CostClaw: Reduce OpenClaw Agent Costs

CostClaw is an innovative, open-source plugin designed specifically for OpenClaw users who seek to optimize their costs associated with LLM API calls. By tracking each call and providing real-time cost insights, users can more effectively manage their spending, preventing unexpected bills that can range from $50 to $300 a month.

Key Features

• Real-time Cost Dashboard: Access a dedicated dashboard at http://localhost:3333 for immediate cost analysis.
• Per-Model Cost Breakdown: Get detailed insights into the costs and token usage of each model utilized.
• Usage by Source: Separate cost categories for user messages, heartbeat checks, cron jobs, and subagents highlight expenditure patterns.
• Session Cost Tracking: Identify the most expensive conversations and understand where adjustments can be made.
• Automated Recommendations: CostClaw generates specific suggestions based on actual usage data to help lower expenses.
• Support for 30+ Models: Includes wide-ranging model support, such as Claude, GPT, Gemini, and more.
• Privacy-Focused: All data remains on the local machine, ensuring sensitive information is protected.

How CostClaw Enhances Cost Visibility

OpenClaw agents operate continuously, triggering multiple API calls which can lead to hidden costs. CostClaw reveals the true costs associated with:

• Heartbeat agents running unnecessarily on expensive models.
• Subagents that quintuple costs due to cascading LLM calls triggered by a single user message.
• Model choices that may not be the most cost-effective for simpler tasks.

Example Queries

Once installed, a user can directly interact with the OpenClaw agent using commands such as:

• "How much have I spent today?" — Provides current spending details.
• "Open the cost dashboard" — Launches the dashboard in a web browser.
• "Which model is costing me the most?" — Retrieves a breakdown of costs by model.

Dashboard Insights

The dashboard includes critical metrics such as today's costs, token usage, monthly totals, and trends, all designed to empower users to make informed decisions. From spend trends to session summaries, the information presented helps identify areas for potential savings.

Get Started

To quickly install CostClaw, use OpenClaw’s plugin command and access the dashboard in seconds.

Contributing

CostClaw is open for contributions, allowing users to enhance features, expand model pricing, and report bugs.

For users of OpenClaw, CostClaw is an essential tool for budget-conscious management of LLM calls, fostering efficiency and awareness around spending.