What is RTK for Claude Code?

RTK is a token optimization proxy that intercepts Bash commands to compress output before it is sent to Claude, significantly reducing token costs.

Does RTK change my actual command results?

RTK only filters the output seen by the AI; it does not change the actual execution or state of your local environment or files.

How much can I save on tokens with RTK?

Users typically see a 60-90% reduction in token usage, particularly with high-volume outputs like directory trees, logs, and test results.

How do I check my token savings?

You can run 'rtk gain' to see a summary of your stats, or 'rtk gain --graph' for a visual representation of your savings over the last 30 days.

Does RTK require manual intervention?

No, RTK works transparently via a PreToolUse hook. It automatically rewrites commands like 'git status' to 'rtk git status' in the background.

RTK is a performance-focused proxy for Claude Code that transparently intercepts Bash commands to minimize token usage. By filtering redundant data from Git status, Docker logs, test runners, and file operations via a PreToolUse hook, it allows developers to stay within rate limits and reduce costs without changing their workflow. The skill operates automatically in the background while providing detailed analytics via command-line tools to track token savings, project discovery, and monthly quota usage.

Key Features

01Transparently intercepts Bash commands via PreToolUse hooks

02Reduces token consumption by up to 90% for test outputs and file reads

03Ultra-compact mode for aggressive output reduction

041 GitHub stars

05Supports intelligent filtering for Git, Docker, Kubernetes, and test runners

06Provides detailed savings analytics and monthly quota tracking

Use Cases

01Extending daily AI rate limits by minimizing the payload of every command execution

02Managing large monorepos where standard Git commands consume excessive tokens

03Optimizing long test runner outputs to focus Claude's attention only on failures

name

rtk

description

RTK token optimization proxy. Transparent via PreToolUse hook. Use this skill to check token savings, troubleshoot hook issues, or manually optimize specific commands.

metadata

context	auto-trigger
rtk, token, optimization, proxy	false

RTK - Token Optimization Proxy

Overview

RTK transparently intercepts Bash commands via a PreToolUse hook, filtering and compressing output to reduce LLM token consumption by 60-90%. No manual intervention needed for daily use.

How It Works

Claude Code: git status
  -> Hook rewrites to: rtk git status
  -> RTK executes git status, filters output
  -> Claude receives compact output (~75% fewer tokens)

Token Savings Check

rtk gain                    # Summary stats
rtk gain --graph            # ASCII graph (last 30 days)
rtk gain --history          # With recent command history
rtk gain --quota --tier 20x # Monthly quota analysis (pro/5x/20x)
rtk gain --daily            # Daily breakdown
rtk gain --all              # All breakdowns combined
rtk gain --all --format json # JSON export

Project Discovery

rtk discover                # Current project stats
rtk discover --all          # All Claude Code projects
rtk discover --all --since 7 # Last 7 days

Manual Usage (when needed)

# File operations
rtk ls .                    # Compact directory tree (-80%)
rtk read file.rs            # Smart file reading (-70%)
rtk read file.rs -l aggressive # Signatures only (strips bodies)
rtk grep "pattern" .        # Grouped search results (-80%)
rtk json config.json        # Structure without values

# Git operations
rtk git status              # Compact status (-75%)
rtk git log -n 10           # One-line commits
rtk git diff                # Condensed diff

# Test output
rtk cargo test              # Failures only (-90%)
rtk vitest run              # Failures only (-99%)
rtk pytest                  # Failures only (-90%)
rtk go test ./...           # NDJSON format (-90%)

# Error filtering
rtk err npm run build       # Errors/warnings only
rtk tsc                     # Grouped by file
rtk lint                    # Grouped by rule

# Docker/K8s
rtk docker ps               # Compact (-80%)
rtk kubectl get pods         # Compact (-80%)

Troubleshooting

Problem	Solution
Hook not working	Restart Claude Code
Wrong rtk package	`rtk gain` should work; if not, `brew reinstall rtk`
Check hook status	`rtk init --show`
Full uninstall	`rtk init -g --uninstall`
Full output needed	Check `~/.local/share/rtk/tee/` for unfiltered logs

Configuration

# Config file location
~/.config/rtk/config.toml

# Hook files
~/.claude/hooks/rtk-rewrite.sh   # Hook script
~/.claude/RTK.md                 # Slim reference
~/.local/share/rtk/history.db    # Tracking DB

Global Flags

rtk -u <cmd>    # Ultra-compact mode (extra savings)
rtk -v <cmd>    # Verbose output

RTK Token Optimizer