diff --git a/TODOS.md b/TODOS.md
index 819ff02d..b8314ab2 100644
--- a/TODOS.md
+++ b/TODOS.md
@@ -185,6 +185,18 @@ Sidebar agent writes structured messages to `.context/sidebar-inbox/`. Workspace
 **Priority:** P3
 **Depends on:** Headed mode (shipped)
 
+### Sidebar agent needs Write tool + better error visibility
+
+**What:** Two issues with the sidebar agent (`sidebar-agent.ts`): (1) `--allowedTools` is hardcoded to `Bash,Read,Glob,Grep`, missing `Write`. Claude can't create files (like CSVs) when asked. (2) When Claude errors or returns empty, the sidebar UI shows nothing, just a green dot. No error message, no "I tried but failed", nothing.
+
+**Why:** Users ask "write this to a CSV" and the sidebar silently can't. Then they think it's broken. The UI needs to surface errors visibly, and Claude needs the tools to actually do what's asked.
+
+**Context:** `sidebar-agent.ts:163` hardcodes `--allowedTools`. The event relay (`handleStreamEvent`) handles `agent_done` and `agent_error` but the extension's sidepanel.js may not be rendering error states. The sidebar should show "Error: ..." or "Claude finished but produced no output" instead of staying on the green dot forever.
+
+**Effort:** S (human: ~2h / CC: ~10min)
+**Priority:** P1
+**Depends on:** None
+
 ### Chrome Web Store publishing
 
 **What:** Publish the gstack browse Chrome extension to Chrome Web Store for easier install.