diff --git a/bin/muse-chat-api.py b/bin/muse-chat-api.py
index 65b9e86..9ae3ca1 100755
--- a/bin/muse-chat-api.py
+++ b/bin/muse-chat-api.py
@@ -263,22 +263,29 @@ def cmd_sidechat_list(ws):
     print(chats[:500])
 
 def cmd_sidechat_create(ws):
-    """Create a new side chat via the 'New side chat' button. Returns the new thread URL."""
-    # Use robust sidebar opener with retry (fixes flaky NOSIDEBAR errors)
+    """Create a new side chat via the '+' button next to 'Side chats' header.
+    Returns the new thread URL.
+    Note: Ctrl+J opens the chat panel (which contains Side chats).
+    Fixed 2026-10-04: sidebar is actually the chat panel, toggled by Ctrl+J.
+    """
     import time as _time
-    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)
+    import json as _json
+    # Ensure chat panel is open via Ctrl+J (CDP Input.dispatchKeyEvent,
+    # same proven method as cmd_sidechat_main).
+    # The panel contains Main chat, Side chats, and the + button.
+    ws.send(_json.dumps({
+        "id": 20, "method": "Input.dispatchKeyEvent",
+        "params": {"type": "keyDown", "key": "j", "code": "KeyJ",
+                   "ctrlKey": True, "modifiers": 2}
+    }))
+    _json.loads(ws.recv())
+    ws.send(_json.dumps({
+        "id": 21, "method": "Input.dispatchKeyEvent",
+        "params": {"type": "keyUp", "key": "j", "code": "KeyJ",
+                   "ctrlKey": True, "modifiers": 2}
+    }))
+    _json.loads(ws.recv())
+    _time.sleep(2)
     # 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.
     result = ev(ws, """(() => {