Token Optimizer for OpenClaw

Reduce your AI costs by 97% - From $1,500+/month to under $50/month

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The Problem

If you've been running OpenClaw and watching your API bills climb, you're not alone. The default configuration prioritizes capability over cost, which means you're probably burning through tokens on routine tasks that don't need expensive models.

Common issues:

• Loading 50KB of history on every message (2-3M wasted tokens/session)
• Using Sonnet/Opus for simple tasks that Haiku handles perfectly
• Paying for API heartbeats that could run on a free local LLM
• No rate limits leading to runaway automation costs

The Solution

Token Optimizer applies four key optimizations that work together to slash your costs:

Combined result: 97% cost reduction

Cost Comparison

Quick Start

Installation

Windows (PowerShell):

.\scripts\install.ps1

macOS/Linux:

chmod +x scripts/install.sh
./scripts/install.sh

Manual Python:

python src/optimizer.py --mode full

Verify Setup

python src/verify.py

Features

1. Intelligent Model Routing

Sets Haiku as the default model with easy aliases for switching:

• haiku - Fast, cheap, perfect for 80% of tasks
• sonnet - Complex reasoning, architecture decisions
• opus - Mission-critical only

2. Free Heartbeats via Ollama

Routes heartbeat checks to a local LLM (llama3.2:3b) instead of paid API:

• Zero API calls for status checks
• No impact on rate limits
• Saves $5-15/month automatically

3. Lean Session Management

Optimized context loading rules that reduce startup context from 50KB to 8KB:

• Load only essential files (SOUL.md, USER.md)
• On-demand history retrieval
• Daily memory notes instead of history bloat

4. Prompt Caching

Automatic 90% discount on repeated content:

• System prompts cached and reused
• 5-minute TTL for optimal cache hits
• Per-model cache configuration

5. Budget Controls

Built-in rate limits and budget warnings:

• Daily/monthly budget caps
• Warning at 75% threshold
• Rate limiting between API calls

Usage

Analyze Current Setup

python src/analyzer.py

Shows:

• Current configuration status
• Workspace file sizes
• Optimization opportunities
• Estimated monthly savings

Apply Full Optimization

python src/optimizer.py --mode full

Applies all optimizations:

• Updates ~/.openclaw/openclaw.json
• Generates workspace templates
• Creates system prompt rules
• Sets up Ollama heartbeat

Apply Specific Optimizations

# Model routing only
python src/optimizer.py --mode routing

# Heartbeat to Ollama only
python src/optimizer.py --mode heartbeat

# Prompt caching only
python src/optimizer.py --mode caching

# Rate limits only
python src/optimizer.py --mode limits

Dry Run (Preview Changes)

python src/optimizer.py --mode full --dry-run

Configuration

After installation, edit these files:

~/.openclaw/workspace/SOUL.md

Agent principles and operating rules. Includes:

• Model selection rules
• Session initialization rules
• Rate limit rules

~/.openclaw/workspace/USER.md

Your context: name, role, mission, success metrics.

~/.openclaw/prompts/OPTIMIZATION-RULES.md

Copy these rules into your agent's system prompt.

Requirements

• Python 3.8+
• OpenClaw installed and configured
• Ollama (optional, for free heartbeats)

Installing Ollama

macOS/Linux:

curl -fsSL https://ollama.ai/install.sh | sh
ollama pull llama3.2:3b
ollama serve

Windows: Download from ollama.ai and run:

ollama pull llama3.2:3b
ollama serve

File Structure

token-optimizer/
├── skill.json                 # Skill manifest
├── README.md                  # This file
├── src/
│   ├── __init__.py
│   ├── analyzer.py            # Analyzes current config
│   ├── optimizer.py           # Applies optimizations
│   └── verify.py              # Verifies setup
├── templates/
│   ├── openclaw-config-optimized.json
│   ├── SOUL.md
│   ├── USER.md
│   └── OPTIMIZATION-RULES.md
└── scripts/
    ├── install.sh             # Unix installer
    └── install.ps1            # Windows installer

Troubleshooting

Context size still large

• Ensure SESSION INITIALIZATION RULE is in your system prompt
• Check that SOUL.md and USER.md are lean (<15KB total)

Still using Sonnet for everything

• Verify ~/.openclaw/openclaw.json has correct model configuration
• Ensure MODEL SELECTION RULE is in system prompt

Heartbeat errors

• Make sure Ollama is running: ollama serve
• Verify model is installed: ollama list

Costs haven't dropped

• Run python src/verify.py to check all optimizations
• Ensure system prompt includes all optimization rules

Support

• Documentation: docs.tokenoptimizer.ai
• Issues: GitHub Issues
• Email: support@tokenoptimizer.ai

License

Commercial license. See LICENSE for details.

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Built with care by TokenOptimizer

Stop burning tokens. Start building things.