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HowlAlert

Installation

Install HowlAlert on macOS 26+ with the signed DMG or Homebrew.

HowlAlert runs on macOS 26 (Tahoe) or newer, on Apple Silicon. You also need Claude Code installed locally, since HowlAlert reads its usage files.

Option 1 — DMG (recommended)

Download the latest signed .dmg from the releases page.

Open the .dmg and drag HowlAlert into your Applications folder.

Launch HowlAlert. A wolf icon appears in the menu bar — click it for the full popover.

The DMG is signed with a Developer ID and notarized by Apple, and updates itself through Sparkle.

Option 2 — Homebrew

brew tap mrdemonwolf/den
brew install --cask howlalert

Homebrew installs keep themselves current with brew upgrade --cask.

First run

HowlAlert starts watching immediately — no account, no sign-in. On first launch it asks permission to send notifications; allow it if you want a heads-up before your window runs out. You can change thresholds later in Settings → Notifications.

To get an instant refresh the moment Claude Code finishes a turn, enable the Stop hook in Settings → Integration. See how it works for what the hook does.

Requirements

  • macOS 26 Tahoe or newer
  • Apple Silicon (M-series)
  • Claude Code installed (HowlAlert reads ~/.claude)

HowlAlert

A tiny Mac menu bar app that watches your Claude Code usage and warns you before the 5-hour limit runs out.

How it works

The 5-hour window, the P90 limit estimate, and how HowlAlert stays current.

On this page

Option 1 — DMG (recommended)Option 2 — HomebrewFirst runRequirements