Best alternative to caveman
Tokenade is the best alternative to caveman — Universal token-optimization engine for AI coding agents — native hooks for 18 agents combine output filtering, semantic code search, skeleton compression, sandboxed execution, MCP proxying and a live savings dashboard in a single dependency-free binary.
Get TokenadeOutput Filtering
Format-aware compactors cover git, cargo, kubectl, terraform, docker and more — 60–99% reduction on the noisiest commands. Command rewriting further trims source-side before the shell even runs.
Output Filtering
Not available. caveman compresses what the model emits, not what tool outputs feed into context.
Semantic Code Search
Finds the most relevant files for a task and sends only those to the model, instead of the whole repo. Runs fully on-device with no external vector database and no model downloads — fast even on large codebases.
Semantic Code Search
Not available.
Skeleton Compression
Signatures-only view of source files, YAML, Markdown and Terraform — −64% on file reads while preserving every top-level declaration. Stacks on top of output filtering for maximum savings.
Output-Style Compression
65–75% average output token reduction measured with raw Claude API receipts. 4 levels (lite/full/ultra/wenyan). caveman-compress rewrites CLAUDE.md into telegraphic form (~46% input savings). MCP description shrinking via caveman-shrink middleware.
Third-Party MCP Optimization
tokenade mcp-proxy wraps any third-party MCP server's launch command in the agent's MCP config, so every tool result (verbose JSON, logs, console output) is folded on the way back — set once, not per call. Image results pass through untouched.
MCP Description Shrinking
caveman-shrink wraps any MCP server and rewrites tool descriptions into compact telegraphic form — reduces manifest token cost without hiding tools.
Mechanism Breadth
The only tool combining output filtering + semantic search + skeleton compression + sandbox execution + MCP proxying + secret redaction + content-addressed cache in a single binary. On the open THOL benchmark it is the only one of the twelve tools tested that measurably cuts costs: 23% cheaper than running no tool at all, and 39% cheaper on long sessions.
Mechanism Breadth
Output-style enforcement + CLAUDE.md rewriting + MCP description shrinking. Uniquely targets the output side of the token budget — a layer most tools ignore entirely.
Savings Dashboard
tokenade dashboard shows measured savings, per-command and per-project breakdown, and framework-detection status. Local logs rotate automatically with built-in secret redaction.
Statusline Savings Badge
[CAVEMAN] ⛏ 12.4k statusline badge tracks lifetime tokens saved. No per-command breakdown or session analytics.
caveman at a glance
caveman starts at Free (open source). JavaScript skill/plugin for 30+ coding agents that switches the model's output to telegraphic 'caveman talk', plus a caveman-shrink MCP middleware that compresses tool descriptions — claiming 65–75% output token reduction with honest Claude API receipt benchmarks.
Pros
- Targets the output side of the token budget — a layer most input-side optimizers don't touch
- Honest benchmark: avg 65%, range 22–87%, measured with raw Claude API receipts vs concise baseline
- 30+ agent coverage with auto-detection (Claude Code, Codex, Gemini, Cursor, Windsurf, Cline, Copilot)
- Zero infrastructure: skill files + prompts; 30-second install via curl/irm
- Statusline gamification (lifetime savings badge) drives ongoing awareness
Cons
- Style enforcement can degrade reasoning quality for nuanced explanations — acknowledged in the readme
- No measurable saving on the open THOL benchmark
- No control over tool outputs (input side) — only model-generated speech
- Not a substitute for shell/tool boundary compression on noisy commands
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