diff --git a/bin/muse-chat-api.py b/bin/muse-chat-api.py
index 7588b23..9f9b905 100755
--- a/bin/muse-chat-api.py
+++ b/bin/muse-chat-api.py
@@ -270,31 +270,37 @@ def cmd_sidechat_create(ws):
     - + button: [data-testid="hatch-chat-compose"] (SVG icon, no text)
     """
     import time as _time
-    # Check if panel is open via exact 'Side chats' header text node.
-    # (Not innerText.includes - the switcher button text contains "Open chat and
-    # side chats" which is always true. Must check for the header element.)
-    # Then open via switcher if needed (loop up to 5 attempts).
-    # Fixed 2026-10-04 per chat panel investigation.
-    def _panel_open():
+    import json as _json
+    # Navigate to main chat first for known good state.
+    # (Previous create may have left browser on /thread/new with stripped DOM.)
+    # Uses Ctrl+J via CDP (proven method from cmd_sidechat_main).
+    # Fixed 2026-10-04 per reliability test: success poisons next run.
+    ws.send(_json.dumps({
+        "id": 30, "method": "Input.dispatchKeyEvent",
+        "params": {"type": "keyDown", "key": "j", "code": "KeyJ",
+                   "ctrlKey": True, "modifiers": 2}
+    }))
+    _json.loads(ws.recv())
+    ws.send(_json.dumps({
+        "id": 31, "method": "Input.dispatchKeyEvent",
+        "params": {"type": "keyUp", "key": "j", "code": "KeyJ",
+                   "ctrlKey": True, "modifiers": 2}
+    }))
+    _json.loads(ws.recv())
+    _time.sleep(3)
+    # Now open panel via switcher (should be on main chat with panel available)
+    # Check for + button; if not present, click switcher.
+    def _has_plus():
         return ev(ws, """(() => {
-          const walker = document.createTreeWalker(document.body, NodeFilter.SHOW_TEXT);
-          let n;
-          while (n = walker.nextNode()) {
-            if (n.textContent.trim() === 'Side chats') return true;
-          }
-          return false;
+          return !!document.querySelector('[data-testid="hatch-chat-compose"]');
         })()""")
     
-    for _attempt in range(5):
-        if _panel_open():
-            break
+    if not _has_plus():
         ev(ws, """(() => {
           const sw = document.querySelector('[data-testid="hatch-chat-switcher-trigger"]');
           if (sw) sw.click();
         })()""")
-        _time.sleep(3)
-    else:
-        print("Warning: panel may not be open after 5 attempts", file=sys.stderr)
+        _time.sleep(2)
     # Find + button via data-testid (verified selector, SVG icon no text)
     result = ev(ws, """(() => {
       const btn = document.querySelector('[data-testid="hatch-chat-compose"]');