The disclosed embodiments relate to the design of a stacked-cell battery comprising a stack of layers, including alternating anode and cathode layers coated with active material with intervening separator layers. The stack includes a plurality of notches formed along one or more sides of the stack, including a first notch and a second notch, wherein each cathode layer includes an uncoated cathode tab extending into the first notch, and wherein each anode layer includes an uncoated anode tab extending into the second notch. Moreover, a common cathode tab is bonded to the cathode tabs within the first notch, and a common anode tab is bonded to the anode tabs within the second notch. The stacked-cell battery also includes a pouch enclosing the stack, wherein the common anode and cathode tabs extend through the pouch to provide cathode and anode terminals for the battery cell.