> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://developers.gotolstoy.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Chat Assistant

> Programmatically open, close, and observe the Tolstoy AI chat assistant bubble from your site.

The chat assistant exposes a JS API on `window.tolstoyAssistant` once the Tolstoy widget script has loaded. Use it to open, close, minimize, or observe the assistant modal from your own UI (custom CTAs, product pages, exit-intent triggers, etc.).

<Note>
  The API only controls the assistant modal state. The assistant must already be installed and enabled on the store. If the chat bubble is not rendered on the page, state changes are still tracked but have no visual effect.
</Note>

## open()

Open the assistant modal.

```javascript theme={null}
window.tolstoyAssistant.open();
```

## close()

Close the assistant modal. The bubble stays visible (unless configured to hide on close).

```javascript theme={null}
window.tolstoyAssistant.close();
```

## minimize()

Minimize the assistant modal. The bubble stays visible; the conversation is preserved.

```javascript theme={null}
window.tolstoyAssistant.minimize();
```

## isOpen()

Returns `true` when the assistant modal is currently open.

```javascript theme={null}
if (!window.tolstoyAssistant.isOpen()) {
  window.tolstoyAssistant.open();
}
```

## getState()

Returns the current assistant state.

<ParamField query="returns" type="&#x22;open&#x22; | &#x22;minimized&#x22; | &#x22;closed&#x22;" />

```javascript theme={null}
const state = window.tolstoyAssistant.getState();
```

## subscribe(listener)

Subscribe to state changes. Returns an unsubscribe function.

<ParamField query="listener" type="(state: 'open' | 'minimized' | 'closed') => void">
  Called every time the assistant state changes.
</ParamField>

```javascript theme={null}
const unsubscribe = window.tolstoyAssistant.subscribe((state) => {
  console.log("Assistant state:", state);
});

// Later, to stop listening:
unsubscribe();
```

## Waiting for the API

The Tolstoy script may not be ready on first paint. Guard with a small polling helper when binding from your own page scripts:

```javascript theme={null}
function withTolstoyAssistant(callback) {
  if (window.tolstoyAssistant) return callback(window.tolstoyAssistant);
  const id = setInterval(() => {
    if (window.tolstoyAssistant) {
      clearInterval(id);
      callback(window.tolstoyAssistant);
    }
  }, 100);
}

withTolstoyAssistant((assistant) => assistant.open());
```