[BUG]

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?

Title: Chrome extension not connecting to Claude Code via native messaging on Windows 11

Environment:

• Windows 11 Home 10.0.26200
• Claude Code: installed via npm (@anthropic-ai/claude-code)
• Claude in Chrome extension: v1.0.49
• Node.js: v24.13.0
• Chrome: latest

Issue:
mcp__claude-in-chrome__tabs_context_mcp always returns "Browser extension is not connected" despite all components being in place.

What we verified:

1. Extension installed and enabled in Chrome
2. Logged into claude.ai with same account as Claude Code
3. Chrome restarted multiple times
4. Native messaging host manifest exists with correct extension ID and path
5. Registry key set at HKCU\Software\Google\Chrome\NativeMessagingHosts\com.anthropic.claude_code_browser_extension
6. chrome-native-host.bat exists and is valid
7. Both background processes are running:

• PID 22540: cli.js --chrome (native host listener)
• PID 3300: cli.js --claude-in-chrome-mcp (MCP server)

1. Named pipe \\.\pipe\claude-mcp-browser-bridge-rr is created and listening
2. No errors in extension's service worker console
3. Extension has "Communicate with cooperating native applications" permission

Key finding:
Running chrome-native-host.bat manually confirms the pipe is created successfully, but the extension never initiates a connection to it. The extension shows no errors — it simply never connects.

What Should Happen?

Should open chrome with claude --chrome

Error Messages/Logs

Steps to Reproduce

N/A

Claude Model

None

Is this a regression?

Yes, this worked in a previous version

Last Working Version

_No response_

Claude Code Version

 2.1.39

Platform

Anthropic API

Operating System

Windows

Terminal/Shell

PowerShell

Additional Information

_No response_