[BUG] Computer Use: `request_access` returns `not_installed` for all third-party apps on macOS

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 request_access tool in the computer-use MCP returns not_installed for all third-party apps (Claude Desktop, Slack, Chrome, Notion), while macOS system apps (Notes, Calendar) work correctly.

Diagnostic: defaults read confirms apps exist with valid bundle IDs, but mdls -name kMDItemCFBundleIdentifier returns (null) for all third-party apps — suggesting the MCP relies on Spotlight metadata which is incomplete on macOS 26.

Workarounds tried (all failed): passing display name, bundle ID, or using osascript.

What Should Happen?

request_access should recognize installed third-party apps and prompt the user for access permission, same as system apps.

Error Messages/Logs

# request_access for Claude Desktop → not_installed
# request_access for Slack → not_installed
# request_access for Notes → works

$ defaults read /Applications/Claude.app/Contents/Info.plist CFBundleIdentifier
com.anthropic.claudefordesktop

$ mdls -name kMDItemCFBundleIdentifier /Applications/Claude.app
kMDItemCFBundleIdentifier = (null)

Steps to Reproduce

1. npm install -g @anthropic-ai/claude-code
2. claude --computer-use
3. Call request_access for "Claude" or "Slack" → not_installed
4. Call request_access for "Notes" → works correctly

Claude Model

None

Is this a regression?

No, this never worked

Last Working Version

_No response_

Claude Code Version

Latest (npm)

Platform

Anthropic API

Operating System

macOS

Terminal/Shell

Terminal.app (macOS)

Additional Information

Hypothesis: MCP uses Spotlight metadata (kMDItemCFBundleIdentifier) for app discovery. On macOS 26, Spotlight doesn't index third-party apps correctly. Fallback to Info.plist could fix this.

Environment: macOS 26.2 Tahoe (25C56), Claude Code latest via npm

Related Issues: #41190, #42404, #43547 — different failure modes of the same computer-use MCP subsystem. This issue is distinct: MCP connects, request_access runs without error, but incorrectly reports apps as not_installed.