Token Optimization

Claude Code token optimization — CLAUDE_AUTOCOMPACT_PCT_OVERRIDE, MAX_THINKING_TOKENS, behavioral patterns for selective reads, grep-first discovery, and cache awareness. Use to reduce cost on multi-day projects or recurring sessions.

hermeticormus 20a6b01 853 B Updated

File contents

Token optimization

Two env vars

export CLAUDE_AUTOCOMPACT_PCT_OVERRIDE=70
export MAX_THINKING_TOKENS=16000

Patterns

  • Read with offset/limit, not whole files
  • Grep before Read
  • Compact at phase transitions
  • Don't leave prompts cold > 5min (cache TTL)
  • Separate sessions: routine vs. complex

When to raise thinking budget

Architecture, debugging, refactoring, critical review.

When to lower

File ops, lint fixes, trivial edits, lookups.


Full content at https://github.com/HermeticOrmus/token-optimization-skills.

hermeticormus/token-optimization-skills/tree/main/skills/token-optimization commit 20a6b01812

Frequently asked questions

npx skillmds@latest add hermeticormus/token-optimization