To progress further with the initial flashlight idea, controlling the flash directly appears to work fine in the following way. #!/usr/bin/env bash flashOff() { printf '%s' "0" > /sys/class/leds/led:torch_0/brightness printf '%s' "0" > /sys/class/leds/led:switch_0/brightness } flashOn() { # 2 appears to be the minimum brightness value possible printf '%s' "2" > /sys/class/leds/led:torch_0/brightness printf '%s' "1" > /sys/class/leds/led:switch_0/brightness } So with a loop I can have a nice flashing pattern at the minimum brightness. Just need to find what to hook into so I can have it only running only while there is a green notifications icon. As for using the screen, I think the green envelope icon, possibly slowly moving along the top edge of the screen (to minimise any burn in); would be a nice option there.