| name | openclaw-cost-guard |
| description | Track OpenClaw/Clawdbot token and cost usage from session JSONL logs (prefer real usage.cost when present), generate daily/weekly summaries and top expensive sessions, and run budget checks (exit code on breach). Use to monitor spend, enforce budgets via cron/alerts, and apply a token-saving playbook to reduce output/tool-call cost. |
OpenClaw Cost Guard
Use this skill when you need:
- accurate cost reports (daily/weekly/lifetime)
- top expensive sessions
- guardrails to reduce token burn (without changing config unless user asks)
1) Data source (important)
Prefer session JSONL logs (they contain per-call usage, often with real USD cost):
- OpenClaw:
~/.openclaw/agents/*/sessions/*.jsonl
- Legacy/compat:
~/.clawdbot/agents/*/sessions/*.jsonl
Do not estimate from “current context window” style token fields.
2) Quick commands
Daily costs (last 7 days)
python3 {baseDir}/scripts/extract_cost.py --last-days 7
Today / yesterday
python3 {baseDir}/scripts/extract_cost.py --today
python3 {baseDir}/scripts/extract_cost.py --yesterday
Top expensive sessions
python3 {baseDir}/scripts/extract_cost.py --top-sessions 10
JSON output (for dashboards)
python3 {baseDir}/scripts/extract_cost.py --last-days 30 --json
3) If cost is missing (fallback estimate)
Some providers may omit usage.cost. You can provide per-1M-token prices:
export PRICE_INPUT=1.75
export PRICE_OUTPUT=14
export PRICE_CACHE_READ=0.175
export PRICE_CACHE_WRITE=0
python3 {baseDir}/scripts/extract_cost.py --last-days 7
4) Budget alerts
The extractor can run as a budget check:
python3 {baseDir}/scripts/extract_cost.py --today --budget-usd 5
- If budget is exceeded, it prints an ALERT and exits with code 2 (default).
- For non-failing checks:
python3 {baseDir}/scripts/extract_cost.py --today --budget-usd 5 --budget-mode warn
Wiring it to a cron alert (recommended)
Run it daily (or hourly) and if exit code is 2, send yourself a Telegram message.
(Implementation depends on your OpenClaw channel setup; do not embed secrets in scripts.)
5) Token-saving playbook (teach the AI)
When the user says “use as few tokens as possible”, apply:
- Default response budget: 1–6 lines, bullets > paragraphs
- Ask 1 question max (only if truly blocking)
- Progressive disclosure: offer details only if asked
- Tool calls: batch; avoid repeated
status/browser calls
- No log dumps into chat; summarize + point to file path
- Hard limits: max 3 web iterations (search/fetch) per task
Optional phrasing to keep yourself in check:
"Answer in <=6 lines. If more is needed, ask permission."
