---
model_tier: medium
name: token-optimizer
description: "Use BEFORE any verbose CLI run, large file read, doc conversion, or near-context handoff — single decision tree keyed by intent that cites the canonical token-saving asset. Consult before the action."
domain: process
execution:
  type: assisted
  handler: shell
  allowed_tools: []
workspaces:
  - agent-config-maintainer
packs:
  - meta
---

# Token Optimizer — decision tree + catalog

## Iron Law

```
CONSULT THIS SKILL BEFORE THE ACTION, NOT AFTER.
THE TREE NAMES THE CANONICAL ASSET — DO NOT RESTATE OR DUPLICATE IT.
```

## When to use

Proactively, BEFORE you:

- Run a verbose CLI command (tests, linters, build, git log, large `grep`)
- Read or paste a large document, log, or tool dump
- Repeat the same tool call across many files / records
- Approach the context-window limit and need to hand off
- Make a cost-aware decision (which model, which budget, when to stop)

Reactively when output already burned tokens — record the lesson, do
not re-explore. Cite the leaf, move on.

## Procedure

1. **Classify intent** — match the situation to one branch of the tree below.
2. **Cite the leaf** — name the canonical asset (rule, skill, or upstream link).
3. **Apply** — execute the cited asset's contract; do NOT inline its content.
4. **Verify** — output respects the cited Iron Law (redirect, wrap, batch, etc.).

### Decision tree

```
INTENT
├── Verbose CLI output incoming
│     → cite [cli-output-handling](../../rules/cli-output-handling.md)
│       (Iron Law: redirect / tail / grep / wrap)
│     → cite [rtk-output-filtering](../rtk-output-filtering/SKILL.md)
│       (rtk wrapper, 60-90% savings on tests/linters/git)
│
├── Large document or paste (PDF, DOCX, HTML, transcript)
│     → cite markitdown (upstream: https://github.com/microsoft/markitdown)
│       Convert FIRST, then read the markdown — never paste raw binary.
│
├── Repeated tool-call across N targets
│     → cite [token-efficiency](../../rules/token-efficiency.md)
│       (batch, parallelize, prune; one tool call > many)
│
├── Near context limit, work not finished
│     → cite [agent-handoff](../../../.claude/skills/agent-handoff/SKILL.md)
│       (structured handoff envelope; resume in fresh chat)
│
└── Cost-aware decision (model pick, budget, stop-criterion)
      → cite /cost:report (when shipped) — until then, fall back to
        [token-efficiency](../../rules/token-efficiency.md) and
        [direct-answers § Brevity by Default](../../rules/direct-answers.md)
```

## Catalog

| Asset | Path | Trigger keywords | What it does |
|---|---|---|---|
| `cli-output-handling` | `.agent-src.uncondensed/rules/cli-output-handling.md` | `verbose`, `tail`, `grep`, `CLI` | Wrap-tail-grep contract for any verbose command |
| `rtk-output-filtering` | `.agent-src.uncondensed/skills/rtk-output-filtering/SKILL.md` | `rtk`, `verbose`, `filter`, `wrap` | Project-local rtk filters; wrapper command |
| `token-efficiency` | `.agent-src.uncondensed/rules/token-efficiency.md` | `redirect`, `verbose`, `concise`, `tool` | Batch + parallelize tool calls; brevity floor |
| `agent-handoff` | `.claude/skills/agent-handoff/SKILL.md` | `handoff`, `fresh`, `chat`, `context` | Context envelope for fresh-chat continuation |
| `direct-answers` | `.agent-src.uncondensed/rules/direct-answers.md` | `brevity`, `flattery`, `severity`, `tiered` | Iron-Law brevity floor (kernel) |
| `markitdown` | upstream: github.com/microsoft/markitdown | `PDF`, `DOCX`, `HTML`, `convert` | Document → markdown converter (authoritative-link only) |
| `/cost:report` | TBD — `road-to-ruflo-adoption.md § P1.2` | `cost`, `model spend`, `budget` | Per-session cost telemetry (planned) |

## Output format

1. Name the cited asset by its leaf id (e.g. `cli-output-handling`, `rtk-output-filtering`).
2. State the Iron Law in one line; do NOT inline the asset's body.
3. If multiple branches match, cite all relevant leaves (no merge, no rewrite).
4. End with the action you take next, citing the asset that authorizes it.

## Gotcha

- Catalog rows live and die with their target asset. If you edit a
  cited asset's trigger keywords or scope, update the matching row in
  this skill in the same commit (enforced by
  [`token-optimizer-maintenance`](../../rules/token-optimizer-maintenance.md)
  rule + `scripts/check_token_optimizer_freshness.py` CI gate).
- Tree must stay scannable (≤ 50 lines incl. labels). Catalog rows
  carry the long form.
- Authoritative-link assets (`rtk` upstream, `markitdown` upstream,
  pricing constants) are never copied — always linked.

## Do NOT

- Do NOT inline content from a cited asset. If the leaf is "rtk does X",
  the agent reads `rtk-output-filtering`. Duplication = drift = stale.
- Do NOT replace any rule. The rules carry the Iron Laws; this skill
  carries the lookup index.
- Do NOT define new policies — every leaf must cite an existing rule,
  skill, or upstream asset.
- Do NOT consult this skill AFTER tokens were already burned — record
  the lesson and move on.

<!-- TELEMETRY: consulted=[uncomment + ISO timestamp on each consult] context=[CLI|doc|repeat|handoff|cost] -->
