Clawdmeter, a new open source project, is giving AI enthusiasts a unique way to monitor their Claude Code usage with a small desktop dashboard.
Pixel-Art Meets Functionality
While traditional methods like terminal commands and external tools are available to track Claude Code usage, Clawdmeter adds a playful twist. The dashboard features a pixel-art Clawd sprite that dances on the screen, making it an entertaining way to view token usage.
Developed by Hermann Haraldsson from Reykjavik, Iceland, Clawdmeter highlights the growing trend of tokenmaxxing among developers. “It’s democratized access to programming,” Haraldsson said, noting the ease with which Claude helped him create the device.
Building the Clawdmeter
Haraldsson spent most of his time on the project focusing on design elements like fonts, colors, and animations. The device uses a small display such as the Waveshare ESP32-S3-Touch-AMOLED-2.16, which connects to a laptop via Bluetooth. The animations intensify as usage increases, providing visual feedback.
“I like it when it’s going crazy—it’s like a little dopamine loop,” Haraldsson remarked.
Interactive Features
The dashboard displays session and weekly usage data in simple charts, accessible with a button press. Additional buttons provide shortcuts for Claude Code’s voice mode and toggle between different operational modes.
The device uses an OAuth token to read data, making an API call to retrieve usage stats from response headers. This open source project encourages customization, allowing users to add features and animations.
Community and Nostalgia
Since its launch on May 10, Clawdmeter has attracted over 800 stars on GitHub, with 50 forks already. Haraldsson believes the device's nostalgic feel is a significant draw. “It’s not replacing anything, but it’s fun,” he said, likening it to a hardware Tamagotchi.
Source: https://techcrunch.com/2026/05/14/clawdmeter-turns-your-claude-code-usage-stats-into-a-tiny-desktop-dashboard/
