RTK: a Rust CLI proxy that cuts coding-agent token use by 60-90%

RTK (Rust Token Killer) is a single-binary CLI proxy that compresses shell-command output before it reaches a coding agent, cutting tokens on git, test, and build output by 60-90%.

Why it matters

What you could build with it

Does it hold up?

Usable now with a caveat: the 80% compression on bash output is real, but built-in Read/Grep/Glob calls bypass it, so whole-session savings are closer to 17%; still a quick win for heavy terminal users.

Built with RTK

• RTK CLI Proxy Cuts LLM Token Usage 60-90% for Developersarticle · Nov 6 launch coverage: RTK sits between shell commands and coding assistants, filtering context for 60-90% token cuts, MIT licensed, with installers for macOS, Linux, and Windows.
• RTK Cuts 80% of Your Token Waste, But Read the Fine Printarticle · Honest field report: 80%+ savings hold on bash output, but only Bash tool calls pass through the hook, so net session-wide savings land near 17%.
• RTK Token Optimizer skilllobehub · Skill listing for RTK with install commands, rtk gain savings analytics, and the crates.io name-collision warning.

Learn more

technical deep dive →

First spotted on github: source.

More AI coding tools