-2',
-                )}
-                style={{ paddingLeft: '20px' }}
-                onClick={() =>
-                  navigateToSection(`heap-${sh.id}`, { heapId: sh.id })
-                }
-              >
-                <Users
-                  className={cn(
-                    'h-3.5 w-3.5 flex-shrink-0',
-                    isFiltered ? 'text-primary' : 'text-text-muted'
-                  )}
-                />
-                <span className="truncate" title={sh.name}>
-                  {sh.name}
-                </span>
-                <span className="ml-0.5 truncate text-[10px] text-text-faint">
-                  {sh.owner_username}
-                </span>
-                <span className="ml-auto rounded bg-surface-offset px-1 text-[9px] uppercase text-text-faint">
-                  {sh.permission}
-                </span>
-                {sh.photo_count > 0 && (
-                  <span className="flex h-4 min-w-[20px] flex-shrink-0 items-center justify-center rounded bg-surface-offset px-1 text-[10px] tabular-nums text-text-muted">
-                    {sh.photo_count}
-                  </span>
-                )}
-              </div>
+              <ContextMenu key={sh.id}>
+                <ContextMenuTrigger asChild>
+                  <div
+                    className={cn(
+                      'group flex h-[24px] cursor-pointer items-center gap-1.5 rounded px-2 text-[12px] leading-none',
+                      isFiltered ? 'bg-primary/20 text-primary' : 'text-text hover:bg-surface-2',
+                    )}
+                    style={{ paddingLeft: '20px' }}
+                    onClick={() =>
+                      navigateToSection(`heap-${sh.id}`, { heapId: sh.id })
+                    }
+                  >
+                    <Avatar name={sh.owner_username} size="xs" />
+                    <span className="truncate" title={`${sh.name} (shared by ${sh.owner_username})`}>
+                      {sh.name}
+                    </span>
+                    <PermissionIcon
+                      className="ml-auto h-3 w-3 flex-shrink-0 text-text-muted"
+                      aria-label={sh.permission === 'write' ? 'Can edit' : 'Can view'}
+                    />
+                    {sh.photo_count > 0 && (
+                      <span className="flex h-4 min-w-[20px] flex-shrink-0 items-center justify-center rounded bg-surface-offset px-1 text-[10px] tabular-nums text-text-muted">
+                        {sh.photo_count}
+                      </span>
+                    )}
+                  </div>
+                </ContextMenuTrigger>
+                <ContextMenuContent>
+                  <ContextMenuItem
+                    onSelect={() =>
+                      navigateToSection(`heap-${sh.id}`, { heapId: sh.id })
+                    }
+                  >
+                    <ShoppingBasket className="h-3.5 w-3.5 text-text-muted" />
+                    Open
+                  </ContextMenuItem>
+                  <ContextMenuSeparator />
+                  <ContextMenuItem
+                    className="text-reject focus:bg-reject/10 focus:text-reject"
+                    onSelect={async () => {
+                      try {
+                        await sharingApi.revokeHeapShare(sh.id, sh.share_id)
+                        queryClient.invalidateQueries({ queryKey: SHARED_HEAPS_KEY })
+                        toast.success(`Left ${sh.name}`)
+                      } catch (err) {
+                        toast.error('Could not leave', formatApiError(err))
+                      }
+                    }}
+                  >
+                    <LogOut className="h-3.5 w-3.5" />
+                    Leave
+                  </ContextMenuItem>
+                </ContextMenuContent>
+              </ContextMenu>
             )
           })}
         </div>
diff --git a/frontend/src/components/layout/LeftSidebar.tsx b/frontend/src/components/layout/LeftSidebar.tsx
index 25e537d..a4d8910 100644
--- a/frontend/src/components/layout/LeftSidebar.tsx
+++ b/frontend/src/components/layout/LeftSidebar.tsx
@@ -49,7 +49,20 @@ import type { Photo } from '../../types/photo'
 import { DeleteFolderDialog } from '../dialogs/DeleteFolderDialog'
 import { ShareDialog } from '../sharing/ShareDialog'
 import { UploadModal } from '../upload/UploadModal'
-import { useSharedFoldersQuery } from '../../hooks/useSharingQueries'
+import { sharing as sharingApi } from '../../services/api'
+import {
+  useSharedFoldersQuery,
+  SHARED_FOLDERS_KEY,
+} from '../../hooks/useSharingQueries'
+import { NotificationBell } from '../sharing/NotificationBell'
+import { Avatar } from '../sharing/Avatar'
+import {
+  ContextMenu,
+  ContextMenuContent,
+  ContextMenuItem,
+  ContextMenuSeparator,
+  ContextMenuTrigger,
+} from '@/components/ui/context-menu'
 import { useAuth } from '../../contexts/AuthContext'
 import { useFeaturesQuery } from '../../hooks/useFeaturesQuery'
 import { useScanActivity } from '../../hooks/useScanActivity'
@@ -860,7 +873,11 @@ export function LeftSidebar() {
         <div className="min-h-0 flex-1 overflow-y-auto pb-2">
             {libraryTree.map((item) => renderTreeItem(item))}
 
-            {/* Shared with me — folders shared by other users */}
+            {/* Shared with me — folders shared by other users. Each row
+             *  shows the owner's avatar bubble (same hash-tinted palette
+             *  as ShareDialog + the notification bell) and an Eye/Pencil
+             *  icon for permission, so the vocabulary stays consistent
+             *  across every sharing surface. */}
             {sharedFolders.length > 0 && (
               <div className="mt-1">
                 <div className="px-3 py-1 text-[10px] font-semibold uppercase tracking-[0.14em] text-text-muted">
@@ -868,39 +885,62 @@ export function LeftSidebar() {
                 </div>
                 {sharedFolders.map((sf) => {
                   const isSelected = currentSection === `folder-${sf.id}`
+                  const PermissionIcon = sf.permission === 'write' ? Pencil : Eye
                   return (
-                    <div
-                      key={sf.id}
-                      className={cn(
-                        'flex h-[24px] cursor-pointer items-center gap-1 rounded px-2 text-[12px] leading-none',
-                        isSelected ? 'bg-primary/20 text-primary' : 'text-text hover:bg-surface-2',
-                      )}
-                      style={{ paddingLeft: '20px' }}
-                      onClick={() =>
-                        navigateToSection(`folder-${sf.id}`, { folderId: sf.id })
-                      }
-                    >
-                      <Users
-                        className={cn(
-                          'h-3.5 w-3.5 flex-shrink-0',
-                          isSelected ? 'text-primary' : 'text-text-muted'
-                        )}
-                      />
-                      <span className="truncate" title={sf.name}>
-                        {sf.name}
-                      </span>
-                      <span className="ml-0.5 truncate text-[10px] text-text-faint">
-                        {sf.owner_username}
-                      </span>
-                      <span className="ml-auto rounded bg-surface-offset px-1 text-[9px] uppercase text-text-faint">
-                        {sf.permission}
-                      </span>
-                      {sf.photo_count > 0 && (
-                        <span className="flex h-4 min-w-[20px] flex-shrink-0 items-center justify-center rounded bg-surface-offset px-1 text-[10px] tabular-nums text-text-muted">
-                          {sf.photo_count}
-                        </span>
-                      )}
-                    </div>
+                    <ContextMenu key={sf.id}>
+                      <ContextMenuTrigger asChild>
+                        <div
+                          className={cn(
+                            'flex h-[24px] cursor-pointer items-center gap-1.5 rounded px-2 text-[12px] leading-none',
+                            isSelected ? 'bg-primary/20 text-primary' : 'text-text hover:bg-surface-2',
+                          )}
+                          style={{ paddingLeft: '20px' }}
+                          onClick={() =>
+                            navigateToSection(`folder-${sf.id}`, { folderId: sf.id })
+                          }
+                        >
+                          <Avatar name={sf.owner_username} size="xs" />
+                          <span className="truncate" title={`${sf.name} (shared by ${sf.owner_username})`}>
+                            {sf.name}
+                          </span>
+                          <PermissionIcon
+                            className="ml-auto h-3 w-3 flex-shrink-0 text-text-muted"
+                            aria-label={sf.permission === 'write' ? 'Can edit' : 'Can view'}
+                          />
+                          {sf.photo_count > 0 && (
+                            <span className="flex h-4 min-w-[20px] flex-shrink-0 items-center justify-center rounded bg-surface-offset px-1 text-[10px] tabular-nums text-text-muted">
+                              {sf.photo_count}
+                            </span>
+                          )}
+                        </div>
+                      </ContextMenuTrigger>
+                      <ContextMenuContent>
+                        <ContextMenuItem
+                          onSelect={() =>
+                            navigateToSection(`folder-${sf.id}`, { folderId: sf.id })
+                          }
+                        >
+                          <Folder className="h-3.5 w-3.5 text-text-muted" />
+                          Open
+                        </ContextMenuItem>
+                        <ContextMenuSeparator />
+                        <ContextMenuItem
+                          className="text-reject focus:bg-reject/10 focus:text-reject"
+                          onSelect={async () => {
+                            try {
+                              await sharingApi.revokeFolderShare(sf.id, sf.share_id)
+                              queryClient.invalidateQueries({ queryKey: SHARED_FOLDERS_KEY })
+                              toast.success(`Left ${sf.name}`)
+                            } catch (err) {
+                              toast.error('Could not leave', formatApiError(err))
+                            }
+                          }}
+                        >
+                          <LogOut className="h-3.5 w-3.5" />
+                          Leave
+                        </ContextMenuItem>
+                      </ContextMenuContent>
+                    </ContextMenu>
                   )
                 })}
               </div>
@@ -922,6 +962,11 @@ export function LeftSidebar() {
               <Shield className="inline h-2.5 w-2.5" />
             </span>
           )}
+          {/* Share-invite bell — click opens a popover listing any
+           *  pending invites this user has. Sits here (rather than the
+           *  TopBar) per the user's preference to keep the identity
+           *  controls grouped. */}
+          <NotificationBell />
           <button
             onClick={logout}
             className="rounded p-0.5 text-text-muted hover:bg-surface-2 hover:text-reject flex-shrink-0"
diff --git a/frontend/src/components/sharing/Avatar.tsx b/frontend/src/components/sharing/Avatar.tsx
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..cc6a100
--- /dev/null
+++ b/frontend/src/components/sharing/Avatar.tsx
@@ -0,0 +1,54 @@
+import { cn } from '@/lib/utils'
+
+/** Hash-tinted initial bubble used across every sharing surface
+ *  (ShareDialog, NotificationBell, sidebar shared rows). The tint
+ *  isn't meaningful — it's just an identity cue so a list of names
+ *  feels less anonymous. Using the same hash across components means
+ *  a given user's bubble stays the same colour everywhere. */
+const PALETTE = [
+  'bg-primary/25 text-primary',
+  'bg-pick/25 text-pick',
+  'bg-blue-500/25 text-blue-300',
+  'bg-purple-500/25 text-purple-300',
+  'bg-amber-500/25 text-amber-300',
+]
+
+export function avatarColor(name: string): string {
+  let hash = 0
+  for (let i = 0; i < name.length; i++) {
+    hash = (hash * 31 + name.charCodeAt(i)) | 0
+  }
+  return PALETTE[Math.abs(hash) % PALETTE.length]
+}
+
+export function Avatar({
+  name,
+  size = 'md',
+  className,
+}: {
+  name: string
+  size?: 'xs' | 'sm' | 'md'
+  className?: string
+}) {
+  const initials = name.slice(0, 2).toUpperCase()
+  const tint = avatarColor(name)
+  const dims =
+    size === 'xs'
+      ? 'h-4 w-4 text-[8px]'
+      : size === 'sm'
+        ? 'h-5 w-5 text-[9px]'
+        : 'h-8 w-8 text-[11px]'
+  return (
+    <span
+      className={cn(
+        'inline-flex shrink-0 items-center justify-center rounded-full font-semibold uppercase tracking-wide',
+        dims,
+        tint,
+        className,
+      )}
+      aria-hidden
+    >
+      {initials}
+    </span>
+  )
+}
diff --git a/frontend/src/components/sharing/NotificationBell.tsx b/frontend/src/components/sharing/NotificationBell.tsx
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..a680527
--- /dev/null
+++ b/frontend/src/components/sharing/NotificationBell.tsx
@@ -0,0 +1,151 @@
+import { useMemo, useState } from 'react'
+import { Bell, Layers, Folder, Eye, Pencil, Check, X, Loader2 } from 'lucide-react'
+import { cn } from '@/lib/utils'
+import { Button } from '@/components/ui/button'
+import { Popover, PopoverContent, PopoverTrigger } from '@/components/ui/popover'
+import {
+  usePendingSharesQuery,
+  useAcceptShareMutation,
+  useDeclineShareMutation,
+} from '../../hooks/useSharingQueries'
+import { toast } from '../ToastContainer'
+import type { PendingShare } from '../../services/api'
+import { Avatar } from './Avatar'
+
+/** Share invite notification bell. Sits in the LeftSidebar user
+ *  section — polls /sharing/pending every 60s and shows a red-orange
+ *  count badge when there are pending invites. Click opens a popover
+ *  listing each invite with Accept / Decline inline. */
+export function NotificationBell() {
+  const [open, setOpen] = useState(false)
+  const { data } = usePendingSharesQuery()
+  const acceptMutation = useAcceptShareMutation()
+  const declineMutation = useDeclineShareMutation()
+
+  const invites = useMemo(() => {
+    if (!data) return [] as Array<PendingShare & { kind: 'heap' | 'folder' }>
+    return [
+      ...data.heaps.map((h) => ({ ...h, kind: 'heap' as const })),
+      ...data.folders.map((f) => ({ ...f, kind: 'folder' as const })),
+    ]
+  }, [data])
+
+  const count = invites.length
+  const isMutating = acceptMutation.isPending || declineMutation.isPending
+
+  const handleAccept = (invite: PendingShare & { kind: 'heap' | 'folder' }) => {
+    acceptMutation.mutate(
+      { kind: invite.kind, targetId: invite.target_id },
+      {
+        onSuccess: () => {
+          toast.success(`Joined ${invite.target_name}`)
+        },
+      },
+    )
+  }
+  const handleDecline = (invite: PendingShare & { kind: 'heap' | 'folder' }) => {
+    declineMutation.mutate({ kind: invite.kind, targetId: invite.target_id })
+  }
+
+  return (
+    <Popover open={open} onOpenChange={setOpen}>
+      <PopoverTrigger asChild>
+        <button
+          type="button"
+          className={cn(
+            'relative inline-flex h-7 w-7 items-center justify-center rounded-md text-text-muted transition-colors',
+            'hover:bg-surface-2 hover:text-text',
+            count > 0 && 'text-text',
+          )}
+          aria-label={count > 0 ? `${count} pending invite${count === 1 ? '' : 's'}` : 'Notifications'}
+          title={count > 0 ? `${count} pending invite${count === 1 ? '' : 's'}` : 'No pending invites'}
+        >
+          <Bell className="h-4 w-4" />
+          {count > 0 && (
+            <span className="absolute -right-0.5 -top-0.5 inline-flex min-w-[14px] items-center justify-center rounded-full bg-primary px-1 text-[9px] font-semibold leading-[14px] tabular-nums text-black shadow-[0_0_0_1.5px_var(--bg,theme(colors.bg))]">
+              {count}
+            </span>
+          )}
+        </button>
+      </PopoverTrigger>
+      <PopoverContent align="start" sideOffset={6} className="w-80 p-0">
+        <div className="flex items-center justify-between border-b border-border px-3 py-2">
+          <div className="text-sm font-semibold text-text">Pending invites</div>
+          {count > 0 && (
+            <span className="text-[11px] tabular-nums text-text-faint">{count}</span>
+          )}
+        </div>
+
+        {count === 0 ? (
+          <div className="px-3 py-4 text-xs text-text-muted">
+            No pending invites.
+          </div>
+        ) : (
+          <ul className="max-h-80 divide-y divide-border overflow-y-auto">
+            {invites.map((invite) => {
+              const TypeIcon = invite.kind === 'heap' ? Layers : Folder
+              return (
+                <li
+                  key={`${invite.kind}:${invite.share_id}`}
+                  className="flex flex-col gap-2 px-3 py-2.5"
+                >
+                  <div className="flex items-start gap-2.5">
+                    <Avatar name={invite.owner_username} size="sm" />
+                    <div className="min-w-0 flex-1">
+                      <div className="text-sm leading-tight text-text">
+                        <span className="font-medium">{invite.owner_username}</span>
+                        <span className="text-text-muted"> shared </span>
+                        <span className="inline-flex items-center gap-1 align-baseline">
+                          <TypeIcon className="inline h-3 w-3 text-text-muted" />
+                          <span className="font-medium">{invite.target_name}</span>
+                        </span>
+                      </div>
+                      <div className="mt-0.5 flex items-center gap-1 text-[11px] text-text-muted">
+                        {invite.permission === 'write' ? (
+                          <>
+                            <Pencil className="h-2.5 w-2.5" />
+                            Can edit
+                          </>
+                        ) : (
+                          <>
+                            <Eye className="h-2.5 w-2.5" />
+                            Can view
+                          </>
+                        )}
+                      </div>
+                    </div>
+                  </div>
+                  <div className="flex items-center justify-end gap-2">
+                    <Button
+                      variant="ghost"
+                      size="sm"
+                      disabled={isMutating}
+                      onClick={() => handleDecline(invite)}
+                      className="h-7 text-text-muted hover:bg-reject/10 hover:text-reject"
+                    >
+                      <X className="mr-1 h-3.5 w-3.5" />
+                      Decline
+                    </Button>
+                    <Button
+                      size="sm"
+                      disabled={isMutating}
+                      onClick={() => handleAccept(invite)}
+                      className="h-7"
+                    >
+                      {acceptMutation.isPending ? (
+                        <Loader2 className="mr-1 h-3.5 w-3.5 animate-spin" />
+                      ) : (
+                        <Check className="mr-1 h-3.5 w-3.5" />
+                      )}
+                      Accept
+                    </Button>
+                  </div>
+                </li>
+              )
+            })}
+          </ul>
+        )}
+      </PopoverContent>
+    </Popover>
+  )
+}
diff --git a/frontend/src/components/sharing/ShareDialog.tsx b/frontend/src/components/sharing/ShareDialog.tsx
index 0595d87..20b29f9 100644
--- a/frontend/src/components/sharing/ShareDialog.tsx
+++ b/frontend/src/components/sharing/ShareDialog.tsx
@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@ import { useEffect, useMemo, useState } from 'react'
 import { useMutation, useQuery, useQueryClient } from '@tanstack/react-query'
 import { Users, Eye, Pencil, X, Loader2 } from 'lucide-react'
 import { cn } from '@/lib/utils'
+import { Avatar } from './Avatar'
 import {
   sharing,
   type ShareInfo,
@@ -260,8 +261,18 @@ export function ShareDialog({
                 >
                   <Avatar name={share.shared_with_username} />
                   <div className="min-w-0 flex-1">
-                    <div className="truncate text-sm font-medium text-text">
-                      {share.shared_with_username}
+                    <div className="flex items-center gap-1.5">
+                      <span className="truncate text-sm font-medium text-text">
+                        {share.shared_with_username}
+                      </span>
+                      {share.status === 'pending' && (
+                        <span
+                          className="rounded-sm bg-amber-500/15 px-1.5 py-0.5 text-[10px] font-semibold uppercase tracking-wide text-amber-300"
+                          title="Waiting for them to accept"
+                        >
+                          Invited
+                        </span>
+                      )}
                     </div>
                     <div className="flex items-center gap-1 text-[11px] text-text-muted">
                       {share.permission === 'write' ? (
@@ -303,35 +314,3 @@ export function ShareDialog({
   )
 }
 
-// ── Helpers ────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
-
-/** Circular initial bubble. Hashes the username into one of a small
- *  set of stable palette tints so each person's avatar reads
- *  consistently across the app — the colour isn't meaningful, just an
- *  identity cue that makes a list of names feel less anonymous. */
-function Avatar({ name, size = 'md' }: { name: string; size?: 'sm' | 'md' }) {
-  const initials = name.slice(0, 2).toUpperCase()
-  const palette = [
-    'bg-primary/25 text-primary',
-    'bg-pick/25 text-pick',
-    'bg-blue-500/25 text-blue-300',
-    'bg-purple-500/25 text-purple-300',
-    'bg-amber-500/25 text-amber-300',
-  ]
-  let hash = 0
-  for (let i = 0; i < name.length; i++) hash = (hash * 31 + name.charCodeAt(i)) | 0
-  const tint = palette[Math.abs(hash) % palette.length]
-  const dims = size === 'sm' ? 'h-5 w-5 text-[9px]' : 'h-8 w-8 text-[11px]'
-  return (
-    <span
-      className={cn(
-        'inline-flex shrink-0 items-center justify-center rounded-full font-semibold uppercase tracking-wide',
-        dims,
-        tint
-      )}
-      aria-hidden
-    >
-      {initials}
-    </span>
-  )
-}
diff --git a/frontend/src/components/ui/context-menu.tsx b/frontend/src/components/ui/context-menu.tsx
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..fb72142
--- /dev/null
+++ b/frontend/src/components/ui/context-menu.tsx
@@ -0,0 +1,76 @@
+import * as React from 'react'
+import * as ContextMenuPrimitive from '@radix-ui/react-context-menu'
+
+import { cn } from '@/lib/utils'
+
+const ContextMenu = ContextMenuPrimitive.Root
+const ContextMenuTrigger = ContextMenuPrimitive.Trigger
+const ContextMenuGroup = ContextMenuPrimitive.Group
+const ContextMenuPortal = ContextMenuPrimitive.Portal
+
+const ContextMenuContent = React.forwardRef<
+  React.ElementRef<typeof ContextMenuPrimitive.Content>,
+  React.ComponentPropsWithoutRef<typeof ContextMenuPrimitive.Content>
+>(({ className, ...props }, ref) => (
+  <ContextMenuPrimitive.Portal>
+    <ContextMenuPrimitive.Content
+      ref={ref}
+      className={cn(
+        'z-50 min-w-[10rem] overflow-hidden rounded-md border border-border bg-surface p-1 text-text shadow-md data-[state=open]:animate-in data-[state=closed]:animate-out data-[state=closed]:fade-out-0 data-[state=open]:fade-in-0 data-[state=closed]:zoom-out-95 data-[state=open]:zoom-in-95',
+        className,
+      )}
+      {...props}
+    />
+  </ContextMenuPrimitive.Portal>
+))
+ContextMenuContent.displayName = ContextMenuPrimitive.Content.displayName
+
+const ContextMenuItem = React.forwardRef<
+  React.ElementRef<typeof ContextMenuPrimitive.Item>,
+  React.ComponentPropsWithoutRef<typeof ContextMenuPrimitive.Item>
+>(({ className, ...props }, ref) => (
+  <ContextMenuPrimitive.Item
+    ref={ref}
+    className={cn(
+      'relative flex cursor-default select-none items-center gap-2 rounded-sm px-2 py-1.5 text-sm text-text outline-none transition-colors focus:bg-surface-2 data-[disabled]:pointer-events-none data-[disabled]:opacity-50',
+      className,
+    )}
+    {...props}
+  />
+))
+ContextMenuItem.displayName = ContextMenuPrimitive.Item.displayName
+
+const ContextMenuSeparator = React.forwardRef<
+  React.ElementRef<typeof ContextMenuPrimitive.Separator>,
+  React.ComponentPropsWithoutRef<typeof ContextMenuPrimitive.Separator>
+>(({ className, ...props }, ref) => (
+  <ContextMenuPrimitive.Separator
+    ref={ref}
+    className={cn('-mx-1 my-1 h-px bg-border', className)}
+    {...props}
+  />
+))
+ContextMenuSeparator.displayName = ContextMenuPrimitive.Separator.displayName
+
+const ContextMenuLabel = React.forwardRef<
+  React.ElementRef<typeof ContextMenuPrimitive.Label>,
+  React.ComponentPropsWithoutRef<typeof ContextMenuPrimitive.Label>
+>(({ className, ...props }, ref) => (
+  <ContextMenuPrimitive.Label
+    ref={ref}
+    className={cn('px-2 py-1.5 text-xs font-semibold text-text-muted', className)}
+    {...props}
+  />
+))
+ContextMenuLabel.displayName = ContextMenuPrimitive.Label.displayName
+
+export {
+  ContextMenu,
+  ContextMenuTrigger,
+  ContextMenuContent,
+  ContextMenuItem,
+  ContextMenuSeparator,
+  ContextMenuLabel,
+  ContextMenuGroup,
+  ContextMenuPortal,
+}
diff --git a/frontend/src/hooks/useSharingQueries.ts b/frontend/src/hooks/useSharingQueries.ts
index 26516ee..0815899 100644
--- a/frontend/src/hooks/useSharingQueries.ts
+++ b/frontend/src/hooks/useSharingQueries.ts
@@ -1,8 +1,17 @@
-import { useQuery } from '@tanstack/react-query'
-import { sharing, type SharedHeap, type SharedFolder } from '../services/api'
+import { useMutation, useQuery, useQueryClient } from '@tanstack/react-query'
+import {
+  sharing,
+  type PendingSharesResponse,
+  type SharedFolder,
+  type SharedHeap,
+} from '../services/api'
+import { useAuth } from '../contexts/AuthContext'
+import { formatApiError } from '../lib/apiError'
+import { toast } from '../components/ToastContainer'
 
 export const SHARED_HEAPS_KEY = ['sharing', 'heaps'] as const
 export const SHARED_FOLDERS_KEY = ['sharing', 'folders'] as const
+export const PENDING_SHARES_KEY = ['sharing', 'pending'] as const
 
 export function useSharedHeapsQuery() {
   return useQuery<SharedHeap[]>({
@@ -19,3 +28,76 @@ export function useSharedFoldersQuery() {
     staleTime: 30_000,
   })
 }
+
+/** Pending invites powering the notification bell in the sidebar.
+ *  Polls at 60s — invites don't need real-time, and the user can also
+ *  manually trigger the popover to force a refetch. Gated on the
+ *  auth'd user so we don't hammer /sharing/pending from the login
+ *  screen before any tokens are available. */
+export function usePendingSharesQuery() {
+  const { user } = useAuth()
+  return useQuery<PendingSharesResponse>({
+    queryKey: PENDING_SHARES_KEY,
+    queryFn: sharing.pendingShares,
+    enabled: !!user,
+    staleTime: 30_000,
+    refetchInterval: 60_000,
+    // Keep the stale data visible while the refetch is in flight —
+    // prevents the bell badge from flickering to 0 on every poll.
+    placeholderData: (prev) => prev,
+  })
+}
+
+interface ShareAction {
+  kind: 'heap' | 'folder'
+  targetId: string
+}
+
+/** Invalidate both the pending-list and the accepted-list keys after
+ *  accept/decline/revoke-self so the bell count and the sidebar
+ *  "Shared with me" section update together. */
+function invalidateShareKeys(queryClient: ReturnType<typeof useQueryClient>) {
+  queryClient.invalidateQueries({ queryKey: PENDING_SHARES_KEY })
+  queryClient.invalidateQueries({ queryKey: SHARED_HEAPS_KEY })
+  queryClient.invalidateQueries({ queryKey: SHARED_FOLDERS_KEY })
+}
+
+export function useAcceptShareMutation() {
+  const queryClient = useQueryClient()
+  return useMutation({
+    mutationFn: ({ kind, targetId }: ShareAction) =>
+      kind === 'heap'
+        ? sharing.acceptHeapShare(targetId)
+        : sharing.acceptFolderShare(targetId),
+    onSuccess: () => invalidateShareKeys(queryClient),
+    onError: (err: any) => {
+      // 404 = the owner revoked (or we raced a previous decline).
+      // Surface a softer message and refresh the list instead of a
+      // hard error toast.
+      if (err?.response?.status === 404) {
+        toast.info('Invite no longer available', 'The sender may have revoked it.')
+        invalidateShareKeys(queryClient)
+        return
+      }
+      toast.error('Could not accept', formatApiError(err))
+    },
+  })
+}
+
+export function useDeclineShareMutation() {
+  const queryClient = useQueryClient()
+  return useMutation({
+    mutationFn: ({ kind, targetId }: ShareAction) =>
+      kind === 'heap'
+        ? sharing.declineHeapShare(targetId)
+        : sharing.declineFolderShare(targetId),
+    onSuccess: () => invalidateShareKeys(queryClient),
+    onError: (err: any) => {
+      if (err?.response?.status === 404) {
+        invalidateShareKeys(queryClient)
+        return
+      }
+      toast.error('Could not decline', formatApiError(err))
+    },
+  })
+}
diff --git a/frontend/src/services/api.ts b/frontend/src/services/api.ts
index 0facf51..b40a48d 100644
--- a/frontend/src/services/api.ts
+++ b/frontend/src/services/api.ts
@@ -785,6 +785,9 @@ export const downloads = {
 
 export interface SharedHeap {
   id: string
+  /** heap_shares row id — used by the "Leave" action to call the
+   *  existing DELETE /sharing/heaps/{heap_id}/{share_id} endpoint. */
+  share_id: string
   name: string
   owner_username: string
   permission: 'read' | 'write'
@@ -793,6 +796,7 @@ export interface SharedHeap {
 
 export interface SharedFolder {
   id: string
+  share_id: string
   name: string
   folder_type: 'folder' | 'source_root'
   owner_username: string
@@ -805,6 +809,9 @@ export interface ShareInfo {
   shared_with_id: string
   shared_with_username: string
   permission: string
+  /** 'pending' until the recipient accepts in the notification bell,
+   *  then 'accepted'. Decline deletes the row outright. */
+  status: 'pending' | 'accepted'
   created_at: string
 }
 
@@ -813,6 +820,23 @@ export interface ShareableUser {
   username: string
 }
 
+/** One entry in the combined pending-shares response. `target_id` is
+ *  the heap or folder id — heap vs folder is distinguished by which
+ *  bucket (`heaps` or `folders`) the entry appears in. */
+export interface PendingShare {
+  share_id: string
+  target_id: string
+  target_name: string
+  owner_username: string
+  permission: 'read' | 'write'
+  created_at: string
+}
+
+export interface PendingSharesResponse {
+  heaps: PendingShare[]
+  folders: PendingShare[]
+}
+
 export const sharing = {
   // Shareable user directory for the share-dialog picker.
   listUsers: async (): Promise<ShareableUser[]> => {
@@ -853,6 +877,27 @@ export const sharing = {
     const response = await api.get('/sharing/folders/shared-with-me')
     return response.data
   },
+
+  // Acceptance flow — pending invites + accept/decline. The notification
+  // bell polls pendingShares; Accept/Decline call the respective
+  // endpoint with just the target id (backend resolves the share row
+  // from (target_id, current_user)).
+  pendingShares: async (): Promise<PendingSharesResponse> => {
+    const response = await api.get('/sharing/pending')
+    return response.data
+  },
+  acceptHeapShare: async (heapId: string) => {
+    await api.post(`/sharing/heaps/${heapId}/accept`)
+  },
+  declineHeapShare: async (heapId: string) => {
+    await api.post(`/sharing/heaps/${heapId}/decline`)
+  },
+  acceptFolderShare: async (folderId: string) => {
+    await api.post(`/sharing/folders/${folderId}/accept`)
+  },
+  declineFolderShare: async (folderId: string) => {
+    await api.post(`/sharing/folders/${folderId}/decline`)
+  },
 }
 
 // Tags API