From 2074145e220cd0536537bcd32a05d91983efe525 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: operator-main <operator-main@frontdoor.local>
Date: Sun, 4 Oct 2026 03:15:07 +0000
Subject: [PATCH] muse-chat-api.py: Integrate
 sidechat_manager.ensure_sidebar\n\nUse robust sidebar opener with exponential
 backoff retry\ninstead of single-attempt click. Fixes flaky NOSIDEBAR errors.

---
 bin/muse-chat-api.py | 29 +++++++++++++++++++++--------
 1 file changed, 21 insertions(+), 8 deletions(-)

diff --git a/bin/muse-chat-api.py b/bin/muse-chat-api.py
index 760009b..78ce144 100755
--- a/bin/muse-chat-api.py
+++ b/bin/muse-chat-api.py
@@ -18,6 +18,13 @@ Usage:
   muse-chat-api.py --account <agent> upload <file> [--message txt] [--dry-run]
 """
 import json, urllib.request, websocket, time, sys, argparse, importlib.util
+import os
+sys.path.insert(0, os.path.dirname(os.path.abspath(__file__)))
+try:
+    from sidechat_manager import ensure_sidebar, log_sidechat_op
+    HAS_SIDECHAT_MANAGER = True
+except ImportError:
+    HAS_SIDECHAT_MANAGER = False
 
 
 def _load_accounts():
@@ -257,15 +264,21 @@ def cmd_sidechat_list(ws):
 
 def cmd_sidechat_create(ws):
     """Create a new side chat via the 'New side chat' button. Returns the new thread URL."""
-    # Ensure sidebar is open (same selector as cmd_sidechat_list: textContent)
-    ev(ws, """(() => {
-      const btn = [...document.querySelectorAll("button")].find(b =>
-        b.textContent.includes("Open chat and side chats")
-      );
-      if (btn) btn.click();
-    })()""")
+    # Use robust sidebar opener with retry (fixes flaky NOSIDEBAR errors)
     import time as _time
-    _time.sleep(2)
+    if HAS_SIDECHAT_MANAGER:
+        if not ensure_sidebar(ws):
+            print("ERROR: Could not open sidebar after retries", file=sys.stderr)
+            sys.exit(1)
+    else:
+        # Fallback to old method
+        ev(ws, """(() => {
+          const btn = [...document.querySelectorAll("button")].find(b =>
+            b.textContent.includes("Open chat and side chats")
+          );
+          if (btn) btn.click();
+        })()""")
+        _time.sleep(2)
     result = ev(ws, """(() => {
       const btn = [...document.querySelectorAll('button')].find(b =>
         (b.getAttribute('aria-label')||'') === 'New side chat');