claude-in-chrome-troubleshootinglisted
Install: claude install-skill kevinvwong/stack-agents
# 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)
## The Claude.app vs Claude Code Conflict (Primary Issue)
**Background:** When Claude.app added Cowork support (browser automation from the desktop app), it introduced a competing native messaging host that conflicts with Claude Code CLI.
### Two Native Hosts, Two Socket Formats
| Component | Native Host Binary | Socket Location |
|-----------|-------------------|-----------------|
| **Claude.app (Cowork)** | `/Applications/Claude.app/Contents/Helpers/chrome-native-host` | `/tmp/claude-mcp-browser-bridge-$USER/<PID>.sock` |
| **Claude Code CLI** | `~/.local/share/claude/versions/<version> --chrome-native-host` | `$TMPDIR/claude-mcp-browser-bridge-$USER` (single file) |
### Why