Claude in Chrome MCP connection fails despite extension being installed and working

Description

The Claude in Chrome browser extension is installed, enabled, and working standalone (can control browser from the sidepanel), but Claude Code CLI cannot connect to it via MCP.

Environment

• OS: Windows
• Claude Code version: 2.1.20
• Chrome: Latest version
• Extension: Claude in Chrome (Beta) - enabled and functional

Steps to Reproduce

1. Install Claude in Chrome extension from Chrome Web Store
2. Enable the extension
3. Open Chrome with the Claude sidepanel visible
4. In Claude Code CLI, attempt to use browser automation tools (e.g., tabs_context_mcp)

Expected Behavior

Claude Code should connect to the browser extension and be able to control the browser.

Actual Behavior

Every call to mcp__claude-in-chrome__tabs_context_mcp returns:

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.

Troubleshooting Attempted

• Confirmed extension is installed and enabled
• Restarted Chrome
• Restarted computer
• Updated Claude Code (confirmed version 2.1.20 is latest)
• Checked claude mcp list - Claude in Chrome not listed as an MCP server

Additional Context

The extension works perfectly in standalone mode (Claude in the sidepanel can control the browser), but the MCP connection from Claude Code CLI is not being established.

Running claude mcp get claude-in-chrome returns "No MCP server found with name: claude-in-chrome"