You don't need to upgrade your Claude plan to fix your token limits. Here are 13 stupidly simple fixes:
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1. Convert PDFs to plain .md before uploading.
2. Crop screenshots (1,300 tokens → under 100).
3. Plan & brainstorm in Chat. Build the file in Cowork
4. Add "Read my folder. Ask me questions first."
5. Only redo the broken part, not the whole output.
6. Batch 3 tasks into 1 message (1 reload, not 3).
7. Hit 'Edit' on your messages, not the new prompt.
8. Start a new chat the second the topic changes.
9. Summarize & start fresh every 15-20 messages.
10. Sonnet for easy tasks. Fable/Opus for deep work
11. Turn off Search + connectors you're not using.
12. Spread your work across 2-3 sessions a day.
13. Trim your "About Me" file under 2,000 words.
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To build your "about me" file, copy the prompt:
Step 1. Go to how-to-ai.guide.
Step 2. Subscribe for free. Don't pay anything.
Step 3. Open my welcome email.
Step 4. Hit the automatic reply button inside.
Step 5. Open Notion link. Go to "Claude cowork"
Step 6. Copy the "Taste interview prompt".
Full breakdown (free): ruben.substack.com/p/ho…