Floating overlay window
Claude Overlay floats above other windows, stays always on top, and can collapse to a small orb when you do not need the full chat window.
Overview
Claude Overlay is a Windows-only floating chat app for Claude Code that sits above other windows and can read the screen you are looking at. It is built for situations where you want to ask Claude about what is already open on your desktop instead of copying content into a separate chat.
The project uses your own Claude Code login, so it runs against your existing Claude subscription and does not require an API key. The README positions it as an always-on-top assistant that can answer questions about the current screen, edit files, run commands, and help with tasks across multiple monitors without forcing you to leave the app you are using.
Key features
Screen-aware, multi-monitor capture
The app captures each monitor on every message and labels primary versus secondary screens so Claude can answer from what is actually on display.
Screenshot and image input
The interface accepts pasted images with Ctrl+V and also works from automatic screenshots, making it useful for visual questions and screen-based review.
Agent-driven workflows
It runs the Claude Code agent under the hood, so it can edit files and run commands rather than only responding in chat.
No-API-key setup
The app runs on your own Claude Code login, so it uses your existing Claude subscription and does not require an API key.
Scripted install and launch
Setup is handled through included Windows scripts that check prerequisites, install missing components, and start the app without a console window.
Common use cases
Troubleshoot what is on screen
Ask what is wrong in a visible error dialog, code issue, or settings panel without copying the text into another window.
Edit open files in place
Leave a slide deck, document, or spreadsheet open and ask Claude to edit the file you are already viewing.
Stay in context during live work
Use the overlay during presentations or screen shares to fact-check a number, translate a term, or answer a question without switching away.
Work across multiple displays
Compare information across monitors when one screen shows a spec, reference table, or document and another shows the item being edited.
Review images and screenshots
Paste an image or let the app capture the screen automatically when you want Claude to review a screenshot or other visual reference.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Uses your existing Claude subscription instead of requiring a separate API key.
- Reads the current screen and supports multi-monitor capture, which reduces copy-paste work.
- Can stay visible as an always-on-top overlay or collapse into a small orb when not needed.
- Can act as more than a chat window by editing files and running commands through Claude Code.
- Includes scripted setup and launch files intended to make installation and startup simpler on Windows.
Cons
- Windows 10/11 only, at least according to the README and setup notes.
- Some actions are handled at runtime rather than through a fixed built-in integration, so important edits should be checked carefully.
- The setup guide expects a local Claude Code CLI login, which adds a prerequisite before the overlay can run.
FAQ
What platforms does Claude Overlay support?
It is designed for Windows 10 and 11. The setup guide also says the included setup script handles Python and Claude CLI installation for you on a new machine.
Does it require an API key or a separate subscription?
You need your own Claude Code CLI login, which means signing in with your own Claude account. The setup guide explicitly says it uses your existing Claude subscription and does not require an API key.
How do you start and use the app?
You run the setup script, then launch the app from Start Claude Overlay.cmd. The app also supports a global hotkey, Ctrl+Alt+Space, to show or hide it from anywhere.
Can it stay out of the way while you work?
Yes, the README describes it as an always-on-top, frameless overlay that can collapse to a small draggable orb when not in use, with a taskbar button to restore it.
Are there any workflow or safety limitations?
The repository notes a permission mode setting in the code and says the default can act autonomously, including editing files and running commands in your home folder. The README also advises sanity-checking important documents because some actions are handled at runtime rather than through a built-in integration.
Quick Facts
- Category
- Developer Tool
- Platform
- Windows 10 / 11
- Pricing model
- Runs on the user's existing Claude subscription; no API key required
- Source domain
- github.com
- Primary workflow
- Floating screen-aware chat for asking Claude about what is already on your screen
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