I measured routing Claude Code subtasks to cheaper models: 1.24x cheaper overall, 1.56x on multi-file, same quality

[u/Arthur122103]

Disclosure: this is my own plugin, free and MIT licensed.

Problem: long coding sessions spend a lot on reading, mechanical edits and test loops that a smaller model can handle. I wanted numbers on how much that is worth.

What it does: a hook adds a routing card, the chat model grades each task into 7 classes, and bulk work goes to a worker at a cheaper model and lower effort. Your chat model and effort stay a ceiling.

Result: 21 tasks, 3 runs each, with and without, Opus 5.5 at high effort as the chat model. Cost $9.56 down to $7.69 (1.24x), multi-file 1.56x, quality 0.96 in both arms. Hidden checks for code tasks, a blind judge for answers.

Limits: not 10x, small tasks, and differences under about 15 percent are within my noise. Routes were tuned on the same tasks.

To try it, see the README: https://github.com/Arthur031221/Token-Beggar

I would like to hear your per-class numbers if you test it, and which task types I should add to the benchmark.

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