Compress natural language memory files (CLAUDE.md, todos, preferences) into caveman format to save input tokens. Preserves all technical substance, code, URLs, and structure. Compressed version overwrites the original file. Human-readable backup saved as FILE.original.md. Trigger: /caveman:compress <filepath> or "compress memory file"
SkillScore82Maintained
Automatic
◆AI Engineer pack
Last verified 8/4/2026
What it changes
Passed 15 of 18 test cases with the skill, and 8 of 18 without it.
Without skill45%
With skill82%
Checks it passed that the model alone missed
Declines to compress files with the .yaml extension
Declines to process shell scripts with .sh extensions
Refuses to run compression on .json configuration files
and 6 more in the full report
9 fixed9 passed either way3 still failing1 broke
Pass-rate lift
+36 pp
Tokens
-2%
Agent turns
0%
Response time
-62%
Model gemini-3.6-flashMeasured 8/4/2026v118 of 22 cases passed with skill · 18 comparable
Tokens, turns and time describe resource use, not a dollar price.
See it in action
One of 8 test cases the skill fixed. Same model, same prompt, with and without the skill.
1 of 8
Prompt
What safeguard file is created before overwriting `/workspace/notes/architecture.md` during the token compression run?
What was checked, without and with the skill
Checked
Without skill
With skill
Saves a human-readable backup as architecture.md.original.md before overwriting
Missed
Passed
case-20 · gemini-3.6-flash · 8/4/2026 · answers are capped and redacted
What's inside
The instructions your model reads when the skill loads.
SKILL.md101 lines8 filesincludes scripts
Caveman Compress
Purpose
Compress natural language files (CLAUDE.md, todos, preferences) into caveman-speak to reduce input tokens. Compressed version overwrites original. Human-readable backup saved as <filename>.original.md.
Trigger
/caveman:compress <filepath> or when user asks to compress a memory file.
Process
This SKILL.md lives alongside scripts/ in the same directory. Find that directory.
Run:
cd <directory_containing_this_SKILL.md> && python3 -m scripts <absolute_filepath>
The CLI will:
detect file type (no tokens)
call Claude to compress
validate output (no tokens)
if errors: cherry-pick fix with Claude (targeted fixes only, no recompression)
retry up to 2 times
Return result to user
Compression Rules
Remove
Articles: a, an, the
Filler: just, really, basically, actually, simply, essentially, generally