ConfigsApr 4, 2026·2 min read

Claude Token Efficient — Drop-in CLAUDE.md for Terse Output

A single CLAUDE.md file that reduces Claude Code output verbosity by 63%. Includes 5 specialized profiles for coding, benchmarks, agents, and analysis workflows.

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TL;DR
A single CLAUDE.md file that reduces Claude Code output verbosity by 63% with 5 specialized workflow profiles.
§01

What it is

Claude Token Efficient is a CLAUDE.md configuration file that reduces Claude Code output verbosity by 63%. It includes 5 specialized profiles for different workflows: coding, benchmarks, agents, and analysis. You drop it into your project root and Claude Code automatically follows the terse output instructions.

It is designed for developers who want Claude Code to be concise and efficient rather than verbose, saving tokens and reducing noise in the output.

§02

How it saves time or tokens

The primary purpose is token reduction. By instructing Claude Code to prefer editing over rewriting, avoid re-reading files, and be concise in output, the CLAUDE.md reduces token consumption by approximately 63% according to the author's benchmarks. Less verbose output also means faster reading and less scrolling for developers.

§03

How to use

  1. Download the CLAUDE.md file to your project root
  2. Claude Code automatically reads CLAUDE.md when starting a session
  3. Choose a profile by mentioning it in your prompt, or use the default terse mode
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Example

# Download and add to your project root
curl -o CLAUDE.md https://raw.githubusercontent.com/drona23/claude-token-efficient/main/CLAUDE.md

The CLAUDE.md includes directives like:

§05

Approach

  • Think before acting. Read existing files before writing code.
  • Be concise in output but thorough in reasoning.
  • Prefer editing over rewriting whole files.
  • Do not re-read files you have already read unless the file may have changed.
  • Use precise, minimal diffs when editing.
§06

Output Rules

  • No preamble. No summary unless asked.
  • Code only when code is the answer.
  • One-line answers when a one-line answer suffices.
§07

Related on TokRepo

§08

Common pitfalls

  • The terse mode can be too concise for complex tasks where you need Claude to explain its reasoning; switch to the analysis profile for those cases
  • If your project already has a CLAUDE.md, you need to merge the directives rather than overwriting
  • The 63% reduction claim is based on the author's benchmarks and may vary depending on your task types

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this work with all Claude Code versions?+

Yes. CLAUDE.md is a standard Claude Code feature. Any version of Claude Code that reads project-level CLAUDE.md files will pick up these directives automatically when you start a session in the project directory.

Can I customize the profiles?+

Yes. The CLAUDE.md is a plain Markdown file. Edit the directives, add new profiles, or remove ones you do not need. The file is self-documenting with comments explaining each section.

Does it affect code quality?+

No. The directives control output verbosity, not reasoning depth. Claude Code still thinks thoroughly but expresses results concisely. Code quality and correctness are not impacted.

How do I switch between profiles?+

Mention the profile name in your prompt, such as 'use the benchmarks profile for this task'. The CLAUDE.md defines profile-specific behavior that activates based on context.

Can I use this with other AI tools?+

CLAUDE.md is specific to Claude Code. Other tools like Cursor use different configuration mechanisms. However, you can adapt the principles to .cursorrules or similar tool-specific config files.

Citations (3)
Related on TokRepo
AI Coding ToolsPrompt LibraryFeatured Workflows
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Source & Thanks

Created by Drona Gangarapu. Licensed under MIT.

claude-token-efficient — ⭐ 3,100+

Thank you for helping developers save tokens and get more concise AI responses.

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