Token Budget Advisor

A skill that intercepts the response flow so the user can make an informed choice about how much depth / how many tokens to spend BEFORE the answer is generated.

Workflow

Step 1: Analyze the prompt

Run the estimator on the user's prompt. The script lives at scripts/token_estimator.py inside this skill's directory.

python3 <SKILL_DIR>/scripts/token_estimator.py --text "USER_PROMPT"

For long prompts or prompts containing quotes, use a temp file:

cat > /tmp/_tba_prompt.txt << 'PROMPT_EOF'
USER_PROMPT
PROMPT_EOF
python3 <SKILL_DIR>/scripts/token_estimator.py --file /tmp/_tba_prompt.txt

Replace <SKILL_DIR> with the real install path (usually .claude/skills/token-budget-advisor or whatever appears in your config).

The script returns JSON with: input_tokens, detected_language, detected_type, complexity, response_estimates (per level 25/50/75/100), and total_estimates.

Step 2: Present the options to the user

Show the information clearly BEFORE answering the real prompt. See references/calibration.md for what each level includes and omits.

Recommended format:

Prompt analysis
---------------
Input: ~X tokens | Type: [type] | Complexity: [level]

Choose your depth level:

[1] Essential   (25%)  -> ~Y tokens   Direct answer only
[2] Moderate    (50%)  -> ~Z tokens   Answer + context + 1 example
[3] Detailed    (75%)  -> ~W tokens   Full answer with alternatives
[4] Exhaustive (100%)  -> ~V tokens   Everything, no limits

Heuristic estimate (~85-90% accuracy, +/- 15%).

Step 3: Wait for the choice

Ask the user which level they prefer. In Claude Code's terminal, render the options as plain text and wait for their reply.

Step 4: Respond at the chosen level

Level	Length	What to include
25% Essential	2-4 sentences max	Just the direct answer. No preamble.
50% Moderate	1-3 paragraphs	Answer + minimal context + 1 example if relevant.
75% Detailed	Structured response	Multiple examples, pros/cons, alternatives.
100% Exhaustive	No limit	Everything: full analysis, complete code, every perspective.

Shortcuts

If the user already states a level, do not ask -- just answer at that level:

• "at 25%" / "al 25%" / "short version" / "tldr" / "summary" -> 25%
• "at 50%" / "al 50%" / "moderate" / "normal" -> 50%
• "at 75%" / "al 75%" / "detailed" / "complete" -> 75%
• "at 100%" / "al 100%" / "exhaustive" / "everything" / "no limit" -> 100%

If the user picked a level in a previous message of the same session, keep that level for subsequent responses without asking again -- unless they ask to change it.