I just used Claude to write a plug-in which changed the bottom of the CLI to say:

   ( ) Usage: 34% (resets in 2h 47m) Context: 56% [Opus 4.6]
   auto mode on (shift+tab to cycle)

That way if my usage starts shooting up, it's very easy to notice (and the color of "( )", which is a circle that I couldn't paste here, changes when it gets high, ensuring I don't miss it).

I coupled that with a hook that watches for usage spiking (basically when I've been talking too long or did something to add a ton of context, so suddenly every turn sends a ton of context back, using up a ton of usage).

Between the two I haven't hit usage caps in weeks.