# I Stopped Hitting [[Product/Claude Code]] Usage Limits ([[Person/Brad]] | [[Concept/AI & Automation]])
Ref: https://youtu.be/9ToOfgZ4qqQ?si=zCfA4u4oFWPQ5neU

## Core Concept: Context Hygiene
The issue isn't just "limits," but **context bloat**. Every message in a session compounds in cost because the entire history is reread. Bloated context leads to higher costs, faster limit hits, and potentially worse output (LLM loses focus on the start of the window).

## Strategies to Reduce Token Burn

### 1. Pruning Invisible Bloat
- **MCP Servers:** Every connected MCP server loads all tool definitions into every message.
    - *Fix:* Use `/mcp` to list and disconnect servers not actively needed for the current session.
    - *Optimization:* Replace MCPs with **CLIs** where possible; CLIs only cost tokens when actually called, whereas MCPs cost tokens just by existing.
- **`claude.md` Optimization:**
    - **Remove Contradictions:** Ensure instructions don't clash (e.g., "be concise" vs "explain in detail").
    - **Ruthless Pruning:** Remove rules that are default behaviors, redundant, or vague "band-aids."
    - **Progressive Disclosure:** Keep the core `claude.md` small (universal rules only). Move detailed patterns (API standards, testing guidelines) to separate reference files and use one-line pointers in the core file.
- **Skill Bloat:** 
    - Metadata for every installed skill is loaded into context.
    - Prefer concise, short skills over verbose ones.

### 2. Settings.json Tweaks
- **Auto-compact:** Set `auto_compact_percentage_override` to ~75% (default is ~83%) to trigger compaction before quality degrades.
- **Bash Output:** Set `bash_max_output_length` environment variable to 150,000 to avoid silent truncation and costly reruns.
- **Permissions:** Add `deny` rules for directories like `node_modules`, `.git`, and build artifacts to prevent [[Product/Claude]] from wasting context on irrelevant files.

### 3. Daily Habits
- **Fresh Sessions:** Use `/clear` between unrelated tasks to stop paying the "tax" of previous conversation history.
- **Plan Mode:** Use plan mode for non-trivial tasks to align on the approach *before* code is written, avoiding expensive "wrong path" loops.
- **Replace, Don't Correct:** When [[Product/Claude]] makes a mistake, replace the bad exchange rather than sending a follow-up correction (which keeps the error in the history).
- **Right Model for the Job:**
    - **[[Product/Sonnet]]:** Standard coding.
    - **[[Product/Haiku]]:** Sub-agents, formatting, simple lookups.
    - **[[Product/Opus]]:** Deep architectural planning.

## Key Links & Resources
- **Context Audit Skill:** [Download via [[Person/Brad]]'s Kit](https://brad-b.kit.com/e27e431783) (Scans setup and scores it)
- **Verified Skills Marketplace (Waitlist):** [Join here](https://brad-b.kit.com/f9a7349a1c)
- **Original AI Second Brain Video:** [Watch here](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wdc2tI_TGtM)
