# runcat-dev/runcat365

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10,156 stars · 836 forks · C# · Apache-2.0

## Links

- GitHub: https://github.com/runcat-dev/RunCat365
- Homepage: https://runcat-dev.github.io/RunCat365/
- awesome-repositories: https://awesome-repositories.com/repository/runcat-dev-runcat365.md

## Description

RunCat365 is a Windows system tray application that places an animated cat directly on the taskbar, where the cat's running speed reflects real-time CPU load. The project's core identity is a lightweight background process that maps CPU usage percentages to animation frame rates, creating a visual indicator of system performance.

The application achieves this by polling CPU load data at fixed intervals through Windows Performance Counters, then driving a frame-based sprite animation whose speed responds to the measured load. It renders the cat animation directly into the taskbar notification area using native Win32 API calls, embedding a transparent overlay window through Windows Shell and Explorer hooks.

The project covers CPU usage visualization as a continuous, non-intrusive monitoring tool, with the animation serving as an at-a-glance indicator of system activity. The documentation and installation surface are oriented toward Windows users seeking a lightweight, visually engaging way to observe their computer's processing load.

## Tags

### Operating Systems & Systems Programming

- [Taskbar CPU Usage Animations](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/operating-systems-systems-programming/desktop-environment-frameworks/desktop-environment-components/desktop-environments-ui/window-management-utilities/taskbar-customization-utilities/taskbar-cpu-usage-animations.md) — An animated cat on the Windows taskbar whose running speed reflects real-time CPU load.
- [Taskbar Embedded Animations](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/operating-systems-systems-programming/desktop-environment-frameworks/desktop-environment-components/desktop-environments-ui/window-management-utilities/taskbar-customization-utilities/taskbar-embedded-animations.md) — Renders a sprite animation directly into the Windows taskbar notification area using native Win32 API calls.
- [CPU Performance Counter Pollers](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/operating-systems-systems-programming/performance-counter-sampling/cpu-performance-counter-pollers.md) — Polls CPU load data at fixed intervals via Windows Performance Counters to drive animation state.

### Development Tools & Productivity

- [CPU Usage Visualizations](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/development-tools-productivity/debugging-profiling-testing/debugging-diagnostics/performance-resource-profilers/cpu-profilers/cpu-usage-visualizations.md) — Displays real-time CPU load as a visual animation on the Windows taskbar for quick system monitoring.
- [Transparent Overlay Windows](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/development-tools-productivity/macos-utilities/native-window-contexts/native-windowing/transparent-overlay-windows.md) — Embeds a transparent overlay window within the taskbar using Windows Shell and Explorer hooks.

### Graphics & Multimedia

- [Sprite Sequence Animations](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/graphics-multimedia/2d-sprite-animations/sprite-sequence-animations.md) — Cycles through pre-rendered cat sprite frames at a rate determined by system performance.

### Software Engineering & Architecture

- [Background Processing](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/software-engineering-architecture/background-processing.md) — Runs as a minimal system tray application with low resource overhead for continuous operation.

### System Administration & Monitoring

- [CPU Utilization Animations](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/system-administration-monitoring/cpu-utilization-monitoring/cpu-utilization-animations.md) — Animates a taskbar cat whose running speed mirrors real-time CPU load. ([source](https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/gh/runcat-dev/runcat365@main/README.md))

### User Interface & Experience

- [CPU-Load-Driven Animations](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/user-interface-experience/ui-animations/state-driven-animations/cpu-load-driven-animations.md) — Drives the cat animation speed directly from real-time CPU usage percentages.