Build a privacy-first Claude usage tracker as a Chrome and VS Code extension with Claude Code and publish it to three marketplaces
A small agency describes building an extension that shows Claude.ai usage limits, using Claude Code for the architecture, code, build setup, icons and store listing text, then publishing it to the Chrome Web Store, VS Code Marketplace and Open VSX.
Evidence: The author reports this. We have not checked it beyond reading the source.
The business problem
The team kept hitting Claude.ai quota limits without warning and wanted a visible meter, and wanted a product to show clients what AI-assisted building looks like.
What was tried
Use Claude Code as the build partner for the Manifest V3 extension: architecture, TypeScript, an esbuild build, icons and listing copy. Keep the design privacy-first, with no external calls, no API key and data stored locally, which the team says helped it pass Google's review. Publish a companion VS Code version that gets its data from the Chrome extension through a local bridge, and release it to Open VSX for other editors. Keep up with changes in the host site by shipping fixes when its layout changes.
What was reported (not reported)
The page reports over 1,400 installs on Open VSX and dozens of releases. Chrome Web Store users, revenue and development time are not reported.
Limitations
A company case study with no named author and no date, written to sell the company's AI building and training services. The install figure covers only one of the three marketplaces, the review process is not described, and no cost, time or problems are given. The extension reads a third-party site's interface, so it needed fixes after a redesign.
What you need
Claude Code, developer accounts for each marketplace you publish to, and willingness to maintain the extension as the site it reads changes.
Sources
- ClickForest (agency selling AI building services) ↗ Vendor case study, publication date unknown
Source published: unknown. Last reviewed here: October 12, 2026. Spot a mistake? Tell us.
Tools in this workflow
- Claude Code: Builds the extension and drafts store listing copyTry Claude Code
Related workflows
Build a small SaaS with Lovable, Supabase and Stripe using a living spec file and a habit of checking the database yourself
A founder builds with Lovable, keeps one living spec file the model reads before every feature, ships one feature at a time, and audits the database, logs and billing after each one because the tool reports success without checking.
Build a course with AI only where it helps: human outcome and outline, AI for examples, analogies, copy and voice
A course creator with over twenty years of experience describes keeping course design human and using AI for examples, analogies, marketing copy and voice matching.
Rebuild a company website in about three weeks with Claude for planning and design and Claude Code for the build
A marketer used Claude to plan and design each page and Claude Code to build and update a hard-coded company site himself, alongside his regular job.
Ship a Chrome extension update in under three hours and about eight dollars of tokens with Claude Code
A solo developer used Claude Code to release two versions of a small Chrome extension in two days, including debugging, refactoring, release notes and the store listing text.