[BUG] aude in Chrome browser extension not connecting from Claude Code on Windows despite correct configuration

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?

The Claude in Chrome MCP browser tools consistently return "Browser extension is not connected" when called from Claude Code, despite all configuration
appearing correct.

/chrome shows:

• Status: Enabled
• Extension: Installed

But all MCP tool calls (e.g., tabs_context_mcp) fail with:
"Browser extension is not connected. Please ensure the Claude browser extension is installed and running"

Tried: uninstall/reinstall of extension, removing and recreating native messaging host files and registry keys, restarting Chrome multiple times, running
/chrome > "Reconnect extension". Nothing resolves the connection.

What Should Happen?

After running /chrome and confirming Status: Enabled and Extension: Installed, MCP browser tools like tabs_context_mcp should successfully connect to Chrome and return tab information.

Error Messages/Logs

Browser extension is not connected. Please ensure the Claude browser extension is installed and running (https://claude.ai/chrome), and that you are logged   
  into claude.ai with the same account as Claude Code. If this is your first time connecting to Chrome, you may need to restart Chrome for the installation to  
  take effect.

Steps to Reproduce

Steps to Reproduce:

1. Install Claude in Chrome extension (v1.0.45) from Chrome Web Store
2. Verify native messaging host is registered:

• Registry: HKCU\Software\Google\Chrome\NativeMessagingHosts\com.anthropic.claude_code_browser_extension
• Points to: C:\Users\<user>\AppData\Roaming\Claude Code\ChromeNativeHost\com.anthropic.claude_code_browser_extension.json
• JSON manifest points to: C:\Users\<user>\.claude\chrome\chrome-native-host.bat
• Bat file calls: claude.exe --chrome-native-host
• All files exist and are valid

1. Open Chrome
2. In Claude Code terminal, run /chrome
3. Observe Status: Enabled, Extension: Installed
4. Select "Reconnect extension"
5. Ask Claude to call tabs_context_mcp
6. Error: "Browser extension is not connected"

Also tried:

• Complete uninstall (removed extension, bat file, JSON manifest, registry keys) and reinstall from scratch
• Multiple Chrome restarts
• Verified accounts match between claude.ai and Claude Code

Claude Model

Opus

Is this a regression?

Yes, this worked in a previous version

Last Working Version

_No response_

Claude Code Version

2.1.32 (Claude Code)

Platform

Anthropic API

Operating System

Windows

Terminal/Shell

VS Code integrated terminal

Additional Information

• Google Chrome (not Edge/Brave/Arc)
• Chrome extension version: 1.0.45
• Claude account: confirmed same account on both Claude Code and Chrome extension
• Native messaging host extension ID matches: chrome-extension://fcoeoabgfenejglbffodgkkbkcdhcgfn/
• /chrome command UI renders correctly with all options, just the actual MCP bridge never establishes