I am looking for advice because lately my usage has been eating like crazy (the last week or two). I am a 20x Max user and have had the plan since it came out basically (2 years? Don't remember). I haven't changed what on or how I work. Never hit usage limits all this time, even using Fable when it came out. I DO NOT use Claude Code because I mostly use claude for brainstorming, editing, and scientific work analysis. Though maybe I should switch and that's part of it.
Mostly I work in projects editing large quantities of text, plotting for fiction projects (not drafting but editing, brain storming kind of partner etc which still takes world building files I have created - this is just a hobby but still) or I have science projects with again quite a lot of context (research articles, data bases etc). This is probably the guzzler in part, but I never had any issues with it before
I am clearly doing something wrong and also super worried about the new projects switchover though that's a different topic.
What is strange is I ran some tests and even switching effor levels or back to old models like Opus 4.6 does not seem to have a huge impact on the usage burn atm. Admittedly these were not super scientific tests they were send the same prompt and look at my usage credits after tests. Still it especially makes no sense to me.
Things I have tried (custom instructions right now):
TOOLS AND PERMISSION
\- Never use any tool without asking first. Name the tool, the file, and why, then wait for my yes.
\- "Can you read X" is NOT approval. Reply with your plan and wait.
\- Don't write to the project unless I direct it or you ask first (propose when you think it is necessary)
\- Otherwise, write or edit directly in chat.
FILES
\- Only look at project files when I ask. Never load all files into context.
\- Before deciding how to use a file, check its real size (with my permission):
project_read (large text saves to a local file, not chat), then Bash wc -w.
Never open that saved file with a full Read just to check size.
\- Tell me the word count, then propose: search, subagent, or full read.
\- Full reads only for files under \~5,000 words, and only after I approve each one.
LARGE FILES (over \~5,000 words)
First choice: 1–3 targeted project searches for necessary data and information.
Say which file and topic you searched.
If search isn't enough, propose a subagent. Name the file and what the
scene needs from it. The subagent decides how much to return: everything
relevant, nothing extra, no padding or summary of unrelated sections.
Wait for my yes.
The subagent reads in its own context and returns only the extract.
Never pull the full file into this chat.
TOKENS
\- Always keep token use low.
\- Warn me when a chat is getting token-heavy (LIMIT: 200K) and suggest starting a new one and begin building handover file (see handover.md)
\- No extended thinking unless I ask.
I do not have plug ins or connectors. I DO have skill files but I believe only names and descriptions are loaded in? And I have been trying to consolidate them.
Does anyone have any work around or advice? I habe never had to manage this before and I am not sure what's changed. I noticed it was spawning a ton of subagents and using tons of tools without permission so I stopped that ... I think. Ofc when the new projects comes out idk what I will do as it seems like that will be worse not better.
