| name | model-router |
| description | Classify a task and pick the right Claude model tier (haiku/sonnet/opus) before significant work. Use every time before spawning a sub-agent or starting substantial work, to right-size the model to the task. |
| category | meta |
| maturity | stable |
| tags | ["model-routing","tier-selection","cost","classifier","subagents"] |
Model Router Skill
Use EVERY TIME you are about to spawn a sub-agent or do significant work. Classify the task first, then use the right model tier.
Step 1: Classify
node ${MODEL_ROUTER_HOME:-$HOME/projects/model-router}/classify.cjs "your task description here"
Or get JSON for scripting:
node ${MODEL_ROUTER_HOME:-$HOME/projects/model-router}/classify.cjs --json "task description"
Step 2: Spawn with the recommended model
sessions_spawn(task=..., model="<model from classifier>")
Step 3: Log usage (optional but encouraged)
node ${MODEL_ROUTER_HOME:-$HOME/projects/model-router}/log-usage.cjs --task "..." --tier fast --model "..."
Tier guide
fast — anthropic/claude-haiku-4-5
Use for: summarize, format, extract, classify, convert, translate, clean data, rename, sort, filter
Cost: ~1× baseline
When in doubt about simple tasks, start here.
balanced — anthropic/claude-sonnet-4-6 (default)
Use for: explain, compare, draft, review, outline, moderate analysis, code with clear spec
Cost: ~15× baseline
powerful — anthropic/claude-opus-4-5
Use for: deep analysis, architecture decisions, complex tradeoffs, research synthesis, debates, long-form strategy
Cost: ~75× baseline
Reserve for tasks where quality clearly matters more than speed/cost.
Classification signals
Fast triggers: summarize, format, extract, classify, categorize, convert, translate, list, count, clean, parse, fix typos, rename, sort, filter, deduplicate, "quick", "simple", "brief", "just"
Powerful triggers: "analyze deeply", architecture, tradeoffs, debate, hypothesis, synthesize, "design system", "evaluate options", comprehensive, thorough, research, strategy, critique, multiple complex questions
Usage stats
node ${MODEL_ROUTER_HOME:-$HOME/projects/model-router}/usage-report.cjs
node ${MODEL_ROUTER_HOME:-$HOME/projects/model-router}/usage-report.cjs --days 30
