diff --git a/app/build.gradle.kts b/app/build.gradle.kts
index a5c9cce..f0563c7 100644
--- a/app/build.gradle.kts
+++ b/app/build.gradle.kts
@@ -12,10 +12,10 @@ android {
 
     defaultConfig {
         applicationId = "com.atridad.openclimb"
-        minSdk = 31
+        minSdk = 33
         targetSdk = 36
-        versionCode = 14
-        versionName = "1.0.0"
+        versionCode = 15
+        versionName = "1.0.1"
 
         testInstrumentationRunner = "androidx.test.runner.AndroidJUnitRunner"
     }
diff --git a/app/src/main/AndroidManifest.xml b/app/src/main/AndroidManifest.xml
index 52cee07..9157e08 100644
--- a/app/src/main/AndroidManifest.xml
+++ b/app/src/main/AndroidManifest.xml
@@ -12,6 +12,7 @@
     <uses-permission android:name="android.permission.POST_NOTIFICATIONS" />
     <uses-permission android:name="android.permission.FOREGROUND_SERVICE" />
     <uses-permission android:name="android.permission.FOREGROUND_SERVICE_SPECIAL_USE" />
+    <uses-permission android:name="android.permission.WAKE_LOCK" />
     
     <application
         android:allowBackup="true"
diff --git a/app/src/main/java/com/atridad/openclimb/service/SessionTrackingService.kt b/app/src/main/java/com/atridad/openclimb/service/SessionTrackingService.kt
index 17b9fe3..269a492 100644
--- a/app/src/main/java/com/atridad/openclimb/service/SessionTrackingService.kt
+++ b/app/src/main/java/com/atridad/openclimb/service/SessionTrackingService.kt
@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@ import android.app.Service
 import android.content.Context
 import android.content.Intent
 import android.os.IBinder
+import android.os.PowerManager
 import androidx.core.app.NotificationCompat
 import com.atridad.openclimb.MainActivity
 import com.atridad.openclimb.R
@@ -21,8 +22,11 @@ class SessionTrackingService : Service() {
     
     private val serviceScope = CoroutineScope(Dispatchers.IO + SupervisorJob())
     private var notificationJob: Job? = null
+    private var monitoringJob: Job? = null
+    private var wakeLock: PowerManager.WakeLock? = null
     
     private lateinit var repository: ClimbRepository
+    private lateinit var notificationManager: NotificationManager
     
     companion object {
         const val NOTIFICATION_ID = 1001
@@ -51,8 +55,10 @@ class SessionTrackingService : Service() {
         
         val database = OpenClimbDatabase.getDatabase(this)
         repository = ClimbRepository(database, this)
+        notificationManager = getSystemService(NOTIFICATION_SERVICE) as NotificationManager
         
         createNotificationChannel()
+        acquireWakeLock()
     }
     
     override fun onStartCommand(intent: Intent?, flags: Int, startId: Int): Int {
@@ -81,31 +87,88 @@ class SessionTrackingService : Service() {
                 }
             }
         }
+        // Return START_STICKY to restart service if it gets killed
         return START_STICKY
     }
     
+    override fun onTaskRemoved(rootIntent: Intent?) {
+        super.onTaskRemoved(rootIntent)
+        // If the app is removed from recent tasks, ensure the service keeps running
+        // This helps maintain the notification even if the user swipes away the app
+    }
+    
+    override fun onLowMemory() {
+        super.onLowMemory()
+        // Don't stop the service on low memory, just log it
+        // The notification is important for user experience
+    }
+    
     override fun onBind(intent: Intent?): IBinder? = null
     
     private fun startSessionTracking(sessionId: String) {
+        // Cancel any existing jobs
         notificationJob?.cancel()
+        monitoringJob?.cancel()
+        
+        // Start the main notification update job
         notificationJob = serviceScope.launch {
-            // Initial notification update
-            updateNotification(sessionId)
-            
-            // Then update every second
-            while (isActive) {
-                delay(1000L)
+            try {
+                // Initial notification update
                 updateNotification(sessionId)
+                
+                // Update every 2 seconds for better performance
+                while (isActive) {
+                    delay(2000L)
+                    updateNotification(sessionId)
+                }
+            } catch (e: Exception) {
+                // Log error and continue
+                e.printStackTrace()
+            }
+        }
+        
+        // Start the monitoring job that ensures notification stays active
+        monitoringJob = serviceScope.launch {
+            try {
+                while (isActive) {
+                    delay(5000L) // Check every 5 seconds
+                    
+                    // Verify the notification is still active
+                    if (!isNotificationActive()) {
+                        // Notification was dismissed, recreate it
+                        updateNotification(sessionId)
+                    }
+                    
+                    // Verify the session is still active
+                    val session = repository.getSessionById(sessionId)
+                    if (session == null || session.status != com.atridad.openclimb.data.model.SessionStatus.ACTIVE) {
+                        stopSessionTracking()
+                        break
+                    }
+                }
+            } catch (e: Exception) {
+                e.printStackTrace()
             }
         }
     }
     
     private fun stopSessionTracking() {
         notificationJob?.cancel()
+        monitoringJob?.cancel()
+        releaseWakeLock()
         stopForeground(STOP_FOREGROUND_REMOVE)
         stopSelf()
     }
     
+    private fun isNotificationActive(): Boolean {
+        return try {
+            val activeNotifications = notificationManager.activeNotifications
+            activeNotifications.any { it.id == NOTIFICATION_ID }
+        } catch (e: Exception) {
+            false
+        }
+    }
+    
     private suspend fun updateNotification(sessionId: String) {
         try {
             val session = repository.getSessionById(sessionId)
@@ -141,7 +204,10 @@ class SessionTrackingService : Service() {
                 .setContentText("${gym?.name ?: "Gym"} • $duration • ${attempts.size} attempts")
                 .setSmallIcon(R.drawable.ic_mountains)
                 .setOngoing(true)
+                .setAutoCancel(false)
                 .setPriority(NotificationCompat.PRIORITY_LOW)
+                .setCategory(NotificationCompat.CATEGORY_SERVICE)
+                .setVisibility(NotificationCompat.VISIBILITY_PUBLIC)
                 .setContentIntent(createOpenAppIntent())
                 .addAction(
                     R.drawable.ic_mountains,
@@ -155,20 +221,31 @@ class SessionTrackingService : Service() {
                 )
                 .build()
             
-            // Force update the notification every second
-            val notificationManager = getSystemService(NOTIFICATION_SERVICE) as NotificationManager
+            // Always start foreground to ensure service stays alive
+            startForeground(NOTIFICATION_ID, notification)
+            
+            // Also notify separately to ensure it's visible
             notificationManager.notify(NOTIFICATION_ID, notification)
             
-            startForeground(NOTIFICATION_ID, notification)
-        } catch (_: Exception) {
-            // Handle errors gracefully
-            stopSessionTracking()
+        } catch (e: Exception) {
+            e.printStackTrace()
+            // Don't stop the service on notification errors, just log them
+            // Try to restart the notification after a delay
+            try {
+                delay(5000L)
+                updateNotification(sessionId)
+            } catch (retryException: Exception) {
+                retryException.printStackTrace()
+                // If retry fails, stop the service to prevent infinite loops
+                stopSessionTracking()
+            }
         }
     }
     
     private fun createOpenAppIntent(): PendingIntent {
         val intent = Intent(this, MainActivity::class.java).apply {
             flags = Intent.FLAG_ACTIVITY_NEW_TASK or Intent.FLAG_ACTIVITY_CLEAR_TOP
+            action = "OPEN_SESSION"
         }
         return PendingIntent.getActivity(
             this,
@@ -196,15 +273,46 @@ class SessionTrackingService : Service() {
         ).apply {
             description = "Shows active climbing session information"
             setShowBadge(false)
+            lockscreenVisibility = NotificationCompat.VISIBILITY_PUBLIC
+            enableLights(false)
+            enableVibration(false)
         }
 
-        val notificationManager = getSystemService(NOTIFICATION_SERVICE) as NotificationManager
         notificationManager.createNotificationChannel(channel)
     }
     
+    private fun acquireWakeLock() {
+        try {
+            val powerManager = getSystemService(Context.POWER_SERVICE) as PowerManager
+            wakeLock = powerManager.newWakeLock(
+                PowerManager.PARTIAL_WAKE_LOCK,
+                "OpenClimb:SessionTrackingWakeLock"
+            ).apply {
+                acquire(10*60*1000L) // 10 minutes timeout
+            }
+        } catch (e: Exception) {
+            e.printStackTrace()
+        }
+    }
+    
+    private fun releaseWakeLock() {
+        try {
+            wakeLock?.let {
+                if (it.isHeld) {
+                    it.release()
+                }
+            }
+            wakeLock = null
+        } catch (e: Exception) {
+            e.printStackTrace()
+        }
+    }
+    
     override fun onDestroy() {
         super.onDestroy()
         notificationJob?.cancel()
+        monitoringJob?.cancel()
+        releaseWakeLock()
         serviceScope.cancel()
     }
 }
diff --git a/app/src/main/java/com/atridad/openclimb/ui/OpenClimbApp.kt b/app/src/main/java/com/atridad/openclimb/ui/OpenClimbApp.kt
index affb5b5..cc830fe 100644
--- a/app/src/main/java/com/atridad/openclimb/ui/OpenClimbApp.kt
+++ b/app/src/main/java/com/atridad/openclimb/ui/OpenClimbApp.kt
@@ -1,5 +1,9 @@
 package com.atridad.openclimb.ui
 
+import android.Manifest
+import android.content.pm.PackageManager
+import androidx.activity.compose.rememberLauncherForActivityResult
+import androidx.activity.result.contract.ActivityResultContracts
 import androidx.compose.foundation.layout.padding
 import androidx.compose.material.icons.Icons
 import androidx.compose.material.icons.filled.Add
@@ -19,9 +23,12 @@ import com.atridad.openclimb.data.database.OpenClimbDatabase
 import com.atridad.openclimb.data.repository.ClimbRepository
 import com.atridad.openclimb.navigation.Screen
 import com.atridad.openclimb.navigation.bottomNavigationItems
+import com.atridad.openclimb.ui.components.NotificationPermissionDialog
 import com.atridad.openclimb.ui.screens.*
+import com.atridad.openclimb.ui.theme.OpenClimbTheme
 import com.atridad.openclimb.ui.viewmodel.ClimbViewModel
 import com.atridad.openclimb.ui.viewmodel.ClimbViewModelFactory
+import com.atridad.openclimb.utils.NotificationPermissionUtils
 
 @OptIn(ExperimentalMaterial3Api::class)
 @Composable
@@ -35,6 +42,40 @@ fun OpenClimbApp() {
         factory = ClimbViewModelFactory(repository)
     )
     
+    // Notification permission state
+    var showNotificationPermissionDialog by remember { mutableStateOf(false) }
+    var hasCheckedNotificationPermission by remember { mutableStateOf(false) }
+    
+    // Permission launcher
+    val permissionLauncher = rememberLauncherForActivityResult(
+        contract = ActivityResultContracts.RequestPermission()
+    ) { isGranted: Boolean ->
+        // Handle permission result
+        if (isGranted) {
+            // Permission granted, continue
+        } else {
+            // Permission denied, show dialog again later
+            showNotificationPermissionDialog = false
+        }
+    }
+    
+    // Check notification permission on first launch
+    LaunchedEffect(Unit) {
+        if (!hasCheckedNotificationPermission) {
+            hasCheckedNotificationPermission = true
+            
+            if (NotificationPermissionUtils.shouldRequestNotificationPermission() &&
+                !NotificationPermissionUtils.isNotificationPermissionGranted(context)) {
+                showNotificationPermissionDialog = true
+            }
+        }
+    }
+    
+    // Ensure session tracking service is running when app resumes
+    LaunchedEffect(Unit) {
+        viewModel.ensureSessionTrackingServiceRunning(context)
+    }
+    
     // FAB configuration
     var fabConfig by remember { mutableStateOf<FabConfig?>(null) }
 
@@ -71,10 +112,16 @@ fun OpenClimbApp() {
                             icon = Icons.Default.PlayArrow,
                             contentDescription = "Start Session",
                             onClick = { 
-                                if (gyms.size == 1) {
-                                    viewModel.startSession(context, gyms.first().id)
+                                // Check notification permission before starting session
+                                if (NotificationPermissionUtils.shouldRequestNotificationPermission() &&
+                                    !NotificationPermissionUtils.isNotificationPermissionGranted(context)) {
+                                    showNotificationPermissionDialog = true
                                 } else {
-                                    navController.navigate(Screen.AddEditSession())
+                                    if (gyms.size == 1) {
+                                        viewModel.startSession(context, gyms.first().id)
+                                    } else {
+                                        navController.navigate(Screen.AddEditSession())
+                                    }
                                 }
                             }
                         )
@@ -224,6 +271,16 @@ fun OpenClimbApp() {
                 )
             }
         }
+        
+        // Notification permission dialog
+        if (showNotificationPermissionDialog) {
+            NotificationPermissionDialog(
+                onDismiss = { showNotificationPermissionDialog = false },
+                onRequestPermission = {
+                    permissionLauncher.launch(NotificationPermissionUtils.getNotificationPermissionString())
+                }
+            )
+        }
     }
 }
 
diff --git a/app/src/main/java/com/atridad/openclimb/ui/components/NotificationPermissionDialog.kt b/app/src/main/java/com/atridad/openclimb/ui/components/NotificationPermissionDialog.kt
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..9b463ea
--- /dev/null
+++ b/app/src/main/java/com/atridad/openclimb/ui/components/NotificationPermissionDialog.kt
@@ -0,0 +1,89 @@
+package com.atridad.openclimb.ui.components
+
+import androidx.compose.foundation.layout.*
+import androidx.compose.material.icons.Icons
+import androidx.compose.material.icons.filled.Notifications
+import androidx.compose.material3.*
+import androidx.compose.runtime.*
+import androidx.compose.ui.Alignment
+import androidx.compose.ui.Modifier
+import androidx.compose.ui.platform.LocalContext
+import androidx.compose.ui.text.style.TextAlign
+import androidx.compose.ui.unit.dp
+import androidx.compose.ui.window.Dialog
+import androidx.compose.ui.window.DialogProperties
+
+@Composable
+fun NotificationPermissionDialog(
+    onDismiss: () -> Unit,
+    onRequestPermission: () -> Unit
+) {
+    Dialog(
+        onDismissRequest = onDismiss,
+        properties = DialogProperties(
+            dismissOnBackPress = false,
+            dismissOnClickOutside = false
+        )
+    ) {
+        Card(
+            modifier = Modifier
+                .fillMaxWidth()
+                .padding(16.dp),
+            shape = MaterialTheme.shapes.medium
+        ) {
+            Column(
+                modifier = Modifier.padding(24.dp),
+                horizontalAlignment = Alignment.CenterHorizontally
+            ) {
+                Icon(
+                    imageVector = Icons.Default.Notifications,
+                    contentDescription = "Notifications",
+                    modifier = Modifier.size(48.dp),
+                    tint = MaterialTheme.colorScheme.primary
+                )
+                
+                Spacer(modifier = Modifier.height(16.dp))
+                
+                Text(
+                    text = "Enable Notifications",
+                    style = MaterialTheme.typography.headlineSmall,
+                    fontWeight = MaterialTheme.typography.headlineSmall.fontWeight,
+                    textAlign = TextAlign.Center
+                )
+                
+                Spacer(modifier = Modifier.height(12.dp))
+                
+                Text(
+                    text = "OpenClimb needs notification permission to show your active climbing session. This helps you track your progress and ensures the session doesn't get interrupted.",
+                    style = MaterialTheme.typography.bodyMedium,
+                    textAlign = TextAlign.Center,
+                    color = MaterialTheme.colorScheme.onSurfaceVariant
+                )
+                
+                Spacer(modifier = Modifier.height(24.dp))
+                
+                Row(
+                    modifier = Modifier.fillMaxWidth(),
+                    horizontalArrangement = Arrangement.spacedBy(12.dp)
+                ) {
+                    TextButton(
+                        onClick = onDismiss,
+                        modifier = Modifier.weight(1f)
+                    ) {
+                        Text("Not Now")
+                    }
+                    
+                    Button(
+                        onClick = {
+                            onRequestPermission()
+                            onDismiss()
+                        },
+                        modifier = Modifier.weight(1f)
+                    ) {
+                        Text("Enable")
+                    }
+                }
+            }
+        }
+    }
+}
diff --git a/app/src/main/java/com/atridad/openclimb/ui/viewmodel/ClimbViewModel.kt b/app/src/main/java/com/atridad/openclimb/ui/viewmodel/ClimbViewModel.kt
index 9c2281d..01c9cfb 100644
--- a/app/src/main/java/com/atridad/openclimb/ui/viewmodel/ClimbViewModel.kt
+++ b/app/src/main/java/com/atridad/openclimb/ui/viewmodel/ClimbViewModel.kt
@@ -147,6 +147,14 @@ class ClimbViewModel(
     // Active session management
     fun startSession(context: Context, gymId: String, notes: String? = null) {
         viewModelScope.launch {
+            // Check notification permission first
+            if (!com.atridad.openclimb.utils.NotificationPermissionUtils.isNotificationPermissionGranted(context)) {
+                _uiState.value = _uiState.value.copy(
+                    error = "Notification permission is required to track your climbing session. Please enable notifications in settings."
+                )
+                return@launch
+            }
+            
             val existingActive = repository.getActiveSession()
             if (existingActive != null) {
                 _uiState.value = _uiState.value.copy(
@@ -170,6 +178,14 @@ class ClimbViewModel(
     
     fun endSession(context: Context, sessionId: String) {
         viewModelScope.launch {
+            // Check notification permission first
+            if (!com.atridad.openclimb.utils.NotificationPermissionUtils.isNotificationPermissionGranted(context)) {
+                _uiState.value = _uiState.value.copy(
+                    error = "Notification permission is required to manage your climbing session. Please enable notifications in settings."
+                )
+                return@launch
+            }
+            
             val session = repository.getSessionById(sessionId)
             if (session != null && session.status == SessionStatus.ACTIVE) {
                 val completedSession = with(ClimbSession) { session.complete() }
@@ -186,6 +202,21 @@ class ClimbViewModel(
         }
     }
     
+    /**
+     * Check if the session tracking service is running and restart it if needed
+     */
+    fun ensureSessionTrackingServiceRunning(context: Context) {
+        viewModelScope.launch {
+            val activeSession = repository.getActiveSession()
+            if (activeSession != null && activeSession.status == SessionStatus.ACTIVE) {
+                // Check if service is running by trying to start it again
+                // The service will handle duplicate starts gracefully
+                val serviceIntent = SessionTrackingService.createStartIntent(context, activeSession.id)
+                context.startForegroundService(serviceIntent)
+            }
+        }
+    }
+    
     // Attempt operations
     fun addAttempt(attempt: Attempt) {
         viewModelScope.launch {
diff --git a/app/src/main/java/com/atridad/openclimb/utils/NotificationPermissionUtils.kt b/app/src/main/java/com/atridad/openclimb/utils/NotificationPermissionUtils.kt
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..318dec5
--- /dev/null
+++ b/app/src/main/java/com/atridad/openclimb/utils/NotificationPermissionUtils.kt
@@ -0,0 +1,33 @@
+package com.atridad.openclimb.utils
+
+import android.Manifest
+import android.content.Context
+import android.content.pm.PackageManager
+import androidx.core.content.ContextCompat
+
+object NotificationPermissionUtils {
+    
+    /**
+     * Check if notification permission is granted
+     */
+    fun isNotificationPermissionGranted(context: Context): Boolean {
+        return ContextCompat.checkSelfPermission(
+            context,
+            Manifest.permission.POST_NOTIFICATIONS
+        ) == PackageManager.PERMISSION_GRANTED
+    }
+    
+    /**
+     * Check if notification permission should be requested
+     */
+    fun shouldRequestNotificationPermission(): Boolean {
+        return true
+    }
+    
+    /**
+     * Get the notification permission string
+     */
+    fun getNotificationPermissionString(): String {
+        return Manifest.permission.POST_NOTIFICATIONS
+    }
+}