CodeBurn: Track AI Coding Token Usage and Costs Locally

Overview

CodeBurn is a free, open-source tool designed to help developers track how much they spend on AI coding tools. It works entirely on your local computer, meaning your data never leaves your machine. This tool monitors token usage and costs across 31 different AI coding tools and agents. Popular options it supports include Claude Code, Cursor, Codex, Gemini, Grok, and many others. By providing detailed insights, CodeBurn helps developers understand exactly where their money goes when using AI to write code.

Benefits

CodeBurn offers several key advantages for developers who use AI tools regularly. First, it provides comprehensive tracking across 31 distinct tools, giving a complete picture of spending. Users can break down their costs by specific AI model, individual project, or even specific coding tasks. This granularity helps identify which areas are costing the most.

The tool also includes advanced analytics features. It measures the one-shot rate, which shows how often the AI generates correct edits on the first try without needing retries. This helps assess the efficiency of the AI being used. Another feature is the Optimize Command, which detects waste patterns, identifies inactive agents, and flags bloated configurations. It even grades your setup on a scale from A to F. Additionally, Yield Tracking correlates AI spending with Git commits to determine if the work is productive, reverted, or abandoned.

Reporting and export capabilities are also strong. Users can export session data, model usage, and daily summaries in CSV or JSON formats. There are eight different report types available. The tool also includes a subscription tracking feature that shows a progress bar of API spend against Pro or Max plans.

For accessibility, CodeBurn offers a macOS menu bar app that displays current spend, trends, and forecasts in real time. It also provides a local web dashboard for detailed analytics and supports command-line usage for those who prefer that interface.

Use Cases

CodeBurn is ideal for developers and teams who want to manage their AI coding expenses effectively. It is useful for anyone using multiple AI coding tools and needing to compare costs between them. The tool helps project managers analyze spending per project to find high-cost areas that might need optimization.

Freelancers and solo developers can use it to track usage for specific coding tasks and ensure they are getting value for their money. The Yield Tracking feature is particularly helpful for teams that want to verify that AI spending results in actual code commits rather than wasted tokens.

The macOS menu bar app is perfect for developers who want quick monitoring without opening a full application. They can see their current spend and trends at a glance while working. The local web dashboard is suitable for those who need deeper analytics and want to review historical data.

The tool is also beneficial for organizations looking for privacy. Since CodeBurn runs entirely locally and does not require an account or API keys, it ensures that sensitive session data remains on the user's machine. This makes it a secure choice for companies with strict data privacy policies.

Pricing

CodeBurn is completely free to use. It is open-source software, which means anyone can download, use, and modify it without any cost. There are no hidden fees or subscription requirements. The tool relies on daily exchange rates provided by the European Central Bank to ensure accurate cost tracking in various currencies, supporting all 162 ISO 4217 currencies.

Vibes

The developer community has responded very positively to CodeBurn. It has gained significant traction on platforms like GitHub and Hacker News. One notable achievement is that Visa internally forked the tool and recommended it to its employees. This endorsement highlights the tool's utility in enterprise environments and its ability to handle large-scale tracking needs.

Users appreciate that it serves as a robust alternative to existing tools like ccusage. Many find the support for 31 tools to be a major improvement over competitors that focus on fewer options. The addition of the menu bar app and web dashboard has also been well-received, as these features make monitoring easier and more accessible. The accurate pricing of cache reads and writes is another point of praise, as it ensures users see the true cost of their operations.

Additional Information

CodeBurn is built with privacy and security in mind. It reads session data files that are already present on your disk from supported AI tools. It does not require an account, API keys, or any data to leave your local environment. This local-first approach ensures complete privacy and security for all users.

The tool is actively maintained and has been adopted by various groups within the developer community. Its ability to correctly price cache operations and provide detailed breakdowns sets it apart in the market. The support for a wide range of AI coding tools, including emerging options like Kiro, Antigravity, and Crush, demonstrates its commitment to staying current with the rapidly evolving AI landscape.