Update app.py

app.py

@@ -349,6 +349,9 @@ def process_file(file):
         return f"Error uploading file: {str(e)}"
 
 def process_question(question, history):
+    # Prevent sending empty messages
+    if not question or not question.strip():
+        return "", history, "", None
     if not rag.thread_id:
         return "Please upload a document first.", history, "", None
     try:
@@ -357,13 +360,18 @@ def process_question(question, history):
         history.append({"role": "assistant", "content": response})
         return "", history, "", None
     except Exception as e:
-        return "", history + [{"role": "assistant", "content": f"Error: {str(e)}"}], "", None
+        history.append({"role": "assistant", "content": f"Error: {str(e)}"})
+        return "", history, "", None
 
 def process_audio(audio_file, history):
     if audio_file is None:
         return "Please record or upload an audio file.", history, "", None
     try:
         transcript = rag.transcribe_audio(audio_file)
+        if not transcript or not str(transcript).strip():
+            history.append({"role": "user", "content": "🎤 [No audio detected or transcription failed]"})
+            history.append({"role": "assistant", "content": "Sorry, I couldn't understand the audio. Please try again."})
+            return "", history, "", None
         if not rag.thread_id:
             return "Please upload a document first.", history, "", None
         response = rag.ask_question(transcript)
@@ -419,9 +427,9 @@ with gr.Blocks(css=custom_css, title="Document Q&A System") as demo:
     audio_input = gr.Audio(type="filepath", label="Record or Upload Audio", elem_classes="gradio-audio", visible=False)
     audio_status = gr.Textbox(label="Audio Status", interactive=False, elem_classes="status-text", visible=False)
 
-    # Unified card for upload, chat, and voice
-    with gr.Row(elem_classes="centered-main"):
-        with gr.Column():
+    with gr.Row():
+        # Sidebar on the left
+        with gr.Column(scale=1, min_width=280):
             with gr.Group(elem_classes="compact-box"):
                 gr.Markdown("<div class='section-title'>Document Q&A</div>")
                 file_input = gr.File(label="Upload Document", file_types=[".pdf", ".txt", ".doc", ".docx"], file_count="single", type="binary", elem_classes="upload-btn")
@@ -432,6 +440,9 @@ with gr.Blocks(css=custom_css, title="Document Q&A System") as demo:
                     return "", [], "", None
                 reset_btn.click(reset_all, None, [file_output, chatbot, question, audio_input])
                 file_output
+        # Main chat area
+        with gr.Column(scale=3, min_width=400):
+            with gr.Group(elem_classes="compact-box"):
                 chatbot
                 with gr.Row():
                     question