TL;DR
A small native macOS menubar app called Claude Usage shows session and weekly Claude Code usage with color-coded thresholds and auto-refresh. It reads OAuth credentials from the macOS Keychain and queries an undocumented Anthropic usage API; the project is open source and offered under an MIT license.
What happened
A developer published Claude Usage, a lightweight macOS menubar application that presents Claude Code usage limits at a glance. The app shows both session and weekly consumption, provides time-until-reset indicators, and updates automatically every two minutes. Status is color coded (green for OK, yellow when usage exceeds 70%, and red above 90%) to make remaining quota visible from the menu bar. Claude Usage is written in native Swift, distributed via a GitHub repository with releases and source code, and licensed under the MIT License. It requires macOS 13.0 or later and the Claude Code CLI to be installed and logged in. The app reads OAuth credentials stored in the system Keychain and queries api.anthropic.com/api/oauth/usage — an endpoint the author notes is undocumented and subject to change. The project includes basic troubleshooting tips and confirms no analytics or external telemetry are sent.
Why it matters
- Gives users immediate visibility into Claude Code session and weekly quotas without opening a browser or CLI.
- Local Keychain credential use reduces transmission of secrets beyond the device according to the project notes.
- Reliance on an undocumented API introduces a risk that the tool could break if the endpoint changes.
- Open-source code and an MIT license let users inspect, modify or self-host the client.
Key facts
- App name: Claude Usage
- Platform: macOS menubar app, native Swift implementation
- Auto-refresh interval: every 2 minutes
- Color-coded thresholds: green (OK), yellow (>70%), red (>90%)
- Displays both session and weekly usage and time until reset
- Requires macOS 13.0 (Ventura) or later and Claude Code CLI installed and logged in
- Reads OAuth credentials from macOS Keychain and queries api.anthropic.com/api/oauth/usage
- Project license: MIT License
- Repository: richhickson/claudecodeusage on GitHub (15 stars, 2 contributors)
- Author disclaimer: unofficial tool, not affiliated with Anthropic; uses an undocumented API
What to watch next
- The undocumented Anthropic usage endpoint could change and make the app stop functioning — the author warns this is possible.
- not confirmed in the source
Quick glossary
- menubar app: A small application that runs from the macOS menu bar, providing quick access or status information without a full windowed interface.
- OAuth: An authorization standard that allows applications to access user data from a service with permission, often via tokens rather than raw credentials.
- macOS Keychain: The system-provided secure storage service on macOS for passwords, keys, and other sensitive credentials.
- MIT License: A permissive open-source license that allows reuse with minimal restrictions, including commercial use and modification.
Reader FAQ
How do I install the app?
Download the ClaudeUsage.zip from the repository releases, unzip and move ClaudeUsage.app to Applications; or build from source using the Xcode project provided.
Do I need to log in to Claude Code first?
Yes. The app requires the Claude Code CLI to be installed and logged in; it reads credentials from the macOS Keychain.
Is this an official Anthropic application?
No. The author states it is an unofficial tool and not affiliated with Anthropic.
Will my credentials be sent anywhere else?
According to the project, credentials remain on the machine and no analytics or telemetry are collected.
Claude Usage A lightweight macOS menubar app that displays your Claude Code usage limits at a glance. Built by @richhickson Features 🔄 Auto-refresh every 2 minutes 🚦 Color-coded status -…
Sources
- Show HN: macOS menu bar app to track Claude usage in real time
- A macOS menu bar app to monitor Claude Code usage
- hamed-elfayome/Claude-Usage-Tracker
- Usage for Claude – App Store – Apple
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