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5 Niche Craftsman Tools You Probably Shouldn’t Waste Your Money On

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The workshop has become a place with specialized gadgets for just about every task you can imagine. However, all this niche inventory often makes your workspace more complicated. It leaves you with a cluttered toolbox packed with pricey, single-purpose items that rarely get used. For many hobbyists and pros, that high-tech solution or a really specific manual tool can be tough to pass up when you’re browsing the hardware store aisles.

If you take a closer look at how useful these items actually are, you’ll see that the classic, versatile tools that have helped tradespeople for generations are often superior to modern, specialized versions. Many of these niche items aren’t good investments because they lack the adaptability of standard equipment.

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By taking a close look at these pricey novelties, you can better appreciate the value of a streamlined, multipurpose tool kit. Tools like speed squares, bungee cords, and extraction sockets can handle a wide range of problems across different projects and have many uses, unlike tools designed for a single use. Even with professional marketing and shiny finishes, you’re probably better off leaving these on the shelf.

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Digital Angle Gauge

The Craftsman Digital Angle Gauge is impressive, but it’s a lot more than you probably need. It’s built as a four-function tool, so it works as an angle finder, a compound cut calculator, a protractor, and a standard level. It can measure angles from 0 to 220 degrees and stays accurate to the nearest 0.1 degree. It’s made from durable aluminum, but is still pretty heavy at 2.7 pounds.

This is the kind of tool you could get from Home Depot that you wouldn’t realize existed. Digital gauges are great if you need decimal-point precision, but you don’t really need it for framing walls or building furniture. A standard speed square or a sliding T-bevel will give you plenty of accuracy for almost any project. Bringing a device with two delicate LCD screens onto a dusty, rough job site is just asking for problems.

One dropped board or a misplaced hammer swing can shatter those screens, turning your expensive tool into useless aluminum. You’re also going to get tired of dealing with batteries and electronic quirks. Even though the tool is built to be tough, an analog version will never run out of power in the middle of a measurement.

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Universal Nut Cracker

The Craftsman Auto Universal Nut Cracker is meant to save you when a nut is stuck and just won’t budge. It uses a hardened steel cutter to split the hardware, working on sizes from 5/16-inch to 7/8-inch across the flats. It’s designed to break rusted or frozen nuts without messing up the threads on the bolt underneath. While that sounds pretty good, it’s often tough to use in real-world situations, like in a cramped engine bay where the frame just won’t fit.

Even though it looks small, it measures 8.35 inches long, 3.35 inches wide, and 1.34 inches high. The maker says you can’t use power tools with it, so you’re stuck using your hands in tight spots where you probably can’t get much leverage anyway. A good set of extraction sockets is usually a better pick for rounded or stuck nuts, since those work on many sizes and aren’t hard to find. Instead of fighting with this tricky gadget, you could just grab a hacksaw or a torch to get that hardware off.

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Even the few people who bought it from Craftsman have left it an average of 1 star out of 5 possible stars. Store reviews, like these bad ones from Ace Hardware, often offer valuable insight from buyers. 

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Auto Caliper Hanger Set

The Craftsman Auto Caliper Hanger Set is a classic example of a tool you just don’t need to pick up. This universal kit works for cars with disc brakes, and it’s supposed to hold the calipers securely while you’re doing brake work. It’s designed to keep the heavy caliper from hanging on your rubber brake lines, which could really damage them. It’s basically a heavy-duty S-hook with a tough coating, so you can reuse it.

Even with all that in mind, it’s really just a single-purpose item that’ll mostly just clutter up your toolbox, which shouldn’t have tools you never use anyway. You can get the same result with things you probably already have in your garage. A basic bungee cord from Tractor Supply, or even a piece of scrap wire from an old coat hanger works just as well. You just bend the wire into an S-shape, and you’re good to go.

This is basically just a simple piece of bent metal made in China. The set does come with a limited lifetime warranty, and the company says it’ll replace it for any reason, even without a receipt. Still, there’s really no reason to spend your money on a dedicated hanger when alternatives you probably have will work similarly.

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Auto LED Inspection Mirror

The Craftsman Auto LED Inspection Mirror might seem like a smart way to check dark engine corners or behind walls, but it’s mostly a gimmick. It comes with a telescoping wand that has a rubber handle, a 2-inch mirror, and a swivel joint to help you get into tricky spots. The shaft begins at 6-1/4 inches and can stretch out to 37-1/2 inches.

The big selling point is its built-in LED light, which is meant to help you spot leaks or dropped bolts. However, that light is actually its main problem. Since it has an LED, the mirror needs a CR2032 battery to operate. These batteries last a while in a key fob, but drain relatively quickly with larger devices.

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For daily work, a standard telescoping mirror along with a basic headlamp or flashlight is plenty. When you separate the light from the mirror, you actually get better lighting angles. You can bounce the light off the glass to see what you’re checking out without the glare from the built-in LED messing up the reflection. You could even just put a separate light source in the engine bay to light up the whole area instead of counting on one tiny light on a stick.

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3-Jaw Oil Filter Wench

The Craftsman 3-jaw Oil Filter Wrench is another niche item that most people can live without. It’s marketed as a universal way to handle oil changes on different vehicles, promising to make the job simpler for anyone, regardless of their skill level. The tool uses metal jaws made from heat-treated steel. It’s designed to handle filters from 2 inches to 4-1/2 inches in diameter. It’s a low-profile item that’s 1.61 inches high and about 6.85 inches long, weighing in at 0.82 pounds.

Even with those specs and a lifetime warranty, this gadget isn’t a necessary purchase. It uses a gear mechanism to grip the filter while you turn it with a 3/8-inch or 1/2-inch drive ratchet. While it technically works, it’s not as versatile as some options. You likely already have many of the basic oil change tools from a store like Harbor Freight. A pair of filter pliers can handle the same job and will fit a much wider range of filter sizes.

This wrench is a heavy chunk of metal that takes up space. Sticking to a reliable strap wrench or standard pliers will save you money and keep your collection uncomplicated. Those tools also work for basic plumbing repairs, whereas this wrench does only one thing.

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Why these were picked

The hardware aisle is filled with specialized gadgets, like those in the Craftsman catalog, that solve singular problems rather than being multi-function tools. While these get marketed as revolutionary solutions to common mechanical hurdles, they can be a poor investment. These niche items tend to prioritize flashy, single-purpose engineering over the rugged adaptability that has defined the trades for generations.

Standard equipment like speed squares, extraction sockets, bungee cords, and basic strap wrenches gives you a level of durability and broad utility that specialized gear can’t match. These classic alternatives aren’t just way more affordable; they also do the same job without electronic glitches or taking up too much space. Being smart in the workshop is often about being clever, not about buying the fanciest gadgets.

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Waymo is set to launch its London pilot this month, here’s what you need to know

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Waymo’s driverless taxis are making their way to London, starting with a pilot this month (April 2026), with a full launch coming in September, but what does that mean for the UK’s capital?

Will the city’s notoriously difficult-to-drive streets become a chaotic mess of robot carnage? Well, hopefully not — in fact, if the London experience is anything like the Waymos I’ve ridden in San Francisco, it might be the Uber replacement you’ve been waiting for.

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iPhone Fold delays appear possible as early testing hits snags

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Apple’s supply chain partners have been warned that mass production of iPhone Fold components could be pushed back if current setbacks aren’t overcome. “More time is needed.”

Gold folding iPhone render partially open on a glossy desk, dual rear cameras visible, beside a cute glowing round cat lamp and a wooden wall background
iPhone Fold runs into snags in production testing

The iPhone Fold has been rumored since Samsung foldables first hit the market in 2019. Even though the expensive category never grew out of a select niche, vocal Apple fans have hoped for such a product from the company for years.
It seemed that 2026 would finally be the year Apple unveiled an iPhone Fold, but that hope may be misplaced. According to a report from Nikkei Asia, Apple’s supply chain has been warned of a potential mass production and shipment delay.
Rumor Score: 🤯 Likely
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Russia's attempt to block VPNs is causing widespread banking outages

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According to Telegram CEO Pavel Durov, the Kremlin’s increasing efforts to control and censor the global internet are causing widespread problems for Russian users. The Russian-born entrepreneur confirmed that Telegram is now banned in the country, yet more than 50 million Russians continue to use it daily via VPNs.
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Trump Fires Attorney General Pam Bondi For Not Making His Vindictive Fantasies A Reality

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from the bring-in-the-next-scapegoat! dept

You’re never safe when you’re working for Trump. That much was obvious in Trump’s first term, when he fired Attorney General Jeff Sessions, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, National Security Advisor John Bolton, and FBI Director James Comey. They were all fired for the same reason: failing to be completely loyal to Trump.

This time around even die-hard MAGA loyalists are being fired. DHS head Kristi Noem was dismissed from her position, despite being the enthusiastic figurehead of anti-migrant cruelty Trump definitely wanted in that position. Now, she’s cooling her heels and watching the dust settle on her political hopes as the doesn’t-sound-made-up-at-allSpecial Envoy for the Shield of the Americas.”

Less than a month later, another head has rolled. This time it’s Pam Bondi, who’s getting fired for failing to do the impossible while still remaining fiercely loyal to the Trump’s lost causes.

In recent weeks, Ms. Bondi tried to shore up her position by moving more aggressively against investigative targets singled out by Mr. Trump, including the former Obama official John O. Brennan and a former White House aide, Cassidy Hutchinson, whom the president has accused of lying about his actions on Jan. 6, 2021, according to officials briefed on the effort.

It is not entirely clear if any specific action or event finally tipped the balance for Mr. Trump, who had been reluctant to fire senior officials to avoid reprising the chaotic turnstile personnel turnover of his first administration.

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But with the dismissal of Ms. Noem and now Ms. Bondi, that might be changing. His calculus appears to have shifted after the quick confirmation of Markwayne Mullin as Ms. Noem’s replacement.

Bondi’s head may have been destined for the chopping block months ago, when Trump (in what appeared to be a personal message accidentally posted on main) berated Bondi for not doing all the impossible stuff he wanted done right now, like engaging in vindictive prosecutions that were (1) obviously vindictive, and (2) didn’t have enough evidence to support the hallucinatory charges dreamed up by Trump and his DOJ enablers.

Nothing has improved since then. Lots of prosecutors have left the DOJ, refusing to engage in Trump’s overt politicization of the department. Others have been dismissed for the same reason. A handful of handpicked prosecutors have been sidelined by judges because they were never formally appointed. And grand juries are frequently refusing to buy what the government’s selling, terminating prosecutions before they can even get off the ground.

Not that we should expect anything better (or more ethical) from her replacement. Todd Blanche is a true Trump loyalist. But he’s taking over a DOJ that’s short on experience, long on MAGA loyalty, and whose reputation has been completely destroyed by this administration and its actions.

The stuff Bondi failed to get done will continue to not happen. Anyone stepping into this position should know it’s only going to be temporary. The president who thinks he’s a king will continue to see courts stifle his worst impulses. Changing the name on the letterhead isn’t suddenly going to make vindictive, politically motivated prosecutions any more legal or feasible.

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But I don’t have any sympathy for anyone being shit-canned for failing to satisfy the whims of a megalomaniac who thinks he’s a king, rather than a temporarily elevated politician. They’re far more than merely complicit. They’re fully supportive of destroying America and its institutions to usher in a new age of white Christian nationalism. So, fuck ’em. They got what they deserved.

Filed Under: doj, epstein files, failure, pam bondi, todd blanche, trump administration, vindictive prosecution

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Artemis II: Everything We Know as Its Crew Approaches the Far Side of the Moon

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On day six of its mission, Artemis II is closing in on the far side of the moon. Meanwhile, the historic journey has not been without fascinating and curious stories, from the images and videos that its four crew members have shared with the world to the inevitable unforeseen events—including a tricky toilet situation.

A few hours before the crew begins its lunar flyby, here’s how things are going on Artemis II.

When Will They Reach the Far Side of the Moon?

While Artemis II won’t actually land on the moon (that won’t happen until Artemis IV), that does not make this mission any less compelling. Once the Artemis II astronauts finish flying over the dark side of the moon, they will have the historic distinction of being the humans who have traveled the farthest from Earth.

They will also test all the systems needed for future lunar missions, validating life support, navigation, spacesuits, communications, and other human operations in deep space.

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But when are they supposed to reach this far-off point? First, the Orion capsule reached what is known as the moon’s “sphere of influence” on Sunday night. This is the point where the moon’s gravitational force is stronger than the force of the Earth.

At present, Orion is circling the moon. Once the capsule is on the dark side of the moon, approximately 7,000 kilometers from the surface, communications with Earth will be interrupted. For six hours, they will be able to view the far side of the moon, something no human being has ever seen with their own eyes—not even the astronauts of the Apollo program, as this region of the moon was always too dark or difficult for them to reach.

That six-hour flyby of the dark side of the moon is expected to begin Monday, April 6, at 2:45 pm EDT and 7:45 pm London time.

After that, the capsule will use the moon’s gravity to propel itself back to Earth. Splashdown, when the astronauts reach Earth, is scheduled for April 10 in the Pacific Ocean, not far from the coast of California, the 10th day of the mission.

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Remember that you can follow the live broadcast of the Artemis II mission from NASA’s official channels.

What Has Happened so Far?

Since its successful launch on April 1 from Kennedy Space Center, the Artemis II crew has shared several spectacular photos, such as the featured image in this post, which shows mission specialist Christina Koch looking down at Earth through one of Orion’s main cabin windows.

This incredible photo of a Earth, taken on April 2, went viral on social media, referencing the famous “Blue Marble” image captured by the Apollo 17 astronauts in 1972.

nasa luna artemis

View of Earth taken by astronaut Reid Wiseman from the window of the Orion spacecraft after completing the translunar injection maneuver on April 2, 2026.Photograph: Reid Wiseman/NASA/Getty Images

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Gozney Dome Gen 2 Review: The Ultimate Backyard Flex

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(One word on the arch, though—it reduces the oven mouth width from 16.5 inches to about 13 inches. I learned the hard way one night that many pizza peels will no longer fit, including Gozney’s own large-size models. Make sure you have a peel that’s 12 inches or smaller.)

Also, thanks to the generous ceiling height, the Dome is a more versatile oven than its competitors in that it can be used for cooking meals other than pizzas. Steaks, fish, or other skillet meals are safe not to splatter on the ceiling, and two included meat probes can be connected to show real-time temps on the Gozney’s display. (Among the Dome’s accessories is a mantel designed to extend the cooking surface for things like skillets and dutch ovens, as well as a wood-handled door to enclose the oven for baking.)

King of the Road

Image may contain Fireplace Indoors Device Appliance Electrical Device and Oven

Photograph: Kat Merck

While the Gozney isn’t a permanent install, unless you spring for the wheeled stand ($500), you will want a sturdy, semi-permanent space where it can live, as well as moving help. The stainless steel body and 30-millimeter corderite stone weigh a total of 150 pounds in the packaging—instructions recommend four people to lift the box, though my husband and I were able to lift it ourselves onto a Gorilla wagon to carry it to its testing location on our deck.

There are straps on the bottom of the oven for maneuvering, but the Dome really should only be lifted once; you will not be carrying it in and out of the garage like an Ooni. There is a cover for either the oven by itself or on its stand, but like all of the accessories, it’s not included.

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Speaking of Ooni: Like the Koda Max, the Dome heavily touts its size as being ideal for cooking “up to two pizzas at once.” However, if you’re buying a dedicated pizza oven, you probably want high heat, and if you want high heat, this requires frequent turning of a pie—usually every 30 seconds—to ensure it cooks evenly. (Gozney turning peel: $80.) Multiple pies in the oven will complicate access, to say nothing of the logistical issues. You will also likely find yourself needing to move the pie to the side farthest away from the flame at times, to avoid charring your cornicione.

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German authorities identify REvil and GangCrab ransomware bosses

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German authorities identify REvil and GangCrab ransomware bosses

The Federal Police in Germany (BKA) has identified two Russian nationals as the leaders of GandCrab and REvil ransomware operations between 2019 and 2021.

According to BKA’s disclosure, 31-year-old Daniil Maksimovich Shchukin and 43-year-old Anatoly Sergeevitsch Kravchuk acted as the heads of the two ransomware groups “from at least the beginning of 2019 until at least July 2021.”

Shchukin hid behind the monikers UNKN/UNKNOWN for years, posting on cybercrime forums and speaking as a representative of the ransomware operation.

Wiz

The German authorities say that Shchukin and Kravchuk participated in at least 130 extortion cases targeting companies in the country specifically.

Following these attacks, at least 25 victims paid Shchukin and his co-conspirators $2.2 million in ransom, while the total financial damage caused by them is estimated in excess of $40 million.

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GandCrab started in early 2018, and its leader at the time decided to retire in June 2019, after claiming to have earned $2 billion from ransom payments. The leader, however, cashed out with $150 million, which they claimed to have invested in legal businesses.

GandCrab leader announcing their retirement
GandCrab leader announces retirement
source: BleepingComputer

Soon after, a new operation called REvil emerged, following the affiliate model established by GandCrab through advertising and building partnerships with cybercriminals.

REvil, also known as Sodinokibi, was formed from previous GandCrab affiliates and operators who had already learned the successful tactics and started to apply them to their operations.

REvil later added public leak sites and ran data auctions to pressure victims. Notable victims include multiple Texas local governmentscomputer giant Acer, and the Kaseya supply-chain attack that impacted around 1,500 downstream victims.

Following the massive Kaseya hack, REvil took a two-month break, during which law enforcement breached their servers and started to monitor operations.

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Multiple infrastructure disruptions were recorded at the time, and in mid-January 2022, Russia arrested more than a dozen REvil gang members, who were released in 2025 after time served on carding charges.

It is unclear if either Shchukin or Kravchuk joined other ransomware operations following REvil’s demise in 2021.

BKA believes that Shchukin and Kravchuk are now in Russia and asks the public to share any information that could lead to their whereabouts. Relevant entries were also created on the EU’s Most Wanted portal.

The police shared several images, including tattoo photos, to help track down the two threat actors and bring them to justice.

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Automated pentesting proves the path exists. BAS proves whether your controls stop it. Most teams run one without the other.

This whitepaper maps six validation surfaces, shows where coverage ends, and provides practitioners with three diagnostic questions for any tool evaluation.

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One of Our Favorite 360 Cams Is 35 Percent Off

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Tired of taking your action camera on an adventure, only to get home and find out you missed the action with a bad angle? One option is to switch to a 360-degree action cam, so you can capture all of the action and then edit down to just the good stuff later. One of our favorite options, the DJI Osmo 360, is currently available for just $390 on Amazon, a $209 discount from its usual price, and it comes with a selfie stick and an extra battery.

The DJI Osmo 360 achieves its impressive all-around video quality by leveraging a pair of 1/1.1-inch sensors, larger than some other offerings, and by supporting 10-bit color. You can really see that in the camera’s output, with colors that are vivid and bold, to the point that you may need to dial them back a bit in post if you want something more natural. With support for up to 50 frames per second at 8K when recording in 360 degrees, or 120 fps at 4K when shooting with only one sensor, you’ll have plenty of material to work with. In our testing, it ran for just shy of two hours at 30 fps, which is also around the time the internal storage had filled up anyway.

If you plan on catching any serious discussions with your Osmo 360, you’ll be pleased to know it connects directly to DJI’s line of wireless lavalier microphones, including the excellent and frequently discounted DJI Mic 2 and Mic Mini. If you want to mount it to something other than the included 1.2-meter selfie stick, it has both DJI’s magnetic attachment system and a more traditional ¼”-20 tripod mount. The DJI Mimo app lets you control the camera and adjust any settings, and there’s even a simple editor for on-the-fly production. For desktop users, DJI Studio has even more in-depth settings and editing options, in case you don’t want to pay for Premiere.

The DJI Osmo 360 is one of our favorite action cameras, and is particularly appealing at the discounted price point, but make sure to check out our full review for more info, or head over to our full roundup to see what else is available.

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The League of Legends KeSPA cup will air globally on Disney+

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Disney has inked a deal with the Korea Esports Association that will bring several gaming tournaments to the its streaming platform. Disney+ will be the global live streaming home for Esports Champions Asia Jinju 2026, the 2026 League of Legends KeSPA CUP and some preliminary events ahead of the 20th Asian Games Aichi-Nagoya 2026. This agreement expands KeSPA’s arrangement with Disney, which only streamed its esports events to viewers in Asia last year.

Esports Champions Asia is the first event on the calendar, occurring April 24-26 with professional teams from across the continent squaring up in tournaments for games including Street Fighter 6, The King of Fighters XV, TEKKEN 8 and the eFootball series. Disney+ will also be an official streamer for the PUBG Mobile and Eternal Return competitions during that weekend.

It could be helpful for western esports fans to have a single location for watching the major events happening in Asia. However, many tournaments are currently free to watch on Twitch or YouTube, so now needing a Disney+ subscription to catch some of these international competitions might feel onerous. Esports might run the risk of turning into the fragmented set of rights deals that plagues traditional sports leagues, where a game could be on one of a half dozen different paid services each night. It’s also likely going to mean co-streamers take a hit to their viewership, since Disney seems unlikely to offer the same sort of broadcast access that has made the practice popular on Twitch.

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So Expensive, A Caveman Can Do It

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A few years back a company had an ad campaign with a discouraged caveman who was angry because the company claimed their website was “so easy, even a caveman could do it.” Maybe that inspired [JuliusBrussee] to create caveman, a tool for reducing costs when using Claude Code.

The trick is that Claude, like other LLMs, operates on tokens. Tokens aren’t quite words, but they are essentially words or word fragments. Most LLM plans also charge you by the token. So fewer tokens means lower costs. However, LLMs can be quite verbose, unless you make them talk like a caveman.

For example, here is some normal output from Claude:

Sure! I’d be happy to help you with that. The issue you’re experiencing is most likely caused by your authentication middleware not properly validating the token expiry. Let me take a look and suggest a fix.

After Caveman that is reduced to:

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Bug in auth middleware. Token expiry check use < not <=. Fix:

Turns out, you can understand the caveman output just fine.

There are a few rules. Caveman removes filler words, but knows to keep technical terms, code blocks, and error messages intact. It also outputs normal messages for things like commits.

As the website says: “Caveman not dumb. Caveman efficient. Caveman say what need saying. Then stop. If caveman save you mass token, mass money — leave mass star.”

If you want to code with an LLM, make sure you understand the terms of service. If you want to learn more about how LLMs work with tokens and other details, but want to skip the math, we can help with that.

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