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AI Pulse
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About AI Pulse
AI Pulse is a macOS utility that displays the status of AI coding agents as an ambient light strip positioned beside the Dock. The tool aggregates signals from multiple agents into a single visual indicator, using distinct animations to represent states such as working, waiting for input, failed, finished, idle, or off. Each state is distinguishable without relying on color alone, and animations include a cyan comet for active sessions, an orange pulse for waiting states, and red double-blinks for failures. The strip can operate in two indicator styles: an aggregate strip showing a single signal across all agents or a per-agent mode with one LED per session. AI Pulse integrates with local agents via a loopback HTTP API or CLI commands, supporting tools like Claude Code and custom scripts. It floats as a borderless, nonactivating panel adjacent to the Dock, visible during work but unobtrusive. The application is free, open-source, and requires macOS 14 or later. It does not embed in the Dock but positions itself using public screen geometry, avoiding private APIs or invasive permissions.
Key features
- Eight virtual LEDs beside the Dock
- Six distinct states with unique animations
- Aggregate or per-agent indicator modes
- Loopback HTTP API on port 7455
- CLI for direct agent state updates
- Keychain-based bearer token storage
- Adjustable placement and appearance settings
- Housekeeping timers for stale agent cleanup
Use cases
- Monitoring AI coding agent status during development
- Visualizing agent states without interrupting workflow
- Integrating agent feedback into local development environments
Pros
- Free and open-source (MIT license)
- Uses only public macOS APIs and screen geometry
- Supports both aggregate and per-agent visual modes
- Local loopback API for agent integration
- No tracking of prompts, terminals, or editor contents
Cons
- Requires macOS 14 or later
- No official notarization for releases
- Limited to macOS platform
- No built-in support for non-local agents
Frequently asked questions about AI Pulse
What is AI Pulse and what does it do?
AI Pulse is a free, open-source macOS utility that displays the status of AI coding agents as an ambient light strip beside the Dock. It uses distinct animations to show states such as working, waiting for input, failed, finished, idle, or off without relying solely on color.
Who is AI Pulse designed for?
AI Pulse is designed for developers who use local AI coding agents like Claude Code and want a non-intrusive, at-a-glance visual indicator of agent activity while working on macOS 14 or later.
How does AI Pulse integrate with AI coding agents?
AI Pulse integrates via a loopback HTTP API on 127.0.0.1:7455 or through the bundled CLI. Agents like Claude Code can be wired directly, or custom scripts can push state updates using the API or CLI commands.
What are the two indicator styles available in AI Pulse?
AI Pulse offers an aggregate 'Lights' mode showing a single signal across all agents or a 'Agent lights' mode with one LED per session, allowing visibility of each agent's state individually.
Does AI Pulse require any special permissions or APIs?
No, AI Pulse does not require private APIs, Accessibility permissions, Screen Recording, or invasive permissions. It positions itself using public screen geometry and binds only to the loopback interface.
How do I get started with AI Pulse?
Download the latest release, unzip it, move AI Pulse.app to /Applications, and launch it. On macOS 15+, allow it under System Settings → Privacy & Security → Open Anyway. Configure agents to send status updates via the loopback API or CLI.
