Token Cost Engineering: Make the Numbers Work

A thread you can test

The Agent Bill

2 notes move from the word to a real choice at work — understand it first, then decide whether to use it.

READING THREADOPEN
2notes
HOW TO READStart where you are stuck, then follow the evidence and trade-offs

Each note stands alone, or becomes the next step in this thread.

Token Cost Engineering: Make the Numbers WorkNo login

THE QUESTION THIS PAGE ANSWERS

ANSWER FIRST

What is The Agent Bill, and which AI decisions does it change?

Every Agent turn re-reads the full history. Step through an Excel task turn by turn and watch Input roll up to 31,460 Tokens This page keeps the related concepts, common mistakes, and practical notes in one reading thread.

DECISION RULE

First decide whether you are blocked by a definition, a choice, or verification; then choose the closest of the 2 notes below.

TRY NEXT

Start with “Input-Dominated: a 62:1 I/O Ratio,” then restate the conclusion using your own task.

WATCH FOR

Do not treat every method in a topic as interchangeable. The answer changes with the input, risk, and acceptance bar.

THIS QUESTION THREAD

Put the word back inside the choice it changes.

2 notes
Interactive

Input-Dominated: a 62:1 I/O Ratio

Every Agent turn re-reads the full history. Step through an Excel task turn by turn and watch Input roll up to 31,460 Tokens

Token Cost Engineering: Make the Numbers Work 4 min →
Deep Dive

Four Agent Cost Traps and the Circuit Breaker

Tool-return explosion, thinking tax, infinite loops, history snowball: one shippable strategy per trap, plus three red lines

Token Cost Engineering: Make the Numbers Work 6 min →