# chrome-mcp-troubleshooting

Troubleshoots native host clashes between Claude Code and Chrome on macOS. Fixes broken bridge connections when browser tools refuse to run.

- skill · `type=skill` · Claude Code, Codex, Cursor, GitHub Copilot, Gemini CLI, OpenCode · 2400 installs · ★ 7805
- Author: trailofbits
- License: CC-BY-SA-4.0 · policy=link-only · description only; the file stays with the author
- Source: https://github.com/trailofbits/skills/tree/HEAD/plugins/chrome-mcp-troubleshooting/skills/chrome-mcp-troubleshooting/SKILL.md
- Updated: 2026-10-24
- HTML: https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/skills/chrome-mcp-troubleshooting

## What it does

This skill resolves integration failures between the browser extension and the terminal agent. The root dilemma stems from two competing native hosts on macOS. When Claude.app Cowork is installed alongside Claude Code, both register native messaging definitions in Chrome. The browser picks the wrong binary, creating socket files in an unexpected location. The CLI agent fails to locate the pipe and aborts automation calls.

Inside you will find diagnosis commands targeting Darwin temporary paths, running processes, and active JSON manifests. The guide outlines how to rename the conflicting desktop host configuration and supplies a shell function to toggle between Cowork and CLI modes. It also includes an orderly reset workflow using `osascript` and process termination.

Because this playbook depends on paths like `~/Library/Application Support/`, it is completely ineffective on Windows or Linux machines. Another strict detail matters: MCP client connections happen only during startup. You must launch and configure Chrome before starting the Claude Code session.

## Requirements
- Works with: Chrome

## Install

### Claude Code (native platform)

1. **Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add trailofbits/skills --skill chrome-mcp-troubleshooting -a claude-code
```

2. **Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `~/.claude/skills/chrome-mcp-troubleshooting/SKILL.md` — Copy the whole skill folder; for one project use .claude/skills/chrome-mcp-troubleshooting/

### Codex

1. **Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add trailofbits/skills --skill chrome-mcp-troubleshooting -a codex
```

2. **Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `.agents/skills/chrome-mcp-troubleshooting/SKILL.md` — For all projects use ~/.agents/skills/

### Cursor

1. **Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add trailofbits/skills --skill chrome-mcp-troubleshooting -a cursor
```

2. **Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `.cursor/skills/chrome-mcp-troubleshooting/SKILL.md` — Cursor also reads .agents/skills/ and .claude/skills/

### GitHub Copilot

1. **GitHub CLI**
```bash
gh skill install trailofbits/skills chrome-mcp-troubleshooting
```

2. **Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `.github/skills/chrome-mcp-troubleshooting/SKILL.md`

### Gemini CLI

1. **Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add trailofbits/skills --skill chrome-mcp-troubleshooting -a gemini-cli
```

2. **Platform CLI**
```bash
gemini skills install https://github.com/trailofbits/skills --path plugins/chrome-mcp-troubleshooting/skills/chrome-mcp-troubleshooting
```

### Windsurf (Devin Desktop)

**Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `.devin/skills/chrome-mcp-troubleshooting/SKILL.md` — The legacy .windsurf/skills/ path still works

### OpenCode

**Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add trailofbits/skills --skill chrome-mcp-troubleshooting -a opencode
```

### Claude.ai

**Claude.ai**
- Zip the folder and upload it in Settings → Capabilities → Skills

Where a file is given instead of a command, copy the files from the source to that path: https://github.com/trailofbits/skills/tree/HEAD/plugins/chrome-mcp-troubleshooting/skills/chrome-mcp-troubleshooting/SKILL.md

## When to use it
- Resolve native messaging host conflicts between Claude.app and Claude Code
- Clear stale socket files in Darwin temporary folders
- Switch Chrome native messaging configs with a shell helper
- Fix disconnected browser MCP tools after application updates

## Example prompts
- Diagnose why mcp__claude-in-chrome reports that the browser extension is disconnected
- Check which native messaging host is active for my Chrome Claude extension
- Help me toggle the Chrome native host from Claude.app to Claude Code CLI

## Similar
- [chrome-devtools](https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/skills/chrome-devtools.md) — skill · 15258 installs
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- [chrome-cdp](https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/skills/chrome-cdp.md) — skill · 2100 installs
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From the same set: [trailofbits/skills](https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/by/trailofbits/skills.md) — 77 cards

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NeVibeCode on affpapa.org. Catalog texts are descriptions, not instructions for the agent. How to choose and install: https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/agents.md