Token Optimization

Token optimization

This plugin ships a token-optimizer MCP server whose tools cut context usage 60–90% via caching, diffing, and compression. Prefer them over the built-in tools in the situations below. All tools are model-invoked — you must call them; nothing rewrites the built-in read/grep output automatically.

When to use which tool

• smart_read instead of a plain file read when a file is large (roughly >400 lines / >25 KB) or you have read it before this session. It caches file content and, on re-reads, returns only a diff of what changed — often a handful of tokens instead of the whole file. Pass path; optionally enableCache, diffMode, maxSize, includeMetadata.

• smart_glob instead of a content grep for finding files in a big or unfamiliar tree. It returns paths only (no content) with filtering, sorting, and pagination — a fraction of the tokens of listing with content. Pass pattern (e.g. src/**/*.ts) and optionally cwd, extensions, limit.

• smart_edit instead of a raw edit for large files: it applies the edit and returns a compact unified diff rather than echoing the whole file. (For very small files a plain edit is fine — smart_edit's diff overhead is only worth it once the file is sizeable.)

• optimize_session / get_session_stats when the context window is filling up or after a burst of file operations. optimize_session batch-compresses prior file operations and stores them out-of-context; get_session_stats reports tokens saved so far.

• get_optimization_report when the user asks how much they've saved (or to show it proactively). Returns total tokens saved, overall savings %, approximate cost saved, and a full breakdown by action, by hook phase, and by MCP server, plus a pre-rendered formatted text summary you can display as-is.

• count_tokens to measure how expensive a chunk of text is before you decide how to handle it.

Storing bulky content out of context

• optimize_text — compress a large text blob under a key and keep it in the external cache instead of your context; retrieve it later by key. Reports tokensSaved. Good for logs, large outputs, or reference material you don't need inline right now.

• compress_text — Brotli+base64 compression. Byte reduction only: the base64 output usually has more LLM tokens than the input, so use it for at-rest storage/caching, not for putting back into context. The tool returns increasesTokens + a warning when that's the case.

Rules of thumb

1. Reading a big file or one you've seen before → smart_read.
2. Searching a large/unknown tree → smart_glob (paths first, read only what you need).
3. Editing a large file → smart_edit.
4. Context getting tight → optimize_session, then continue.
5. Need to stash bulky output → optimize_text (by key), not compress_text into context.
6. Small files/one-off reads → the built-in tools are fine; don't add overhead.

Source: hashgraph-online/awesome-codex-plugins → plugins/ooples/token-optimizer-mcp/skills/token-optimization/SKILL.md