Masko Code Review (2026): Pricing, Features & Honest Verdict
TLDR
Masko is a free macOS overlay that monitors Claude Code sessions in real time. Masko is the kind of utility you don’t realize you need until you try it. Best for: macOS developers running long Claude Code sessions who want quick permission approvals and at-a-glance session status without alt-tabbing to the terminal. Price: Free. Rating: 7.6/10.
What is Masko Code?
Masko is a free macOS overlay that monitors Claude Code sessions in real time. An animated mascot tracks AI agent activity, surfaces permission requests, and lets you approve or switch sessions without leaving the terminal or context-switching between apps.
It supports iTerm2, Terminal.app, VS Code, Ghostty, and other terminals, runs entirely locally with no cloud dependency, and ships with six built-in mascots plus optional premium mascots from the masko.ai community gallery. Keyboard shortcuts handle approvals and session management.
What Are Masko Code’s Key Features?
Real-time session monitoring
Tracks every active Claude Code session with idle, working, and attention states reflected in the mascot animation. You always know whether the agent is thinking, blocked, or waiting on you.
Keyboard-first approvals
Use shortcuts like Cmd+1 through Cmd+9 to approve specific permission prompts instantly. Cmd+Cmd switches between active sessions without touching the mouse.
Six built-in mascots
Six mascot characters ship free with custom animations for different agent states. The masko.ai gallery hosts more premium and community-contributed options.
Multi-terminal support
Works across iTerm2, Terminal.app, VS Code, Ghostty, and other macOS terminals so you don’t need to standardize on one shell.
Session dashboard
Priority-ordered notification feed surfaces what needs attention first, including subagent tracking and crash detection across multiple parallel sessions.
Local-only, privacy-friendly
No cloud dependency. Masko reads metadata only and runs entirely on your machine, so prompts and session data never leave your laptop.
Masko Code Pricing
| Plan | Price | Includes | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | Full app, six built-in mascots, all features | any Claude Code user on macOS |
| Premium mascots | Varies | Optional animated mascots from community gallery | users wanting custom characters |
The Masko app and core feature set are completely free. Premium and community-designed mascots are sold separately through the masko.ai gallery, but they’re cosmetic upgrades rather than feature unlocks.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Genuinely free with no upsell paywalling core features
- Keyboard shortcuts dramatically speed up Claude Code permission flows
- Local-only operation keeps session data private
- Multi-terminal support fits whatever shell you already use
- Cute mascot UX makes long agent sessions less mentally taxing
Cons
- macOS only, no Windows or Linux build
- Tied tightly to Claude Code; not useful for other agent platforms
- Premium mascots cost extra if you want non-default characters
- Limited customization beyond mascot selection
- If Claude Code changes its session structure, Masko could break temporarily
| Plan | Price | Plan Features | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | Full app, six built-in mascots, all features | any Claude Code user on macOS |
| Premium mascots | Varies | Optional animated mascots from community gallery | users wanting custom characters |
Who is Masko Code Best For?
Use Masko Code if: macOS developers running long Claude Code sessions who want quick permission approvals and at-a-glance session status without alt-tabbing to the terminal.
Skip Masko Code if: the use case doesn’t match your day-to-day workflow.
Best Masko Code Alternatives
| Tool | What It Does | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Claude Code native UI | Built-in terminal UI for Claude Code with permission prompts inline; baseline experience without overlay. | Included with Claude Code |
| Rectangle | macOS window manager that helps tile terminal windows side-by-side for monitoring multiple agent sessions. | Free |
| BetterTouchTool | macOS automation tool to bind global keyboard shortcuts and gestures, useful for custom Claude Code workflows. | $10 one-time |
Final Verdict: Is Masko Code Worth It?
Masko is the kind of utility you don’t realize you need until you try it. Once your Claude Code agent is asking for permission five times a minute, having a mascot in the menu bar that lets you approve with Cmd+1 saves real time and keeps you in flow.
The fact that it’s free, local-only, and works across all the major macOS terminals removes pretty much every objection. If you spend serious hours in Claude Code on a Mac, install it; the only cost is your dock space.
FAQ
Is Masko free?
Yes. The full app and the six built-in mascots are free. Premium mascots from the community gallery are optional cosmetic upgrades.
What platforms does Masko support?
macOS only. The overlay integrates with iTerm2, Terminal.app, VS Code, Ghostty, and other Mac terminals where Claude Code runs.
Does Masko work with other AI coding tools?
It’s built specifically for Claude Code session monitoring. Other agents like Cursor or Codex aren’t supported in the same way.
Where does my session data go?
Nowhere external. Masko runs locally and only reads metadata about Claude Code sessions. No cloud uploads or telemetry of session content.
Can I approve permissions with the keyboard?
Yes. Cmd+1 through Cmd+9 approve specific prompts and Cmd+Cmd switches sessions, so you can stay on keyboard for the whole flow.
Does it slow down my Mac?
Masko is a lightweight overlay that reads session metadata. It runs in the background with minimal CPU and memory overhead.
Masko Code Pros & Cons
What We Like
- Genuinely free with no upsell paywalling core features
- Keyboard shortcuts dramatically speed up Claude Code permission flows
- Local-only operation keeps session data private
- Multi-terminal support fits whatever shell you already use
- Cute mascot UX makes long agent sessions less mentally taxing
What Could Be Better
- macOS only, no Windows or Linux build
- Tied tightly to Claude Code; not useful for other agent platforms
- Premium mascots cost extra if you want non-default characters
- Limited customization beyond mascot selection
- If Claude Code changes its session structure, Masko could break temporarily
Masko Code FAQ
Is Masko free?
Yes. The full app and the six built-in mascots are free. Premium mascots from the community gallery are optional cosmetic upgrades.
What platforms does Masko support?
macOS only. The overlay integrates with iTerm2, Terminal.app, VS Code, Ghostty, and other Mac terminals where Claude Code runs.
Does Masko work with other AI coding tools?
It's built specifically for Claude Code session monitoring. Other agents like Cursor or Codex aren't supported in the same way.
Where does my session data go?
Nowhere external. Masko runs locally and only reads metadata about Claude Code sessions. No cloud uploads or telemetry of session content.
Can I approve permissions with the keyboard?
Yes. Cmd+1 through Cmd+9 approve specific prompts and Cmd+Cmd switches sessions, so you can stay on keyboard for the whole flow.
Does it slow down my Mac?
Masko is a lightweight overlay that reads session metadata. It runs in the background with minimal CPU and memory overhead.
