What is the 5-hour window and why does it matter for Claude Code and Codex?

Both Claude Code and Codex enforce usage limits based on a rolling 5-hour window. SessionWatcher tracks this window in real-time, showing you exactly when your limits reset and how much usage you have left, helping you avoid unexpected lockouts and plan your work sessions effectively.

How does SessionWatcher handle privacy and security?

All processing happens locally on your Mac. SessionWatcher only accesses usage statistics - never your actual conversations or code. Your data remains private and secure on your machine.

What are the system requirements for SessionWatcher?

SessionWatcher requires macOS 14 (Sonoma) or later and works on both Apple Silicon and Intel Macs. The app uses minimal system resources and runs efficiently in the background.

What's included with SessionWatcher?

Your purchase includes the SessionWatcher app with both Claude Code and Codex monitoring, automatic updates, and email support. From $2.99 one-time purchase.

How much does SessionWatcher cost?

SessionWatcher is a one-time purchase starting at $2.99 per tool, or $4.99 for the bundle. No subscription, no recurring fees. Buy once and use it forever.

How do I check my Claude Code usage limit?

You can check your Claude Code usage limit manually through the Anthropic dashboard or by running /usage in the CLI, but this requires stopping your work each time. SessionWatcher automates this by displaying your current token usage, remaining limits, and 5-hour window countdown directly in your macOS menu bar - so you never have to break your flow to check.

How do I check my Codex usage?

Checking Codex usage manually means navigating to the OpenAI dashboard or running CLI commands, which interrupts your workflow. SessionWatcher shows your real-time token usage, API costs, rate limit status, and 5-hour session window right in your macOS menu bar - always visible, zero clicks needed.

What happens when you hit the Claude Code or Codex rate limit?

When you hit the rate limit on Claude Code or Codex, you get locked out for the remainder of your 5-hour rolling window - sometimes hours of lost productivity with no warning. SessionWatcher prevents this by showing you exactly how close you are to hitting your limit and when it resets, with macOS notifications before you run out.

SessionWatcher – Claude Code & Codex Usage Monitor for macOS Menu Bar

One app. Both tools. Complete visibility.

Auto-detects Claude Code and Codex. Switch between tabs to see each tool's usage, costs, and limits.

Claude Code

Codex

SessionWatcher Claude Code tab showing 5-hour session usage, weekly limit, usage rate chart, daily usage history, and token breakdown by model

Everything you need. Nothing you don't.

Built for developers who use AI coding tools daily and need to stay ahead of rate limits.

5-hour session and weekly limit tracking in SessionWatcher

See exactly when your limits reset

The rolling 5-hour usage window is tracked in real-time for both Claude Code and Codex. Know how many tokens you have left and when your next reset happens, right from your menu bar.

Know which tool to use right now

BestToolNow analyzes both tools and recommends switching when one is running low. It factors in burn rate, remaining headroom, and data freshness. Stop guessing, start glancing.

BestToolNow recommendation card suggesting to switch tools

Claude Code

Codex

Zero clicks needed

Usage percentages, burn rate, and time remaining live in your menu bar. Choose from 7 display modes to see exactly what matters to you.

Usage rate charts and history

The session rate chart shows if you're on pace to hit limits. 7-day daily usage history tracks your patterns so you can plan your coding sessions.

Usage rate chart and 7-day daily usage history in SessionWatcher

Token usage breakdown showing input, output, cache tokens and costs

Know exactly what you're spending

Full token breakdown by model: input, output, cache, and reasoning tokens. See today's and monthly costs at a glance.

Heard from a user

“I wanted a native, minimal menu bar app to monitor my Claude Code usage. Something not vibe-coded or overengineered. After trying several, I settled on this one. It's fast, simple, and does exactly what it should without unnecessary features. Definitely worth the purchase (it's less than a coffee).”

@nicojerome on GitHub

One app. Pick your plan.

Pay once, yours forever. No subscription.

Claude Code

Claude Code monitoring only

$2.99one-time

5-hour window + weekly limit
Usage rate chart + 7-day history
Token + cost breakdown
Menu bar display modes
macOS notifications

Both Tools

Claude Code + Codex monitoring

$4.99one-time

Instead of $5.98 separately

Everything in both plans
BestToolNow recommendations
Switch between tools in one app
Usage rate charts + 7-day history
Token + cost breakdown by model

Codex

Codex monitoring only

$2.99one-time

5-hour window + weekly limit
Usage rate chart + 7-day history
Token + cost breakdown
Menu bar display modes
macOS notifications

Frequently asked questions

Why do I need this? Can't I just check usage manually?

You can, but you won't. Not at 2am mid-session when you're in flow. Checking means stopping your work, opening a browser, logging in, finding the usage page. By then you've already broken your flow. SessionWatcher makes it a glance, not a task.

How do I get started?

Download the app, buy a license from $2.99 (one-time), and it works immediately with full access. No subscription, no account, no recurring fees.

Does it track both Claude Code and Codex?

Yes. SessionWatcher is one unified app that monitors both Claude Code and Codex. It auto-detects which tools you have installed and shows the relevant tabs. You can also reorder or hide tabs in settings.

Does it read my code or conversations?

No. SessionWatcher only reads usage statistics. All processing happens locally on your Mac. Nothing is sent anywhere.

What Macs does it support?

SessionWatcher works on macOS 14+ (Sonoma and later), both Apple Silicon and Intel. The app is signed and notarized by Apple.

What if I'm not happy?

Email contact@soren-starck.com for a full refund. No questions asked.

Your last lockout cost you 1-3 hours.
SessionWatcher costs $4.99.

One-time purchase. macOS 14+.

Never Lose a Coding Session to Rate Limits

One app. Both tools. Complete visibility.

Everything you need. Nothing you don't.

See exactly when your limits reset

Know which tool to use right now

Zero clicks needed

Usage rate charts and history

Know exactly what you're spending

One app. Pick your plan.

Claude Code

Both Tools

Codex

Frequently asked questions

Why do I need this? Can't I just check usage manually?

How do I get started?

Does it track both Claude Code and Codex?

Does it read my code or conversations?

What Macs does it support?

What if I'm not happy?

Your last lockout cost you 1-3 hours.SessionWatcher costs $4.99.

Your last lockout cost you 1-3 hours.
SessionWatcher costs $4.99.