diff --git a/bin/job-dispatch.py b/bin/job-dispatch.py
index 788b9cf..1437d99 100755
--- a/bin/job-dispatch.py
+++ b/bin/job-dispatch.py
@@ -106,11 +106,14 @@ def create_sidechat(sender_agent, dry_run=False):
     try:
         result = subprocess.run(cmd, capture_output=True, text=True, timeout=90)
         output = result.stdout.strip()
+        err = result.stderr.strip()
         # Success if we see "Created:" (URL may be /thread/new placeholder)
         if "Created:" in output:
             print(f"Sidechat created", file=sys.stderr)
             return True
-        print(f"Sidechat create failed: {output[:200]}", file=sys.stderr)
+        print(f"Sidechat create failed. stdout: {output[:300]}", file=sys.stderr)
+        print(f"Sidechat create stderr: {err[:300]}", file=sys.stderr)
+        print(f"Return code: {result.returncode}", file=sys.stderr)
         return False
     except Exception as e:
         print(f"Sidechat creation failed: {e}", file=sys.stderr)
diff --git a/bin/muse-chat-api.py b/bin/muse-chat-api.py
index 91c2eca..f13faaa 100755
--- a/bin/muse-chat-api.py
+++ b/bin/muse-chat-api.py
@@ -274,6 +274,12 @@ def cmd_sidechat_create(ws):
     # Fixed 2026-10-04: removed Ctrl+J, it was closing the always-open panel.
     # The + button sits next to the "Side chats" header (see screenshot 2026-10-04).
     # It's not labeled "New side chat" - find it by proximity to the header text.
+    # Wait for React to render the sidebar content first (up to 10s).
+    for _wait in range(10):
+        _has_header = ev(ws, "document.body.innerText.includes('Side chats')")
+        if _has_header:
+            break
+        _time.sleep(1)
     result = ev(ws, """(() => {
       // Strategy 1: Find button with "+" text near "Side chats"
       const header = [...document.querySelectorAll('*')].find(el =>