Claude uses tokens, think of them as credits, every time you send a message. Longer conversations, bigger files and more powerful models all use more. These nine habits keep you fast and efficient.
Before you start
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Shrink your files
PDFs and screenshots eat tokens fast. Copy and paste the text into a plain file instead. Crop images to only what matters.
Smaller file, fewer credits burned.
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Plan first, build last
Don’t start with “make me a spreadsheet.” Use chat to work out what you want. Once it’s clear, then build the file.
Thinking in chat is cheap. Building files costs more.
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Say “ask me questions”
Stop writing 500-word prompts. Add “Ask me questions before you start.” Then click the options Claude gives you.
A few quick answers beat a 500-word prompt.
While you’re working
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Edit, don’t resend
Made a mistake? Don’t send a new message. Hit Edit on the old one, fix it and regenerate. The old version is replaced, not stacked.
Every “no wait, I meant” makes your chat more expensive.
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Start fresh every 15 to 20 messages
Long chats get expensive fast, because every new message re-reads the whole history. After 15 to 20 messages, ask for a summary, copy it, start a new chat and paste it in.
Short chats cost less.
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Pick the right model
Haiku for quick tasks and simple questions (fast, cheap). Sonnet for code, charts and everyday work (the middle ground). Opus for writing, reports and strategy (smart, costly).
Don’t use a bulldozer to plant a flower.
System habits
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Use Projects for recurring files
Stop uploading the same file to every chat. Put it in a Project once, and every chat inside that Project can see it.
Upload once, reuse in every chat.
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Turn off what you don’t need
Web search, connectors and extended thinking all use more of your allowance, even when you don’t need them. If you’re just writing, turn them off.
Only pay for what you’re using right now.
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Batch tasks and spread your day
Don’t burn everything in one morning. Usage is measured over a rolling window of a few hours, so work in two or three sessions across the day. Put three tasks in one message, not three messages.
By the time you’re back, your limit has rolled off.
How usage limits work
On paid plans, usage is measured over rolling windows rather than resetting daily, and Team plans give each person more usage than a personal Pro account. Anthropic adjusts the exact limits, so check your plan’s current allowance in Settings. The habits above keep you clear of the limit. If you do hit it, switch to a shorter conversation or a lighter model (Haiku) while the window rolls on.
