Menu bar access
Shows Claude usage in a macOS menu bar popup so you can check limits without opening a separate app window.
ClaudeUsageBar
Free, open-source macOS menu bar app that tracks Claude and Claude Code usage limits in real time and shows live Claude service status. It stores session data locally and can notify you before you reach usage thresholds.
What ClaudeUsageBar is
ClaudeUsageBar is a free, open-source macOS menu bar app for tracking Claude and Claude Code usage limits. It shows your current session and weekly usage at a glance, along with reset times and service status, so you can see how much quota remains without checking separately in the browser.
The product is built for macOS 12 and later and is presented as native, lightweight, and private. The site says usage data is fetched using your Claude.ai session cookie, which stays on your machine, and the app can alert you before you reach common usage thresholds.
Core features
Usage limit tracking
Displays session and weekly usage resets, helping you understand when limits refresh and how much quota remains.
Threshold notifications
Sends alerts at 25%, 50%, 75%, and 90% usage thresholds so you can react before reaching a limit.
Live service status
Includes live Claude status for claude.ai, the API, and Claude Code, with service-specific indicators and incident awareness.
Local-first privacy
Stores the session cookie and usage data locally and states that it does not collect analytics or telemetry.
Native lightweight app
Ships as a native macOS app for Apple Silicon and Intel Macs and is described as lightweight, under 5 MB.
Common use cases
Monitor usage during the day
Keep an eye on remaining Claude usage from the menu bar while you work, so you can check quota without opening Claude or a browser tab.
Get warned before you hit a cap
Set up threshold alerts to avoid getting surprised by a limit, especially if you rely on Claude frequently for long sessions.
Check service availability
Use the status view to confirm whether an issue is on your side or part of a broader Claude service incident affecting the product you use.
Keep tracking local to your Mac
Use the app on a personal Mac to track your own Claude.ai session data locally without sending usage information off the machine.
Access usage quickly with a shortcut
Open the popup from anywhere with Cmd+U after granting Accessibility permission, which is useful when you want a quick check without switching apps.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Free and open source.
- Tracks both usage limits and live Claude service status in one place.
- Uses a native macOS interface with menu bar access and a global shortcut option.
- Keeps usage data local and says it does not collect analytics or telemetry.
- Works with both Claude Free and Pro plans.
Cons
- It requires you to paste a Claude.ai session cookie to fetch usage data.
- Accessibility permission is only needed for the global Cmd+U shortcut, which adds an extra macOS permission if you want that feature.
- The source material does not show paid plans, so the pricing model beyond being free and open source is not detailed on the site.
FAQ
How does ClaudeUsageBar work?
ClaudeUsageBar reads your usage limits from your Claude.ai session cookie and shows them in the macOS menu bar. It also surfaces Claude service status so you can see whether Claude.ai, the API, or Claude Code are operational.
Is my usage data kept private?
The app says it uses your session cookie from claude.ai to fetch usage data directly from Anthropic's API. The cookie is stored locally on your Mac and, according to the product, is not sent anywhere else.
Does it work with Free and Pro accounts?
Yes. The site says ClaudeUsageBar works with both Free and Pro plans. It also notes that Pro users can see weekly Sonnet usage if that information is available.
Why does the app ask for Accessibility permission?
Accessibility permission is only needed if you want the Cmd+U global shortcut to open the popup from anywhere. The app can still be used without that permission, but the shortcut will not work.
What should I do if the session cookie is missing?
If the app shows "Session cookie not set," the site instructs you to open the menu bar icon, choose "Set Session Cookie," and paste the full cookie string from claude.ai rather than only the sessionKey value.
Quick Facts
- Category
- Developer Tool
- Platform
- macOS 12+
- Primary use
- Track Claude and Claude Code usage limits
- Status coverage
- claude.ai, Claude Console, Claude API, Claude Code, Claude Cowork, Claude for Government
- License / pricing
- Free and open source
- Website
- claudeusagebar.com
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