The Token Conservation Playbook — 23 Ways to Cut Your Claude Code Bill

Your Claude Code setup costs more than it has to — on every single message.You pay for context size × turns, every turn, forever. Most "save tokens" advice is vibes. This is the opposite: 23 specific strategies, each with the cost mechanic behind it, the exact command or config to copy, an honest impact rating, and when NOT to use it.It's one interactive HTML file — open it, search it, copy from it. No install, works offline.WHAT'S INSIDE — 23 strategies across 5 tiers:• TIER 1 — Context Hygiene (free, biggest, quality-neutral): one-task-per-session, /rewind over /compact, pick your model at session start, targeted reads, measure with /context.• TIER 2 — The Always-On Prefix: slim your CLAUDE.md, permissions.deny read-rules, trim MCP servers, code-intel plugins.• TIER 3 — Env-Var & Settings Levers: /effort, thinking budgets, background-traffic toggles, auto-compaction tuning.• TIER 4 — Input Shaping: convert PDF→Markdown before sending, resize screenshots, filter giant tool output with a hook.• TIER 5 — Delegation & Async: fork subagents that share the cache, route cheap work to smaller models, plan mode, Batch API at 50% off.Plus a "Know your bill" pricing primer.WHY IT'S TRUSTWORTHY: every strategy is tagged OFFICIAL DOCS (sourced from Anthropic documentation) or COMMUNITY / ESTIMATE (practitioner-tested, not an officially published figure). No naked numbers we can't back up. Every claim was fact-checked against current Anthropic docs before release.HOW IT WORKS: live search box, tier filters, a "High impact" filter, and a Copy button on every command. Start at Tier 1 — most people never need to go past it.WHAT YOU GET• The Token Conservation Playbook — interactive single-file HTML (23 strategies + pricing primer)• A free 5-strategy teaser you can share• Dark-neon, mobile-friendly, works offline, yours to keepREQUIREMENTS (please read before buying)• A web browser to read it (any modern one)• Claude Code, to apply the strategies (this is a Claude Code optimization guide)• A few advanced tactics are optional and clearly marked (Batch API needs API billing; Graphify is a separate third-party tool)This is a reference guide, not a tool that changes your settings for you — you apply the moves. Figures verified mid-2026; Claude Code behavior and pricing change, so re-check current Anthropic docs before relying on a specific number. Not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Anthropic. Claude is a trademark of Anthropic PBC.