How to cut your Claude Code bill in half
If you've opened your usage dashboard and winced, you're not alone. Claude Code is extraordinarily capable and extraordinarily hungry. Here's the playbook we use.
1. Shrink what gets sent
- Keep
CLAUDE.mdtight. Every line is re-sent on every turn. - Use
/compactaggressively on long sessions. - Point it at the folder you're working in, not the whole monorepo.
2. Route by task
Use the strongest model for planning and architecture; drop to a cheaper model for refactors, tests, and boilerplate. The quality gap on routine work is small; the price gap is not.
3. Pay less per token
Even with perfect hygiene you're still paying list price. Routing through a discounted endpoint such as Token Supply (advertised at up to 70% off, depending on model) is the single biggest lever for heavy users.
Realistic combined result: many developers can cut a $400–600/mo habit by half or more with steps 1–3 together.
4. Measure weekly
Compare invoices for one week before and after. If savings aren't material, revert — nothing here locks you in.