Anthropic released a BLE protocol and ESP32 firmware that turns an M5StickC Plus into a desk companion for Claude, showing real-time animations and token stats. You can flash the device in minutes, pair over Bluetooth, and use its physical buttons to approve or deny Claude’s permission prompts without touching your computer.

• Anthropic open-sourced a BLE protocol and ESP32 firmware turning a $20-30 M5StickC Plus into a physical Claude companion with animations tied to activity states
• Physical buttons let you approve or deny Claude's permission prompts (like running bash commands) remotely via Bluetooth, without touching the computer
• The protocol is hardware-agnostic—any Nordic UART Service device works, with five alternative builds suggested (traffic light, gauge, e-ink display, CI/CD puck, vibrating wristband)
• Custom 96px GIF characters (up to 1.8MB, seven states) can replace the default desk pet animations