diff --git a/install.sh b/install.sh
index 35e5600..0f977bd 100755
--- a/install.sh
+++ b/install.sh
@@ -278,6 +278,24 @@ if not os.path.exists(log_path):
     print("   Created hook_debug.log")
 PYEOF
 
+    # Copy statusline script to stable user-local path
+    cp "${REPO_DIR}/lib/statusline.sh" "${BUDDYMON_DIR}/statusline.sh"
+    chmod +x "${BUDDYMON_DIR}/statusline.sh"
+    ok "Installed statusline.sh → ${BUDDYMON_DIR}/statusline.sh"
+
+    # Install statusline into settings.json if not already configured
+    python3 << PYEOF
+import json
+f = '${SETTINGS_FILE}'
+d = json.load(open(f))
+if 'statusLine' not in d:
+    d['statusLine'] = {"type": "command", "command": "bash ${BUDDYMON_DIR}/statusline.sh"}
+    json.dump(d, open(f, 'w'), indent=2)
+    print("   Installed Buddymon statusline in settings.json")
+else:
+    print("   statusLine already configured — skipped (run /buddymon statusline to install manually)")
+PYEOF
+
     echo ""
     echo "✓  ${PLUGIN_KEY} installed!"
     echo ""
diff --git a/lib/statusline.sh b/lib/statusline.sh
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..7cf984a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/lib/statusline.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,38 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env bash
+# Buddymon statusline — displays active buddy + encounter in the CC status bar.
+# Install: add to ~/.claude/settings.json → "statusLine" → "command"
+# Or run: /buddymon statusline   (installs automatically)
+
+B="$HOME/.claude/buddymon"
+
+# Bail fast if no state directory or no starter chosen
+[[ -d "$B" ]] || exit 0
+STARTER=$(jq -r '.starter_chosen // false' "$B/roster.json" 2>/dev/null)
+[[ "$STARTER" == "true" ]] || exit 0
+
+# Read state
+ID=$(jq -r '.buddymon_id // ""' "$B/active.json" 2>/dev/null)
+[[ -n "$ID" ]] || exit 0
+
+LVL=$(jq -r ".owned[\"$ID\"].level // 1" "$B/roster.json" 2>/dev/null)
+XP=$(jq -r '.session_xp // 0' "$B/active.json" 2>/dev/null)
+
+ENC_JSON=$(jq -c '.active_encounter // null' "$B/encounters.json" 2>/dev/null)
+ENC_DISPLAY=$(echo "$ENC_JSON" | jq -r '.display // ""' 2>/dev/null)
+ENC_STRENGTH=$(echo "$ENC_JSON" | jq -r '.current_strength // 0' 2>/dev/null)
+
+# ANSI colors
+CY='\033[38;2;23;146;153m'   # cyan  — buddy
+GR='\033[38;2;64;160;43m'    # green — xp
+RD='\033[38;2;203;60;51m'    # red   — encounter
+DM='\033[38;2;120;120;120m'  # dim   — separators
+RS='\033[0m'
+
+printf "${CY}🐾 ${ID} Lv.${LVL}${RS}"
+printf " ${DM}·${RS} ${GR}+${XP}xp${RS}"
+
+if [[ "$ENC_JSON" != "null" ]] && [[ -n "$ENC_DISPLAY" ]]; then
+    printf "  ${RD}⚔  ${ENC_DISPLAY} [${ENC_STRENGTH}%%]${RS}"
+fi
+
+echo
diff --git a/skills/buddymon/SKILL.md b/skills/buddymon/SKILL.md
index beea1d6..90135b2 100644
--- a/skills/buddymon/SKILL.md
+++ b/skills/buddymon/SKILL.md
@@ -25,6 +25,7 @@ Parse `$ARGUMENTS` (trim whitespace, lowercase the first word) and dispatch:
 | `fight` | Fight active encounter |
 | `catch` | Catch active encounter |
 | `roster` | Full roster view |
+| `statusline` | Install Buddymon statusline into settings.json |
 | `help` | Show command list |
 
 ---
@@ -279,6 +280,46 @@ Read `roster.json` → `language_affinities`. Skip this section if empty.
 
 ---
 
+## `statusline` — Install Buddymon Statusline
+
+Installs the Buddymon statusline into `~/.claude/settings.json`.
+
+The statusline shows active buddy + level + session XP, and highlights any
+active encounter in red:
+
+```
+🐾 Debuglin Lv.90 · +45xp  ⚔  💀 NullWraith [60%]
+```
+
+Run this Python to install:
+
+```python
+import json, os, shutil
+
+SETTINGS = os.path.expanduser("~/.claude/settings.json")
+PLUGIN_ROOT = os.environ.get("CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT", "")
+SCRIPT = os.path.join(PLUGIN_ROOT, "lib", "statusline.sh")
+
+settings = json.load(open(SETTINGS))
+
+if settings.get("statusLine"):
+    print("⚠️  A statusLine is already configured. Replace it? (y/n)")
+    # ask user — if no, abort
+    # if yes, proceed
+    pass
+
+settings["statusLine"] = {
+    "type": "command",
+    "command": f"bash {SCRIPT}",
+}
+json.dump(settings, open(SETTINGS, "w"), indent=2)
+print(f"✅ Buddymon statusline installed. Reload Claude Code to activate.")
+```
+
+If a `statusLine` is already set, show the existing command and ask before replacing.
+
+---
+
 ## `help`
 
 ```
@@ -288,4 +329,5 @@ Read `roster.json` → `language_affinities`. Skip this section if empty.
 /buddymon fight       — fight active encounter
 /buddymon catch       — catch active encounter
 /buddymon roster      — view full roster
+/buddymon statusline  — install statusline widget
 ```