Claude in Chrome extension bridge fails to connect (list_connected_browsers returns empty)

The Claude in Chrome extension is installed, enabled, up to date (v1.0.94), and signed in (side panel works and shows chat correctly). However, Claude Code's browser automation bridge cannot connect to it.

Steps taken:

• Confirmed extension toggle is On in chrome://extensions
• Confirmed "Pin to toolbar" and site access "On all sites" are set
• Opened the extension side panel directly — it loads and is signed in fine
• Fully closed all Chrome windows and killed lingering chrome.exe processes, then reopened
• Checked for extension updates via "Update" button — already on latest version
• Checked the service worker console (Inspect views > service worker) — no errors logged

Result:

• tabs_context_mcp (with createIfEmpty: true) consistently returns: "Browser extension is not connected..."
• list_connected_browsers returns an empty array []
• switch_browser returns "No other browsers available to switch to. Open Chrome with the Claude extension in another browser to switch." — even though this is the only browser and the extension is installed and signed in there.

Environment:

• OS: Windows 11 Home Single Language 10.0.26200
• Chrome extension version: 1.0.94
• Claude Code running in the same environment (PowerShell/Bash), signed in with the same claude.ai account