diff --git a/bin/muse-chat-api.py b/bin/muse-chat-api.py
index 9299242..7588b23 100755
--- a/bin/muse-chat-api.py
+++ b/bin/muse-chat-api.py
@@ -270,20 +270,31 @@ def cmd_sidechat_create(ws):
     - + button: [data-testid="hatch-chat-compose"] (SVG icon, no text)
     """
     import time as _time
-    # Check if + button already present (panel open). If not, open via switcher.
-    # Fixed 2026-10-04: don't blindly click switcher, check state first.
-    has_plus = ev(ws, """(() => {
-      return !!document.querySelector('[data-testid="hatch-chat-compose"]');
-    })()""")
-    if not has_plus:
-        # Panel closed, open via switcher trigger
-        sw_result = ev(ws, """(() => {
+    # 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():
+        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;
+        })()""")
+    
+    for _attempt in range(5):
+        if _panel_open():
+            break
+        ev(ws, """(() => {
           const sw = document.querySelector('[data-testid="hatch-chat-switcher-trigger"]');
           if (sw) sw.click();
-          return sw ? 'SWITCHER_CLICKED' : 'NO_SWITCHER';
         })()""")
-        print(f"Switcher: {sw_result}", file=sys.stderr)
-        _time.sleep(2)  # Wait for React render
+        _time.sleep(3)
+    else:
+        print("Warning: panel may not be open after 5 attempts", file=sys.stderr)
     # Find + button via data-testid (verified selector, SVG icon no text)
     result = ev(ws, """(() => {
       const btn = document.querySelector('[data-testid="hatch-chat-compose"]');