writing-statuslines

Name: writing-statuslines
Availability: InStock
Author: FCnatra

Create and customize Claude Code status line scripts that process JSON input via stdin.

1|Updated May 14, 2025

Search Tags:#developer tools #claude code #customization #IDE #status line #context display

Ready to run

npx skills add https://github.com/fcnatra/VibeCoding --skill writing-statuslines-fcnatra

💬 Prompt for ChatGPT / Claude Chat▼

Please help me install this Agent Skill.
Skill: writing-statuslines
Source: https://github.com/fcnatra/VibeCoding/tree/main/Copilot%20Tools/skills/claude-code/writing-statuslines
Command: npx skills add https://github.com/fcnatra/VibeCoding --skill writing-statuslines-fcnatra

SYSTEM DOCUMENTATION & REQUIREMENTS

💡 This Skill requires requests>=2.31.0, and includes scripts (resource) and references (resource) components.

What problem does it solve?

This Skill allows users to create and customize the status line displayed at the bottom of the Claude Code interface, providing real-time contextual information about the current session.

Core Features & Use Cases

Dynamic Status Updates: The status line updates automatically based on conversation messages.
Customizable Information: Display model name, current directory, cost, context window usage, and Git branch.
Use Case: A developer can configure their status line to show the current Git branch and the model being used, providing immediate context without interrupting their workflow.

Quick Start

Update the reference documentation by running the python script provided in the setup instructions.

Frequently Asked Questions about writing-statuslines

High-intent search queries and answers about installing and using this skill.

FAQPage Schema

How do I customize the status line in Claude Code to show context like model and token usage?▼

You can customize the Claude Code status line by creating executable scripts that process JSON input via stdin and output a single line of text to stdout, displaying real-time session context like model, workspace, cost, and token usage.

What information can I display in a custom Claude Code status line?▼

A custom Claude Code status line can display dynamic contextual information including the model name, current working directory, session cost, context window usage, and the active Git branch.

How does a status line script receive session data from the Claude Code IDE?▼

Status line scripts receive session data by reading JSON input piped through stdin, which the script then parses to extract session details and outputs a formatted single line of text to stdout.

Do I need Python to create a custom status line for Claude Code?▼

Python is used for the setup script and reference generation, but the status line itself only requires an executable script capable of processing JSON input via stdin and returning a single text line to stdout.

Can I update the status line dynamically based on conversation messages in Claude Code?▼

Yes, the custom status line updates automatically based on conversation messages, providing real-time contextual information about the current session without interrupting your workflow.

What are the limitations of customizing the IDE status line with scripts?▼

The status line script must output exactly a single line of text to stdout from the JSON stdin input, limiting the display to a concise one-line format rather than a multi-line interface.