Introduction
CCStatusLine enhances the Claude Code CLI with a rich, configurable statusline that displays contextual information like git branch, token cost, session duration, and model in use. It brings the polish of IDE status bars to the terminal-based coding agent experience.
What CCStatusLine Does
- Displays real-time git branch, status, and diff stats in the statusline
- Shows token usage and estimated cost for the current session
- Supports multiple themes including powerline, minimal, and custom layouts
- Provides segment-based configuration for choosing what information to display
- Updates dynamically as you work within Claude Code
Architecture Overview
CCStatusLine is a TypeScript application that hooks into Claude Code's status line interface. It collects data from git, the session context, and system metrics, then formats the output using configurable segment templates. Powerline-compatible fonts are supported for separator glyphs. Theme definitions are JSON files that control colors, segments, and layout.
Self-Hosting & Configuration
- Install globally via npm or use npx for one-off usage
- Configure by editing ~/.ccstatusline/config.json or via command-line flags
- Choose from built-in themes or create custom themes as JSON files
- Enable or disable individual segments (git, cost, model, time, etc.)
- Powerline fonts are optional but recommended for the full visual experience
Key Features
- Powerline-style rendering with customizable separators and colors
- Multiple built-in themes with easy custom theme creation
- Real-time token cost tracking per session
- Git integration showing branch, changes, and ahead/behind counts
- Lightweight with minimal impact on terminal performance
Comparison with Similar Tools
- Default Claude Code statusline — minimal information; CCStatusLine adds rich, themed segments
- Starship prompt — general shell prompt; CCStatusLine is specifically designed for Claude Code
- Oh My Zsh themes — shell themes, not agent-aware; CCStatusLine integrates with agent session data
- Powerline — general terminal statusline; CCStatusLine understands Claude Code context
FAQ
Q: Does it work with other AI coding agents? A: It is specifically designed for Claude Code. Other agents would need adapter support.
Q: Do I need special fonts? A: Powerline themes look best with a Nerd Font or Powerline-patched font. Non-powerline themes work with any monospace font.
Q: How much overhead does it add? A: Negligible. It runs as a lightweight process that updates on each prompt cycle.
Q: Can I create my own theme? A: Yes. Themes are JSON files specifying segments, colors, and separators. Place them in the themes directory and select by name.