"ROUTE_TO" function not working when the user is in the context of "All Departments"

Hi,

I'm trying to load my extension side panel automatically when the agent navigates to a ticket, using the background widget.

I'm using the following code:

ZOHODESK.invoke("ROUTE_TO" , {
entity : "extension",
location : "desk.ticket.detail.lefttab", //invoke location
name : "Left Tab" //name of the widget
})

I am finding this works if the user is viewing in a specific department, but not if the user is in "All Departments". Is there any way I can make this work, regardless of the department? This is an internal extension, and I want the background widget etc to work for all departments.

What I'm actually trying to do is force my left pane load first instead of the default "Ticket Details" left pane. So if there's a better way to accomplish this than the approach I'm using, please let me know.