Claude in Chrome: extension installed but never connects (list_connected_browsers returns [])

What happens

Claude in Chrome tools always fail with "Browser extension is not connected", even though the extension is installed, enabled and has site access.

• mcp__claude-in-chrome__tabs_context_mcp (with createIfEmpty: true) returns:

> Browser extension is not connected. Please ensure the Claude browser extension is installed and running (https://claude.ai/chrome), and that you are logged into claude.ai with the same account as Claude Code. …

• mcp__claude-in-chrome__list_connected_browsers returns [].
• Same result after several retries, with Chrome open and the extension enabled.

Setup

• Claude Code: VS Code extension (native), model Opus 5.5
• OS: macOS (Darwin 25.5.0)
• Chrome: <version from chrome://version>
• Claude extension: ID fcoeoabgfenejglbffodgkkbkcdhcgfn, version <from chrome://extensions>
• Enabled; site access "On all sites"
• Developer mode is on (other unpacked extensions are loaded)
• Signed into claude.ai in Chrome: <yes/no — same account as Claude Code?>

Steps to reproduce

1. Install the Claude extension in Chrome and sign into claude.ai.
2. In a Claude Code session in VS Code, ask Claude to use the browser.
3. The first tool call fails as above, and list_connected_browsers is empty.

Expected

The browser shows up in list_connected_browsers, and the browser tools work.

Tried

• Retrying several times with Chrome open.
• Checking the extension is enabled with access to all sites.