claude-in-chrome-troubleshooting

Installation
Summary

Diagnose and resolve Claude in Chrome MCP extension connectivity conflicts on macOS.

  • Addresses the primary issue: Claude.app (Cowork) and Claude Code CLI use competing native messaging hosts with incompatible socket formats; fix by disabling one config and restarting both Chrome and Claude Code
  • Provides quick diagnosis commands to identify which native host is running, locate socket files, and verify active configurations
  • Includes a toggle script to switch between Claude.app and Claude Code without manual file moves
  • Covers secondary causes: multiple Chrome profiles, hardcoded version wrappers, multiple Claude Code sessions, and unset TMPDIR environment variable
  • macOS-specific; uses paths like ~/Library/Application Support/ and tools like osascript
SKILL.md

Claude in Chrome MCP Troubleshooting

Use this skill when Claude in Chrome MCP tools fail to connect or work unreliably.

When to Use

  • mcp__claude-in-chrome__* tools fail with "Browser extension is not connected"
  • Browser automation works erratically or times out
  • After updating Claude Code or Claude.app
  • When switching between Claude Code CLI and Claude.app (Cowork)
  • Native host process is running but MCP tools still fail

When NOT to Use

  • Linux or Windows users - This skill covers macOS-specific paths and tools (~/Library/Application Support/, osascript)
  • General Chrome automation issues unrelated to the Claude extension
  • Claude.app desktop issues (not browser-related)
  • Network connectivity problems
  • Chrome extension installation issues (use Chrome Web Store support)
Related skills
Installs
2.0K
GitHub Stars
5.1K
First Seen
Jan 26, 2026