Small app.
Human support.

For questions, bugs, feedback, or tiny victory dances, contact @thelifehiker on X.

The app launched, but I cannot see it

Move the pointer to the top center of the current display. You can also choose “Show UsageGlow” from the UsageGlow icon in the menu bar.

My percentage is not syncing

Open Settings and connect the provider that is missing. For Claude, click Install Claude bridge and choose or create settings.json inside .claude. If Claude Code shows its standard status-line trust prompt, restart it and approve once, then send one message. For ChatGPT, choose auth.json inside .codex. For Cursor, choose state.vscdb inside Cursor’s User/globalStorage folder. UsageGlow never needs an API key.

Does the provider app need to stay open?

ChatGPT and Cursor can remain closed after you connect them. Claude Code can remain closed while UsageGlow shows its latest report. Claude becomes current immediately after the next Claude Code response; UsageGlow labels the previous value LAST SYNC when Claude Code has not reported for more than 15 minutes.

Does UsageGlow work with Claude Code?

Yes. The Mac App Store edition installs Anthropic’s documented status-line integration after you explicitly choose Claude Code’s settings.json. Claude Code may ask you to trust that status line once; this is Claude Code’s own safety check, and UsageGlow never bypasses it. Each Claude Code response supplies the live weekly subscription percentage and reset. UsageGlow does not use Claude’s OAuth credential or read Claude Desktop through Accessibility. The direct beta can request the same structured weekly summary from the installed Claude Code tool.

Claude keeps saying WAITING

Restart Claude Code, accept its status-line trust prompt, and send one message. Claude Code’s disableAllHooks setting must be off because Anthropic applies that switch to status lines too.

Does UsageGlow track API usage or billing?

No. UsageGlow does not measure Anthropic API or OpenAI API token usage, spend, credits, organization billing, Bedrock, Vertex AI, Cursor on-demand spend, or API-key-only sessions. It is intentionally a subscription-limit monitor, not an API cost dashboard.

How often does UsageGlow refresh?

Claude reports immediately after each Claude Code response while UsageGlow is running. ChatGPT and Cursor refresh whenever the pills are revealed, then UsageGlow checks connected providers every 60 seconds while the pills or Settings remain visible. It also refreshes after your Mac wakes. If you quit UsageGlow, it stays quit and receives the next Claude report only after you reopen it.

Can UsageGlow start automatically?

Yes. Open UsageGlow Settings and turn on Launch at Login. macOS keeps the final switch in System Settings → General → Login Items, so you remain in control.

How are updates installed?

The Mac App Store delivers and verifies every UsageGlow update. The App Store build has no separate updater.

Can I choose which providers appear?

Yes. Show any combination of Claude, ChatGPT, and Cursor. The enabled cards automatically resize and center themselves.

What is “Explore with sample data”?

It is a clearly labeled demo for people—and Apple reviewers—who want to see all three card layouts before connecting an account. Turning it on replaces live readings with temporary Claude, ChatGPT, and Cursor examples labeled DEMO. Move your pointer to the top center to reveal them, then turn the setting off to resume real syncing. It never mixes sample values with live account data.

What is the difference between Full and Minimal?

Minimal shows the percentage used, remaining allowance, progress rail, and reset time. Full adds used and remaining metrics, a reset countdown, freshness status, Sync now, and Open provider controls. Choosing either style in Settings previews it for a few seconds.

How do I quit?

Choose “Quit UsageGlow” from its menu-bar icon.

Is UsageGlow affiliated with Anthropic, OpenAI, or Cursor?

No. UsageGlow is an independent app and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Anthropic, OpenAI, or Anysphere (the maker of Cursor).