TaskPin

Pin anything to your Windows taskbar.
C/C++ + Lua scripted, single file 450KB, zero runtime dependencies.

Download | 中文 | API Docs | Plugin Market

What it does

Write a Lua script, TaskPin displays the result in your taskbar:

-- Monitor Claude Code working status
return icon("claude.png", 16, 16) .. font(" thinking", "#FFAA00", 9)

-- System resources at a glance
local cpu = sys.cpu()
local mem = sys.memory().percent
return font("CPU:" .. cpu .. "%", "#0F0", 9) .. font(" MEM:" .. mem .. "%", "#FA0", 9)

-- AI API balance
local r = json.decode(http.get("https://api.example.com/balance"))
return font("$" .. r.balance, "#4FC3F7", 10)

Click to open a detail panel — supports images, tables, and transparent HUD overlays:

return bar, true, dialog({
    borderless = true, opacity = 200,
    content = {
        { type = "text", value = "Claude Code", image = "claude.png", image_width = 16, image_height = 16 },
        { type = "table", columns = {"Metric", "Value"}, rows = {{"CPU", "45%"}, {"MEM", "8GB"}} },
    }
})

Features


Taskbar embedded	Lives inside the taskbar, no desktop space wasted
Lua scripted	Display anything — built-in HTTP, JSON, system monitoring APIs
Plugin market	Browse and download community scripts in one click
Rich text + images	Multi-color text, PNG/GIF animation, alignment, two-line display
Popup dialogs	Click to expand detail panels with images, tables, HUD overlays
Multiple bars	Pin multiple scripts side by side, each refreshes independently
Native Windows UI	Dear ImGui management window with DirectX 11, taskbar integration stays native
Zero runtime dependencies	Dear ImGui and Lua 5.4 are bundled or statically linked, single file ~450KB
Auto update	Silent version check, download, replace, and restart

Quick Start

Download the latest release
Run taskpin.exe
Double-click the taskbar strip → management window opens
Click Market to browse plugins, or Add to add scripts manually
Pin to Bar to display

Shortcuts

Action	Shortcut
Adjust bar width	Scroll wheel on bar
Move bar position	Shift + scroll wheel on bar
Move borderless dialog	Shift + drag
Resize borderless dialog	Shift + scroll wheel
Close borderless dialog	ESC (while hovering)

Example Scripts

claude_status.lua — real-time Claude Code working status in taskbar

Script	Purpose
`claude_status`	Claude Code real-time working status
`system_monitor`	CPU + memory + network speed
`net_monitor`	Network process traffic monitor
`hud_clock`	Desktop floating clock (transparent + clickthrough)
`newapi_balance`	AI API balance query
`zentao_task`	Zentao pending tasks
`oracle_sessions`	Oracle database session monitor

More scripts at the plugin repository.

Write a script

-- @param city string City name
-- @refresh 60000

local r = json.decode(http.get("https://wttr.in/" .. args.city .. "?format=j1"))
local temp = r.current_condition[1].temp_C
local desc = r.current_condition[1].weatherDesc[1].value

return font(temp .. "°C " .. desc, "#4FC3F7", 9), true, dialog({
    title = args.city,
    width = 280, height = 120,
    content = {
        { type = "text", value = args.city .. " " .. temp .. "°C", size = 14, bold = true },
        { type = "text", value = desc, color = "#AAAAAA", size = 10 },
    }
})

@param declares UI input fields, @refresh sets the interval. That's it.

Documentation

Build

# MinGW-w64 + GNU Make + DirectX 11 SDK libraries
make

License

MIT

bestK/taskpin

README