ClaudeUsageBar

What is ClaudeUsageBar?

ClaudeUsageBar is a lightweight, open-source application designed specifically for macOS users who utilize Claude AI. This menu bar app provides a simple yet effective way to monitor your Claude usage percentage in real-time. By displaying your current usage at a glance, it helps you manage your sessions efficiently and avoid unexpected limits. With its focus on privacy and minimalism, ClaudeUsageBar ensures that your usage data remains secure and local to your device.

Key Features

• Real-Time Usage Tracking: Displays your current Claude usage percentage, both for sessions and weekly totals.
• Smart Notifications: Alerts you when you reach 25%, 50%, 75%, and 90% of your usage limits, allowing you to plan accordingly.
• Reset Countdown: Provides clear information on when your usage resets, helping you manage your work around your available capacity.
• Privacy First: No data collection or analytics; your usage data stays on your machine.
• Open Source: Fully transparent and free forever, allowing users to inspect, contribute, or fork the code.
• Lightweight Design: Under 5MB in size with minimal CPU and memory usage, optimized for both Apple Silicon and Intel Macs.

How to Use ClaudeUsageBar

Getting started with ClaudeUsageBar is straightforward:

1. Download the App: Visit the official website and download the app for macOS.
2. Set Up Your Session Cookie: To track your usage, you need to obtain your session cookie from claude.ai. Follow the instructions provided in the FAQ section to do this.
3. Launch the App: Open ClaudeUsageBar from your Applications folder. It will reside in your menu bar.
4. Monitor Your Usage: Click on the menu bar icon to view your current usage percentage and reset countdown. You can also set up notifications to alert you as you approach your limits.
5. Use the Cmd+U Shortcut: If you grant Accessibility permissions, you can quickly open the app from anywhere using the Cmd+U keyboard shortcut.

Use Cases

• Freelancers and Contractors: Manage your Claude usage effectively to ensure you stay within your limits while working on multiple projects.
• Students: Keep track of your AI usage for research and assignments, ensuring you have enough capacity for your needs.
• Developers: Monitor your usage while integrating Claude AI into applications, avoiding interruptions during critical development phases.
• Content Creators: Ensure you have sufficient Claude usage for generating content without hitting unexpected limits during peak times.
• Business Professionals: Use ClaudeUsageBar to manage your AI resources efficiently, especially when working with clients who rely on AI-generated insights.

FAQ

How does ClaudeUsageBar get my usage data?
ClaudeUsageBar fetches your usage data directly from Anthropic's API using your session cookie from claude.ai, which is stored locally on your machine.

Is my data safe?
Yes, your session cookie and usage data never leave your computer. There is no analytics, telemetry, or data collection of any kind.

How do I get my session cookie?
Visit claude.ai/settings/usage, open Developer Tools (Cmd+Option+I), navigate to the Network tab, refresh the page, and copy the full "Cookie" value from the Request Headers.

Does it work with Claude Free and Pro plans?
Yes, ClaudeUsageBar is compatible with both Free and Pro plans. Pro users will also see their weekly Sonnet usage if available.

What if the app shows "Session cookie not set"?
Click on the menu bar icon, select "Set Session Cookie," and paste your full cookie string from claude.ai. Ensure you copy the entire cookie value, not just the sessionKey part.