Context Gauge for Claude Code

Shows how full the current session's context is in Claude Code's prompt box, all the time, so you know when to /clear without typing /context.

• Always visible: next to the model picker, 182k with a small ring. The stock gauge only appears after half the context window is used.

• Three states:

  • green with the ring a third full, under 150k tokens
  • orange, two thirds full, from 150k
  • red, full, from 300k

  Both thresholds can be changed in settings.

• Hover for the breakdown: the same "Context usage" panel /context opens, with the category bar, memory files and agents.

• Follows the session you're looking at: it refreshes when you switch sessions, after each reply, and on hover. The number comes from the same call /context uses.

• Does nothing when clicked. The stock gauge compacts the conversation when you click it.

How it works, and what that means for you

The Claude Code extension has no API for this, so Context Gauge edits Claude Code's installed files. It changes one file, webview/index.js in the Claude Code extension folder:

• Backup: the original is saved beside it as index.js.orig, and every patch starts from that copy.
• Safety check: the patch is checked before it is written. If the code it looks for has changed in a new Claude Code release, it leaves Claude Code alone and tells you. You then get Claude Code's stock gauge until Context Gauge is updated.
• Claude Code updates: an update replaces the file. Context Gauge patches the new version as soon as it's installed, so it's usually in place before you reload. If it isn't, you'll be asked to reload the window.
• Undo: run Context Gauge: Restore Claude Code from the Command Palette, or uninstall Context Gauge. Both put the original file back.

This is an unofficial extension, not made or endorsed by Anthropic. It changes another extension's files on your machine; if you'd rather not, don't install it.

Settings

Changing a setting re-applies the patch; reload the window to see it.

Commands

• Context Gauge: Re-apply patches again, for example after a restore.
• Context Gauge: Restore Claude Code puts the original file back and pauses Context Gauge until you re-apply.

Limits

• Local only. It patches the Claude Code installed on your machine. In a Remote (SSH, WSL, Dev Container) window where Claude Code runs on the remote side, nothing changes.
• Needs a reply first. In a new session the gauge appears once Claude has replied.

Development

npm test          # patches a copy of your installed Claude Code bundle and checks it parses
npm run icon      # redraws images/icon.png
npm run package   # builds the .vsix

Publishing

Both stores read their token from an environment variable: VSCE_PAT for the VS Code Marketplace (an Azure DevOps personal access token with the Marketplace: Manage scope, for publisher stefan1575) and OVSX_PAT for Open VSX.

npm run verify:marketplace   # checks VSCE_PAT can publish as stefan1575
npm run publish:marketplace
npm run publish:openvsx

For a new release, bump version in package.json, add it to CHANGELOG.md, then publish to both.

License

MIT