Is there a CodexBar for Windows?

Not an official one. CodexBar, by Peter Steinberger, is a free, MIT-licensed menu bar app for macOS 14 or later, with a Linux desktop app and a command-line tool. Its README has a "Looking for a Windows version?" section that links two community projects: Win-CodexBar, a Windows tray app, and CodexBar for Windows, a tray app that runs CodexBar's own command-line tool through WSL.

What is the best CodexBar alternative for Windows?

If you want it free and open source, Win-CodexBar is the closest match: a tray app with 56 providers per its README, installable with winget. If you want the numbers inside the taskbar itself, alerts before a limit hits, and one licence that also covers a Mac, SessionWatcher for Windows is the paid option, from $6.99 one-time with a 7-day free trial.

Does CodexBar track more tools than SessionWatcher?

Yes. CodexBar's README lists 91 providers and Win-CodexBar's lists 56; SessionWatcher tracks 20. If one of your tools is only in their lists, use theirs.

Is the Windows installer signed?

Not yet, for either. SessionWatcher's installer is not code-signed, so Windows SmartScreen asks once ("More info", then "Run anyway"). Win-CodexBar's README says its release signing is not active yet and asks you to check the published SHA-256 files.

Can I see Codex usage without installing anything on Windows?

Yes. Run /status in the Codex CLI, or open chatgpt.com/codex/settings/usage. Both show your limits and reset times when you look; a tray or taskbar app keeps them in view.

Home / Guides / CodexBar for Windows

CodexBar for Windows: the ports and the alternatives

There is no official CodexBar for Windows. CodexBar is a free, open-source menu bar app for macOS, with a Linux desktop app. Its README points Windows users to community ports, and the most complete one, Win-CodexBar, is free too.

By Soren Starck · Every third-party project was read on its GitHub page on 6 October 2026; we did not install or test them. SessionWatcher is our product, and its row is our own description.

What CodexBar runs on

CodexBar is by Peter Steinberger, MIT-licensed, with about 22,000 GitHub stars. Its README lists a macOS 14+ menu bar app, a Qt 6 desktop app for Linux, and command-line builds for macOS and Linux, and says it covers 91 providers, from Codex and Claude to Cursor, Gemini and OpenRouter. There is no Windows build in its releases. Under “Looking for a Windows version?” the README links two community projects instead, and does not announce an official one.

The Windows options, side by side

Option	Price	Covers	Where usage shows	Install
Win-CodexBarnesszer, a community port (MIT)	Free, open source	“56 providers”, including Codex, Claude, Copilot, Cursor and Gemini	A system tray icon; click it for the usage panel	winget (Finesssee.Win-CodexBar), installer or portable exe
CodexBar for Windowshinneslung, a fork (MIT)	Free, open source	What CodexBar’s own command-line tool covers	A tray app that runs the original CodexBar CLI inside WSL	x64 and ARM64 installers; needs WSL
CodexBar-Winbabakarto, a community port (MIT)	Free, open source	Claude Code and Codex	A system tray popup	Run from source with Python 3.10+; no prebuilt exe
OpenQuotadeviffyy, not a CodexBar port (MIT)	Free, open source	Claude Code, Codex, Cursor, Copilot and others	A compact panel; also on Mac and Linux	x64 and ARM64 installers
SessionWatcher for Windows (ours)Soren Starck, a native Windows app	From $6.99 one-time; 7-day free trial	20 tools, including Claude Code, Codex, Cursor, Copilot and Gemini CLI	A readout inside the Windows 11 taskbar (a small window beside it on Windows 10), alerts at 70% and 90%	x64 and ARM64 installers; Windows 10 (2004) or 11

Two notes from the projects' own pages. Win-CodexBar's README says its release signing is not active yet, and asks you to check each download's SHA-256 file. CodexBar-Win's README says its early releases (v1.0.0 to v1.1.2) were flagged by antivirus engines because of how they read browser cookies; those builds were removed, and the project now runs from source only. For a wider list, including Claude-only tray apps, see the best AI usage trackers for Windows.

Which one fits

You want CodexBar on Windows, free: start with Win-CodexBar. It covers more providers than any other option here.
You already run WSL and want the original code: CodexBar for Windows.
You only use Claude Code and Codex and are happy running Python: CodexBar-Win.
You want the numbers in the taskbar without clicking, warnings before a limit, and one key for a Mac and a PC: SessionWatcher.

What SessionWatcher does differently

It is paid and covers fewer providers than CodexBar or Win-CodexBar, so here is what the money buys:

In the taskbar, not behind a click. On Windows 11 each tool's usage sits inside the taskbar and changes colour as it climbs. Windows 10 gets a small window beside the taskbar.
Warned before the wall. Notifications at 70% and 90% (or every 10%), and one more when a maxed-out limit frees up.
Several Claude and Codex accounts side by side on Pro, each with its own limits and reset times.
One licence for Mac and Windows. The same key works on a Mac, where the app adds desktop widgets and an iPhone and Apple Watch companion in beta.
Someone to email. Support comes from the developer, and every purchase has a 14-day refund window.

Solo is $6.99 one-time for one of Claude Code, Codex or Cursor; the Bundle is $14.99 for all three; Pro covers all 20 tools. Try it for 7 days first; it measures your real usage before you choose a plan. More on the app: SessionWatcher for Windows. Comparing on a Mac instead? SessionWatcher vs CodexBar.

Try the taskbar readout on your PC

Download for Windows

Free for 7 days, no credit card · Windows 10 (2004) & Windows 11 · x64 & ARM64 · 72 MB

On an ARM64 PC (Snapdragon)? Get the ARM64 build

If Windows shows “Windows protected your PC”, click More info, then Run anyway.

Frequently asked questions

Is there a CodexBar for Windows?: Not an official one. CodexBar, by Peter Steinberger, is a free, MIT-licensed menu bar app for macOS 14 or later, with a Linux desktop app and a command-line tool. Its README has a "Looking for a Windows version?" section that links two community projects: Win-CodexBar, a Windows tray app, and CodexBar for Windows, a tray app that runs CodexBar's own command-line tool through WSL.
What is the best CodexBar alternative for Windows?: If you want it free and open source, Win-CodexBar is the closest match: a tray app with 56 providers per its README, installable with winget. If you want the numbers inside the taskbar itself, alerts before a limit hits, and one licence that also covers a Mac, SessionWatcher for Windows is the paid option, from $6.99 one-time with a 7-day free trial.
Does CodexBar track more tools than SessionWatcher?: Yes. CodexBar's README lists 91 providers and Win-CodexBar's lists 56; SessionWatcher tracks 20. If one of your tools is only in their lists, use theirs.
Is the Windows installer signed?: Not yet, for either. SessionWatcher's installer is not code-signed, so Windows SmartScreen asks once ("More info", then "Run anyway"). Win-CodexBar's README says its release signing is not active yet and asks you to check the published SHA-256 files.
Can I see Codex usage without installing anything on Windows?: Yes. Run /status in the Codex CLI, or open chatgpt.com/codex/settings/usage. Both show your limits and reset times when you look; a tray or taskbar app keeps them in view.

Sources

steipete/CodexBar: platforms, provider count, licence, “Looking for a Windows version?”
nesszer/Win-CodexBar: providers, tray workflow, winget ID, code-signing note
hinneslung/CodexBar-for-Windows: WSL-based tray app
babakarto/CodexBar-Win: providers, install, security note
deviffyy/OpenQuota: platforms and providers

All read 6 October 2026. CodexBar is a trademark of its author; SessionWatcher is not affiliated with CodexBar or with any of the ports above.