Windows: Chrome, Browser, and Computer Use mentions recognized but callable tools are not attached (26.707.12708.0)
Summary
On Windows, the bundled @Chrome, @Browser, and @Computer Use plugin mentions are recognized by Codex Desktop, but the corresponding callable tools are not attached to the active task.
This persists after a clean Codex Desktop reinstall and after reinstalling the official plugins and Chrome extension.
Environment
- OS: Windows x64
- Codex Desktop:
26.707.12708.0 - Bundled Chrome / Browser / Computer Use plugins:
26.707.91948 - Codex Chrome extension:
1.2.27203.26575 - Browser: Google Chrome Stable
Verified local state
- Chrome extension popup shows Connected.
- Chrome plugin is installed and enabled.
- Browser plugin is installed and enabled.
- Computer Use plugin is installed and enabled.
- Native Messaging registry entry exists at:
HKCU\Software\Google\Chrome\NativeMessagingHosts\com.openai.codexextension
- Native host manifest exists at:
C:\Users\<user>\AppData\Local\OpenAI\extension\com.openai.codexextension.json
extension-host.exeis running.- The plugin mention is inserted from the UI and arrives in the task as a real plugin capability, not plain text.
Steps to reproduce
- Start a new Codex Desktop task on Windows.
- Select the real Chrome plugin mention from the
@menu. - Send a minimal request such as:
@Chrome Open a new tab and tell me the page title.
- Observe that the Chrome capability/instructions are recognized, but the task does not receive a callable Chrome control tool.
- Repeat in fresh tasks with
@Browserand@Computer Use.
Actual behavior
All three mentions are recognized, but none of the executable browser/Windows-control tools are exposed to the agent. The agent can use normal local shell tools, but cannot open or control Chrome, the in-app browser, or Windows applications.
The failure occurs before accessing any target website and reproduces with an innocuous new-tab request.
Expected behavior
@Chromeshould expose the extension-backed Chrome control tool.@Browsershould expose the in-app browser control tool.@Computer Useshould expose the Windows UI control tool.- If a tool cannot be attached, the UI should report that before allowing the mention to be sent.
Troubleshooting already completed
- Restarted Chrome and Codex Desktop.
- Started multiple fresh tasks.
- Selected each plugin from the
@menu. - Reinstalled Codex Desktop.
- Reinstalled/enabled the official Chrome, Browser, and Computer Use plugins.
- Reinstalled the official Chrome extension.
- Confirmed the extension is connected, Native Messaging is registered, the manifest exists, and
extension-host.exeis active. - Did not manually modify the registry or native host manifest.
Related issues
- #21791
- #23805
- #24838
- #25809
The important additional data point here is that this reproduces on the newer 26.707.12708.0 Windows build and affects all three bundled control surfaces in fresh tasks.
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