[Bug] Claude in Chrome: Reconnect extension fails to install Native Messaging Host on macOS

Bug Description

When using the /chrome command and selecting "Reconnect extension", a Chrome tab opens briefly and then closes immediately. The Native Messaging Host configuration file is never created, leaving Claude in Chrome in a "Disabled" state.

Environment

• Claude Code Version: 2.0.74
• OS: macOS Darwin 25.1.0
• Chrome Version: 143.0.7499.148
• Claude Chrome Extension Version: 1.0.36 (ID: fcoeoabgfenejglbffodgkkbkcdhcgfn)
• Shell: zsh
• Node: v22.17.1 (installed via nvm)

Steps to Reproduce

1. Install Claude Chrome extension from Chrome Web Store
2. Verify extension is enabled and logged in (extension sidebar works normally)
3. Run claude --chrome or use /chrome command
4. Status shows "Disabled" with "Extension: Installed"
5. Select "Reconnect extension" from the menu
6. A Chrome tab opens briefly then closes immediately
7. Native Messaging Host is never installed

Expected Behavior

• Native Messaging Host configuration should be created at:
• ~/Library/Application Support/Google/Chrome/NativeMessagingHosts/com.anthropic.claude_code_browser_extension.json
• ~/.claude/chrome/chrome-native-host (executable)
• Status should change to "Enabled"

Actual Behavior

• No files are created in either location
• Status remains "Disabled"
• Chrome tab flashes and closes without any error message
• Debug logs show no specific error related to the reconnection attempt

Debug Information

[Claude in Chrome] Found Chrome profiles: Default
[Claude in Chrome] Extension fcoeoabgfenejglbffodgkkbkcdhcgfn found in Default

The extension is correctly detected, but the Native Messaging Host installation fails silently.

NativeMessagingHosts Directory Contents

~/Library/Application Support/Google/Chrome/NativeMessagingHosts/
- com.chromemcp.nativehost.json (other app)
- com.jprofiler.messagehost.json (other app)
- com.quark.hostclient.json (other app)
- com.thunder.chrome.host.json (other app)
- (NO Anthropic/Claude files)

Possibly Related Issues

• #14448 - MCP integration disabled in Chrome extension
• #14590 - Chrome extension integration state inconsistent
• #14531 - Chrome tool not available despite extension installed