Claude Code Exposes Hidden Token Drains

Claude Code’s biggest cost problem is often invisible orchestration, not the code it writes. The new diagnostics make agent economics measurable—and expose why “idle” sessions can still consume meaningful usage.

• –`/usage` breaks usage down by models, loops, subagents, skills, plugins, and MCP servers.
• –Scheduled tasks, cross-session messages, goal check-ins, and prompt suggestions can trigger requests while a session appears idle.
• –Cache misses after long breaks reprocess the full context, creating sharp usage spikes.
• –Agent teams multiply costs because every teammate maintains its own context window; small teams and focused prompts matter.
• –Developers can reduce waste by clearing stale sessions, disabling unnecessary check-ins, holding inbound messages, and choosing cheaper models for coordination.