pi-studio 0.9.50 → 0.9.51

package/client/studio-client.js

@@ -83,6 +83,7 @@
       const critiqueBtn = document.getElementById("critiqueBtn");
       const showMeBtn = document.getElementById("showMeBtn");
       const showMeResponseBtn = document.getElementById("showMeResponseBtn");
+      const askAsideBtn = document.getElementById("askAsideBtn");
       const quizBtn = document.getElementById("quizBtn");
       const lensSelect = document.getElementById("lensSelect");
       const importFileBtn = document.getElementById("importFileBtn");
@@ -99,6 +100,10 @@
       const copyResponseBtn = document.getElementById("copyResponseBtn");
       const exportPreviewControlsEl = document.getElementById("exportPreviewControls");
       const exportPreviewMenuEl = document.getElementById("exportPreviewMenu");
+      const exportSideThreadMarkdownSaveBtn = document.getElementById("exportSideThreadMarkdownSaveBtn");
+      const exportSideThreadMarkdownCopyBtn = document.getElementById("exportSideThreadMarkdownCopyBtn");
+      const exportSideThreadMarkdownEditorBtn = document.getElementById("exportSideThreadMarkdownEditorBtn");
+      const exportSideThreadRenderSeparatorEl = document.getElementById("exportSideThreadRenderSeparator");
       const exportPreviewPdfStudioBtn = document.getElementById("exportPreviewPdfStudioBtn");
       const exportPreviewPdfBtn = document.getElementById("exportPreviewPdfBtn");
       const exportPreviewHtmlStudioBtn = document.getElementById("exportPreviewHtmlStudioBtn");
@@ -188,7 +193,7 @@
         : "full";
       const isEditorOnlyMode = studioMode === "editor-only";
       const isSshStudioSession = Boolean(document.body && document.body.dataset && document.body.dataset.sshSession === "1");
-      const EDITOR_ONLY_RIGHT_VIEW_ALLOWED = new Set(["editor-preview", "editor-quarto-preview", "files", "changes", "repl"]);
+      const EDITOR_ONLY_RIGHT_VIEW_ALLOWED = new Set(["editor-preview", "editor-quarto-preview", "files", "changes", "repl", "side-questions"]);
       const RIGHT_VIEW_LABELS = {
         markdown: "Response (Raw)",
         preview: "Response (Preview)",
@@ -198,6 +203,7 @@
         changes: "Changes",
         files: "Files",
         repl: "REPL",
+        "side-questions": "Side questions",
       };
       const RIGHT_VIEW_NUMERIC_SHORTCUTS = {
         Digit1: "markdown",
@@ -207,6 +213,7 @@
         Digit5: "changes",
         Digit6: "files",
         Digit7: "repl",
+        Digit8: "side-questions",
         Numpad1: "markdown",
         Numpad2: "preview",
         Numpad3: "editor-preview",
@@ -214,6 +221,7 @@
         Numpad5: "changes",
         Numpad6: "files",
         Numpad7: "repl",
+        Numpad8: "side-questions",
       };
 
       const navigationHelpers = globalThis.PiStudioNavigationHelpers;
@@ -242,6 +250,16 @@
       if (!showMeHelpers || typeof showMeHelpers.chooseStudioShowMeFocus !== "function") {
         throw new Error("Studio Show me helpers failed to load.");
       }
+      const sideQuestionHelpers = globalThis.PiStudioSideQuestionHelpers;
+      if (
+        !sideQuestionHelpers
+        || typeof sideQuestionHelpers.buildStudioSideQuestionTranscriptMarkdown !== "function"
+        || typeof sideQuestionHelpers.chooseStudioSideQuestionFocus !== "function"
+        || typeof sideQuestionHelpers.findStudioSideQuestionSection !== "function"
+        || typeof sideQuestionHelpers.formatStudioSideQuestionTranscriptFilename !== "function"
+      ) {
+        throw new Error("Studio side-question helpers failed to load.");
+      }
       const studioTabStateId = navigationHelpers.ensureStudioTabStateId(window);
       const initialQueryParams = new URLSearchParams(window.location.search || "");
       const initialPaneFocusTarget = navigationHelpers.readPaneFocusTarget(window.location);
@@ -335,13 +353,15 @@
             ? "editor-preview"
             : (raw === "editor-quarto-preview"
               ? "editor-quarto-preview"
-              : (raw === "repl"
-                ? "repl"
-                : (raw === "files"
+              : (raw === "side-questions"
+                ? "side-questions"
+                : (raw === "repl"
+                  ? "repl"
+                  : (raw === "files"
                   ? "files"
                   : (raw === "changes"
                     ? "changes"
-                    : ((raw === "trace" || raw === "thinking") ? "trace" : "markdown"))))));
+                    : ((raw === "trace" || raw === "thinking") ? "trace" : "markdown")))))));
       }
 
       function normalizeRightViewValue(nextView) {
@@ -380,8 +400,8 @@
           option.disabled = (isEditorOnlyMode && !EDITOR_ONLY_RIGHT_VIEW_ALLOWED.has(option.value)) || (isQuartoOption && !quartoRelevant);
         });
         rightViewSelect.title = isEditorOnlyMode
-          ? "Editor-only views: Editor Preview, contextual Quarto Preview for .qmd/.md/.markdown files, Changes, Files, or REPL. F7 cycles; Cmd/Ctrl+Alt+3/5/6/7 switch directly to numbered right-pane views."
-          : "Right pane view mode. F7 cycles, including contextual Quarto Preview for file-backed .qmd, .md, and .markdown documents; Cmd/Ctrl+Alt+1–7 switches directly between the numbered views. Cmd/Ctrl+Alt+P/E/W keep their mnemonic Preview/Editor Preview/Working shortcuts.";
+          ? "Editor-only views: Editor Preview, contextual Quarto Preview for .qmd/.md/.markdown files, Changes, Files, REPL, or Side questions. F7 cycles; Cmd/Ctrl+Alt+3/5/6/7/8 switch directly to numbered right-pane views, and Cmd/Ctrl+Alt+Q opens Side questions."
+          : "Right pane view mode. F7 cycles, including contextual Quarto Preview for file-backed .qmd, .md, and .markdown documents; Cmd/Ctrl+Alt+1–8 switches directly between the numbered views. Cmd/Ctrl+Alt+P/E/W keep their mnemonic Preview/Editor Preview/Working shortcuts.";
       }
 
       function getInitialRightView(source) {
@@ -441,12 +461,49 @@
       const RENDERED_PREVIEW_IMAGE_FETCH_TIMEOUT_MS = 8_000;
       const EDITOR_TAB_TEXT = "  ";
       const QUIZ_DEFAULT_COUNT = 5;
+      const SIDE_QUESTION_THINKING_STORAGE_KEY = "piStudio.sideQuestionThinking";
+      const SIDE_QUESTION_GATHER_STORAGE_KEY = "piStudio.sideQuestionGatherScope";
+      const SIDE_QUESTION_TOOLS_STORAGE_KEY = "piStudio.sideQuestionTools";
+      const SIDE_QUESTION_TRANSCRIPT_RENDER_MAX_CHARS = 400_000;
       const COMPLETION_CONTEXT_STORAGE_KEY = "piStudio.completionContextMode";
       const COMPLETION_MODEL_STORAGE_KEY = "piStudio.completionModel";
       const COMPLETION_CONTEXT_MAX_CHARS = 12000;
       const QUIZ_SCOPES = ["editor", "selection", "file", "folder", "repo"];
       const QUIZ_ANGLES = ["general", "scientist", "mathematician", "statistician", "developer", "reviewer"];
       const QUIZ_THINKING_LEVELS = ["off", "minimal", "low", "medium", "high"];
+      let sideQuestionState = null;
+      let sideQuestionWebSearchAvailable = false;
+      let sideQuestionAvailablePiTools = [];
+      let sideQuestionPreviewRenderNonce = 0;
+      let sideQuestionContextRefreshHandle = null;
+      let sideQuestionMarkdownExportRequest = null;
+      const sideQuestionMarkdownRenderCache = new Map();
+      let sideQuestionUi = {
+        focusMode: "auto",
+        gatherScope: (() => {
+          try {
+            const value = window.localStorage && window.localStorage.getItem(SIDE_QUESTION_GATHER_STORAGE_KEY);
+            return value === "none" || value === "folder" || value === "repo" || value === "custom" ? value : "";
+          } catch { return ""; }
+        })(),
+        customPath: "",
+        includeConversation: false,
+        gitContext: false,
+        webSearch: false,
+        toolIds: (() => {
+          try {
+            const parsed = JSON.parse((window.localStorage && window.localStorage.getItem(SIDE_QUESTION_TOOLS_STORAGE_KEY)) || "[]");
+            return Array.isArray(parsed) ? [...new Set(parsed.filter((id) => typeof id === "string" && /^[a-f0-9]{24}$/i.test(id)).map((id) => id.toLowerCase()))].slice(0, 12) : [];
+          } catch { return []; }
+        })(),
+        thinking: (() => {
+          try {
+            const value = window.localStorage && window.localStorage.getItem(SIDE_QUESTION_THINKING_STORAGE_KEY);
+            return ["off", "minimal", "low", "medium", "high"].includes(value) ? value : "low";
+          } catch { return "low"; }
+        })(),
+        draft: "",
+      };
       let quizOverlayEl = null;
       let quizDialogEl = null;
       let quizPreviewRenderNonce = 0;
@@ -2717,7 +2774,7 @@
         if (!isEditorOnlyMode && critiqueBtn && lensSelect) {
           const reviewButton = makeStudioUiRefreshElement("button", "studio-refresh-tool-tab studio-refresh-review-btn", "Review");
           reviewMenu = makeStudioUiRefreshMenu(reviewButton, "review", "studio-refresh-review-anchor");
-          appendStudioUiRefreshMenuSection(reviewMenu.menu, "Action", [critiqueBtn, showMeBtn, showMeResponseBtn, quizBtn]);
+          appendStudioUiRefreshMenuSection(reviewMenu.menu, "Action", [critiqueBtn, showMeBtn, showMeResponseBtn, askAsideBtn, quizBtn]);
           appendStudioUiRefreshMenuSection(reviewMenu.menu, "Setting", [lensSelect]);
         }
 
@@ -2841,6 +2898,7 @@
         if (reviewNotesBtn) headerToolsEl.appendChild(reviewNotesBtn);
         if (outlineBtn) headerToolsEl.appendChild(outlineBtn);
         if (scratchpadBtn) headerToolsEl.appendChild(scratchpadBtn);
+        if (isEditorOnlyMode && askAsideBtn) headerToolsEl.appendChild(askAsideBtn);
         if (reviewMenu) headerToolsEl.appendChild(reviewMenu.anchor);
         headerTopEl.appendChild(headerToolsEl);
 
@@ -3041,9 +3099,9 @@
 
       function getIdleStatus() {
         if (isEditorOnlyMode) {
-          return "Editor-only mode: edit, browse files, annotate, preview, save, suggest, refresh file-backed text, or send to a REPL.";
+          return "Editor-only mode: edit, browse files, annotate, preview, save, suggest, ask a side question, refresh file-backed text, or send to a REPL.";
         }
-        return "Edit, load, or annotate text, then run, save, review, or ask Studio to show the current structure.";
+        return "Edit, load, or annotate text, then run, save, review, explain, or ask a side question.";
       }
 
       function normalizeTerminalPhase(phase) {
@@ -4761,6 +4819,16 @@
           return;
         }
 
+        const isSideQuestionsShortcut = (key.toLowerCase() === "q" || code === "KeyQ")
+          && (event.metaKey || event.ctrlKey)
+          && event.altKey
+          && !event.shiftKey;
+        if (isSideQuestionsShortcut) {
+          event.preventDefault();
+          switchRightPaneToView("side-questions");
+          return;
+        }
+
         const isContentFocusShortcut = key === "F8" && !event.metaKey && !event.ctrlKey && !event.altKey;
         if (isContentFocusShortcut) {
           event.preventDefault();
@@ -5019,6 +5087,19 @@
         }
       }
 
+      function syncAskAsideButton() {
+        if (!askAsideBtn) return;
+        const running = Boolean(sideQuestionState && sideQuestionState.status === "running");
+        askAsideBtn.disabled = wsState === "Disconnected";
+        askAsideBtn.textContent = isEditorOnlyMode
+          ? "Side questions"
+          : (running ? "Side question running…" : (sideQuestionState && sideQuestionState.threadId ? "Open side questions" : "Side question"));
+        askAsideBtn.classList.toggle("request-active", running);
+        askAsideBtn.title = running
+          ? "Open the independently running side question."
+          : "Open side questions without adding them to the main Pi conversation.";
+      }
+
       function syncTraceForSelectedHistoryItem() {
         const item = getSelectedHistoryItem();
         const total = Array.isArray(responseHistory) ? responseHistory.length : 0;
@@ -5222,6 +5303,18 @@
           return;
         }
 
+        if (rightView === "side-questions") {
+          if (sideQuestionState && sideQuestionState.threadId) {
+            const count = sideQuestionState.messages.filter((entry) => entry.role === "assistant" && entry.status === "complete").length;
+            referenceBadgeEl.textContent = "Side thread: " + (sideQuestionState.status === "running" ? "answering" : "ready")
+              + " · " + count + " answer" + (count === 1 ? "" : "s")
+              + " · outside main context";
+          } else {
+            referenceBadgeEl.textContent = "Side questions: no active thread · outside main context";
+          }
+          return;
+        }
+
         if (rightView === "trace") {
           const state = traceState || createEmptyTraceState();
           const context = traceDisplayContext || {};
@@ -9135,6 +9228,10 @@
         critiqueViewEl.addEventListener("click", handleFilesPaneClick);
         critiqueViewEl.addEventListener("click", handleGitChangesPaneClick);
         critiqueViewEl.addEventListener("click", handleStudioQuartoPreviewClick);
+        critiqueViewEl.addEventListener("click", (event) => { void handleSideQuestionClick(event); });
+        critiqueViewEl.addEventListener("input", handleSideQuestionInput);
+        critiqueViewEl.addEventListener("keydown", handleSideQuestionKeydown);
+        critiqueViewEl.addEventListener("change", handleSideQuestionChange);
         critiqueViewEl.addEventListener("change", handleReplPaneChange);
         critiqueViewEl.addEventListener("change", (event) => {
           void handleFilesPaneChange(event);
@@ -9160,7 +9257,7 @@
 
       function applyPendingResponseScrollReset() {
         if (!pendingResponseScrollReset || !critiqueViewEl) return false;
-        if (rightView === "editor-preview" || rightView === "editor-quarto-preview") return false;
+        if (rightView === "editor-preview" || rightView === "editor-quarto-preview" || rightView === "side-questions") return false;
 
         pendingResponseScrollReset = false;
         let targetEl = replaceResponsePaneWithClone();
@@ -9169,7 +9266,7 @@
           : (cb) => window.setTimeout(cb, 16);
         const resetScroll = () => {
           if (!targetEl || !targetEl.isConnected) return;
-          if (rightView === "editor-preview" || rightView === "editor-quarto-preview") return;
+          if (rightView === "editor-preview" || rightView === "editor-quarto-preview" || rightView === "side-questions") return;
           targetEl.scrollTop = 0;
           targetEl.scrollLeft = 0;
         };
@@ -9427,8 +9524,10 @@
       async function exportRightPanePdf(options) {
         const exportOptions = options && typeof options === "object" ? options : {};
         const openTarget = exportOptions.openTarget === "studio" ? "studio" : "default";
+        const exportingSideThread = rightView === "side-questions";
+        const sideThreadExportedAt = exportingSideThread ? new Date() : null;
         let studioLaunch = null;
-        if (uiBusy || previewExportInProgress) {
+        if ((!exportingSideThread && uiBusy) || previewExportInProgress || sideQuestionMarkdownExportRequest) {
           setStatus("Studio is busy.", "warning");
           return;
         }
@@ -9441,8 +9540,8 @@
 
         const exportingReplJournal = rightView === "repl";
         const rightPaneShowsPreview = rightView === "preview" || rightView === "editor-preview";
-        if (!rightPaneShowsPreview && !exportingReplJournal) {
-          setStatus("Switch right pane to Response (Preview), Editor (Preview), or REPL to export PDF.", "warning");
+        if (!rightPaneShowsPreview && !exportingReplJournal && !exportingSideThread) {
+          setStatus("Switch right pane to Response (Preview), Editor (Preview), REPL, or Side questions to export PDF.", "warning");
           return;
         }
         const replJournalExportEntries = exportingReplJournal ? getVisibleReplJournalEntries() : [];
@@ -9451,7 +9550,7 @@
           return;
         }
 
-        const htmlArtifactSource = exportingReplJournal ? "" : getRightPaneHtmlArtifactSource();
+        const htmlArtifactSource = exportingReplJournal || exportingSideThread ? "" : getRightPaneHtmlArtifactSource();
         if (htmlArtifactSource) {
           setStatus("PDF export does not support interactive HTML previews yet. Export as HTML or use the browser print dialog inside the preview.", "warning");
           return;
@@ -9459,24 +9558,34 @@
 
         const markdown = exportingReplJournal
           ? buildReplJournalMarkdown(replJournalExportEntries)
-          : (rightView === "editor-preview"
-            ? prepareEditorTextForPdfExport(sourceTextEl.value)
-            : prepareEditorTextForPreview(latestResponseMarkdown));
+          : (exportingSideThread
+            ? buildCurrentSideQuestionTranscriptMarkdown(sideThreadExportedAt)
+            : (rightView === "editor-preview"
+              ? prepareEditorTextForPdfExport(sourceTextEl.value)
+              : prepareEditorTextForPreview(latestResponseMarkdown)));
         if (!markdown || !markdown.trim()) {
           setStatus("Nothing to export yet.", "warning");
           return;
         }
+        if (exportingSideThread && markdown.length > SIDE_QUESTION_TRANSCRIPT_RENDER_MAX_CHARS) {
+          setStatus("This side-thread transcript is too large for PDF export. Save or copy the Markdown instead.", "warning");
+          return;
+        }
 
         const effectivePath = getEffectiveSavePath();
-        const sourcePath = exportingReplJournal ? "" : (effectivePath || sourceState.path || "");
+        const sourcePath = exportingReplJournal || exportingSideThread ? "" : (effectivePath || sourceState.path || "");
         const resourceDir = (!sourcePath && resourceDirInput) ? getCurrentResourceDirValue() : "";
         const isEditorPreview = rightView === "editor-preview";
         const editorIsDelimitedPreview = isEditorPreview && Boolean(getDelimitedTextPreviewConfig(editorLanguage || ""));
         const editorPdfLanguage = isEditorPreview ? (editorIsDelimitedPreview ? "markdown" : normalizeFenceLanguage(editorLanguage || "")) : "";
-        const isLatex = isEditorPreview
-          ? editorPdfLanguage === "latex"
-          : /\\documentclass\b|\\begin\{document\}/.test(markdown);
-        let filenameHint = exportingReplJournal ? "repl-studio.pdf" : (isEditorPreview ? "studio-editor-preview.pdf" : ("studio-response-" + formatStudioExportTimestamp() + ".studio.pdf"));
+        const isLatex = exportingSideThread
+          ? false
+          : (isEditorPreview
+            ? editorPdfLanguage === "latex"
+            : /\\documentclass\b|\\begin\{document\}/.test(markdown));
+        let filenameHint = exportingSideThread
+          ? getSideQuestionTranscriptFilename(sideThreadExportedAt).replace(/\.md$/i, ".pdf")
+          : (exportingReplJournal ? "repl-studio.pdf" : (isEditorPreview ? "studio-editor-preview.pdf" : ("studio-response-" + formatStudioExportTimestamp() + ".studio.pdf")));
         if (sourcePath) {
           const baseName = sourcePath.split(/[\\/]/).pop() || "studio";
           const stem = baseName.replace(/\.[^.]+$/, "") || "studio";
@@ -9493,7 +9602,9 @@
         }
         previewExportInProgress = true;
         updateResultActionButtons();
-        setStatus(openTarget === "studio" ? "Exporting PDF for Studio…" : "Exporting PDF…", "warning");
+        setStatus(exportingSideThread
+          ? (openTarget === "studio" ? "Exporting side thread as PDF for Studio…" : "Exporting side thread as PDF…")
+          : (openTarget === "studio" ? "Exporting PDF for Studio…" : "Exporting PDF…"), "warning");
 
         try {
           const response = await fetchWithTimeout("/export-pdf?token=" + encodeURIComponent(token), {
@@ -9658,8 +9769,10 @@
       async function exportRightPaneHtml(options) {
         const exportOptions = options && typeof options === "object" ? options : {};
         const openTarget = exportOptions.openTarget === "studio" ? "studio" : "browser";
+        const exportingSideThread = rightView === "side-questions";
+        const sideThreadExportedAt = exportingSideThread ? new Date() : null;
         let studioLaunch = null;
-        if (uiBusy || previewExportInProgress) {
+        if ((!exportingSideThread && uiBusy) || previewExportInProgress || sideQuestionMarkdownExportRequest) {
           setStatus("Studio is busy.", "warning");
           return;
         }
@@ -9672,8 +9785,8 @@
 
         const exportingReplJournal = rightView === "repl";
         const rightPaneShowsPreview = rightView === "preview" || rightView === "editor-preview";
-        if (!rightPaneShowsPreview && !exportingReplJournal) {
-          setStatus("Switch right pane to Response (Preview), Editor (Preview), or REPL to export HTML.", "warning");
+        if (!rightPaneShowsPreview && !exportingReplJournal && !exportingSideThread) {
+          setStatus("Switch right pane to Response (Preview), Editor (Preview), REPL, or Side questions to export HTML.", "warning");
           return;
         }
         const replJournalExportEntries = exportingReplJournal ? getVisibleReplJournalEntries() : [];
@@ -9682,26 +9795,36 @@
           return;
         }
 
-        const htmlArtifactSource = exportingReplJournal ? "" : getRightPaneHtmlArtifactSource();
-        const markdown = exportingReplJournal ? buildReplJournalMarkdown(replJournalExportEntries) : (htmlArtifactSource || (rightView === "editor-preview"
-          ? prepareEditorTextForHtmlExport(sourceTextEl.value)
-          : prepareEditorTextForPreview(latestResponseMarkdown)));
+        const htmlArtifactSource = exportingReplJournal || exportingSideThread ? "" : getRightPaneHtmlArtifactSource();
+        const markdown = exportingReplJournal
+          ? buildReplJournalMarkdown(replJournalExportEntries)
+          : (exportingSideThread
+            ? buildCurrentSideQuestionTranscriptMarkdown(sideThreadExportedAt)
+            : (htmlArtifactSource || (rightView === "editor-preview"
+              ? prepareEditorTextForHtmlExport(sourceTextEl.value)
+              : prepareEditorTextForPreview(latestResponseMarkdown))));
         if (!markdown || !markdown.trim()) {
           setStatus("Nothing to export yet.", "warning");
           return;
         }
+        if (exportingSideThread && markdown.length > SIDE_QUESTION_TRANSCRIPT_RENDER_MAX_CHARS) {
+          setStatus("This side-thread transcript is too large for HTML export. Save or copy the Markdown instead.", "warning");
+          return;
+        }
 
         const effectivePath = getEffectiveSavePath();
-        const sourcePath = exportingReplJournal ? "" : (effectivePath || sourceState.path || "");
+        const sourcePath = exportingReplJournal || exportingSideThread ? "" : (effectivePath || sourceState.path || "");
         const resourceDir = (!sourcePath && resourceDirInput) ? getCurrentResourceDirValue() : "";
         const isEditorPreview = rightView === "editor-preview";
         const editorIsDelimitedPreview = isEditorPreview && Boolean(getDelimitedTextPreviewConfig(editorLanguage || ""));
         const editorHtmlLanguage = htmlArtifactSource ? "html" : (isEditorPreview ? (editorIsDelimitedPreview ? "markdown" : normalizeFenceLanguage(editorLanguage || "")) : "");
-        const isLatex = htmlArtifactSource ? false : (isEditorPreview
+        const isLatex = exportingSideThread ? false : (htmlArtifactSource ? false : (isEditorPreview
           ? editorHtmlLanguage === "latex"
-          : /\\documentclass\b|\\begin\{document\}/.test(markdown));
-        let filenameHint = exportingReplJournal ? "repl-studio.html" : (isEditorPreview ? "studio-editor-preview.html" : ("studio-response-" + formatStudioExportTimestamp() + ".studio.html"));
-        let titleHint = exportingReplJournal ? "Studio REPL Record" : (isEditorPreview ? "Studio editor preview" : "Studio response preview");
+          : /\\documentclass\b|\\begin\{document\}/.test(markdown)));
+        let filenameHint = exportingSideThread
+          ? getSideQuestionTranscriptFilename(sideThreadExportedAt).replace(/\.md$/i, ".html")
+          : (exportingReplJournal ? "repl-studio.html" : (isEditorPreview ? "studio-editor-preview.html" : ("studio-response-" + formatStudioExportTimestamp() + ".studio.html")));
+        let titleHint = exportingSideThread ? "Pi Studio side questions" : (exportingReplJournal ? "Studio REPL Record" : (isEditorPreview ? "Studio editor preview" : "Studio response preview"));
         if (sourcePath) {
           const baseName = sourcePath.split(/[\\/]/).pop() || "studio";
           const stem = baseName.replace(/\.[^.]+$/, "") || "studio";
@@ -9719,7 +9842,9 @@
         }
         previewExportInProgress = true;
         updateResultActionButtons();
-        setStatus(openTarget === "studio" ? "Exporting HTML for Studio…" : "Exporting HTML…", "warning");
+        setStatus(exportingSideThread
+          ? (openTarget === "studio" ? "Exporting side thread as HTML for Studio…" : "Exporting side thread as HTML…")
+          : (openTarget === "studio" ? "Exporting HTML for Studio…" : "Exporting HTML…"), "warning");
 
         try {
           const response = await fetchWithTimeout("/export-html?token=" + encodeURIComponent(token), {
@@ -9894,6 +10019,15 @@
 
       function exportRightPaneFormat(format) {
         closeExportPreviewMenu();
+        if (format === "side-markdown-save") {
+          return saveSideQuestionTranscriptMarkdown();
+        }
+        if (format === "side-markdown-copy") {
+          return copySideQuestionTranscriptMarkdown();
+        }
+        if (format === "side-markdown-editor") {
+          return openSideQuestionTranscriptInEditor();
+        }
         if (format === "html-studio") {
           return exportRightPaneHtml({ openTarget: "studio" });
         }
@@ -11773,10 +11907,650 @@
         }
       }
 
+      function isSideQuestionConnectionReady() {
+        return Boolean(ws && ws.readyState === WebSocket.OPEN);
+      }
+
+      function getSideQuestionSelectedResponseText() {
+        const selected = getSelectedHistoryItem();
+        return selected && typeof selected.markdown === "string" ? selected.markdown : latestResponseMarkdown;
+      }
+
+      function getSideQuestionGatherScope() {
+        if (sideQuestionUi.gatherScope) return sideQuestionUi.gatherScope;
+        return sideQuestionHelpers.getDefaultStudioSideQuestionGatherScope({
+          sourcePath: getEffectiveSavePath() || sourceState.path || "",
+          resourceDir: getCurrentResourceDirValue(),
+        });
+      }
+
+      function getSideQuestionFocus() {
+        return sideQuestionHelpers.chooseStudioSideQuestionFocus({
+          mode: sideQuestionUi.focusMode,
+          editorText: sourceTextEl.value || "",
+          responseText: getSideQuestionSelectedResponseText(),
+          selectionStart: sourceTextEl.selectionStart,
+          selectionEnd: sourceTextEl.selectionEnd,
+          language: editorLanguage,
+        });
+      }
+
+      function persistSideQuestionToolSelection() {
+        try {
+          if (window.localStorage) window.localStorage.setItem(SIDE_QUESTION_TOOLS_STORAGE_KEY, JSON.stringify(sideQuestionUi.toolIds.slice(0, 12)));
+        } catch {}
+      }
+
+      function applySideQuestionToolCatalog(value) {
+        const seen = new Set();
+        sideQuestionAvailablePiTools = (Array.isArray(value) ? value : []).flatMap((entry) => {
+          if (!entry || typeof entry !== "object" || typeof entry.id !== "string" || typeof entry.name !== "string") return [];
+          const id = entry.id.trim().toLowerCase();
+          const name = entry.name.trim();
+          if (!/^[a-f0-9]{24}$/.test(id) || !name || name.length > 200 || seen.has(id)) return [];
+          seen.add(id);
+          return [{
+            id,
+            name,
+            description: typeof entry.description === "string" ? entry.description.trim().slice(0, 1000) : "",
+            source: typeof entry.source === "string" ? entry.source.trim().slice(0, 500) : "Extension tool",
+            gateway: entry.gateway === true,
+          }];
+        }).slice(0, 200);
+        const available = new Set(sideQuestionAvailablePiTools.map((tool) => tool.id));
+        const nextSelection = sideQuestionUi.toolIds.filter((id) => available.has(id)).slice(0, 12);
+        if (nextSelection.length !== sideQuestionUi.toolIds.length || nextSelection.some((id, index) => id !== sideQuestionUi.toolIds[index])) {
+          sideQuestionUi.toolIds = nextSelection;
+          persistSideQuestionToolSelection();
+        }
+      }
+
+      function normalizeSideQuestionState(value) {
+        const state = value && typeof value === "object" ? value : {};
+        const messages = Array.isArray(state.messages) ? state.messages.map((entry) => ({
+          id: typeof entry.id === "string" ? entry.id : makeRequestId(),
+          role: entry.role === "assistant" ? "assistant" : "user",
+          text: typeof entry.text === "string" ? entry.text : "",
+          createdAt: typeof entry.createdAt === "number" ? entry.createdAt : Date.now(),
+          status: entry.status === "streaming" || entry.status === "error" ? entry.status : "complete",
+        })).slice(-24) : [];
+        const activity = Array.isArray(state.activity) ? state.activity.map((entry) => ({
+          id: typeof entry.id === "string" ? entry.id : makeRequestId(),
+          toolName: typeof entry.toolName === "string" ? entry.toolName : "tool",
+          label: typeof entry.label === "string" ? entry.label : "Gathering context",
+          status: entry.status === "running" || entry.status === "error" ? entry.status : "complete",
+        })).slice(-40) : [];
+        const context = state.context && typeof state.context === "object" ? {
+          focusKind: String(state.context.focusKind || "editor"),
+          focusLabel: String(state.context.focusLabel || "Studio editor context"),
+          gatherScope: String(state.context.gatherScope || "none"),
+          contextRoot: String(state.context.contextRoot || ""),
+          includeConversation: state.context.includeConversation === true,
+          gitContextRequested: state.context.gitContextRequested === true,
+          gitSnapshot: state.context.gitSnapshot && typeof state.context.gitSnapshot === "object" ? {
+            capturedAt: Number.isFinite(state.context.gitSnapshot.capturedAt) ? state.context.gitSnapshot.capturedAt : null,
+            branch: String(state.context.gitSnapshot.branch || ""),
+            head: String(state.context.gitSnapshot.head || ""),
+            changeCount: Number.isFinite(state.context.gitSnapshot.changeCount) ? Math.max(0, Math.floor(state.context.gitSnapshot.changeCount)) : 0,
+            recentCommitCount: Number.isFinite(state.context.gitSnapshot.recentCommitCount) ? Math.max(0, Math.floor(state.context.gitSnapshot.recentCommitCount)) : 0,
+            truncated: state.context.gitSnapshot.truncated === true,
+          } : null,
+          webSearchRequested: state.context.webSearchRequested === true,
+          webSearchAvailable: state.context.webSearchAvailable === true,
+          tools: Array.isArray(state.context.tools) ? state.context.tools.flatMap((tool) => {
+            if (!tool || typeof tool !== "object" || typeof tool.name !== "string") return [];
+            return [{
+              id: typeof tool.id === "string" ? tool.id : "",
+              name: tool.name,
+              description: typeof tool.description === "string" ? tool.description : "",
+              source: typeof tool.source === "string" ? tool.source : "Extension tool",
+              gateway: tool.gateway === true,
+            }];
+          }).slice(0, 12) : [],
+        } : null;
+        return {
+          threadId: typeof state.threadId === "string" && state.threadId ? state.threadId : null,
+          status: state.status === "running" || state.status === "error" ? state.status : "idle",
+          requestId: typeof state.requestId === "string" ? state.requestId : null,
+          createdAt: Number.isFinite(state.createdAt) ? state.createdAt : null,
+          updatedAt: Number.isFinite(state.updatedAt) ? state.updatedAt : null,
+          context,
+          modelLabel: String(state.modelLabel || ""),
+          thinking: String(state.thinking || "low"),
+          messages,
+          activity,
+          error: String(state.error || ""),
+        };
+      }
+
+      function getLatestCompletedSideQuestionAnswer() {
+        if (!sideQuestionState || !Array.isArray(sideQuestionState.messages)) return null;
+        return [...sideQuestionState.messages].reverse().find((entry) => entry.role === "assistant" && entry.status === "complete" && entry.text.trim()) || null;
+      }
+
+      function canExportSideQuestionTranscript() {
+        return Boolean(
+          sideQuestionState
+          && sideQuestionState.threadId
+          && sideQuestionState.status !== "running"
+          && Array.isArray(sideQuestionState.messages)
+          && sideQuestionState.messages.length > 0
+        );
+      }
+
+      function buildCurrentSideQuestionTranscriptMarkdown(exportedAt) {
+        if (!canExportSideQuestionTranscript()) return "";
+        return sideQuestionHelpers.buildStudioSideQuestionTranscriptMarkdown(sideQuestionState, {
+          exportedAt: exportedAt instanceof Date ? exportedAt : new Date(),
+        });
+      }
+
+      function getSideQuestionTranscriptFilename(date) {
+        return sideQuestionHelpers.formatStudioSideQuestionTranscriptFilename(date instanceof Date ? date : new Date());
+      }
+
+      function getSideQuestionTranscriptSuggestedPath(date) {
+        const filename = getSideQuestionTranscriptFilename(date);
+        const contextRoot = sideQuestionState && sideQuestionState.context ? String(sideQuestionState.context.contextRoot || "") : "";
+        const directory = getCurrentResourceDirValue() || contextRoot || ".";
+        return directory.replace(/[\\/]$/, "") + "/" + filename;
+      }
+
+      function getSideQuestionEditorLineRange(focus) {
+        if (!focus || !Number.isFinite(focus.start) || !Number.isFinite(focus.end)) return "";
+        const source = sourceTextEl.value || "";
+        const start = Math.max(0, Math.min(source.length, Math.floor(focus.start)));
+        const end = Math.max(start, Math.min(source.length, Math.floor(focus.end)));
+        const firstLine = source.slice(0, start).split("\n").length;
+        const lastOffset = end > start ? end - 1 : start;
+        const lastLine = source.slice(0, lastOffset).split("\n").length;
+        return firstLine === lastLine ? "line " + firstLine : "lines " + firstLine + "–" + lastLine;
+      }
+
+      function getSideQuestionContextSummary() {
+        const focus = getSideQuestionFocus();
+        const scope = getSideQuestionGatherScope();
+        const sourcePath = getEffectiveSavePath() || sourceState.path || "";
+        const resourceDir = getCurrentResourceDirValue();
+        const rootHint = scope === "custom"
+          ? sideQuestionUi.customPath
+          : (scope === "repo"
+            ? "Current repository"
+            : (sourcePath ? dirnameForDisplayPath(sourcePath) : (resourceDir || "current Pi working directory")));
+        const lineRange = getSideQuestionEditorLineRange(focus);
+        const attachment = focus.focusKind === "none"
+          ? focus.focusLabel
+          : focus.focusLabel + (lineRange ? " · " + lineRange : "") + " · " + String(focus.focusText.length).toLocaleString("en-US") + " chars";
+        return {
+          focus,
+          scope,
+          rootHint,
+          sourcePath,
+          resourceDir,
+          attachmentText: attachment,
+          relatedFilesText: scope === "none" ? "None" : (rootHint || scope) + " · read only as needed",
+          gitContextText: scope === "repo" && sideQuestionUi.gitContext
+            ? "Status, staged and unstaged changes, and up to 20 recent commits · read only · frozen when thread starts"
+            : "",
+        };
+      }
+
+      function buildSideQuestionContextPayload() {
+        const summary = getSideQuestionContextSummary();
+        return {
+          focusKind: summary.focus.focusKind,
+          focusLabel: summary.focus.focusLabel,
+          focusText: summary.focus.focusText,
+          sourcePath: summary.sourcePath || undefined,
+          resourceDir: summary.resourceDir || undefined,
+          gatherScope: summary.scope,
+          contextPath: summary.scope === "custom" ? sideQuestionUi.customPath.trim() : undefined,
+          includeConversation: sideQuestionUi.includeConversation,
+          gitContext: summary.scope === "repo" && sideQuestionUi.gitContext,
+          webSearch: sideQuestionUi.webSearch && sideQuestionWebSearchAvailable,
+          toolIds: sideQuestionUi.toolIds.slice(0, 12),
+          thinking: sideQuestionUi.thinking,
+        };
+      }
+
+      async function renderSideQuestionMarkdownToHtml(markdown) {
+        const source = String(markdown || "");
+        if (sideQuestionMarkdownRenderCache.has(source)) return sideQuestionMarkdownRenderCache.get(source);
+        const renderedHtml = await renderMarkdownWithPandoc(source, { includeEditorLanguage: false });
+        const sanitized = sanitizeRenderedHtml(renderedHtml, source, { stripMarkdownHtmlComments: true });
+        sideQuestionMarkdownRenderCache.set(source, sanitized);
+        while (sideQuestionMarkdownRenderCache.size > 60) {
+          const firstKey = sideQuestionMarkdownRenderCache.keys().next().value;
+          if (!firstKey) break;
+          sideQuestionMarkdownRenderCache.delete(firstKey);
+        }
+        return sanitized;
+      }
+
+      async function renderSideQuestionMarkdownFields(nonce) {
+        if (!critiqueViewEl || rightView !== "side-questions") return;
+        const targets = Array.from(critiqueViewEl.querySelectorAll("[data-side-question-markdown]")).filter((target) => target instanceof HTMLElement);
+        for (const target of targets) {
+          const markdown = target.getAttribute("data-side-question-markdown") || "";
+          if (!markdown.trim()) continue;
+          try {
+            const html = await renderSideQuestionMarkdownToHtml(markdown);
+            if (nonce !== sideQuestionPreviewRenderNonce || rightView !== "side-questions" || !critiqueViewEl.contains(target)) return;
+            target.innerHTML = html;
+            await renderAnnotationMathInElement(target);
+            await renderMermaidInElement(target);
+            await renderMathFallbackInElement(target);
+            decorateCopyablePreviewBlocks(target);
+          } catch (error) {
+            console.error("Side-question markdown preview failed:", error);
+            target.classList.add("side-question-markdown-failed");
+          }
+        }
+      }
+
+      function sideQuestionSelectOptions(values, current) {
+        return values.map(([value, label]) => "<option value='" + escapeHtml(value) + "'" + (value === current ? " selected" : "") + ">" + escapeHtml(label) + "</option>").join("");
+      }
+
+      function renderSideQuestionPiToolPicker() {
+        const selected = new Set(sideQuestionUi.toolIds);
+        const selectedCount = sideQuestionUi.toolIds.length;
+        if (!sideQuestionAvailablePiTools.length) {
+          return "<div class='side-question-tool-empty'><strong>Additional Pi tools</strong><span>No eligible extension tools are currently available.</span></div>";
+        }
+        const groups = new Map();
+        for (const tool of sideQuestionAvailablePiTools) {
+          if (!groups.has(tool.source)) groups.set(tool.source, []);
+          groups.get(tool.source).push(tool);
+        }
+        const groupHtml = [...groups.entries()].map(([source, tools]) => {
+          const toolHtml = tools.map((tool) => {
+            const description = tool.description || "No description supplied by this extension.";
+            return "<label class='side-question-tool-option' title='" + escapeHtml(description) + "'>"
+              + "<input type='checkbox' data-side-question-tool='" + escapeHtml(tool.id) + "' data-side-question-tool-name='" + escapeHtml(tool.name) + "'" + (selected.has(tool.id) ? " checked" : "") + ">"
+              + "<span><code>" + escapeHtml(tool.name) + "</code><small>" + escapeHtml(description) + "</small></span>"
+              + (tool.gateway ? "<em>gateway</em>" : "")
+              + "</label>";
+          }).join("");
+          return "<section class='side-question-tool-group'><h3>" + escapeHtml(source) + "</h3>" + toolHtml + "</section>";
+        }).join("");
+        return "<details class='side-question-tool-picker'" + (selectedCount ? " open" : "") + ">"
+          + "<summary>Additional Pi tools · " + selectedCount + " selected</summary>"
+          + "<p>Selecting a tool loads its owning extension into the isolated side runtime. Selection is remembered, then frozen; a gateway may expose further configured services.</p>"
+          + "<div class='side-question-tool-groups'>" + groupHtml + "</div>"
+          + "</details>";
+      }
+
+      function renderSideQuestionSetup() {
+        const summary = getSideQuestionContextSummary();
+        const scope = summary.scope;
+        const webDisabled = !sideQuestionWebSearchAvailable;
+        return "<div class='side-question-empty'>"
+          + "<div class='side-question-intro'><h2>Side question</h2><p>Ask something without adding it to the main Pi conversation. Choose the starting text and whether Studio may look through related files.</p></div>"
+          + "<div class='side-question-context-grid'>"
+          + "<label>Starting text<select data-side-question-field='focusMode' aria-describedby='sideQuestionContextRule'>" + sideQuestionSelectOptions([
+            ["auto", "Automatic"], ["selection", "Editor selection only"], ["section", "Heading block or nearby text at cursor"], ["editor", "Whole editor document"], ["response", "Displayed response"], ["none", "No starting text"],
+          ], sideQuestionUi.focusMode) + "</select></label>"
+          + "<label>Also use files from<select data-side-question-field='gatherScope'>" + sideQuestionSelectOptions([
+            ["none", "No other files"], ["folder", "Same folder as document"], ["repo", "Repository"], ["custom", "Choose a folder"],
+          ], scope) + "</select></label>"
+          + "<label>Thinking<select data-side-question-field='thinking'>" + sideQuestionSelectOptions([
+            ["off", "Off"], ["minimal", "Minimal"], ["low", "Low"], ["medium", "Medium"], ["high", "High"],
+          ], sideQuestionUi.thinking) + "</select></label>"
+          + "</div>"
+          + "<details class='side-question-context-rule'><summary id='sideQuestionContextRule'>Automatic: selection → heading block at cursor → nearby text</summary><p>A heading block starts at the nearest Markdown/LaTeX heading above the cursor and ends before the next heading of the same or higher level. With no heading, Studio uses the surrounding text block or a nearby excerpt.</p></details>"
+          + (scope === "custom" ? "<label class='side-question-path-label'>Folder path<input data-side-question-field='customPath' type='text' value='" + escapeHtml(sideQuestionUi.customPath) + "' placeholder='Folder on the computer running Pi'></label>" : "")
+          + "<div class='side-question-checks'>"
+          + "<label><input data-side-question-field='includeConversation' type='checkbox'" + (sideQuestionUi.includeConversation ? " checked" : "") + "> Include the current main conversation snapshot</label>"
+          + (scope === "repo" ? "<label title='Capture Git status, staged and unstaged changes, and up to 20 recent commits when this thread starts.'><input data-side-question-field='gitContext' type='checkbox'" + (sideQuestionUi.gitContext ? " checked" : "") + "> Include Git context</label>" : "")
+          + "<label title='" + (webDisabled ? "Set BRAVE_API_KEY before starting Pi to enable web search." : "Allow this side thread to search the web when useful.") + "'><input data-side-question-field='webSearch' type='checkbox'" + (sideQuestionUi.webSearch ? " checked" : "") + (webDisabled ? " disabled" : "") + "> Allow web search" + (webDisabled ? " (unavailable)" : "") + "</label>"
+          + "</div>"
+          + renderSideQuestionPiToolPicker()
+          + "<dl class='side-question-context-summary'><div><dt>Starting text</dt><dd>" + escapeHtml(summary.attachmentText) + "</dd></div><div><dt>Related files</dt><dd>" + escapeHtml(summary.relatedFilesText) + "</dd></div>" + (summary.gitContextText ? "<div><dt>Git context</dt><dd>" + escapeHtml(summary.gitContextText) + "</dd></div>" : "") + "</dl>"
+          + "<label class='side-question-composer-label'>Question<textarea data-side-question-field='draft' rows='4' title='Enter adds a new line. Cmd/Ctrl+Enter asks the side question.' placeholder='Ask about the starting text or anything you want checked…'>" + escapeHtml(sideQuestionUi.draft) + "</textarea></label>"
+          + (sideQuestionState && sideQuestionState.error ? "<div class='side-question-error'>" + escapeHtml(sideQuestionState.error) + "</div>" : "")
+          + "<div class='side-question-actions'><button type='button' class='side-question-primary' data-side-question-action='ask' aria-keyshortcuts='Meta+Enter Control+Enter' title='Ask side question (Cmd/Ctrl+Enter)'" + (!isSideQuestionConnectionReady() || (sideQuestionState && sideQuestionState.status === "running") || !sideQuestionUi.draft.trim() || (scope === "custom" && !sideQuestionUi.customPath.trim()) ? " disabled" : "") + ">" + (sideQuestionState && sideQuestionState.status === "running" ? "Preparing side thread…" : "Ask side question") + "</button></div>"
+          + "</div>";
+      }
+
+      function renderSideQuestionThread() {
+        const state = sideQuestionState;
+        const context = state.context || {};
+        const latestAnswer = getLatestCompletedSideQuestionAnswer();
+        const messageHtml = state.messages.map((message) => {
+          const roleLabel = message.role === "user" ? "You" : "Side answer";
+          const body = message.role === "assistant" && message.status === "complete"
+            ? "<div class='side-question-message-body rendered-markdown' data-side-question-markdown='" + escapeHtml(message.text) + "'><div class='side-question-markdown-fallback'>" + escapeHtml(message.text) + "</div></div>"
+            : "<div class='side-question-message-body side-question-plain'>" + escapeHtml(message.text || (message.status === "streaming" ? "Thinking…" : "")) + "</div>";
+          return "<article class='side-question-message side-question-message-" + message.role + " side-question-status-" + message.status + "'>"
+            + "<div class='side-question-message-label'>" + roleLabel + (message.status === "streaming" ? " <span class='side-question-live'>●</span>" : "") + "</div>" + body + "</article>";
+        }).join("");
+        const activityHtml = state.activity.length
+          ? "<details class='side-question-activity'" + (state.status === "running" ? " open" : "") + "><summary>Gathered context · " + state.activity.length + " action" + (state.activity.length === 1 ? "" : "s") + "</summary><ul>"
+            + state.activity.map((entry) => "<li class='side-question-activity-" + entry.status + "'><span>" + (entry.status === "running" ? "●" : (entry.status === "error" ? "!" : "✓")) + "</span>" + escapeHtml(entry.label) + "</li>").join("") + "</ul></details>"
+          : "";
+        const webLabel = context.webSearchRequested
+          ? (context.webSearchAvailable ? "web allowed" : "web unavailable")
+          : "web off";
+        const selectedToolLabel = Array.isArray(context.tools) && context.tools.length
+          ? "Additional Pi tools: " + context.tools.map((tool) => tool.name).join(", ")
+          : "Additional Pi tools off";
+        const gitSnapshot = context.gitSnapshot && typeof context.gitSnapshot === "object" ? context.gitSnapshot : null;
+        const gitCapturedLabel = gitSnapshot && gitSnapshot.capturedAt ? formatReferenceTime(gitSnapshot.capturedAt) : "";
+        const gitLabel = gitSnapshot
+          ? "Git snapshot: " + (gitSnapshot.branch || "repository") + " · " + gitSnapshot.changeCount + " change" + (gitSnapshot.changeCount === 1 ? "" : "s") + " · " + gitSnapshot.recentCommitCount + " commit" + (gitSnapshot.recentCommitCount === 1 ? "" : "s") + (gitCapturedLabel ? " · captured " + gitCapturedLabel : "") + (gitSnapshot.truncated ? " · truncated" : "")
+          : "";
+        return "<div class='side-question-thread'>"
+          + "<div class='side-question-thread-header'><div><h2>Side questions</h2><p>Separate from the main Pi conversation.</p></div><button type='button' data-side-question-action='new'" + (state.status === "running" ? " disabled" : "") + ">New thread</button></div>"
+          + "<div class='side-question-context-chips'><span>" + escapeHtml(context.focusLabel || "Editor context") + "</span><span>" + escapeHtml(context.gatherScope === "none" ? "no other files" : (context.contextRoot || context.gatherScope || "local context")) + "</span>"
+          + (context.includeConversation ? "<span>main conversation snapshot</span>" : "") + (gitLabel ? "<span>" + escapeHtml(gitLabel) + "</span>" : "") + "<span>" + escapeHtml(webLabel) + "</span><span>" + escapeHtml(selectedToolLabel) + "</span><span>" + escapeHtml(state.modelLabel + " · " + state.thinking) + "</span></div>"
+          + "<div class='side-question-transcript'>" + messageHtml + "</div>"
+          + activityHtml
+          + (state.error ? "<div class='side-question-error'>" + escapeHtml(state.error) + "</div>" : "")
+          + (latestAnswer ? "<div class='side-question-result-actions'><button type='button' data-side-question-action='copy'>Copy latest answer</button><button type='button' data-side-question-action='insert'>Insert at editor cursor</button><button type='button' data-side-question-action='promote'>Bring to main conversation</button></div>" : "")
+          + "<label class='side-question-composer-label'>Follow-up<textarea data-side-question-field='draft' rows='3' title='Enter adds a new line. Cmd/Ctrl+Enter asks the follow-up.' placeholder='Ask a follow-up in this side thread…'" + (state.status === "running" ? " disabled" : "") + ">" + escapeHtml(sideQuestionUi.draft) + "</textarea></label>"
+          + "<div class='side-question-actions'>"
+          + (state.status === "running"
+            ? "<button type='button' class='side-question-stop' data-side-question-action='stop'>Stop</button>"
+            : "<button type='button' class='side-question-primary' data-side-question-action='ask' aria-keyshortcuts='Meta+Enter Control+Enter' title='Ask follow-up (Cmd/Ctrl+Enter)'" + (!isSideQuestionConnectionReady() || !sideQuestionUi.draft.trim() ? " disabled" : "") + ">Ask follow-up</button>")
+          + "</div></div>";
+      }
+
+      function scheduleSideQuestionContextRefresh() {
+        if (rightView !== "side-questions" || (sideQuestionState && sideQuestionState.threadId) || sideQuestionContextRefreshHandle !== null) return;
+        sideQuestionContextRefreshHandle = window.setTimeout(() => {
+          sideQuestionContextRefreshHandle = null;
+          if (rightView === "side-questions" && (!sideQuestionState || !sideQuestionState.threadId)) renderSideQuestionView();
+        }, 40);
+      }
+
+      function renderSideQuestionView(options) {
+        if (!critiqueViewEl || rightView !== "side-questions") return;
+        finishPreviewRender(critiqueViewEl);
+        const scrollTop = critiqueViewEl.scrollTop;
+        const nearBottom = critiqueViewEl.scrollHeight - critiqueViewEl.clientHeight - critiqueViewEl.scrollTop < 100;
+        critiqueViewEl.innerHTML = sideQuestionState && sideQuestionState.threadId ? renderSideQuestionThread() : renderSideQuestionSetup();
+        const nonce = ++sideQuestionPreviewRenderNonce;
+        void renderSideQuestionMarkdownFields(nonce);
+        if ((options && options.followBottom) || nearBottom) {
+          critiqueViewEl.scrollTop = critiqueViewEl.scrollHeight;
+          window.requestAnimationFrame(() => { if (rightView === "side-questions") critiqueViewEl.scrollTop = critiqueViewEl.scrollHeight; });
+        } else {
+          critiqueViewEl.scrollTop = scrollTop;
+        }
+      }
+
+      function submitSideQuestion() {
+        const question = String(sideQuestionUi.draft || "").trim();
+        if (!question) {
+          setStatus("Enter a side question first.", "warning");
+          return;
+        }
+        if (!isSideQuestionConnectionReady()) {
+          setStatus("Studio is disconnected.", "warning");
+          return;
+        }
+        const requestId = makeRequestId();
+        const message = {
+          type: "side_question_ask_request",
+          requestId,
+          question,
+        };
+        if (sideQuestionState && sideQuestionState.threadId) {
+          message.threadId = sideQuestionState.threadId;
+        } else {
+          message.context = buildSideQuestionContextPayload();
+          if (message.context.gatherScope === "custom" && !String(message.context.contextPath || "").trim()) {
+            setStatus("Choose a custom context path first.", "warning");
+            return;
+          }
+        }
+        if (!sendMessage(message)) return;
+        sideQuestionUi.draft = "";
+        if (!sideQuestionState) sideQuestionState = normalizeSideQuestionState(null);
+        sideQuestionState.status = "running";
+        sideQuestionState.requestId = requestId;
+        sideQuestionState.error = "";
+        renderSideQuestionView({ followBottom: true });
+        updateReferenceBadge();
+        syncAskAsideButton();
+        updateResultActionButtons();
+        setStatus("Side question running independently of the main conversation…", "warning");
+      }
+
+      function sendSideQuestionMarkdownExport(path, content, overwrite) {
+        if (sideQuestionMarkdownExportRequest) {
+          setStatus("A side-thread Markdown export is already in progress.", "warning");
+          return false;
+        }
+        if (!isSideQuestionConnectionReady()) {
+          setStatus("Studio is disconnected.", "warning");
+          return false;
+        }
+        const requestId = makeRequestId();
+        sideQuestionMarkdownExportRequest = {
+          requestId,
+          threadId: sideQuestionState && sideQuestionState.threadId ? sideQuestionState.threadId : "",
+          path: String(path || ""),
+          content: String(content || ""),
+        };
+        const sent = sendMessage({
+          type: "side_question_export_markdown_request",
+          requestId,
+          threadId: sideQuestionMarkdownExportRequest.threadId,
+          path: String(path || ""),
+          content: String(content || ""),
+          overwrite: overwrite === true,
+        });
+        if (!sent) sideQuestionMarkdownExportRequest = null;
+        updateResultActionButtons();
+        if (sent) setStatus(overwrite ? "Replacing side-thread Markdown export…" : "Saving side-thread Markdown…", "warning");
+        return sent;
+      }
+
+      async function saveSideQuestionTranscriptMarkdown() {
+        const exportedAt = new Date();
+        const markdown = buildCurrentSideQuestionTranscriptMarkdown(exportedAt);
+        if (!markdown.trim()) {
+          setStatus("No completed side discussion is available to save.", "warning");
+          return;
+        }
+        const path = await requestStudioTextInput(
+          "Save the visible side-thread transcript and context summary as Markdown. Hidden source text and raw tool output are not included.",
+          getSideQuestionTranscriptSuggestedPath(exportedAt),
+          {
+            title: "Save side-question transcript",
+            inputLabel: "Markdown path on computer running Pi",
+            confirmLabel: "Save Markdown",
+          },
+        );
+        if (!path) return;
+        sendSideQuestionMarkdownExport(path, markdown, false);
+      }
+
+      async function copySideQuestionTranscriptMarkdown() {
+        const markdown = buildCurrentSideQuestionTranscriptMarkdown(new Date());
+        if (!markdown.trim()) {
+          setStatus("No completed side discussion is available to copy.", "warning");
+          return;
+        }
+        const copied = await writeTextToClipboard(markdown);
+        setStatus(copied ? "Copied side-thread Markdown." : "Clipboard write failed.", copied ? "success" : "warning");
+      }
+
+      function openSideQuestionTranscriptInEditor() {
+        const exportedAt = new Date();
+        const markdown = buildCurrentSideQuestionTranscriptMarkdown(exportedAt);
+        if (!markdown.trim()) {
+          setStatus("No completed side discussion is available to open.", "warning");
+          return;
+        }
+        if (markdown.length > SIDE_QUESTION_TRANSCRIPT_RENDER_MAX_CHARS) {
+          setStatus("This side-thread transcript is too large for a companion editor. Save or copy the Markdown instead.", "warning");
+          return;
+        }
+        requestOpenEditorOnlyDocument(markdown, {
+          label: getSideQuestionTranscriptFilename(exportedAt),
+          resourceDir: getCurrentResourceDirValue() || (sideQuestionState.context && sideQuestionState.context.contextRoot) || undefined,
+        });
+      }
+
+      function insertLatestSideQuestionAnswer() {
+        const answer = getLatestCompletedSideQuestionAnswer();
+        if (!answer) return;
+        const current = sourceTextEl.value || "";
+        const start = typeof sourceTextEl.selectionStart === "number" ? sourceTextEl.selectionStart : current.length;
+        const end = typeof sourceTextEl.selectionEnd === "number" ? sourceTextEl.selectionEnd : start;
+        const safeStart = Math.max(0, Math.min(start, current.length));
+        const safeEnd = Math.max(safeStart, Math.min(end, current.length));
+        const next = current.slice(0, safeStart) + answer.text + current.slice(safeEnd);
+        setEditorText(next, { preserveScroll: false, preserveSelection: false });
+        const caret = safeStart + answer.text.length;
+        sourceTextEl.setSelectionRange(caret, caret);
+        setActivePane("left");
+        focusSourceTextNoScroll();
+        setStatus("Inserted the latest side answer at the editor cursor.", "success");
+      }
+
+      async function handleSideQuestionClick(event) {
+        if (rightView !== "side-questions") return;
+        const target = event && event.target instanceof Element ? event.target.closest("[data-side-question-action]") : null;
+        if (!target || !critiqueViewEl.contains(target)) return;
+        event.preventDefault();
+        const action = target.getAttribute("data-side-question-action");
+        if (action === "ask") {
+          submitSideQuestion();
+        } else if (action === "stop") {
+          if (sideQuestionState && sideQuestionState.threadId && sideQuestionState.requestId) {
+            sendMessage({ type: "side_question_cancel_request", threadId: sideQuestionState.threadId, requestId: sideQuestionState.requestId });
+            setStatus("Stopping side question…", "warning");
+          }
+        } else if (action === "new") {
+          const confirmed = !sideQuestionState || !sideQuestionState.messages.length || await requestStudioConfirmation(
+            "Clear this ephemeral side thread and choose fresh context? Nothing has been added to the main conversation.",
+            { title: "Start a new side thread?", confirmLabel: "New thread", destructive: true },
+          );
+          if (confirmed) {
+            sendMessage({ type: "side_question_clear_request", threadId: sideQuestionState && sideQuestionState.threadId ? sideQuestionState.threadId : undefined });
+            sideQuestionState = null;
+            sideQuestionUi = {
+              ...sideQuestionUi,
+              focusMode: "auto",
+              customPath: "",
+              includeConversation: false,
+              gitContext: false,
+              webSearch: false,
+              draft: "",
+            };
+            renderSideQuestionView();
+            updateResultActionButtons();
+          }
+        } else if (action === "copy") {
+          const answer = getLatestCompletedSideQuestionAnswer();
+          if (answer) {
+            const copied = await writeTextToClipboard(answer.text);
+            setStatus(copied ? "Copied latest side answer." : "Could not copy side answer.", copied ? "success" : "error");
+          }
+        } else if (action === "insert") {
+          insertLatestSideQuestionAnswer();
+        } else if (action === "promote") {
+          if (sideQuestionState && sideQuestionState.threadId) {
+            const confirmed = await requestStudioConfirmation(
+              "Send the latest side question and answer into the main Pi conversation? This is the only action that adds the side thread to main context.",
+              { title: "Bring side answer to main?", confirmLabel: "Bring to main" },
+            );
+            if (confirmed) sendMessage({ type: "side_question_promote_request", threadId: sideQuestionState.threadId });
+          }
+        }
+      }
+
+      function handleSideQuestionInput(event) {
+        if (rightView !== "side-questions") return;
+        const target = event && event.target;
+        if (!(target instanceof HTMLInputElement || target instanceof HTMLTextAreaElement || target instanceof HTMLSelectElement)) return;
+        const field = target.getAttribute("data-side-question-field");
+        if (field === "draft") sideQuestionUi.draft = target.value;
+        if (field === "customPath") sideQuestionUi.customPath = target.value;
+        const askButton = critiqueViewEl.querySelector("[data-side-question-action='ask']");
+        if (askButton) askButton.disabled = !isSideQuestionConnectionReady() || !sideQuestionUi.draft.trim() || (getSideQuestionGatherScope() === "custom" && !sideQuestionUi.customPath.trim());
+      }
+
+      function handleSideQuestionKeydown(event) {
+        if (rightView !== "side-questions" || !event || event.isComposing) return;
+        const target = event.target;
+        if (!(target instanceof HTMLTextAreaElement) || target.getAttribute("data-side-question-field") !== "draft") return;
+        const submitShortcut = event.key === "Enter"
+          && (event.metaKey || event.ctrlKey)
+          && !event.altKey
+          && !event.shiftKey;
+        if (!submitShortcut) return;
+        event.preventDefault();
+        event.stopPropagation();
+        if (!sideQuestionState || sideQuestionState.status !== "running") submitSideQuestion();
+      }
+
+      async function handleSideQuestionChange(event) {
+        if (rightView !== "side-questions") return;
+        const target = event && event.target;
+        if (!(target instanceof HTMLInputElement || target instanceof HTMLSelectElement)) return;
+        const toolId = target.getAttribute("data-side-question-tool");
+        if (toolId) {
+          const tool = sideQuestionAvailablePiTools.find((candidate) => candidate.id === toolId);
+          if (!tool) return;
+          const selected = new Set(sideQuestionUi.toolIds);
+          if (target.checked) {
+            if (tool.gateway && !selected.has(toolId)) {
+              const confirmed = await requestStudioConfirmation(
+                `“${tool.name}” is a gateway tool. Selecting it may expose additional services and actions configured behind that extension, subject to the extension's own permissions.`,
+                { title: "Allow gateway tool in side questions?", confirmLabel: "Allow gateway" },
+              );
+              if (!confirmed) {
+                target.checked = false;
+                renderSideQuestionView();
+                return;
+              }
+            }
+            if (selected.size >= 12 && !selected.has(toolId)) {
+              setStatus("Select at most 12 additional Pi tools.", "warning");
+              renderSideQuestionView();
+              return;
+            }
+            selected.add(toolId);
+          } else {
+            selected.delete(toolId);
+          }
+          sideQuestionUi.toolIds = [...selected];
+          persistSideQuestionToolSelection();
+          renderSideQuestionView();
+          return;
+        }
+        const field = target.getAttribute("data-side-question-field");
+        if (!field) return;
+        if (field === "focusMode") sideQuestionUi.focusMode = target.value;
+        if (field === "gatherScope") {
+          sideQuestionUi.gatherScope = target.value;
+          if (sideQuestionUi.gatherScope !== "repo") sideQuestionUi.gitContext = false;
+          try { if (window.localStorage) window.localStorage.setItem(SIDE_QUESTION_GATHER_STORAGE_KEY, sideQuestionUi.gatherScope); } catch {}
+        }
+        if (field === "thinking") {
+          sideQuestionUi.thinking = target.value;
+          try { if (window.localStorage) window.localStorage.setItem(SIDE_QUESTION_THINKING_STORAGE_KEY, sideQuestionUi.thinking); } catch {}
+        }
+        if (field === "includeConversation") sideQuestionUi.includeConversation = target.checked;
+        if (field === "gitContext") sideQuestionUi.gitContext = target.checked && getSideQuestionGatherScope() === "repo";
+        if (field === "webSearch") sideQuestionUi.webSearch = target.checked;
+        renderSideQuestionView();
+      }
+
       function renderActiveResult() {
         if (critiqueViewEl) {
           critiqueViewEl.classList.toggle("git-changes-host", rightView === "changes");
           critiqueViewEl.classList.toggle("quarto-preview-host", rightView === "editor-quarto-preview");
+          critiqueViewEl.classList.toggle("side-question-host", rightView === "side-questions");
+        }
+        if (rightView === "side-questions") {
+          renderSideQuestionView();
+          return;
         }
         if (rightView === "editor-quarto-preview") {
           renderQuartoPreviewView();
@@ -11880,7 +12654,7 @@
           : normalizeForCompare(sourceTextEl.value);
         const responseLoaded = hasResponse && normalizedEditor === latestResponseNormalized;
         const isCritiqueResponse = hasResponse && latestResponseIsStructuredCritique;
-        const showingAuxiliaryRightPane = rightView === "trace" || rightView === "repl" || rightView === "files" || rightView === "changes" || rightView === "editor-quarto-preview";
+        const showingAuxiliaryRightPane = rightView === "trace" || rightView === "repl" || rightView === "files" || rightView === "changes" || rightView === "editor-quarto-preview" || rightView === "side-questions";
 
         if (responseWrapEl) {
           responseWrapEl.hidden = showingAuxiliaryRightPane;
@@ -11918,28 +12692,61 @@
 
         const rightPaneShowsPreview = rightView === "preview" || rightView === "editor-preview";
         const exportingReplJournal = rightView === "repl";
+        const exportingSideThread = rightView === "side-questions";
         const replJournalExportEntries = exportingReplJournal ? getVisibleReplJournalEntries() : [];
+        const sideThreadExportText = exportingSideThread && canExportSideQuestionTranscript()
+          ? buildCurrentSideQuestionTranscriptMarkdown(new Date())
+          : "";
         const exportText = exportingReplJournal
           ? (replJournalExportEntries.length ? buildReplJournalMarkdown(replJournalExportEntries) : "")
-          : (rightView === "editor-preview" ? prepareEditorTextForPreview(sourceTextEl.value) : latestResponseMarkdown);
-        const canExportPreview = (rightPaneShowsPreview || exportingReplJournal) && Boolean(String(exportText || "").trim());
-        const htmlArtifactExportSource = canExportPreview && !exportingReplJournal ? getRightPaneHtmlArtifactSource() : "";
+          : (exportingSideThread
+            ? sideThreadExportText
+            : (rightView === "editor-preview" ? prepareEditorTextForPreview(sourceTextEl.value) : latestResponseMarkdown));
+        const canExportPreview = (rightPaneShowsPreview || exportingReplJournal || exportingSideThread) && Boolean(String(exportText || "").trim());
+        const htmlArtifactExportSource = canExportPreview && !exportingReplJournal && !exportingSideThread ? getRightPaneHtmlArtifactSource() : "";
         const isHtmlArtifactPreview = Boolean(htmlArtifactExportSource);
+        const sideThreadRenderTooLarge = exportingSideThread && sideThreadExportText.length > SIDE_QUESTION_TRANSCRIPT_RENDER_MAX_CHARS;
+        const exportBusy = previewExportInProgress || Boolean(sideQuestionMarkdownExportRequest) || (!exportingSideThread && uiBusy);
+        if (exportSideThreadMarkdownSaveBtn) {
+          exportSideThreadMarkdownSaveBtn.hidden = !exportingSideThread;
+          exportSideThreadMarkdownSaveBtn.disabled = Boolean(sideQuestionMarkdownExportRequest) || !canExportPreview;
+          exportSideThreadMarkdownSaveBtn.title = "Save the visible discussion and context summary as a Markdown file on the computer running Pi.";
+        }
+        if (exportSideThreadMarkdownCopyBtn) {
+          exportSideThreadMarkdownCopyBtn.hidden = !exportingSideThread;
+          exportSideThreadMarkdownCopyBtn.disabled = Boolean(sideQuestionMarkdownExportRequest) || !canExportPreview;
+          exportSideThreadMarkdownCopyBtn.title = "Copy the visible discussion and context summary as Markdown.";
+        }
+        if (exportSideThreadMarkdownEditorBtn) {
+          exportSideThreadMarkdownEditorBtn.hidden = !exportingSideThread;
+          exportSideThreadMarkdownEditorBtn.disabled = uiBusy || Boolean(sideQuestionMarkdownExportRequest) || !canExportPreview || sideThreadRenderTooLarge;
+          exportSideThreadMarkdownEditorBtn.title = sideThreadRenderTooLarge
+            ? "This transcript is too large for a companion editor; save or copy the Markdown instead."
+            : "Open the Markdown transcript as an unsaved copy in a new Studio editor tab.";
+        }
         if (exportPdfBtn) {
-          exportPdfBtn.disabled = uiBusy || previewExportInProgress || !canExportPreview;
+          exportPdfBtn.disabled = exportBusy || !canExportPreview;
           exportPdfBtn.textContent = previewExportInProgress
             ? "Exporting…"
-            : (exportingReplJournal ? "Export record" : "Export right preview");
+            : (sideQuestionMarkdownExportRequest
+              ? "Saving…"
+              : (exportingSideThread ? "Export thread" : (exportingReplJournal ? "Export record" : "Export right preview")));
           if (rightView === "trace") {
             exportPdfBtn.title = "Working view does not support preview export.";
           } else if (rightView === "files") {
             exportPdfBtn.title = "Files view does not support preview export.";
           } else if (rightView === "changes") {
             exportPdfBtn.title = "Changes view does not support preview export.";
+          } else if (exportingSideThread && sideQuestionState && sideQuestionState.status === "running") {
+            exportPdfBtn.title = "Wait for the current side answer before exporting the thread.";
+          } else if (exportingSideThread && !canExportPreview) {
+            exportPdfBtn.title = "No completed side discussion is available to export yet.";
+          } else if (exportingSideThread) {
+            exportPdfBtn.title = "Save or copy Markdown, open it in an editor, or export the visible side discussion as PDF or HTML.";
           } else if (exportingReplJournal && !replJournalExportEntries.length) {
             exportPdfBtn.title = "No Studio REPL record entries to export for this session yet.";
           } else if (rightView === "markdown") {
-            exportPdfBtn.title = "Switch right pane to Response (Preview), Editor (Preview), or REPL to export.";
+            exportPdfBtn.title = "Switch right pane to Response (Preview), Editor (Preview), REPL, or Side questions to export.";
           } else if (!canExportPreview) {
             exportPdfBtn.title = "Nothing to export yet.";
           } else if (isHtmlArtifactPreview) {
@@ -11950,39 +12757,52 @@
             exportPdfBtn.title = "Choose PDF export or an HTML export destination for the current right-pane preview.";
           }
         }
+        if (exportSideThreadRenderSeparatorEl) exportSideThreadRenderSeparatorEl.hidden = !exportingSideThread;
         if (exportPreviewPdfStudioBtn) {
-          exportPreviewPdfStudioBtn.disabled = uiBusy || previewExportInProgress || !canExportPreview || isHtmlArtifactPreview;
-          exportPreviewPdfStudioBtn.title = isHtmlArtifactPreview
-            ? "Interactive HTML preview PDF export is not available yet."
-            : (exportingReplJournal ? "Export the Studio REPL record as PDF and open it in Studio." : "Export the current right-pane preview as PDF and open it in Studio.");
+          exportPreviewPdfStudioBtn.disabled = exportBusy || !canExportPreview || isHtmlArtifactPreview || sideThreadRenderTooLarge;
+          exportPreviewPdfStudioBtn.title = sideThreadRenderTooLarge
+            ? "This transcript is too large for rendered export; save or copy the Markdown instead."
+            : (isHtmlArtifactPreview
+              ? "Interactive HTML preview PDF export is not available yet."
+              : (exportingSideThread ? "Export the side-thread transcript as PDF and open it in Studio." : (exportingReplJournal ? "Export the Studio REPL record as PDF and open it in Studio." : "Export the current right-pane preview as PDF and open it in Studio.")));
         }
         if (exportPreviewPdfBtn) {
-          exportPreviewPdfBtn.disabled = uiBusy || previewExportInProgress || !canExportPreview || isHtmlArtifactPreview;
-          exportPreviewPdfBtn.title = isHtmlArtifactPreview
-            ? "Interactive HTML preview PDF export is not available yet."
-            : (exportingReplJournal ? "Export the Studio REPL record as PDF and open it in the default PDF viewer." : "Export the current right-pane preview as PDF and open it in the default PDF viewer.");
+          exportPreviewPdfBtn.disabled = exportBusy || !canExportPreview || isHtmlArtifactPreview || sideThreadRenderTooLarge;
+          exportPreviewPdfBtn.title = sideThreadRenderTooLarge
+            ? "This transcript is too large for rendered export; save or copy the Markdown instead."
+            : (isHtmlArtifactPreview
+              ? "Interactive HTML preview PDF export is not available yet."
+              : (exportingSideThread ? "Export the side-thread transcript as PDF and open it in the default PDF viewer." : (exportingReplJournal ? "Export the Studio REPL record as PDF and open it in the default PDF viewer." : "Export the current right-pane preview as PDF and open it in the default PDF viewer.")));
         }
         if (exportPreviewHtmlStudioBtn) {
-          exportPreviewHtmlStudioBtn.disabled = uiBusy || previewExportInProgress || !canExportPreview;
-          exportPreviewHtmlStudioBtn.title = isHtmlArtifactPreview
-            ? "Export the authored HTML preview and open it in a new Studio editor tab."
-            : (exportingReplJournal ? "Export the Studio REPL record as standalone HTML and open it in a new Studio editor tab." : "Export the current right-pane preview as standalone HTML and open it in a new Studio editor tab.");
+          exportPreviewHtmlStudioBtn.disabled = exportBusy || !canExportPreview || sideThreadRenderTooLarge;
+          exportPreviewHtmlStudioBtn.title = sideThreadRenderTooLarge
+            ? "This transcript is too large for rendered export; save or copy the Markdown instead."
+            : (isHtmlArtifactPreview
+              ? "Export the authored HTML preview and open it in a new Studio editor tab."
+              : (exportingSideThread ? "Export the side-thread transcript as standalone HTML and open it in a new Studio editor tab." : (exportingReplJournal ? "Export the Studio REPL record as standalone HTML and open it in a new Studio editor tab." : "Export the current right-pane preview as standalone HTML and open it in a new Studio editor tab.")));
         }
         if (exportPreviewHtmlBtn) {
-          exportPreviewHtmlBtn.disabled = uiBusy || previewExportInProgress || !canExportPreview;
-          exportPreviewHtmlBtn.title = isHtmlArtifactPreview
-            ? "Export the authored HTML preview and open it in the default browser."
-            : (exportingReplJournal ? "Export the Studio REPL record as standalone HTML and open it in the default browser." : "Export the current right-pane preview as standalone HTML and open it in the default browser.");
+          exportPreviewHtmlBtn.disabled = exportBusy || !canExportPreview || sideThreadRenderTooLarge;
+          exportPreviewHtmlBtn.title = sideThreadRenderTooLarge
+            ? "This transcript is too large for rendered export; save or copy the Markdown instead."
+            : (isHtmlArtifactPreview
+              ? "Export the authored HTML preview and open it in the default browser."
+              : (exportingSideThread ? "Export the side-thread transcript as standalone HTML and open it in the default browser." : (exportingReplJournal ? "Export the Studio REPL record as standalone HTML and open it in the default browser." : "Export the current right-pane preview as standalone HTML and open it in the default browser.")));
         }
         if (exportPreviewControlsEl) {
           exportPreviewControlsEl.hidden = rightView === "editor-quarto-preview";
           exportPreviewControlsEl.title = canExportPreview
-            ? (exportingReplJournal
-              ? "Choose a format and export destination for the Studio REPL record."
-              : (isHtmlArtifactPreview ? "Export this HTML preview to Studio or browser." : "Choose a format and export destination for the current right-pane preview."))
-            : (exportingReplJournal ? "No Studio REPL record entries to export for this session yet." : "Switch right pane to a non-empty preview before exporting.");
-        }
-        if (!canExportPreview || previewExportInProgress) {
+            ? (exportingSideThread
+              ? "Choose a durable export for the visible side discussion."
+              : (exportingReplJournal
+                ? "Choose a format and export destination for the Studio REPL record."
+                : (isHtmlArtifactPreview ? "Export this HTML preview to Studio or browser." : "Choose a format and export destination for the current right-pane preview.")))
+            : (exportingSideThread
+              ? "No completed side discussion is available to export yet."
+              : (exportingReplJournal ? "No Studio REPL record entries to export for this session yet." : "Switch right pane to a non-empty preview before exporting."));
+        }
+        if (!canExportPreview || previewExportInProgress || sideQuestionMarkdownExportRequest) {
           closeExportPreviewMenu();
         }
 
@@ -11992,6 +12812,7 @@
         updateSyncBadge(normalizedEditor);
         syncStudioQuartoDirtyUi();
         syncShowMeButton();
+        syncAskAsideButton();
       }
 
       function refreshResponseUi() {
@@ -13160,9 +13981,19 @@
         if (rightView === "editor-quarto-preview") {
           requestStudioQuartoPreviewCheck(false);
         }
+        if (rightView === "side-questions" && previousView !== "side-questions") {
+          if (!sideQuestionUi.gatherScope) sideQuestionUi.gatherScope = getSideQuestionGatherScope();
+          sendMessage({ type: "side_question_get_state" });
+        }
 
         refreshResponseUi();
         syncActionButtons();
+        if (rightView === "side-questions" && previousView !== "side-questions") {
+          window.setTimeout(() => {
+            const composer = critiqueViewEl && critiqueViewEl.querySelector("[data-side-question-field='draft']");
+            if (composer instanceof HTMLTextAreaElement) composer.focus({ preventScroll: true });
+          }, 0);
+        }
         scheduleWorkspacePersistence();
       }
 
@@ -20283,6 +21114,7 @@
             quizBtn.disabled = true;
             quizBtn.title = "Quiz is unavailable in editor-only mode.";
           }
+          syncAskAsideButton();
           syncStudioUiRefreshReviewTrigger();
           return;
         }
@@ -20357,6 +21189,7 @@
               : "Open an active quiz for the current editor selection or document.");
         }
         syncShowMeButton();
+        syncAskAsideButton();
         syncStudioUiRefreshReviewTrigger();
       }
 
@@ -20517,6 +21350,82 @@
           return;
         }
 
+        if (message.type === "side_question_state") {
+          sideQuestionWebSearchAvailable = message.webSearchAvailable === true;
+          if (Array.isArray(message.availablePiTools)) applySideQuestionToolCatalog(message.availablePiTools);
+          const previousStatus = sideQuestionState && sideQuestionState.status;
+          sideQuestionState = normalizeSideQuestionState(message.state);
+          if (rightView === "side-questions") renderSideQuestionView();
+          updateReferenceBadge();
+          syncAskAsideButton();
+          updateResultActionButtons();
+          if (rightView === "side-questions" && previousStatus === "running" && sideQuestionState.status === "idle") {
+            setStatus(agentBusyFromServer
+              ? "Side answer ready; the main Pi turn is still running. Main conversation unchanged."
+              : "Side answer ready. Main conversation unchanged.", "success");
+          }
+          return;
+        }
+
+        if (message.type === "side_question_markdown_exported") {
+          if (!sideQuestionMarkdownExportRequest || sideQuestionMarkdownExportRequest.requestId !== message.requestId) return;
+          sideQuestionMarkdownExportRequest = null;
+          updateResultActionButtons();
+          setStatus(typeof message.message === "string" ? message.message : "Saved side-question transcript.", "success");
+          return;
+        }
+
+        if (message.type === "side_question_markdown_export_conflict") {
+          if (!sideQuestionMarkdownExportRequest || sideQuestionMarkdownExportRequest.requestId !== message.requestId) return;
+          const pendingExport = sideQuestionMarkdownExportRequest;
+          sideQuestionMarkdownExportRequest = null;
+          updateResultActionButtons();
+          void (async () => {
+            const displayPath = typeof message.path === "string" && message.path ? message.path : pendingExport.path;
+            const confirmed = await requestStudioConfirmation("Replace the existing Markdown transcript at " + displayPath + "?", {
+              title: "Replace transcript file?",
+              confirmLabel: "Replace",
+              destructive: true,
+            });
+            if (!confirmed) {
+              setStatus("Side-thread Markdown export cancelled.", "warning");
+              return;
+            }
+            if (!sideQuestionState || sideQuestionState.threadId !== pendingExport.threadId) {
+              setStatus("That side thread is no longer active; export cancelled.", "warning");
+              return;
+            }
+            sendSideQuestionMarkdownExport(pendingExport.path, pendingExport.content, true);
+          })();
+          return;
+        }
+
+        if (message.type === "side_question_markdown_export_error") {
+          if (!sideQuestionMarkdownExportRequest || sideQuestionMarkdownExportRequest.requestId !== message.requestId) return;
+          sideQuestionMarkdownExportRequest = null;
+          updateResultActionButtons();
+          setStatus(typeof message.message === "string" ? message.message : "Could not save side-question transcript.", "error");
+          return;
+        }
+
+        if (message.type === "side_question_error") {
+          if (!sideQuestionState) sideQuestionState = normalizeSideQuestionState(null);
+          sideQuestionState.status = "error";
+          sideQuestionState.requestId = null;
+          sideQuestionState.error = typeof message.message === "string" ? message.message : "Side question failed.";
+          if (rightView === "side-questions") renderSideQuestionView();
+          updateReferenceBadge();
+          syncAskAsideButton();
+          updateResultActionButtons();
+          setStatus(sideQuestionState.error, "error");
+          return;
+        }
+
+        if (message.type === "side_question_promoted") {
+          setStatus(typeof message.message === "string" ? message.message : "Side answer sent to the main conversation.", "success");
+          return;
+        }
+
         if (message.type === "quarto_preview_context") {
           const requestId = typeof message.requestId === "string" ? message.requestId : "";
           const context = normalizeStudioQuartoContext(message.context);
@@ -20598,6 +21507,11 @@
           if (typeof message.modelLabel === "string") {
             modelLabel = message.modelLabel;
           }
+          sideQuestionWebSearchAvailable = message.webSearchAvailable === true;
+          if (Array.isArray(message.availablePiTools)) applySideQuestionToolCatalog(message.availablePiTools);
+          if (message.sideQuestion && typeof message.sideQuestion === "object") {
+            sideQuestionState = normalizeSideQuestionState(message.sideQuestion);
+          }
           if (Array.isArray(message.suggestionModels)) {
             updateCompletionSuggestionModelOptions(message.suggestionModels);
           }
@@ -20696,6 +21610,8 @@
             requestStudioQuartoPreviewCheck(false);
             renderQuartoPreviewView();
           }
+          if (rightView === "side-questions") renderSideQuestionView();
+          syncAskAsideButton();
 
           if (pendingRequestId) {
             if (busy) {
@@ -21419,6 +22335,7 @@
           quartoPreviewCheckRequestId = null;
           quartoPreviewCheckSourcePath = "";
           quartoPreviewActionRequestId = null;
+          sideQuestionMarkdownExportRequest = null;
           failAllPendingCompanionLaunches("The originating Studio connection was lost before the companion editor was ready.");
           if (rightView === "editor-quarto-preview") renderQuartoPreviewView();
           setBusy(true);
@@ -21911,6 +22828,7 @@
           updateReviewNotesUi();
         }
         scheduleWorkspacePersistence();
+        scheduleSideQuestionContextRefresh();
       });
 
       sourceTextEl.addEventListener("select", () => {
@@ -21924,14 +22842,17 @@
         }
         updateEditorSelectionCommentUi();
         syncShowMeButton();
+        scheduleSideQuestionContextRefresh();
       });
 
       sourceTextEl.addEventListener("keyup", () => {
         updateEditorSelectionCommentUi();
+        scheduleSideQuestionContextRefresh();
       });
 
       sourceTextEl.addEventListener("mouseup", () => {
         updateEditorSelectionCommentUi();
+        scheduleSideQuestionContextRefresh();
       });
 
       sourceTextEl.addEventListener("focus", () => {
@@ -22045,6 +22966,13 @@
         });
       }
 
+      if (askAsideBtn) {
+        askAsideBtn.addEventListener("click", () => {
+          setRightView("side-questions");
+          setActivePane("right");
+        });
+      }
+
       if (quizBtn) {
         quizBtn.addEventListener("click", () => {
           openQuizOverlay();