diff --git a/bin/sidechat_manager.py b/bin/sidechat_manager.py
index fae6ab8..6f746ad 100644
--- a/bin/sidechat_manager.py
+++ b/bin/sidechat_manager.py
@@ -31,6 +31,8 @@ def ensure_sidebar(ws, max_retries=3):
     """
     Ensure the sidebar is open. Returns True if open, False otherwise.
     Retries with backoff if the open button isn't found immediately.
+    Uses data-testid="hatch-chat-switcher-trigger" (reliable selector).
+    Fixed 2026-10-04: was using text matching which was flaky.
     """
     for attempt in range(max_retries):
         # Check if sidebar is already open (Side chats text visible)
@@ -40,13 +42,15 @@ def ensure_sidebar(ws, max_retries=3):
         if is_open:
             return True
 
-        # Try to open it
-        _ev(ws, """(() => {
-            const btn = [...document.querySelectorAll('button')].find(b =>
-                (b.textContent||'').includes('Open chat and side chats')
-            );
-            if (btn) btn.click();
-            return !!btn;
+        # Try to open it via data-testid (reliable)
+        clicked = _ev(ws, """(() => {
+            const btn = document.querySelector('[data-testid="hatch-chat-switcher-trigger"]');
+            if (btn) { btn.click(); return true; }
+            // Fallback: text matching
+            const fb = [...document.querySelectorAll('button')].find(b =>
+                (b.textContent||'').includes('Open chat and side chats'));
+            if (fb) { fb.click(); return true; }
+            return false;
         })()""")
         time.sleep(2 * (attempt + 1))  # Exponential backoff: 2s, 4s, 6s