Backgrind
Backgrind is a desktop application for macOS and Windows that provides an always-on-top overlay window for AI coding agents.
Our verdict
Who it's for
Keep your AI coding assistant always visible and accessible
Who should look elsewhere
Requires a desktop application installation.
Pros
- +Reduces context switching by keeping the AI agent visible and accessible.
- +Offers flexibility by supporting both external and a hosted AI agent.
- +Enhances productivity with remote management and hands-off coding modes.
- +Prioritizes privacy with local secret management and end-to-end encrypted remote access.
Cons
- −Requires a desktop application installation.
- −Some advanced features are listed as "coming soon".
Key features
- ✓Always-on-top overlay window
- ✓Support for multiple AI coding agents (Claude Code, Cursor, Grindy, Codex coming soon)
- ✓Click-through glance mode for transparency
- ✓Context-aware notifications for agent input/completion
- ✓Mini-IDE features (file tree, syntax-highlighted previews, Markdown rendering)
- ✓Multi-root workspace support for running several agents concurrently
- ✓.grindignore file for privacy and security
- ✓Live mode for remote agent management via mobile devices
Pricing
| Plan | Price | Billing | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grindy | $0.0031 | month | Metered to the cent, top up whenever; Up to a 1M-token context window; Build or Plan modes |