# Reduce Claude Code tool output with three tools

> Try RTK, Headroom or Context Mode, with usage checks before you trust their token savings.

Source: https://fullbytedeveloper.com/blog/claude-code-tool-output-tokens
Keyword: TOKENCUT, LEANCTX
Published: 2026-11-01

RTK, Headroom and Context Mode each reduce the tool output sent to your model, according to their repositories [2][3][4]. I would try one at a time so you can check what changed and whether Claude still gets the details your task needs.

## Check your current session usage

Run this inside Claude Code before changing your setup. Anthropic documents session token usage and estimated costs under `/usage` [1].

```text
/usage
```

You should see usage information for your account and session. Per the docs, the session cost is an estimate; subscription billing does not use that estimate [1]. Save the figures alongside the task you asked Claude to do.

## Try RTK for shell output

The RTK README documents a Homebrew install and a check that distinguishes this package from other tools named RTK [2]. Run these commands in your terminal.

```bash
brew install rtk
rtk --version
rtk gain
```

You should see the installed version and RTK's savings dashboard [2]. Its Claude Code integration uses a hook to rewrite supported shell commands to RTK equivalents.

**Warning:** The following command changes your global Claude Code integration. The README says it also offers proxy configuration; review those choices before accepting them [2].

```bash
rtk init -g
```

After using Claude, run `rtk gain` again to inspect RTK's recorded savings [2].

## Try Headroom through its local proxy

Headroom's README documents an isolated install with `uv`. Its wrapper starts a local proxy and launches Claude through it [3].

**Warning:** The wrapper also installs Serena for code navigation and registers it for the Claude project in `~/.claude.json`, per the README. Review that integration if you already manage MCP configuration [3].

```bash
uv tool install --python 3.13 "headroom-ai[all]"
headroom wrap claude
```

Use another terminal to check the installation and routing with the documented health check [3].

```bash
headroom doctor
```

Launch future sessions with `headroom wrap claude` when you want them routed through Headroom [3].

## Try the Context Mode plugin

Context Mode's README describes running tools in a sandbox and keeping large results outside the conversation until needed. Install its Claude Code plugin by entering these commands inside Claude [4].

```text
/plugin marketplace add mksglu/context-mode
/plugin install context-mode@context-mode
```

Restart Claude Code, then run the plugin's diagnostic command [4].

```text
/context-mode:ctx-doctor
```

You should see its checks marked `[x]`, per the README. After using the plugin, inspect its context statistics [4].

```text
/context-mode:ctx-stats
```

You now have the chosen tool's statistics to compare with Claude Code's session usage. Repeat a comparable task and check the answer's correctness before deciding to keep that setup.

## Sources

1. [Claude Code documentation: usage and costs](https://code.claude.com/docs/en/costs)
2. [RTK repository: installation and Claude Code integration](https://github.com/rtk-ai/rtk)
3. [Headroom repository: installation and agent wrapping](https://github.com/headroomlabs-ai/headroom)
4. [Context Mode repository: Claude Code plugin setup](https://github.com/mksglu/context-mode)

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