Bug: "Claude in Chrome" extension never shows the site-approval prompt — navigation permanently blocked

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?

Extension: Claude in Chrome, version 1.0.85 (extension ID fcoeoabgfenejglbffodgkkbkcdhcgfn)
OS: Windows
Browser: Google Chrome (freshly reinstalled during this troubleshooting session)
Account: logged into the extension as mlj82175@gmail.com

Summary

Every browser action from Claude Code (navigation, page reading) is rejected with "Navigation to this domain is not allowed" / "Permission denied for reading page content on this domain" — for every domain tested, including neutral ones like example.com, google.com, and youtube.com, not just the site I was originally trying to use (LinkedIn/Indeed). The extension's own Permissions settings page (chrome-extension://fcoeoabgfenejglbffodgkkbkcdhcgfn/... → Permissions tab) confirms: "Your approved sites: No sites have been approved yet." Normally an in-page prompt should appear letting the user approve a site the first time Claude tries to act on it — that prompt never appears, no matter what is tried.

What was ruled out before concluding this is an extension bug

• Chrome's own extension permissions are already maximal: chrome://extensions → Claude → Details → Site access = "On all sites"; Permissions list includes "Read and change all your data on all websites." So this isn't a Chrome host-permission issue.
• Only one Claude extension is installed — confirmed via the full extensions list. No conflicting/duplicate extension.
• The extension is enabled (toggle on) and correctly signed in to the right account.
• Tried a full clean reinstall of Chrome (previous install had gotten a custom-renamed shortcut, "Joshua - Chrome," which was suspected as a possible cause) — same failure persisted after reinstall with the freshly installed extension.
• Tried a fresh device pairing via the "switch browser" / re-connect flow after reinstall (new deviceId, new "Connect" click) — same failure persisted with the fresh pairing.
• Watched the extension's side panel live while Claude Code issued navigate calls, multiple times, across multiple domains — nothing ever appeared in the panel (no approval card, no notification, no state change). The panel simply sits idle showing the default "How can I help you today?" prompt.
• Ruled out user confusion between multiple Claude-branded surfaces: confirmed there is genuinely only one "Claude in Chrome" extension (not a separate consumer "Claude for Chrome" product) — the empty side panel with the model picker and "Ask before acting" toggle IS this same extension's UI, it's just not surfacing pending approvals.
• Also separately ruled out: two different browsers (Edge + Chrome) both having the extension installed, and the Claude.ai desktop app's own independent browser-control feature both being open simultaneously and competing for the same extension — both were confirmed closed/removed from the picture before this final reproduction.

Expected behavior

The first time Claude Code tries to navigate to or read a new domain, the extension should show an approval prompt (in the side panel or as some other UI surface) letting the user approve that site, after which it should be added to "Your approved sites" and subsequent actions on that domain should succeed.

Actual behavior

No approval prompt ever appears, in any UI surface of the extension, under any circumstances tested. The approved-sites list stays permanently empty, and every navigation/read action is rejected.

Impact

Browser automation via Claude Code is completely non-functional — not just for one site, but for literally every domain, including neutral test domains — despite the extension having full Chrome-level permissions and no configuration issues found anywhere in its own settings UI.

What Should Happen?

I should be able to use claude in chrome. I had done so without any issues before today.

Error Messages/Logs

Steps to Reproduce

this happens whenever i attempt to interface with chrome through claude code

Claude Model

Not sure / Multiple models

Is this a regression?

Yes, this worked in a previous version

Last Working Version

_No response_

Claude Code Version

current

Platform

Anthropic API

Operating System

Windows

Terminal/Shell

VS Code integrated terminal

Additional Information

_No response_