[BUG] Claude Chrome extension Computer Tool crashes Chrome — debugger detach + GetAIPageContent flooding + ChildFrameCrash
Preflight Checklist
- [x] I have searched existing issues and while related issues exist (#25518, #30173), this report provides detailed crash forensics not yet captured
- [x] This is a single bug report
- [x] I am using the latest version of Claude Code
Environment
- macOS: 26.3.1 (Build 25D2128)
- Chrome: 146.0.7680.76
- Claude Chrome Extension: v1.0.61
- Claude Desktop: v1.1.6679
- Hardware: MacBook Pro M3 Pro, 18 GB RAM, Apple GPU
- Monitors: Single built-in display (also reproduces on multi-monitor setups)
What's Wrong?
Every time the Claude Chrome extension executes any task using the Computer Tool, Chrome crashes — all windows close simultaneously and must be reopened. This is 100% reproducible.
Detailed Crash Forensics
Chrome was launched with --enable-logging=stderr --log-file=/tmp/chrome-crash.log --v=1. The crash was reproduced and the full log analyzed. Here is the exact crash sequence:
Timeline (from verbose Chrome log)
18:33:22 Accessibility tree scanning (extension reading page DOM via ax_computed_node_data.cc)
18:33:30 ERROR: "Unchecked runtime.lastError: Debugger is not attached to the tab with id: 26529046"
Source: chrome-extension://fcoeoabgfenejglbffodgkkbkcdhcgfn/sidepanel.html
18:33:30 [Computer Tool] Generated screenshot ID: ss_0415w2unr (905x758)
18:33:57 [Computer Tool] Generated screenshot ID: ss_7311zpzku (905x725)
18:33:59 GetAIPageContent SYNC burst — 4 renderers (PIDs 49033, 49108, 49100, 49128) scanned simultaneously
18:34:24 kBrowserWidgetMoved — Computer Tool repositioning the browser window
18:34:26 Navigation to chrome://new-tab-page/ — Computer Tool opened new tab
18:34:31 Display config update detected ("Displays updated, count: 1")
18:34:31 More GetAIPageContent SYNC calls across 3 renderers
[log ends — ~1 minute gap before actual disconnect]
18:35:34 Chrome disconnected (confirmed by native host log)
Key Histograms at Shutdown
| Histogram | Value | Meaning |
|-----------|-------|---------|
| Stability.ChildFrameCrash.TabMarkedForReload | 0 | A child frame crashed, tab NOT marked for reload |
| Stability.ChildFrameCrash.Visibility | 2 | Crashed frame was not visible |
| GPU.GPUProcessTerminationStatus2 | 4 | GPU process failed (hw accel was disabled for testing) |
| DevTools.CDPCommandFromExtension | 14 | 14 CDP commands sent by Claude extension |
| Startup.CrashBubbleShown | 0 | Chrome showed crash recovery bubble |
Critical Observations
- No crash dump generated — No new Crashpad dumps, no segfault reports in
/Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/, no SIGTERM/SIGSEGV in system logs. Chrome exits with code 0 (clean exit). - Debugger attachment fails — The extension logs
"Debugger is not attached to the tab"but the Computer Tool continues operating anyway. - GetAIPageContent flooding — Multiple renderers are hit with synchronous page content extraction simultaneously, completing in microseconds.
- The "Control Chrome" MCP server has never successfully executed a tool call — 34 unexpected disconnections logged over weeks, zero
tools/callinvocations ever processed.
Ruled-Out Causes
- Memory pressure: 64% free at idle, crash occurs even with minimal tabs
- Other extensions: Crash reproduces with all other extensions disabled
- External monitors: Crash reproduces on single built-in laptop display
- Figma / other heavy apps: Crash reproduces with no other apps running
- Hardware acceleration: Crash reproduces both with hw accel enabled and disabled
Related Issues
- #25518 — Debugger detaches on complex pages (closed/stale, same root cause)
- #30173 — Chrome crashed during UAT (open, less detail)
- #28517 — Extension crashes on javascript_tool/read_page (closed as duplicate)
Steps to Reproduce
- Install Claude Chrome extension v1.0.61
- Open any web page (tested with DoorDash, Gmail)
- Open Claude side panel and ask it to perform any task that uses the Computer Tool
- Chrome closes — all windows lost
What Should Happen?
Chrome should not crash. If the debugger attachment fails, the extension should handle the error gracefully rather than continuing to operate in a broken state.
Suggested Fix Areas
- The extension should check debugger attachment status before sending CDP commands
GetAIPageContentcalls should not be fired at multiple renderers simultaneously- The Computer Tool should abort gracefully if
chrome.debugger.attach()fails, rather than proceeding with screenshots and page manipulation
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Diagnosed with Claude Code CLI via verbose Chrome logging, system crash report analysis, and native host log correlation.
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