Backgrind

Product Introduction

1. Definition: Backgrind is a desktop overlay application for macOS and Windows that renders an always-on-top window for AI-powered coding agents. It functions as a thin, graphical frontend for command-line interface (CLI) tools, specifically designed to be non-intrusive by floating above all other applications, including fullscreen games.
2. Core Value Proposition: Backgrind exists to eliminate workflow interruption for developers using AI coding assistants. Its core value is maintaining continuous productivity by placing AI agents like Claude Code, Cursor, or its proprietary Grindy model in a persistent, minimal-disruption overlay that alerts only for essential user decisions, thus solving the "terminal chaining" problem.

Main Features

1. Always-On-Top Floating Overlay: A lightweight, resizable window that stays visible above editors, browsers, and even borderless/windowed-fullscreen games. It is implemented as a standard OS window (like Discord or OBS), requiring no game memory reading or input injection. This ensures compatibility without anti-cheat conflicts.
2. Multi-Agent Backend Support (Bring Your Own Agent): Functions as a universal wrapper for popular CLI tools. Users can integrate Claude Code (using their own login and history), the Cursor-agent CLI, or the upcoming Codex CLI. The overlay handles rendering and input, while the agent content stays between the user and their provider, enhancing security.
3. Built-in Grindy Agent (Zero-Setup): A hosted, full-featured coding agent powered by the grindy-1 and grindy-1-pro models (built on OpenCode). It requires no separate CLI installation, API key generation, or configuration files. It features a 1M-token context window for processing large codebases and offers a Build/Plan mode toggle for controlling agent execution style.
4. Click-Through "Glance" Mode: Activated by a hotkey (e.g., ⌃⌘S), this feature makes the overlay window transparent to mouse clicks and keyboard input, allowing the user to interact with applications beneath it while the agent continues running. Hovering over the window restores its focus.
5. Intelligent Notification System: The window only flashes and chimes when the agent requires a decision, hits a block, or completes a task. This minimalist notification model ensures the developer's focus remains on their primary work until intervention is genuinely needed.
6. Integrated Mini-IDE & Vibe Code Mode: Contains a file tree, syntax-highlighted code previews, rendered Markdown, and clickable file:line links. Its "Vibe Code Mode" allows users to describe desired outcomes in natural language, hiding source code and diffs for a hands-off, result-oriented workflow adaptable to different developer skill levels.
7. Local-First Privacy Architecture: A .grindignore file ensures sensitive data like .env files and API keys are never transmitted. In bring-your-own-CLI mode, agent content never touches Backgrind's servers. The application itself does not store conversation history, acting solely as a renderer.

Problems Solved

1. Pain Point: Developer workflow fragmentation and context switching. Traditional AI coding agents chain users to a terminal window, forcing them to constantly toggle between their code editor, documentation, and the agent's CLI, breaking concentration and flow state.
2. Target Audience: Vibe coders who prefer high-level task description; professional developers seeking to offload boilerplate code; systems programmers and full-stack engineers managing multiple repositories; indie game developers or hobbyists who want to code during game compilation or testing; and any developer valuing privacy and a local-first development environment.
3. Use Cases: Implementing a feature while monitoring a long-running test suite in a separate window; generating boilerplate code for a new module while reading API documentation in a browser; managing multiple AI agents across different project folders simultaneously; allowing a non-technical team member to use natural language to request simple code changes via Grindy.

Unique Advantages

1. Differentiation: Unlike traditional terminal-based AI assistants or IDE-integrated copilots, Backgrind operates as a universal, application-agnostic layer. It is not locked to a specific editor or terminal and uniquely provides transparent, click-through interaction and the ability to float over fullscreen entertainment applications, which is impossible for standard development environments. Its pricing model is also unique: metered, per-use billing for Grindy without subscriptions, and a functional free tier for BYO agents.
2. Key Innovation: The thin-client overlay architecture combined with a multi-backend agent router. This innovation decouples the AI agent's processing (which happens locally or with the user's chosen provider) from the persistent, interactive presentation layer. The specific implementation of .grindignore for local privacy control within a cloud-integrated tool is a significant technical and trust-focused differentiator.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. How does Backgrind handle privacy and code security? Backgrind prioritizes a local-first approach. In bring-your-own-CLI mode (with Claude Code or Cursor), your code and conversation history never leave your machine or reach Backgrind's servers. The overlay simply renders your local CLI. For the hosted Grindy model, prompts are sent only for processing and are never used for training. A .grindignore file lets you exclude sensitive files like .env and API keys from ever being transmitted.
2. Can I really use Backgrind over a fullscreen game? Yes. Backgrind is a standard always-on-top window, similar to Discord or OBS overlays. It works over games running in borderless or windowed-fullscreen mode. It uses no game memory reading or input injection, so it does not trigger anti-cheat software. Exclusive fullscreen mode will hide the overlay at the OS level.
3. What is the difference between the Free, Plus, and Pro plans? The Free plan ($0) provides the full overlay experience for your own Claude Code or Cursor CLI, with session-only data. Plus ($19/mo) adds saved workspaces, up to 3 parallel agents, voice input, and Live mode for browser-based control. Pro ($59/mo) unlocks everything, including the hosted Grindy models (no API key needed), unlimited parallel agents, and cloud sync.
4. How does Backgrind's "vibe code mode" work? Vibe code mode is an interface setting that shifts the focus from code to outcome. When enabled, it hides the file tree, code diffs, and raw terminal output, presenting a simplified view where you describe what you want in plain language. The agent executes tasks with auto-accept enabled for new sessions, providing a hands-off experience. It can be toggled off at any time to access the full developer view.
5. Is Backgrind a replacement for my IDE or AI coding tool? No. Backgrind is a companion layer, not a replacement. It is designed to work with your existing tools—whether that's VS Code, your favorite IDE, or the CLI of your chosen AI agent (Claude, Cursor). It adds a persistent, always-available interface to manage and interact with those agents without disrupting your primary workspace or application context.