I did not build TokenBar because I love dashboards.
I built it because AI bills kept showing up after the damage was already done.
The bad part was not the final invoice. It was the surprise while I was still in the middle of shipping:
- a prompt loop that ran longer than I thought
- a model switch that made the cost jump
- a session that looked harmless until the receipt arrived
That is the problem with checking AI spend later. Later is too late.
TokenBar keeps the cost visible while you work. It lives in the macOS menu bar and shows token usage and spend in real time, so I can catch a runaway session before it becomes a stupid bill.
What changed for me was simple:
- I notice expensive sessions earlier
- I switch models with intention instead of habit
- I stop treating AI spend like a mystery
That is the whole point. Not more dashboards. Not more monthly cleanup. Just a live warning light for a live problem.
If you are building with pay-per-token tools every day, this is the part worth watching.
TokenBar: https://tokenbar.site
$5 lifetime. No subscription.
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