Chrome extension not connecting - persistent "Browser extension is not connected" error

Description:

The Chrome extension fails to connect to Claude Code CLI. Despite multiple troubleshooting attempts, the connection
never establishes.

Environment:

• OS: Windows
• Claude Code version: (run claude --version to fill in)
• Chrome version: (check chrome://version to fill in)
• Extension version: (check in chrome://extensions to fill in)

Steps to reproduce:

1. Install Claude in Chrome extension from https://claude.ai/chrome
2. Restart Chrome completely
3. Open Claude Code CLI
4. Run /chrome command
5. Attempt any browser automation (e.g., navigate to a URL)

Expected behavior:
Extension should connect and allow browser automation.

Actual behavior:
Every attempt returns:
Browser extension is not connected. Please ensure the Claude browser extension is installed and running...

Troubleshooting already attempted:

• Reinstalled the extension
• Restarted Chrome completely (closed all windows)
• Verified extension is enabled in chrome://extensions
• Clicked extension icon in toolbar
• Checked extension permissions
• Restarted Claude Code CLI
• Tried multiple connection attempts

Additional context:
The start command from Bash works to open URLs, confirming Chrome is functioning normally. Only the extension
connection fails.