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How to Set Up SessionWatcher in Under 2 Minutes
SessionWatcher is a native app for the Mac menu bar and the Windows taskbar that tracks your Claude Code and Codex usage in real time. Here's how to go from purchase to live monitoring in five steps on a Mac, or three on Windows.
Last updated August 2026 · By Soren Starck
Before You Start: What You'll Need
Quick answer: macOS 14.0 (Sonoma) or later on a Mac, or Windows 10 (version 2004) or later on a PC. The numbered steps below are for the Mac; on Windows, skip to the Windows section after Step 5.
- macOS 14.0 (Sonoma) or later is required on a Mac.
- Windows 10 (version 2004) or later, or Windows 11, on x64 or ARM64, on a PC.
- Ready? Start with Step 1 below and follow the five steps in order.
Minimum macOS version: config/product-facts.mjs, verified 2026-09-28.
What Is SessionWatcher?
SessionWatcher is a lightweight app for the Mac menu bar and the Windows taskbar, designed for developers who use Claude Code, OpenAI Codex, Cursor or any of 17 other AI coding tools as part of their daily workflow. It monitors your token usage, tracks API costs in real time, counts down the 5-hour rate limit window, and sends you desktop notifications before you hit your limit.
Instead of running /usage in the CLI or switching to the Anthropic dashboard, you glance at your menu bar (or taskbar). That's it.
Who it's for: Any developer on a Mac or a Windows PC who uses Claude Code or Codex regularly and wants to avoid surprise rate limit lockouts. Whether you're on the Pro plan ($20/month) or Max plan ($100–$200/month), SessionWatcher tracks your usage automatically.
Step 1: Purchase SessionWatcher
Head to sessionwatcher.com/#pricing and choose your plan:
- Solo: $6.99 one-time. Tracks one tool (Claude Code, Codex, or Cursor) - usage, tokens, costs, and rate limits.
- Bundle: $14.99 one-time. Claude, Codex, and Cursor under one license, on one device (Mac or Windows).
- Pro: $59 one-time (or $24/year). All 20 supported tools (including Claude, Codex, Cursor, Copilot, Gemini, opencode, Antigravity, Z.ai, Grok, OpenRouter, Devin and Kimi Code) under one license, plus multi-account, up to 5 devices in any mix of Macs and Windows PCs, and iCloud sync between Macs.
- Pro for Teams: for companies buying for their staff. $40 per seat per year (or $4 a month), 3-seat minimum, one key per teammate, Macs only for now. See Pro for Teams.
Payment is processed through a secure checkout. After purchase, you'll receive a confirmation email with your license key and a download link.
Step 2: Download the DMG
Click the download link in your confirmation email. You'll get a .dmg file, the standard macOS disk image format.
The download is small (under 15 MB). SessionWatcher is a native Swift app with no Electron, no web views, and no background services consuming resources.
Step 3: Drag to Applications
Open the DMG file. You'll see the familiar macOS installer window with the SessionWatcher app icon and an arrow pointing to the Applications folder. Drag the icon to Applications.
If macOS shows a Gatekeeper warning (“SessionWatcher can't be opened because it is from an unidentified developer”), right-click the app in Applications and select Open. This only happens on first launch.
Step 4: Launch and Enter Your License Key
Launch SessionWatcher from your Applications folder (or Spotlight). On first launch, you'll see a license activation prompt.
- Paste the license key from your confirmation email
- Click Activate
- SessionWatcher validates your key and activates instantly
That's it for setup. No Anthropic API key needed. No OAuth flow. No configuration files to edit. SessionWatcher reads usage data directly from Claude Code and Codex running on your machine.
Step 5: See Your Usage in the Menu Bar
Once activated, SessionWatcher appears in your macOS menu bar. Start using Claude Code or Codex as you normally would, and SessionWatcher automatically detects your activity and begins tracking.
Click the menu bar icon to see the full detail view with:
- Current token usage (input, output, cache, reasoning tokens)
- Percentage of your rate limit used
- Estimated API cost for the current session
- 5-hour window countdown timer
- Historical usage for previous sessions
On Windows: Setup in Three Steps
SessionWatcher for Windows tracks the same 20 tools, at the same prices, and your license key from the Mac works here too.
- Download the installer from sessionwatcher.com/windows: x64 for most PCs, ARM64 for Windows on Arm.
- Run the Setup.exe. The installer is not code-signed yet, so Windows SmartScreen may say "Windows protected your PC". Click More info, then Run anyway. It only asks once.
- Look at your taskbar. SessionWatcher finds the AI tools you already use and shows their usage in the taskbar on Windows 11, or in a small window beside it on Windows 10. Click it, or press Ctrl+Shift+U, for the full detail. Paste your license key in Settings, or use the free 7-day trial first.
Desktop widgets, iCloud sync and the iPhone companion are Mac-only; everything else on this page applies to Windows too.
SessionWatcher
Ready to start tracking?
Set up in 2 minutes.
Native app for the Mac menu bar and the Windows taskbar. Track Claude, Codex and 18 more tools' usage, costs, and rate limits in real time.
“Fast, simple, and does exactly what it should. Definitely worth it.”
@nicojerome on GitHub
macOS 14+. 7-day Bundle trial. No credit card.
What You'll See: A Walkthrough of Key Features
The 5-Hour Window Countdown
The most valuable feature for power users. SessionWatcher tracks the rolling 5-hour window that Anthropic uses to enforce rate limits. You see a live countdown showing when your oldest usage rolls off and capacity frees up. This means you always know exactly when you can resume heavy usage after approaching your limit.
Real-Time Cost Tracking
SessionWatcher calculates your API cost in real-time based on Anthropic's published token prices. See exactly how much your current session is costing in dollars and cents. Over time, this helps you understand your daily and weekly Claude Code spend without logging into any dashboard.
Menu Bar Display Modes
SessionWatcher offers multiple display modes so you see exactly the information you care about:
- Percentage mode: Shows “72%” in your menu bar. At a glance, you know how much of your rate limit is consumed.
- Token count mode: Shows raw token numbers for precision tracking.
- Cost mode: Shows your dollar spend for the current window.
- Icon-only mode: Minimal footprint. The icon color changes as you approach your limit (green, yellow, red).
Desktop Notifications
SessionWatcher sends native notifications on macOS and Windows at configurable thresholds. By default, you get alerted at 70% and 90% of your rate limit. This gives you a chance to wrap up your current task or pace your remaining requests before getting locked out.
Troubleshooting Common Questions
“SessionWatcher isn't showing any usage data”
Make sure Claude Code or Codex is actively running on your machine. SessionWatcher detects usage from running instances. If you haven't made any requests yet in the current session, there's nothing to display. Try sending a message in Claude Code, then check SessionWatcher.
“My license key isn't working”
Double-check that you copied the full key from your confirmation email, with no leading or trailing spaces. License keys are case-sensitive. If the issue persists, reach out via the support link in the app or email support directly.
“macOS says the app is from an unidentified developer”
Right-click the app in your Applications folder and select Open. macOS will show a dialog with an Open button. This bypasses Gatekeeper for that specific app. You only need to do this once.
“Can I move SessionWatcher to a new Mac?”
Yes. Solo and Bundle cover one device and Pro covers up to five, Macs and Windows PCs alike. Sign out on the old machine to free its slot, or contact support if the old machine is gone.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I install SessionWatcher?
On a Mac: download the DMG, drag to Applications, launch, and enter your license key. On Windows: download the installer from sessionwatcher.com/windows and run it. Either way it takes under 2 minutes, and the first 7 days are free.
What macOS version does SessionWatcher require?
macOS 14 (Sonoma) or later, on Apple Silicon and Intel Macs. On a PC: Windows 10 (version 2004) or later, or Windows 11, on x64 and ARM64.
Does SessionWatcher require an Anthropic API key?
No. SessionWatcher reads usage data directly from Claude Code running on your machine. You do not need to provide any API keys or credentials beyond your SessionWatcher license key.
How much does SessionWatcher cost?
$6.99 one-time for a single tool (Claude Code, Codex, or Cursor). The Bundle (Claude, Codex, Cursor) is $14.99; Pro ($59 one-time, or $24/yr) covers all 20 supported tools. Same prices on Mac and Windows. Buying for a company? See Pro for Teams.
Can I use SessionWatcher on multiple Macs?
Solo and Bundle activate on one device; Pro on up to 5, in any mix of Macs and Windows PCs. The same key works on both. Contact support if you need to move a license to a different machine.