claude-code - 💡(How to fix) Fix claude-in-chrome: "Multiple extensions connected" error is unrecoverable without manual intervention [1 comments, 2 participants]

Summary

When multiple Macs have the Claude Chrome extension installed and connected simultaneously, all browser automation tools fail with an unrecoverable error.

Error message

"Multiple Chrome extensions connected. Open the Claude extension in the browser you want to use and click 'Connect'."

Problems

1. switch_browser does not resolve it — returns "No other browsers available to switch to" even when multiple Macs are connected
2. Reconnecting the extension on the target browser does NOT clear the error — the conflict persists after clicking "Connect" again
3. No programmatic way to disconnect other instances — requires physically locating other Macs and disabling the extension there
4. Entire browser automation session is blocked — once triggered, no browser tools work at all until manually resolved

Steps to reproduce

1. Install Claude Chrome extension on 2+ Macs and leave them running
2. Start a Claude Code session and use browser automation tools
3. Observe the "Multiple Chrome extensions connected" error
4. Try switch_browser — fails with "No other browsers available"
5. Try clicking "Connect" on the target Mac's extension — error persists

Expected behavior

• switch_browser should be able to force-connect to the most recently active extension and disconnect others
• Or provide a disconnect_all / force_connect command so Claude can resolve the conflict without user intervention
• At minimum, reconnecting on the target browser should reliably clear the conflict

Environment

• macOS (multiple machines: Mac mini M1 + MacBook Pro M5 Pro)
• Claude Code CLI
• Claude Chrome extension (claude-in-chrome)