Browser extension not connected - all tools return connection error

Description:

The Chrome extension is installed and enabled, but Claude Code cannot connect to it. All browser automation tools return the same error.

Environment:

• OS: macOS Darwin 25.2.0 (arm64)
• Chrome Version: 144.0.7559.97 (Official Build) (arm64)
• Extension Version: 1.0.40
• Claude Code Model: claude-opus-4-5-20251101

Steps to Reproduce:

1. Install Claude in Chrome extension (v1.0.40)
2. Extension is enabled with all permissions granted
3. From Claude Code CLI, attempt to use any chrome tool (e.g., tabs_context_mcp)

Expected Behavior:
Tools should connect to the browser and return tab information.

Actual Behavior:
All tools return:
Browser extension is not connected. Please ensure the Claude browser extension is installed and running (https://claude.ai/chrome). If this is your first time connecting to Chrome, you may need to restart Chrome
for the installation to take effect.

Additional Context:

• MCP server is running (tools are discoverable via ToolSearch)
• ListMcpResourcesTool for claude-in-chrome returns "No resources found"
• Tried reconnecting multiple times
• Extension has full permissions including "Communicate with cooperating native applications"
• Restarting Chrome did not resolve the issue