Long awaited update!
Github user bsclifton got back to me and he said that Simon Hong is actively (again) working on the new improved sidebar for Brave and how upstream Chromium is adding this feature too…
Link to update: https://github.com/brave/brave-browser/issues/45806#issuecomment-2923699968:~:text=%40zeusshomaly%20yes%20-%20I,all%20comes%20together.
UPDATE: SimonHong has started a new issue on GIthub regarding this and called it ’ Fix deps in //brave/browser/ui/sidebar #46587’. So that means he is actively working on it.
I cannot thank you enough for it, Simon!
Update again: regarding that link right above (https://github.com/brave/brave-browser/issues/46587) Simon has referred to it, here (https://github.com/brave/brave-core/pull/28734#:~:text=Thanks%20for%20catching.%20Filed%20brave/brave-browser%2346587%20for%20f/u.) so that means he is fixing an issue on it, which clearly indicates he is actively working on it very hard! Take all the time you need, Simon. We are just very excited, mate!
Thanks to Bridiver (https://github.com/bridiver) for spotting the issue in this screenshot!
UPDATE and this might be the solution until Brave releases it themselves (LONG READ but worth it!),
Hey folks, just wanted to share a little browser tip I discovered recently that might be helpful — especially if you’re like me and waiting (somewhat impatiently) for Brave to roll out a proper sidebar feature. You know, one that actually opens web apps in a sleek, attached panel like Edge does.
So, here’s the deal. Microsoft Edge already has a pretty decent sidebar — they call it the Edge Bar — and it lets you pin web apps, tools, and shortcuts to the side of your browser. It’s super convenient for multitasking. The only thing is, by default, the sidebar kind of disappears when you close Edge, which is a bummer if you’re trying to use it like a mini dashboard for stuff you always want handy.
But! There’s a simple trick to keep it around. All you need to do is head into Edge’s settings and enable “Continue running background extensions and apps when Microsoft Edge is closed.” You can find this under:
Settings > System and performance > System, then toggle that switch on.
Once that’s on, the Edge Bar won’t vanish when you close your main browser window. It’ll keep running in the background like a little companion bar, so you can quickly access your pinned stuff without having to fully relaunch the browser every time. It even docks to your desktop, almost like a native sidebar app.
Now, is this a perfect solution? Not exactly. For starters, this is still Microsoft Edge, so you’re not escaping the usual Microsoft ecosystem quirks. And here’s the catch: ads. Since Edge is Microsoft’s baby, there’s a decent chance you’ll run into the occasional promoted content or sponsored link in the sidebar or homepage area — especially if you’re using Microsoft services like Bing or Outlook inside it. It’s not super intrusive, but it’s there.
That said, this workaround is definitely usable — and honestly, pretty smooth — while we wait for something better. Brave has teased that they’re working on their own improved sidebar feature, which will hopefully let us do exactly what Edge does but without the Microsoft bloat and ads. From what we know so far, Brave’s take on the sidebar will let you open web apps to the side, not in new tabs or windows, which makes a big difference for workflow and quick navigation.
Until then, if you need a sidebar that feels a little more like a desktop tool than just another browser tab, Edge’s pinned sidebar is worth a try. Just turn on that background extension option and you’re good to go. It’s not perfect, but it works.
Fingers crossed Brave delivers soon — and if they do it right, it might just replace the need for this whole workaround altogether.
If you don’t have it yet, update Edge 
I have it (The edge bar) on my laptop, but not my desktop for some reason.
The Continue running background extensions and apps when Microsoft Edge is closed has to be turned on because if you turn it off and enable Edge Bar and then close Edge, it’ll close the edge bar, so enable Continue running background extensions and apps when Microsoft Edge is closed to keep the edge bar opened even when edge is closed.
This is a great temporary solution until Brave adds it themselves as indeed they are! They are working super hard on it, mostly @simonhong
I also forgot to include that this is the latest update for this, via this Github code. It’s so long, but you’ll see references to SidebarController() everywhere as well as some TODOs. Simon Hong is our hero by working on this!
– It is an old source, but the code actively get’s updated. So check daily there too
You’re absolutely right—they are heroes! It’s an amazing browser that was built by an amazing team
Absolutely mate! You are right! They are legends!
Hey everyone! Just popping in with a quick update. There is some movement happening behind the scenes in Brave’s development.
A recent commit by @emerick (Brave dev) shows the following:
“[cr138] Updating lit-mangler snapshot for side panel”
View the commit here
What this means: Brave is actively updating internal UI test snapshots related to the side panel, possibly preparing for upcoming changes with Chromium 138. These snapshot updates (like the one from lit-mangler) help Brave catch UI differences or regressions as they continue building features like the improved Edge-like sidebar.
So while it’s not a visible change yet even in Brave Nightly, it’s a sign that work on the sidebar — especially features like opening content in the panel itself instead of new tabs — is progressing! 
Will keep watching and posting updates as always!
I checked my laptop again and it seems like Edge has removed the Edge bar option as of 6:19 PM (My time) today 
I am not rushing @simonhong or anyone else to work harder on this feature, they truly are working on it, but I cannot wait like truly! I desperately want this sidebar upgrade, and that’s it. Brave will be 100% how I want it afterwards.
Thanks again for everything Simon!
Mini-update: I found a new added in section in Brave’s code that writes ‘class SidebarContainerView’
The ‘ContainerView’ clearly means how it exactly works on Edge’s sidebar We are getting closer!
And not just that, this is likely a C++ UI class (used in Brave/Chromium’s Views UI framework) that represents the container that holds the actual sidebar and its contents.
As well as void UpdateSideBarHorizontalAlignment()! Simon, you are a real one for this, mate.
Horizontal means: > The method UpdateSideBarHorizontalAlignment would be used to apply or refresh the UI when this alignment setting changes — e.g., if the user switches the sidebar from left to right.
Sources:
For class SidebarContainerView: https://github.com/brave/brave-core/commit/35291844b4c5c2dc572f2534e5941fdab34abf54#:~:text=class%20SidebarContainerView%3B
For void UpdateSideBarHorizontalAlignment: https://github.com/brave/brave-core/commit/35291844b4c5c2dc572f2534e5941fdab34abf54#:~:text=void%20UpdateSideBarHorizontalAlignment()%3B
SidebarContainerView is the visual component (or View) that renders and manages the sidebar layout, size, alignment, child widgets, etc.
This class is likely responsible for:
