Claude AI: 19 tips to save your tokens

Don't upgrade to the $100/month Claude plan (not yet).

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These 19 hacks make the $18/month plan more than enough:

1. You upload raw PDFs. Do this instead: copy the text, paste it directly. 10x less token usage.
2. You write 300-word prompts. Say instead: 30 words + "ask me questions before you start."
3. You say "redo everything" to fix one paragraph. Say instead: "Only redo paragraph 3. Keep the rest as is."
4. You send 3 messages for 3 tasks. Do instead: one message, three tasks listed.
5. You rewrite your prompts from scratch every time. Do instead: build a prompt library. Same structure, swap out the variable.
6. You use the most powerful model to fix a typo. Do instead: save Opus for complex analysis. Sonnet handles 90% of the work.
7. You stack corrections in the same thread. Do instead: click "Edit" on your original message. Regenerate.
8. You let conversations run on indefinitely. Do instead: every 15 replies, summarize and open a new thread.
9. You paste in 40 files "just in case." Do instead: only what this task needs. Nothing more.
10. You keep 3 topics in the same chat. Do instead: new topic = new chat. Always.
11. You never set up your preferences. Do instead: Settings → Personal Preferences. Tone, format, context. Set it once for good.
12. You use Projects as a plain folder. Do instead: upload your reference files once. Every conversation reads them without reloading.
13. You leave all features enabled by default. Do instead: everything off by default. Turn on what you need, task by task.
14. You burn through your quota in the morning. Do instead: Claude runs on a rolling 5-hour window. Spread it out.
15. You restart a failed project instead of stepping back. Do instead: click "Resume from here" on an earlier message.
16. You type your prompts instead of dictating them. Do instead: dictating gives 3x more context in half the time.
17. You ask Claude what it can't do. Do instead: images → Gemini. Real-time search → Perplexity. Each tool in its place.
18. You end your sessions without archiving them. Do instead: finish with "Write a session summary in .md." Paste it in at the next start.
19. You use Claude only reactively, never proactively. Do instead: schedule an automatic weekly briefing. Monday 8am, Claude's ready for you.