claude-in-chrome extension fails to connect despite install, sign-in, and restarts

Environment

• OS: Windows 11
• Claude Code: CLI

Steps taken

1. Installed the Claude for Chrome extension from claude.ai/chrome
2. Confirmed extension shows enabled in chrome://extensions
3. Signed into the extension with the same account used in Claude Code
4. Restarted Chrome completely
5. Restarted the Claude Code CLI session

Result
Every attempt to use browser tools (e.g. tabs_context_mcp) returns:
"Browser extension is not connected. Please ensure the Claude browser extension is installed and running..."

The connection never establishes despite following all documented troubleshooting steps.