Claude in Chrome browser extension not connecting to Claude Code CLI

[dev-dav-ui]

Environment:

• Claude Code version: 2.1.17
• macOS: Darwin 25.2.0
• Chrome extension version: 1.0.40 (installed in Profile 31)

Description:
The Claude in Chrome browser extension works correctly on its own (side panel functions properly), but Claude Code CLI
cannot connect to it to control the browser.

Steps to reproduce:

1. Install Claude in Chrome extension (version 1.0.40)
2. Run claude --chrome in terminal
3. Call tabs_context_mcp tool
4. Receive error: "Browser extension is not connected"

Troubleshooting attempted:

• Fully quit Chrome (Cmd+Q) and reopened
• Toggled extension OFF/ON in chrome://extensions/
• Opened Claude side panel (Cmd+E)
• Verified native messaging host exists and is configured correctly

Native messaging host configuration:
File: ~/Library/Application Support/Google/Chrome/NativeMessagingHosts/com.anthropic.claude_code_browser_extension.json

{
"name": "com.anthropic.claude_code_browser_extension",
"description": "Claude Code Browser Extension Native Host",
"path": "/Users/dhanapale/.claude/chrome/chrome-native-host",
"type": "stdio",
"allowed_origins": [
"chrome-extension://fcoeoabgfenejglbffodgkkbkcdhcgfn/"
]
}

Native host script:
#!/bin/sh
exec "/Users/dhanapale/.local/share/claude/versions/2.1.17" --chrome-native-host

Expected behavior:
Claude Code CLI should connect to the browser extension and be able to control Chrome tabs.

Actual behavior:
tabs_context_mcp always returns "Browser extension is not connected" even though:

• The extension is installed and functional
• The side panel works correctly
• Native messaging host files exist and are properly configured
• Chrome process shows --claude-in-chrome-mcp flag running

[github-actions]

Found 3 possible duplicate issues:

1. [Bug] Claude Code unable to connect to Chrome extension, connection page opens and closes #17851
2. [Bug] Chrome extension integration not working with Claude Code CLI #19557
3. [Bug] Claude in Chrome: Reconnect extension fails to install Native Messaging Host on macOS #14894

This issue will be automatically closed as a duplicate in 3 days.

• If your issue is a duplicate, please close it and 👍 the existing issue instead
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🤖 Generated with Claude Code

not connecting here...

[EliMunkey]

Same issue here.

• Claude Code: 2.1.19
• macOS: 26.2
• Chrome extension: 1.0.40
• Extension works in sidebar, but CLI cannot connect
• Tried: restarting Chrome, enabling "Allow JavaScript from Apple Events", reinstalling extension

The connection page opens briefly then closes immediately.