Chrome plugin missing after reinstall; local plugin cache points to incomplete latest folder

What version of the Codex App are you using (From “About Codex” dialog)?

26.527.60818

What subscription do you have?

Paid

What platform is your computer?

Microsoft Windows NT 10.0.26200.0 x64 , Windows 11 x64

What issue are you seeing?

Title: Chrome plugin missing after reinstall; local plugin cache points to incomplete latest folder

Environment:

• Windows 11
• Codex desktop app from Microsoft Store
• Microsoft Store shows Codex 4.3 installed
• Chrome extension installed from Chrome Web Store:

https://chromewebstore.google.com/detail/codex/hehggadaopoacecdllhhajmbjkdcmajg

• Chrome extension popup says "Connected"

Problem:
The Chrome plugin disappeared from Codex after I disabled/removed/reinstalled pieces while troubleshooting. It no longer appears under installed plugins or marketplace search. Reinstalling Codex from the Microsoft Store did not restore the Chrome plugin.

Observed behavior:

• In Codex → Plugins → Manage, installed plugins show Documents, Spreadsheets, Presentations, and GitHub only.
• Searching marketplace for Chrome shows no Chrome plugin.
• The Chrome Web Store extension is installed and says Connected, but Codex cannot control Chrome.

Diagnostics:
The local Chrome plugin cache exists, but the latest folder appears incomplete.

Existing complete versioned folders:
%USERPROFILE%\.codex\plugins\cache\openai-bundled\chrome\26.519.81530
%USERPROFILE%\.codex\plugins\cache\openai-bundled\chrome\26.527.31326

Incomplete latest folder:
%USERPROFILE%\.codex\plugins\cache\openai-bundled\chrome\latest

The file expected by the Chrome native-host config is missing:
%USERPROFILE%\.codex\plugins\cache\openai-bundled\chrome\latest\scripts\browser-client.mjs

But the file exists in the versioned folder:
%USERPROFILE%\.codex\plugins\cache\openai-bundled\chrome\26.527.31326\scripts\browser-client.mjs

Native host diagnostic reports missing registry key and manifest:
HKCU\Software\Google\Chrome\NativeMessagingHosts\com.openai.codexextension
%USERPROFILE%\AppData\Local\OpenAI\extension\com.openai.codexextension.json

Relevant config file exists:
%USERPROFILE%\.codex\chrome-native-hosts.json

It points browserClientPath to:
%USERPROFILE%\.codex\plugins\cache\openai-bundled\chrome\latest\scripts\browser-client.mjs

Expected behavior:
Reinstalling Codex or reinstalling/enabling the Chrome plugin should restore the bundled Chrome plugin, recreate a complete latest plugin folder, register the native host, and allow Codex to control Chrome through the installed Codex Chrome extension.

Impact:
I need Chrome plugin support for authenticated browser sessions. Playwright-launched Chrome is blocked by sites such as FlexJobs and Indeed.

<img width="1928" height="1040" alt="Image" src="https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/03b60a27-37e9-4aab-ba1f-143f697ba338" />

<img width="1920" height="1032" alt="Image" src="https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/c3c6fdfd-0e17-4d2d-97b0-e9fe424bc342" />

What steps can reproduce the bug?

Steps to reproduce:

1. Install Codex desktop from the Microsoft Store.
2. Install the Codex Chrome extension from the Chrome Web Store.
3. Confirm the Chrome extension popup says "Connected".
4. Open Codex → Plugins → Manage.
5. Disable or remove the Chrome plugin while troubleshooting.
6. Reinstall Codex from the Microsoft Store.
7. Open Codex → Plugins → Manage again.
8. Search for Chrome in installed plugins and marketplace search.

Actual result:
The Chrome plugin does not appear in installed plugins or marketplace search. Codex cannot control Chrome even though the Chrome extension is installed and says "Connected".

Expected result:
The Chrome plugin should reappear or be reinstallable, and Codex should recreate the native host registration needed to control Chrome.

What is the expected behavior?

Expected behavior:
After reinstalling Codex or reinstalling/enabling the Chrome plugin, Codex should restore the bundled Chrome plugin, recreate a complete latest plugin folder, register the Chrome native host, and show Chrome as an available plugin in Codex.

Once the Codex Chrome extension is installed and connected in Chrome, Codex should be able to control the user’s Chrome browser.

Additional information

_No response_