diff --git a/changelog.md b/changelog.md
index 1a09314..7746a5b 100644
--- a/changelog.md
+++ b/changelog.md
@@ -1,5 +1,11 @@
 # Changelog
 
+## 2026-04-12 - 3.8.2 - fix(sidebar)
+restore search input focus after clearing the sidebar search
+
+- Updates the sidebar clearSearch behavior to focus the .search-input element after resetting the query and dispatching searchChanged.
+- Improves search usability by letting users continue typing immediately after clearing the current search.
+
 ## 2026-04-12 - 3.8.1 - fix(build)
 migrate smart config and update build tooling for latest tsbundle and TypeScript defaults
 
diff --git a/ts_web/00_commitinfo_data.ts b/ts_web/00_commitinfo_data.ts
index 8fd06e0..e12184b 100644
--- a/ts_web/00_commitinfo_data.ts
+++ b/ts_web/00_commitinfo_data.ts
@@ -3,6 +3,6 @@
  */
 export const commitinfo = {
   name: '@design.estate/dees-wcctools',
-  version: '3.8.1',
+  version: '3.8.2',
   description: 'A set of web component tools for creating element catalogues, enabling the structured development and documentation of custom elements and pages.'
 }
diff --git a/ts_web/elements/wcc-sidebar.ts b/ts_web/elements/wcc-sidebar.ts
index c2e75d9..83b028b 100644
--- a/ts_web/elements/wcc-sidebar.ts
+++ b/ts_web/elements/wcc-sidebar.ts
@@ -867,6 +867,8 @@ export class WccSidebar extends DeesElement {
   private clearSearch() {
     this.searchQuery = '';
     this.dispatchEvent(new CustomEvent('searchChanged', { detail: this.searchQuery }));
+    const input = this.shadowRoot.querySelector('.search-input') as HTMLInputElement;
+    if (input) input.focus();
   }
 
   private handleMenuScroll(e: Event) {