Claude Code sends 33k tokens before reading the prompt; OpenCode sends 7k

Post by hinkley » Sun, Jul 12, 2026, 11:44 PM UTC

claw-el wrote: post #88

korrectional wrote: post #26

My opinion is that claude code uses more tokens simply because Anthropic makes more money that way and forces people into their subscriptions. This is supported by the fact that they won't let you use your sub on a different coding agent. I use pi btw.

Once I realized that Anthropic is a token merchant, I start to understand Anthropic’s decision more. They are always finding reasons for you to use more tokens through them unless the users revolt or demand some guardrails.

Post by hinkley » Sun, Jul 12, 2026, 11:48 PM UTC

stefan_ wrote: post #111

claw-el wrote: post #88

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Once I realized that Anthropic is a token merchant, I start to understand Anthropic’s decision more. They are always finding reasons for you to use more tokens through them unless the users revolt or demand some guardrails.

But they gave us double the tokens! Then a limited time more usage! Then even more tokens "off peak" times! Then some new model released but apparently it inherently used 1.69x tokens! Then Fable is here but "it uses much more usage". But only until ~~the US banned it~~ ~~7th July~~ ~~19th July~~ who even knows. At this point I think Dario is just in his wellness retreat adjusting a revenue/profit dial.

Post by hinkley » Sun, Jul 12, 2026, 11:53 PM UTC

int_19h wrote: post #234

FuckButtons wrote: post #58

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Nope, that’s not true, because they want you to pay for the higher subscription bracket.

Higher subscription brackets are likely worse for them. I recall seeing someone calculate that a fully maxed out highest subscription bracket is something like $15K in tokens? And people paying $100 or $200 are much more likely to max it out for purely psychological reasons - it crosses that threshold where I want to see my money's worth in full. Whereas people on $20 subs are more likely to be there just to get acce…

Post by drtournier » Sun, Jul 12, 2026, 11:56 PM UTC

SwellJoe wrote: post #138

drtournier wrote: post #9

pi sends 1k (or less) -> https://github.com/earendil-works/pi/blob/main/packages/codi... My $20 sub using gpt 5.6 sol thinking-off lasts for hours using pi.

Why turn thinking off? I mean, yes, it uses less tokens, but you're using the best model OpenAI offers, but then making it as dumb as cheaper models.

Post by hedgehog » Mon, Jul 13, 2026, 12:02 AM UTC

hidelooktropic wrote: post #195

EMM_386 wrote: post #131

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Yes but one of the key things about subagents is they keep all of their tool calls and exploration out of the parent context. If you plan on continuing on in the parent, and aren't going to necessarily be touching the systems the other agents are exploring, it can be worth it. It's useful in certain situations where the parent context may need the "10,000 foot" view of something without going back in there. But subsy…

They are just making the point that it makes sense that subagents would use more tokens because they have none of the parent's context.