qdr.app.tools/ClaudeCodeBalanceWidget

Claude Code Balance Widget

Version: 1.0.0
Release Date: July 8, 2025
Author: Dalibor Votruba (Quadarax)

A Windows desktop widget that monitors your Claude API balance and provides quick access to Anthropic Console billing information.

🎯 Features

• System Tray Integration - Runs quietly in the background with notification area icon
• Transparent Overlay - Modern glass-like appearance with drag-and-drop positioning
• Multiple Authentication Methods - Supports both API Key and Session Cookie authentication
• Real-time Status - Shows connection status and last update time
• Quick Console Access - One-click access to Anthropic Console billing page
• Auto-refresh - Automatically checks status every 5 minutes

⚠️ Important Limitations

Anthropic does not provide a public API endpoint for account balance. This widget can:

• ✅ Verify your API key is valid and working
• ✅ Test session cookie authentication
• ✅ Provide quick access to Console billing page
• ❌ Cannot automatically retrieve your actual balance

For API Key users, the widget displays "Check Console" and provides convenient links to manually check your balance.

🔧 System Requirements

• OS: Windows 10/11
• Framework: .NET 9.0
• Architecture: x64
• Anthropic Account: Console account with API access or valid session

🚀 Installation

1. Download the latest release from the releases page
2. Extract to your preferred location
3. Run claudecodebalancewidget.exe
4. Configure authentication in Settings

⚙️ Configuration

API Key Method (Recommended)

1. Right-click system tray icon → Settings
2. Select "API Key (Recommended)" tab
3. Get your API key from Anthropic Console → Settings → API Keys
4. Enter the API key (starts with sk-ant-api03-)
5. Click "Test API Key" to verify
6. Click OK to save

Session Cookie Method (Legacy)

1. Right-click system tray icon → Settings
2. Select "Session Cookie (Legacy)" tab
3. Go to Anthropic Console Billing
4. Open Developer Tools (F12) → Application → Cookies
5. Copy the sessionKey cookie value
6. Enter in the widget and test

Note: Session cookie method may not work due to enhanced security measures.

🎮 Usage

System Tray Menu

• Show/Hide - Toggle widget visibility
• Refresh Now - Manual status refresh
• Open Console Billing - Direct link to billing page
• Settings - Configure authentication
• About - Version and help information
• Exit - Close application

Widget Display

• Green ($XX.XX) - Balance above $5
• Yellow ($XX.XX) - Balance $1-$5
• Red ($XX.XX) - Balance below $1
• Blue "Check Console" - API key valid, check balance manually
• Red "Error" - Authentication or connection error

Mouse Controls

• Left Click + Drag - Move widget position
• Left Click (when showing "Check Console") - Open billing page
• Right Click - Show context menu

🔍 Troubleshooting

Forbidden Error (Session Cookie)

• Anthropic has enhanced security measures
• Session cookies may no longer work
• Solution: Switch to API Key authentication

API Key Issues

• Verify key starts with sk-ant-api03-
• Check billing is set up in Console
• Ensure you have available credits
• Verify key has proper permissions

Connection Errors

• Check your internet connection
• Verify Anthropic services are online
• Try refreshing manually
• Check firewall/antivirus settings

📁 File Structure

ClaudeCodeBalanceWidget/
├── claudecodebalancewidget.exe     # Main executable
├── ClaudeCodeBalanceWidget.ico     # Application icon
└── README.md                       # This file

Configuration stored in:
%APPDATA%/ClaudeBalanceMonitor/
├── config.txt                      # Authentication settings
└── position.txt                    # Widget position

🛠️ Development

Technology Stack:

• .NET 9.0 Windows Forms
• C# with modern language features
• HTTP client for API communication
• Regular expressions for HTML parsing

Building from Source:

git clone <repository-url>
cd ClaudeCodeBalanceWidget
dotnet build --configuration Release

Project Structure:

├── MainForm.cs                     # Main application logic
├── SettingsForm.cs                 # Configuration dialog
├── EnhancedSettingsForm.cs         # Advanced settings with tabs
├── Program.cs                      # Application entry point
└── ClaudeCodeBalanceWidget.csproj  # Project configuration

📋 Authentication Methods Comparison

Method	Reliability	Setup Difficulty	Auto-Balance	Security
API Key	✅ High	🟡 Medium	❌ No*	✅ High
Session Cookie	❌ Low	🟢 Easy	❌ No	🟡 Medium

*No automatic balance retrieval due to API limitations

🔗 Links

• Anthropic Console: https://console.anthropic.com/
• API Documentation: https://docs.anthropic.com/
• Support: https://support.anthropic.com/
• Claude AI: https://claude.ai/

📄 License

This is an unofficial tool not affiliated with Anthropic. Use at your own risk.

Copyright © 2025 Quadarax - Dalibor Votruba

🔄 Version History

v1.0.0 (July 8, 2025)

• Initial release
• API Key and Session Cookie authentication
• System tray integration
• Transparent overlay widget
• Drag-and-drop positioning
• Auto-refresh functionality
• Enhanced error handling
• Quick Console access

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Disclaimer: This is an unofficial tool. Anthropic may change their authentication methods or block automated access at any time. Always keep your API keys secure and never share them.