diff --git a/crates/notedeck_columns/src/lib.rs b/crates/notedeck_columns/src/lib.rs
index 725d8b0..c1ae86c 100644
--- a/crates/notedeck_columns/src/lib.rs
+++ b/crates/notedeck_columns/src/lib.rs
@@ -27,6 +27,7 @@ mod subscriptions;
 mod support;
 mod test_data;
 pub mod timeline;
+mod toolbar;
 pub mod ui;
 mod unknowns;
 mod view_state;
diff --git a/crates/notedeck_columns/src/toolbar.rs b/crates/notedeck_columns/src/toolbar.rs
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..6d9f16a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/crates/notedeck_columns/src/toolbar.rs
@@ -0,0 +1,75 @@
+use nostrdb::Transaction;
+use notedeck::AppContext;
+
+use crate::{
+    timeline::{kind::ListKind, TimelineKind},
+    Damus, Route,
+};
+
+pub fn unseen_notification(
+    columns: &mut Damus,
+    ndb: &nostrdb::Ndb,
+    current_pk: notedeck::enostr::Pubkey,
+) -> bool {
+    let Some(tl) = columns
+        .timeline_cache
+        .get_mut(&TimelineKind::Notifications(current_pk))
+    else {
+        return false;
+    };
+
+    let freshness = &mut tl.current_view_mut().freshness;
+    freshness.update(|timestamp_last_viewed| {
+        let filter = crate::timeline::kind::notifications_filter(&current_pk)
+            .since_mut(timestamp_last_viewed);
+        let txn = Transaction::new(ndb).expect("txn");
+
+        let Some(res) = ndb.query(&txn, &[filter], 1).ok() else {
+            return false;
+        };
+
+        !res.is_empty()
+    });
+
+    freshness.has_unseen()
+}
+
+/// When you click the toolbar button, these actions
+/// are returned
+#[derive(Debug, Eq, PartialEq)]
+pub enum ToolbarAction {
+    Notifications,
+    Search,
+    Home,
+}
+
+impl ToolbarAction {
+    pub fn process(&self, app: &mut Damus, ctx: &mut AppContext) {
+        let cur_acc_pk = ctx.accounts.get_selected_account().key.pubkey;
+        let route = match &self {
+            ToolbarAction::Notifications => {
+                Route::timeline(TimelineKind::Notifications(cur_acc_pk))
+            }
+            ToolbarAction::Search => Route::Search,
+            ToolbarAction::Home => {
+                Route::timeline(TimelineKind::List(ListKind::Contact(cur_acc_pk)))
+            }
+        };
+
+        let Some(cols) = app.decks_cache.active_columns_mut(ctx.i18n, ctx.accounts) else {
+            return;
+        };
+
+        match cols.select_by_route(route) {
+            crate::column::SelectionResult::AlreadySelected(_) => {} // great! no need to go to top yet
+            crate::column::SelectionResult::NewSelection(_) => {
+                // we already selected this, so scroll to top
+                app.scroll_to_top();
+            }
+            crate::column::SelectionResult::Failed => {
+                // oh no, something went wrong
+                // TODO(jb55): handle tab selection failure
+            }
+        }
+    }
+}