Your Claude Code session doesn't have to wait for you.
Claude Tray is a free, open-source Windows tray app — built entirely with Claude Code. It tells you the moment a task finishes, and it can run Claude Code on its own, at a time you choose, even with nobody at the keyboard.
The problem: your usage window closes while you're asleep
Claude Pro's usage resets on a rolling five-hour window. If that window opens at 4am and you're asleep, or it opens at 2pm while you're in a meeting, the session is gone by the time you're free — and there's no way to get it back. Most of the waste isn't from using Claude Code too little. It's from not being at the machine when the window is open.
Claude Tray exists to fix exactly that, and nothing more. It solves two problems: it tells you the instant Claude Code finishes a task, and it can launch Claude Code on its own, unattended, at whatever time actually suits your usage pattern.
What it does
Desktop notification with sound
When Claude Code finishes a task, you get a chime and a pop-up in the corner of your screen — automatic, with nothing to configure.
Scheduled automatic runs
Pick a conversation, a folder, a task, and a time. Claude Tray registers a Windows task that launches Claude Code on its own at that moment.
Conversations by name
No hunting through folders — a dropdown lists every Claude Code conversation on your machine by its actual title.
Arabic / English, with mute
The whole interface switches language instantly, and a single click mutes the sound when you need quiet.
Requirements
- Windows 10 or 11. Claude Tray is built specifically for Windows — there's no macOS or Linux build.
- Claude Code installed. If it isn't, get it from claude.com/product/claude-code first — the installer will tell you if it can't find it.
- An active Claude subscription. Pro, or any plan that includes Claude Code access.
Installing it
From download to running in under five minutes. The installer does the rest on its own.
Download ClaudeTray_Setup.bat
One file. Nothing else to download first.
Double-click it
A plain black window opens and shows every step as it happens. If Windows shows a "Windows protected your PC" warning, that's normal for any new, unsigned file — click More info, then Run anyway.
Wait two to four minutes
The installer sets up Python if it's missing, builds the app, adds it to Windows startup, and connects it to Claude Code — automatically.
Find the icon
An orange icon appears in the System Tray next to the clock. If you don't see it, click the ^ arrow to show hidden icons.
Using it: right-click the icon
Everything lives in one menu. Without a right-click, Claude Tray just runs quietly in the background, watching Claude Code.
Schedule automatic run
Claude will run on its own at this time. No need to leave anything open.
Scheduling a run
Click Schedule automatic run... The window above opens: pick the conversation to continue (or leave it on "latest conversation" and it's picked automatically), the folder, a short description of the task, and a time — quick buttons like 04:00 cover the common cases. Click Schedule and you're done.
Canceling a schedule
The same menu shows your current scheduled time in place of "No schedule set" — click it to cancel anytime before it runs.
Checking the log
Last automatic run (Log) opens a full report of everything Claude did while it was running unattended.
Changing or muting the sounds
Drop any free WAV file into the Sounds folder under the old sound's file name to replace it, or use Mute sound when you need quiet — the visual notification still appears either way.
How the automatic run actually works
Claude Tray registers a task in Windows Task Scheduler. At the time you set, it calls Claude Code in headless mode — no interface — with a command close to this:
claude --resume <session-id> -p "task" --permission-mode acceptEditsClaude picks up the same conversation with all of its context, executes the task, and closes on its own. acceptEdits means Claude can edit files without asking first — but it still stops and asks before running a dangerous terminal command.
What Claude Tray doesn't do
- Claude Code only. There's no scheduling or monitoring for Claude Chat, the desktop app, Claude Design, or the Chrome extension — there's no technical way to check their status from outside the app.
- The machine has to be on. If the computer is locked or powered off at the scheduled time, the run starts as soon as you open it back up.
- It doesn't track your usage balance. You're still the one deciding what time actually makes sense to schedule.
Frequently asked questions
Is Claude Tray safe to install?
The full source code is open for review on GitHub. It never sends your data to any server — everything runs locally on your machine.
Does the scheduled run use extra Claude usage?
No. An automatic run uses your normal Claude subscription, exactly like any conversation you'd start yourself — there's no separate quota.
Does Claude Tray need an internet connection all the time?
Only while a run is actually in progress. It needs no connection while it's simply waiting for the scheduled time.
Does Claude Tray work with Claude Chat or the Claude desktop app?
No — it's built for Claude Code specifically. There is no supported way to schedule or monitor Claude Chat, the desktop app, Claude Design, or the Chrome extension from outside the app.
What happens if my PC is off at the scheduled time?
The run starts as soon as you next turn the computer on and log in — Windows Task Scheduler carries the job forward rather than skipping it.