Keep long sessions from stalling
Keeps the Mac awake only while a Claude Code or Codex session is running, then allows normal sleep to resume when the work ends.
BlackFlare
BlackFlare is a macOS menu bar app for Claude Code and Codex that keeps your Mac awake, sends finish or attention alerts, shows usage, and lets you switch defaults.
Menu bar companion for Claude Code and Codex
BlackFlare is a macOS menu bar app for Claude Code and Codex sessions. It keeps your Mac awake during long runs, sends notifications when a task finishes or needs input, and lets you change common defaults from the menu bar instead of editing config by hand.
It is designed for people who start agentic coding sessions and then step away. BlackFlare can notify you on your Mac, Telegram, or Slack, and it also shows usage information for Claude and Codex so you can watch limits before you hit them.
What BlackFlare does
Get alerted when a task needs you
Sends a notification when a session finishes or when it is waiting for input, using native Mac banners and optional Telegram or Slack routing.
Switch defaults from the menu bar
Lets you set default model, permission mode, effort level, and thinking mode from the menu bar so the next session starts with those settings already applied.
Track usage at a glance
Shows Claude and Codex usage in the menu and menu bar icon, with per-model tracking and threshold alerts.
Cover terminal and IDE workflows
Supports Claude Code and Codex sessions across the terminal, VS Code, and JetBrains IDEs, with an "only when away" option for notification routing.
Run locally and keep data private
Uses read-only Keychain access for Claude usage data and keeps the app on-device, without accounts, analytics, or telemetry.
Common ways to use BlackFlare
Run overnight or unattended jobs
Start a long Claude Code refactor or Codex test run, close the laptop, and rely on BlackFlare to keep the Mac awake until the session ends.
Catch completion and review points quickly
Stay aware when an agent is waiting on input or has finished work, with a notification on the Mac and optional Telegram or Slack delivery when you are away.
Standardize session defaults
Set preferred model, permission mode, effort, and thinking mode once, then let BlackFlare apply those defaults to the next session without manual flag entry.
Monitor usage during active work
Watch per-model usage and threshold warnings from the menu bar so you can see Claude and Codex consumption before you run into limits.
Route alerts to chat surfaces
Use Slack notifications to keep a whole team informed, or use Telegram for personal remote alerts when you are away from your desk.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Keeps the Mac awake only while a Claude Code or Codex session is active.
- Supports notifications for sessions that finish or need input.
- Can route alerts to Mac banners, Telegram, or Slack.
- Lets you set model and permission defaults from the menu bar.
- Tracks usage by model and shows threshold alerts.
- Runs on-device with no accounts, analytics, or telemetry.
Cons
- Requires macOS 13 or later.
- Telegram and Slack notifications are part of the paid license, not the free tier.
- Usage readings depend on read-only access to the Claude token in macOS Keychain.
FAQ
Does BlackFlare work with both the CLI and IDEs?
Yes. BlackFlare watches Claude Code and Codex sessions whether they run in a terminal, inside VS Code, or inside JetBrains IDEs.
Are desktop notifications included without a license?
Yes. The pricing page says desktop notifications are free for the first 7 days, and the paid license unlocks them along with Keep Awake and Telegram/Slack notifications.
Where does my token go?
BlackFlare reads your Claude token from the macOS Keychain with read-only access so it can show usage. The token is not written anywhere by BlackFlare and is only transmitted to Anthropic.
Can it notify me on my phone or in team chat?
Yes. BlackFlare can forward notifications to Telegram or Slack, and it includes an "only when away" mode so you are not pinged at your desk and on your phone at the same time.
What do I need to run BlackFlare?
BlackFlare requires macOS 13 or later and is a universal build for Apple silicon and Intel Macs.
Quick Facts
- Category
- Developer Tool
- Platform
- macOS
- Supported tools
- Claude Code, Codex
- Distribution
- Download for Mac
- Source domain
- blackflare.dev
- License model
- Free download; one-time paid license for extra features
BlackFlare Alternatives
ByteAsk
ByteAsk is a terminal-first AI coding agent for C and C++ that edits repos and verifies changes with compilers, debuggers, sanitizers, and tests.
CreateOS Sandbox
CreateOS Sandbox is an isolated compute environment for running code and agent workloads in Firecracker micro-VMs with private networking and SDK, CLI, or MCP control.
hob
hob is an independent workspace for coding agents, with local control over sessions, terminals, history, routing, and follow-up work.
Manta AI
Manta AI is an autonomous web app testing tool that maps app behavior, catches regressions, and generates tests from a URL, no scripts or selectors needed.
Redline
Redline is a budgeting tool for Claude Code that paces sessions by time, tokens, cost, or plan percentage, helping them end with a usable result.
SonOf
SonOf connects to your repo and PM tool, audits your codebase, and turns approved work into shipped tickets with senior engineering review.