23 strategies · 5 tiers · every claim sourced
The Token Conservation Playbook — 23 Ways to Cut Your Claude Code Bill
You pay for context size × turns, every turn, forever. Most "save tokens" advice is vibes. This is the opposite: 23 strategies, each with the cost mechanic behind it, the exact command to copy, an honest impact rating, and when NOT to use it. One interactive HTML file — open it, search it, copy from it.
Instant download · no install · works offline · copy button on every command
The problem
Most token advice is vibes
"Just be concise" doesn't tell you which lever moves the bill, by how much, or when it costs you quality. You need the mechanic, not the platitude.
▌ Generic advice
- "Save tokens" tips with no number and no source behind them
- No idea which change is the big one vs. a rounding error
- No warning about when a tactic quietly hurts your output
- Nothing to copy — you re-derive the fix every time
▌ The Playbook
- 23 strategies, each with the exact cost mechanic explained
- Every move tagged OFFICIAL DOCS or COMMUNITY / ESTIMATE
- An honest impact rating + a clear "when NOT to use it"
- A Copy button on every command — open, search, paste
What it does
23 strategies across 5 tiers
Start at Tier 1 — most people never need to go past it. Each tier goes deeper for when you want more.
Free, biggest, quality-neutral
One-task-per-session, /rewind over /compact, pick your model at session start, targeted reads, and measuring with /context.
Slim the always-on load
Trim your CLAUDE.md, use permissions.deny read-rules, cut MCP servers you don't use, and prune code-intel plugins.
Env-var & settings dials
/effort, thinking budgets, background-traffic toggles, and auto-compaction tuning — the settings most people never touch.
Shape what you send
Convert PDF→Markdown before sending, resize screenshots, and filter giant tool output with a hook before it ever hits context.
Delegate & defer
Fork subagents that share the cache, route cheap work to smaller models, use plan mode, and run async jobs on the Batch API at 50% off.
What's in the box
What's inside
- ✓The Playbook — interactive single-file HTML, 23 strategies + a pricing primer
- ✓A "Know your bill" primer so the numbers make sense
- ✓Live search, tier filters, and a "High impact" filter
- ✓A Copy button on every command and config
- ✓A free 5-strategy teaser you can share
- ✓Dark-neon, mobile-friendly, works offline, yours to keep
⚠ Requirements — 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 — check its own docs)
- This is a reference guide, not a tool that changes your settings for you — you apply the moves
Start at Tier 1 today
Stop guessing. Cut the bill on purpose.
23 sourced strategies, one searchable file, a copy button on everything. Most people get the biggest win from Tier 1 alone.
Instant download · 30-day Gumroad refund policy applies
Setting up Claude Code from scratch? Start with the Claude Code Setup Playbook — $29.
See all my Claude Code tools → expressive446.gumroad.com