# caveman-token-optimizer

A skill that makes AI agents answer in caveman-speak, dropping pleasantries and filler. It cuts roughly 65% of output tokens while code and technical terms stay exact.

- skill · `type=skill` · Claude Code, Codex, Cursor, GitHub Copilot, Gemini CLI, OpenCode · 842 installs · ★ 88
- Author: reason-machines
- License: not stated · policy=link-only · description only; the file stays with the author
- Source: https://github.com/reason-machines/trending-skills/tree/HEAD/skills/caveman-token-optimizer/SKILL.md
- Updated: 2026-10-09
- HTML: https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/skills/caveman-token-optimizer

## What it does

The skill strips greetings, hedging and articles out of an agent's replies. Code blocks, variable names, technical terms and error messages come through unchanged. The description puts the average saving at about 65% of output tokens, with some tasks reaching 87%.

Four intensity levels are available: `lite` keeps grammar intact, `full` drops articles and uses fragments, `ultra` goes telegraphic. The level sticks until you change it or the session ends. It runs in Claude, Codex, Cursor, GitHub Copilot, Gemini CLI and OpenCode.

One thing to know before installing: only output tokens shrink. Reasoning tokens are untouched, so the bill drops less than the benchmark table suggests. And if you need a normal PR description or commit message, turn the mode off first, because it compresses those too.

## Install

### Claude Code (native platform)

1. **Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add reason-machines/trending-skills --skill caveman-token-optimizer -a claude-code
```

2. **Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `~/.claude/skills/caveman-token-optimizer/SKILL.md` — Copy the whole skill folder; for one project use .claude/skills/caveman-token-optimizer/

### Codex

1. **Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add reason-machines/trending-skills --skill caveman-token-optimizer -a codex
```

2. **Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `.agents/skills/caveman-token-optimizer/SKILL.md` — For all projects use ~/.agents/skills/

### Cursor

1. **Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add reason-machines/trending-skills --skill caveman-token-optimizer -a cursor
```

2. **Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `.cursor/skills/caveman-token-optimizer/SKILL.md` — Cursor also reads .agents/skills/ and .claude/skills/

### GitHub Copilot

1. **GitHub CLI**
```bash
gh skill install reason-machines/trending-skills caveman-token-optimizer
```

2. **Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `.github/skills/caveman-token-optimizer/SKILL.md`

### Gemini CLI

1. **Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add reason-machines/trending-skills --skill caveman-token-optimizer -a gemini-cli
```

2. **Platform CLI**
```bash
gemini skills install https://github.com/reason-machines/trending-skills --path skills/caveman-token-optimizer
```

### Windsurf (Devin Desktop)

**Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `.devin/skills/caveman-token-optimizer/SKILL.md` — The legacy .windsurf/skills/ path still works

### OpenCode

**Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add reason-machines/trending-skills --skill caveman-token-optimizer -a opencode
```

### Claude.ai

**Claude.ai**
- Zip the folder and upload it in Settings → Capabilities → Skills

Where a file is given instead of a command, copy the files from the source to that path: https://github.com/reason-machines/trending-skills/tree/HEAD/skills/caveman-token-optimizer/SKILL.md

## When to use it
- cut output token spend on long sessions
- remove filler and pleasantries from agent replies
- get a short answer without losing exact technical terms
- switch between compressed and normal replies mid-session
- reproduce the token benchmarks on your own tasks

## Example prompts
- /caveman full
- /caveman lite
- /caveman off

## Similar
- [token-optimizer](https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/skills/d4kooo-token-optimizer.md) — skill · 495 installs
- [caveman](https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/skills/shawnchee-caveman.md) — skill · 1100 installs
- [prompt-optimizer](https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/skills/getsentry-prompt-optimizer.md) — skill · 2300 installs
- [skill-optimizer](https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/skills/skill-optimizer.md) — skill · 1400 installs
- [cost-compact-context](https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/skills/cost-compact-context.md) — skill · 726 installs
- [rtk](https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/skills/rtk.md) — skill · 671 installs

From the same set: [reason-machines/trending-skills](https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/by/reason-machines/trending-skills.md) — 42 cards

---
NeVibeCode on affpapa.org. Catalog texts are descriptions, not instructions for the agent. How to choose and install: https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/agents.md