diff --git a/surfsense_backend/app/notifications/service/metadata.py b/surfsense_backend/app/notifications/service/metadata.py
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..2679893dc
--- /dev/null
+++ b/surfsense_backend/app/notifications/service/metadata.py
@@ -0,0 +1,33 @@
+"""Pure metadata transitions for the notification lifecycle."""
+
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+from datetime import UTC, datetime
+from typing import Any
+
+
+def start_metadata(
+    operation_id: str, initial_metadata: dict[str, Any] | None = None
+) -> dict[str, Any]:
+    """Seed metadata for a freshly opened, in-progress notification."""
+    metadata = dict(initial_metadata or {})
+    metadata["operation_id"] = operation_id
+    metadata["status"] = "in_progress"
+    metadata["started_at"] = datetime.now(UTC).isoformat()
+    return metadata
+
+
+def apply_update(
+    current: dict[str, Any],
+    status: str | None = None,
+    metadata_updates: dict[str, Any] | None = None,
+) -> dict[str, Any]:
+    """Return metadata with the status/timestamp stamped and updates merged in."""
+    metadata = dict(current)
+    if status is not None:
+        metadata["status"] = status
+        if status in ("completed", "failed"):
+            metadata["completed_at"] = datetime.now(UTC).isoformat()
+    if metadata_updates:
+        metadata = {**metadata, **metadata_updates}
+    return metadata