[BUG] Claude in Chrome MCP shows "connected" but tools return "Browser extension is not connected"

Preflight Checklist

• [x] I have searched existing issues and this hasn't been reported yet
• [x] This is a single bug report (please file separate reports for different bugs)
• [x] I am using the latest version of Claude Code

What's Wrong?

Description
Claude in Chrome MCP server reports status as "connected" in /mcp command, but
all tools (tabs_context_mcp, shortcuts_list, etc.) return error: "Browser
extension is not connected".

Environment

• Claude Code CLI version: 2.1.22
• OS: Windows 11
• Browser: Chrome (latest)
• Extension: Claude in Chrome (installed from Chrome Web Store)

Configuration verified

• Registry: HKCU\Software\Google\Chrome\NativeMessagingHosts\com.anthropic.claud

e_code_browser_extension - exists

• Native host JSON: C:\Users\...\AppData\Roaming\Claude

Code\ChromeNativeHost\com.anthropic.claude_code_browser_extension.json - correct

• BAT file: C:\Users\...\.claude\chrome\chrome-native-host.bat - exists, points

to claude.exe --chrome-native-host

What Should Happen?

Expected behavior
Tools should work when MCP shows "connected" status.

Actual behavior
MCP shows "connected" but all tools fail with connection error.

Error Messages/Logs

Steps to Reproduce

Steps to Reproduce

1. Install Claude in Chrome extension from Chrome Web Store
2. Run claude CLI
3. Run /mcp - select claude-in-chrome - shows "Status: ✓ connected" with "17

tools"

1. Try to use any tool (e.g., tabs_context_mcp)
2. Tool returns: "Browser extension is not connected"

What I tried

• Reinstalled extension completely (claude extension uninstall + claude

extension install)

• Restarted Chrome (all processes killed)
• Restarted Claude Code CLI session
• Multiple /mcp reconnect claude-in-chrome attempts
• Verified native messaging registry key exists
• Verified chrome-native-host.bat exists and has correct content

Claude Model

Opus

Is this a regression?

Yes, this worked in a previous version

Last Working Version

_No response_

Claude Code Version

2.1.22

Platform

Anthropic API

Operating System

Windows

Terminal/Shell

Windows Terminal

Additional Information

_No response_