Update main.py

main.py

@@ -190,6 +190,36 @@ def handle_route_errors(e, uid_context="unknown"): # Added uid_context for bette
         logger.error(f"Unexpected Error in route (UID context: {uid_context}): {e}\n{traceback.format_exc()}")
         return jsonify({'error': f'An unexpected error occurred: {str(e)}', 'type': 'GenericError'}), 500
 
+
+# --- system notifications ---
+
+def _send_system_notification(user_id, message_content, notif_type, link=None): # Renamed message to message_content
+    if not FIREBASE_INITIALIZED: 
+        logger.error("_send_system_notification: Firebase not ready.")
+        return False
+    if not user_id or not message_content: 
+        logger.warning(f"_send_system_notification: Called with missing user_id ('{user_id}') or message_content ('{message_content}').")
+        return False
+    
+    notif_id = str(uuid.uuid4())
+    notif_data = {
+        "message": message_content, 
+        "type": notif_type, 
+        "link": link,
+        "created_at": datetime.now(timezone.utc).isoformat(), 
+        "read": False
+    }
+    try:
+        db.reference(f'notifications/{user_id}/{notif_id}', app=db_app).set(notif_data)
+        logger.info(f"Notification sent to {user_id}: {message_content[:50]}...")
+        return True
+    except firebase_exceptions.FirebaseError as fe:
+        logger.error(f"Failed to send notification to {user_id} due to Firebase error: {fe}")
+        return False
+    except Exception as e: 
+        logger.error(f"Failed to send notification to {user_id} due to generic error: {e}")
+        return False
+        
 # --- Authentication Endpoints ---
 @app.route('/api/auth/signup', methods=['POST'])
 def signup():
@@ -526,7 +556,6 @@ def admin_action_on_listing(listing_id):
     except Exception as e: return handle_route_errors(e, uid_context=reviewer_uid)
 
 # --- Deal Management (MODIFIED SECTION) ---
-# --- (This endpoint replaces your existing /api/deals/propose) ---
 @app.route('/api/deals/propose', methods=['POST'])
 def propose_deal():
     auth_header = request.headers.get('Authorization')