When working with Claude Code, keeping track of context window usage and API quotas means constantly checking settings or waiting for rate limits to hit. Claude Simple Status puts all that information in a single, always-visible statusline.
What It Shows
The statusline displays five key metrics in a compact format:
Opus 4.5 | 31% | 23:00 | 5h:18% | 7d:10%
Model – Current model identifier (e.g., Opus 4.5, Sonnet)
Context – Percentage of context window used
Reset time – Next quota reset in your local timezone
5h quota – Rolling 5-hour quota usage
7d quota – Rolling 7-day quota usage
Color-Coded Status
The display uses a three-tier color system for instant visibility:
Green – Usage at 50% or below, plenty of headroom
Orange – Usage between 51-69%, approaching limits
Red – Usage at 70% or above, nearing capacity
If the quota API becomes unreachable, the display shows "ERR" so you know the data may be stale.
How It Works
The statusline is designed to never slow down your workflow:
Instant response – Reads model and context data from Claude Code via stdin as JSON
Cached quotas – Uses cached quota data for immediate display without API delays
Background refresh – Updates quota cache when data exceeds 2-minute staleness threshold
Local timezone – Converts UTC reset times to your system timezone
Quota data is cached in the system temp directory, minimizing API calls while keeping information fresh.
Key Features
Zero configuration – Works out of the box with sensible defaults
Cross-platform – Runs on macOS, Linux, and Windows
Lightweight – Minimal Node.js script with no external dependencies
One-liner install – Bash or PowerShell scripts for quick setup
Non-blocking – Background updates never interrupt your session
Why It Matters
Running out of context mid-conversation or hitting quota limits unexpectedly breaks flow. With continuous visibility into usage patterns, you can pace longer sessions, know when to start fresh, and avoid surprises when quotas reset.
Related Projects
Claude Mneme – Persistent memory plugin for Claude Code, works alongside this statusline
Vexscan – Security scanner that can vet Claude Code plugins before installation
TokenLean – CLI toolkit for reducing token consumption in AI coding sessions
