Backgrind

Backgrind is a desktop application that puts your AI coding assistant in a small, always-on-top window. It's designed for developers who use agents like Claude Code, Cursor, or the built-in Grindy model. Instead of constantly switching tabs or windows, you can keep the agent's terminal floating over your main workspace—whether that's your code editor, a web browser, or even a full-screen video game. You give it a task, and it works in the background, only interrupting you when it genuinely needs input.

The tool works as a thin frontend over the command-line interfaces you already use, so your login, history, and workflow stay the same. It floats persistently, can be made click-through so you can interact with what's underneath, and will flash and chime to get your attention. Specific features include a built-in mini-IDE with a file tree and syntax highlighting, the ability to run multiple agents side-by-side, and a 'Live Mode' that lets you monitor and control sessions from your phone. A key differentiator is its optional hosted agent, Grindy, which requires no CLI setup or API key management.

This is most useful for developers who frequently use AI coding assistants and want to maintain focus. The primary use case is handing off a refactoring or testing task to an agent and then continuing to write code, browse documentation, or take a break, knowing you'll be notified only when necessary. It's also handy for multi-tasking scenarios, like monitoring an agent's progress while playing a game or watching a tutorial, without breaking your flow.