CodexUsageBar

Minimal macOS menu bar app tracking ChatGPT Codex usage limits

Coding & Development Coding AssistantsFreemium

FreeStarting price

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About CodexUsageBar

CodexUsageBar is a lightweight, open-source macOS menu bar application designed to monitor ChatGPT Codex usage limits in real time. The tool provides a live view of current session and weekly usage percentages directly from the menu bar, preventing unexpected rate limit disruptions. It integrates with the official OpenAI Codex CLI, pulling usage data from OpenAI’s own endpoint without transmitting any information externally. The app supports both Apple Silicon and Intel Macs, operates under 5MB, and consumes minimal system resources. Smart notifications alert users at predefined thresholds (25%, 50%, 75%, 90%), while a color-coded indicator indicates OpenAI service status. No API keys, cookies, or third-party servers are involved, ensuring complete data privacy. The application is fully open source and free to use.

Key features

Real-time usage percentage display
Session and weekly reset tracking
Smart threshold notifications
Live OpenAI service status indicator
Cmd+U global shortcut support
Color-coded visual feedback
No external data transmission
Apple Silicon and Intel compatibility

Use cases

Monitoring Codex usage to avoid rate limits
Tracking weekly usage quotas for ChatGPT Plus/Pro plans
Verifying OpenAI service availability before critical tasks

Pros

Native macOS menu bar integration
No data collection or external tracking
Supports both session and weekly usage tracking
Open source and fully auditable
Lightweight with minimal resource usage

Cons

Requires OpenAI Codex CLI installation
Limited to macOS 12+
Accessibility permissions needed for global shortcut

Frequently asked questions about CodexUsageBar

How does CodexUsageBar get my usage data?

CodexUsageBar reads the sign-in from the official Codex CLI on your Mac and calls OpenAI's own usage endpoint, the same one Codex itself uses. Everything stays local; no third-party server is involved.

Is my data safe with CodexUsageBar?

Yes. Your tokens and usage data never leave your computer. There's no analytics, no telemetry, and no data collection of any kind. CodexUsageBar is fully open source, so you can inspect every line of code.

Do I need the Codex CLI to use CodexUsageBar?

Yes. Install it with 'npm i -g @openai/codex', run 'codex login' once, and CodexUsageBar picks up your sign-in automatically. No cookies or API keys are required.

Why do I need to grant Accessibility permissions?

Accessibility permissions are only needed if you want to use the Cmd+U keyboard shortcut to open the popup from anywhere. The app works fine without it; you just won't have the global shortcut.

Does CodexUsageBar work with ChatGPT Plus and Pro plans?

Yes. It works with any ChatGPT plan that includes Codex. Your limit windows (5-hour session, weekly) are labeled automatically from what your plan reports, and separately metered models appear once you use them.

The app says 'Not signed in' — what should I do?

Run 'codex login' in Terminal, then click Re-check in the popover. If you don’t have the CLI yet, install it first with 'npm i -g @openai/codex'.