[BUG] claude-in-chrome MCP tools never connect — stuck at 1/13 MCP servers connected

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 claude-in-chrome MCP server (browser automation tools, mcp__claude-in-chrome__*)
never connects in a VS Code Claude Code session. Running /mcp always shows
"13 MCP server(s): 1 connected, 12 not connected, 0 disabled" (the 1 connected
is an unrelated connector, e.g. Google Drive). It worked earlier in the same
session, then disconnected mid-conversation and has not reconnected since,
despite multiple restarts and reinstalls.

What Should Happen?

The claude-in-chrome MCP server should reconnect, making browser automation
tools (navigate, computer, tabs_context_mcp, get_page_text, etc.) available
again, the same as they were earlier in the session.

Error Messages/Logs

From the VS Code extension output log (Anthropic.claude-code.Claude VSCode.log),
repeated warnings but no explicit connection-attempt or failure message for
claude-in-chrome specifically:

[WARN] Filtering out tool_reference for unavailable tool: mcp__claude-in-chrome__tabs_context_mcp
[WARN] Filtering out tool_reference for unavailable tool: mcp__claude-in-chrome__navigate
[WARN] Filtering out tool_reference for unavailable tool: mcp__claude-in-chrome__computer
[WARN] Filtering out tool_reference for unavailable tool: mcp__claude-in-chrome__read_page
[WARN] Filtering out tool_reference for unavailable tool: mcp__claude-in-chrome__tabs_create_mcp
[WARN] Filtering out tool_reference for unavailable tool: mcp__claude-in-chrome__get_page_text
[WARN] Filtering out tool_reference for unavailable tool: mcp__claude-in-chrome__find

Also seen once at startup (appears transient, write succeeded moments later):
[DEBUG] Lock acquisition took longer than expected - another Claude instance may be running
[ERROR] Failed to save config with lock: Error: Lock file is already being held

Steps to Reproduce

1. Open a project in VS Code with the Claude Code extension (v2.1.218) and an

active session using claude-in-chrome tools successfully.

1. At some point mid-session, the MCP connection drops

("MCP server disconnected: mcp__claude-in-chrome__* (22)").

1. Run /mcp in the chat panel -> shows 1 connected, 12 not connected.
2. Reply /mcp reconnect all -> no change.
3. Restart PC, Chrome, and VS Code entirely -> still 1 connected, 12 not connected.
4. Uninstall/reinstall the Chrome extension -> still no change.
5. Launch and sign back into the separate Claude Desktop app

(Microsoft Store package) -> still no change.

Claude Model

Sonnet (default)

Is this a regression?

Yes, this worked in a previous version

Last Working Version

Same session/version, unknown exact build — disconnected mid-conversation without any version change that we're aware of.

Claude Code Version

VS Code extension: anthropic.claude-code-2.1.218-win32-x64 (No standalone claude CLI binary is installed on this machine — Claude Code is used only via the VS Code extension, so claude --version is not available.)

Platform

Anthropic API

Operating System

Windows

Terminal/Shell

VS Code integrated terminal

Additional Information

• claude.ai Settings > Connectors page does NOT list a Chrome/Browser entry at

all (only Asana, Atlassian, Box, Canva, Figma, Gmail, Google Cloud BigQuery,
HubSpot, Intercom, Linear, monday.com, Notion, Google Drive). claude-in-chrome
does not appear to be managed from this screen.

• Windows Chrome native messaging host registration looks correct:

HKCU\Software\Google\Chrome\NativeMessagingHosts\com.anthropic.claude_browser_extension
points to a valid, existing manifest and host executable
(chrome-native-host.exe) inside the Claude Desktop app's package folder
(Claude_1.22209.3.0_x64__pzs8sxrjxfjjc).

• The separate Claude Desktop app (Microsoft Store) is installed, was updated,

and the user signed back in and left it running — no change in MCP connection
status.

• OS: Windows 11 Pro 10.0.26200.