ConanReal-time HUD for Claude Code Developers

Conan is a native macOS application that brings unprecedented transparency to Claude Code workflows. It visualizes every prompt, tool call, skill invocation, and token usage in a real-time HUD, giving developers clear insight into the AI's operations and significantly enhancing debugging and interaction clarity.

freemium

ConanmacOSClaude CodeAI coding assistantreal-time HUDdeveloper toolscode debuggingAI transparencyAnthropic API

IndexedJuly 15, 2026

UpdatedJuly 23, 2026

4.3 (0 Number of reviews)

Claude Code has already impressed many developers as a powerful AI coding assistant operating from the command line. However, the CLI inherently has a blind spot: you can't easily see what the AI is 'thinking,' which tools it's invoking, or how many tokens it's consuming. This is precisely the problem Conan aims to solve. It's a native macOS application designed to project Claude Code's entire workflow onto a floating Heads-Up Display (HUD) in real-time.

Peeking Under the Hood: AI's Every Move

Conan's core value proposition is transparency. It takes every prompt you issue, every tool call made by the model, every skill triggered, and the associated token consumption, displaying them live in a discreet overlay window on your screen. Instead of guessing what the AI is doing within the black box of the terminal, you get a direct view into its 'thought process.' This proves incredibly useful for debugging complex prompts and keeping a close eye on API costs.

Native macOS Experience, Minimal Overhead

Being a native macOS application, Conan offers a responsive interface and maintains a low resource footprint. Essentially, it acts as a graphical wrapper around Claude Code, not altering the underlying model's behavior but making the interaction process visible. You can continue using all your Claude Code commands directly in the terminal, while Conan quietly works in the background, capturing and outputting real-time data to its HUD.

It sounds simple, but in practice, this visibility provides a significant sense of assurance—especially when the AI is calling external tools, you can spot potential issues immediately.

Practical Use Cases for Developers

Debugging Complex Prompts: When the AI's output isn't what you expected, seeing the sequence of tool calls and token distribution helps pinpoint the problem quickly.
Cost Monitoring: The real-time display of token consumption allows developers to manage and control API expenses proactively during their coding sessions.
Teaching and Demonstrations: Presenting the HUD to a team or students offers an intuitive way to explain and visualize the AI-assisted workflow.

Current Limitations and What to Expect

Conan is currently exclusive to macOS, meaning Windows and Linux users are out of luck for now. It also doesn't operate independently; it relies on an existing Claude Code installation and a valid Anthropic API Key. Additionally, while generally well-behaved, the HUD window might occasionally require manual adjustment for optimal placement in multi-monitor setups.

If you're a heavy Claude Code user on macOS, Conan offers a tangible improvement to your development experience. It doesn't introduce groundbreaking AI capabilities, but it excels at making the AI's internal workings 'visible,' which is a pragmatic move that many will appreciate.

Pros & Cons

Pros

Real-time display of tokens and tool calls enhances transparency
Native macOS experience with a smooth interface
Helps in quickly debugging complex prompts
Lightweight and doesn't interfere with existing workflows

Cons

Only supports the macOS platform
Requires Claude Code and an Anthropic API Key to function
HUD layout can occasionally be erratic in complex multi-monitor setups
Functionality is focused solely on visualization

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Conan free to use?

Yes, Conan is currently completely free. You only need to have your own Claude Code setup and an Anthropic API Key to start using it.

Does Conan support a Chinese interface?

Conan's user interface is in English. However, the content displayed, such as prompts and tool calls, will reflect the language output by Claude Code itself.

Do I need a Claude API Key for Conan?

Yes, Conan does not provide AI capabilities on its own. It functions as a visualization layer for Claude Code and requires an active Anthropic API Key, which you'll need to configure yourself.

What's the difference between using Conan and just Claude Code directly?

Directly using Claude Code provides only terminal output. Conan adds a real-time HUD that displays token consumption, detailed tool calls, and other insights, making the AI's process much more transparent.

Which developers would benefit most from Conan?

Conan is ideal for any macOS developer using Claude Code, especially those who frequently debug prompts, need to monitor API costs, or want to use it for teaching and demonstrations.

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