[BUG] Cowork: connected device is unreachable — device list returns empty despite desktop app open and folder added
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?
Description
In a Cowork session, Claude is unable to reach my computer through the device bridge. The session shows my folder as "connected context," but Claude cannot read from or write to it. When Claude queries connected devices, the list returns completely empty, even though the desktop app is open, the computer is awake, and the folder has been (re-)added.
This appears related to the class of "can't reach desktop" bugs (e.g. #46391).
What Should Happen?
Expected behavior
Claude should detect the connected Mac and be able to read/write files in the added folder.
Error Messages/Logs
The connected-device list is empty. Claude cannot read from or write to the folder. Retrying, quitting/reopening the app, re-adding the folder, and starting fresh sessions do not resolve it.Steps to Reproduce
- Open the Claude desktop app and sign in.
- Add a local folder as context to a Cowork session ("Add folder").
- Ask Claude to write a file into that folder.
- Claude reports it cannot reach the device; the connected-device list is empty.
Claude Model
Opus
Is this a regression?
No, this never worked
Last Working Version
_No response_
Claude Code Version
Claude 1.17377.2 (e0ea9e) 2026-07-01T05:51:58.000Z
Platform
Anthropic API
Operating System
macOS
Terminal/Shell
Terminal.app (macOS)
Additional Information
The failure is at the connection/bridge layer rather than folder permissions — the device never registers as connected, so no folder configuration can succeed.