Claude in Chrome: options.html#permissions page lacks UI to grant site permissions

Bug Description

When attempting to use Claude in Chrome with Claude Code on Windows, the extension repeatedly redirects to chrome-extension://fcoeoabgfenejglbffodgkkbkcdhcgfn/options.html#permissions but this page has no buttons or UI elements to actually grant permissions on a per-site basis.

Environment

• OS: Windows
• Claude Code version: 2.1.23
• Chrome extension: Claude in Chrome (installed, logged into same account as Claude Code)
• Chrome site access setting: Already set to "On all sites"

Steps to Reproduce

1. Install Claude in Chrome extension
2. Start Claude Code with /chrome enabled
3. Attempt to use browser automation tools (e.g., tabs_context_mcp)
4. Extension redirects to chrome-extension://fcoeoabgfenejglbffodgkkbkcdhcgfn/options.html#permissions
5. No UI exists on this page to grant permissions

Expected Behavior

Either:

• The options.html#permissions page should have a functional UI to manage site permissions
• Or the extension should use the side panel permission flow instead of redirecting to this dead-end page

Actual Behavior

• tabs_context_mcp returns "Browser extension is not connected"
• Extension keeps redirecting to the options page with no actionable UI
• Cannot establish connection between Claude Code and Chrome despite:
• Extension installed and enabled
• Logged into same account
• Site access set to "all sites"
• Chrome and terminal restarted multiple times
• /chrome command run multiple times

Attempted Workarounds (None Worked)

1. Restarting Chrome completely
2. Restarting Claude Code / terminal
3. Running /chrome multiple times
4. Setting site access to "all sites" in extension settings
5. Trying to access permissions via side panel (three dots -> Settings -> Permissions)

Additional Context

The permissions guide documents a permission flow through the side panel, but the actual behavior redirects to an options page that lacks the documented UI elements.

This may be related to:

• #21300 (Windows connection issues)
• #20683 (MCP bridge conflicts)