claude-in-chrome: CLI bridge never connects (list_connected_browsers empty) despite extension installed + logged in

Claude Code's list_connected_browsers consistently returns "not connected."

Verified working:

• Claude extension installed and enabled in the active Chrome profile
• claude.ai logged into the same account as Claude Code in that profile
• The claude.ai side-panel browser agent works fine in that same profile

Tried, none connect the CLI bridge:

• Explicit reconnect — no "Connect" button ever appears in the extension popup
• Closing the active claude.ai side-panel session
• Full Chrome Cmd+Q relaunch (not just window close)
• Confirmed Claude Code is on the latest version (claude update is a no-op)

Environment:

• macOS (Darwin 24.6.0)
• Claude Code 2.1.156 (native install, ~/.local/share/claude/versions/)
• Multiple Chrome profiles are open simultaneously (always the case on this machine) — leading suspicion is the bridge binding to the wrong profile's extension instance, with no way to steer which one it attaches to.

The side-panel agent working while the CLI bridge does not suggests the issue is specific to the Claude Code connection path rather than the extension or account.