Notchi is a macOS companion app for Claude Code, providing real-time visual feedback on coding activity and conversation sentiment. It targets developers using Claude Code on macOS, enhancing their workflow by offering an engaging and informative interface that reacts to coding events and emotions.

How It Works

Notchi integrates with Claude Code via shell script hooks that emit JSON payloads to a Unix socket. An event parser processes these payloads, feeding them into a state machine that drives animated sprite reactions. Sentiment analysis of user prompts, using the Anthropic API, allows the mascot to display emotional responses. Each concurrent Claude Code session is represented by an individual sprite. The core flow is: Claude Code --> Hooks (shell scripts) --> Unix Socket --> Event Parser --> State Machine --> Animated Sprites.

Quick Start & Requirements

• Install: Download Notchi-x.x.x.dmg from the latest GitHub Release, open the DMG, and drag Notchi to Applications. Launching Notchi auto-installs Claude Code hooks.
• Prerequisites: macOS 15.0+ (Sequoia), MacBook with notch, Claude Code installed. A macOS keychain popup will appear on first launch to access Claude Code's cached OAuth token; click "Always Allow".
• Optional: Paste your Anthropic API key in Settings (via the expanded notch panel) to enable sentiment analysis.
• Links: GitHub Releases (implied by download instruction).

Highlighted Details

• Reacts to Claude Code events in real-time (thinking, working, errors, completions).
• Analyzes conversation sentiment to show emotions (happy, sad, neutral, sob).
• Supports multiple concurrent Claude Code sessions with individual sprites.
• Optional sound effects for events, auto-muted when the terminal is focused.
• Auto-updates via Sparkle.
• Clickable notch panel expands to show session time and usage quota.

Licensing & Compatibility

• License: MIT.
• Compatibility: Permissive for commercial use and closed-source linking.

Limitations & Caveats

• Requires macOS 15.0+ and a MacBook with a notch.
• Dependent on Claude Code being installed and accessible.
• Sentiment analysis requires an Anthropic API key.