What is usage-hud?
usage-hud is a Claude Code mod by chandan84 that three-box HUD above the prompt: tokens and API-equivalent cost across all sessions (daily and per-session breakdown), context-window meter with a soft limit, and prompt-cache warmth. It is listed under Cost & usage and has no public popularity data yet.
| Type | Claude code mod |
|---|---|
| Author | chandan84 |
| Repository | chandan84/cache-time-pending-usage-limit-mod |
| Popularity | no public popularity data yet |
| Category | Cost & usage |
| Security | Review before installing (64/100) |
| Rank | #2,889 of 5,272 Claude Code mods; #498 in Cost & usage |
| License | MIT |
| Last commit | 2026-10-11 |
| Hooks | 9 events |
| Sees | classic hooks, every prompt |
| Draws on | AbovePrompt, Pane |
Is usage-hud safe to install?
usage-hud scores 64/100 on the MCPMods security check: Review before installing. Things to review: starts processes outside the sandbox; reads environment variables; watches every prompt or event. It passed 5 of 8 checks.
Mod footprints come from claude plugin validate, which lists every event a mod hooks and every API call it makes without running it.
| Check | Result |
|---|---|
| No network access | Pass |
| Starts processes outside the sandbox | Review |
| Writes no files or config | Pass |
| Reads environment variables | Review |
| Watches every prompt or event | Review |
| Doesn't drive Claude | Pass |
| Passes claude plugin validate | Pass |
| Has an open-source license | Pass |
API calls in its code
| Call | What it means |
|---|---|
$.clock.after | |
$.clock.every | |
$.command.register | |
$.env.get | reads env vars |
$.process.run | runs processes |
$.session.id | |
$.session.surfaces | |
$.session.usage | |
$.settings.read | reads settings |
$.store.get | keeps its own state |
$.store.set | keeps its own state |
$.ui.ask | draws interface |
$.ui.close | draws interface |
$.ui.invalidate | draws interface |
$.ui.open | draws interface |
$.ui.resolve | draws interface |
$.ui.status | draws interface |
How do I install usage-hud?
- Check your Claude Code version. Mods need Claude Code 2.1.287 or later and are on by default.
claude --version
- Read its footprint. This lists every event it hooks and every API call it makes, without running it.
git clone https://github.com/chandan84/cache-time-pending-usage-limit-mod claude plugin validate ./cache-time-pending-usage-limit-mod/plugins/usage-hud
- Install it. Run this in your terminal, then /reload-plugins in an open session.
claude plugin marketplace add chandan84/cache-time-pending-usage-limit-mod && claude plugin install usage-hud@usage-hud-mods
Or ask Claude to set it up
Paste this into Claude Code and it installs usage-hud for you:
Install the "usage-hud" Claude Code mod from https://github.com/chandan84/cache-time-pending-usage-limit-mod/tree/main/plugins/usage-hud. Run claude plugin validate on it first and show me what it can access before you enable it.