5 ms·

I'm using Gemini 2.5 Pro with Aider and Cline for work. I'd say when working for 8 full hours without any meetings or other interruptions, I'd hit around $2. In

by m3adow 1y ago

I'm using Gemini 2.5 Pro with Aider and Cline for work. I'd say when working for 8 full hours without any meetings or other interruptions, I'd hit around $2. In practice, I average at $0.50 and hit $1 once in the last weeks.

beacon294 1y ago
This is very inexpensive. What is your workflow and savings techniques! I can spend $10/h or more with very short sessions and few files.
- m3adow 1y ago
  Huh, I didn't configure anything for saving, honestly. I just add the whole repo and do my stuff. How do you get to $10/h? I probably couldn't even provoke this. I assume we have a very different workflow.
  - theonething 1y ago
    do you use any tool to add the whole repo?
  - beacon294 1y ago
    What is your workflow? Mine is add minimal files (2-5), keep sessions short, and ask for specific tasks generally in 1 file.
bluehatbrit 1y ago
I'd be really keen to know more about what you're using it for, how you typically prompt it, and how many times you're reaching for it. I've had some success at keeping spend low but can also easily spend $4 from a single prompt so I don't tend to use tools like Aider much. I'd be much more likely to use them if I knew I could reliably keep the spend down.
- m3adow 1y ago
  I'll try to elaborate: I'm using VSC for most edits, tab-completion is done via Copilot, I don't use it that much though, as I find the prediction to be subpar or too wordy in case of commenting. I use Aider for rubber-ducking and implementing small to mid-scope changes. Normally, I add the required files, change to architect or ask mode (depends on the problem I want to solve), explain what my problem is and how I want it to be solved. If the Aider answer satisfies me, I change to coding mode and allow the changes. No magic, I have no idea how a single prompt can generate $4. I wouldn't be surprised if I'm only scratching on the surface with my approach though, maybe there is a better but more costly strategy yielding better results which I just didn't realize yet.
didgeoridoo 1y ago
Wow my first venture into Claude Code (which completely failed for a minor feature addition on a tiny Swift codebase) burned $5 in about 20 minutes. Probably related to Sonnet 3.7’s rampant ADHD and less the CLI tool itself (and maybe a bit of LLMs-suck-at-Swift?)
- liveoneggs 1y ago
  In my testing aider tends to spend about 1/10th the money as claude code. I assume because, in aider, you are explicit about /add and everything
Aeolun 1y ago
Not sure how that’s possible? Do you ask it one question every hour or so?

by m3adow 1y ago

beacon294 1y ago

This is very inexpensive. What is your workflow and savings techniques! I can spend $10/h or more with very short sessions and few files.

m3adow 1y ago
Huh, I didn't configure anything for saving, honestly. I just add the whole repo and do my stuff. How do you get to $10/h? I probably couldn't even provoke this. I assume we have a very different workflow.
- theonething 1y ago
  do you use any tool to add the whole repo?
- beacon294 1y ago
  What is your workflow? Mine is add minimal files (2-5), keep sessions short, and ask for specific tasks generally in 1 file.

bluehatbrit 1y ago

I'd be really keen to know more about what you're using it for, how you typically prompt it, and how many times you're reaching for it. I've had some success at keeping spend low but can also easily spend $4 from a single prompt so I don't tend to use tools like Aider much. I'd be much more likely to use them if I knew I could reliably keep the spend down.

m3adow 1y ago
I'll try to elaborate: I'm using VSC for most edits, tab-completion is done via Copilot, I don't use it that much though, as I find the prediction to be subpar or too wordy in case of commenting. I use Aider for rubber-ducking and implementing small to mid-scope changes. Normally, I add the required files, change to architect or ask mode (depends on the problem I want to solve), explain what my problem is and how I want it to be solved. If the Aider answer satisfies me, I change to coding mode and allow the changes. No magic, I have no idea how a single prompt can generate $4. I wouldn't be surprised if I'm only scratching on the surface with my approach though, maybe there is a better but more costly strategy yielding better results which I just didn't realize yet.

didgeoridoo 1y ago

Wow my first venture into Claude Code (which completely failed for a minor feature addition on a tiny Swift codebase) burned $5 in about 20 minutes. Probably related to Sonnet 3.7’s rampant ADHD and less the CLI tool itself (and maybe a bit of LLMs-suck-at-Swift?)

liveoneggs 1y ago
In my testing aider tends to spend about 1/10th the money as claude code. I assume because, in aider, you are explicit about /add and everything

Aeolun 1y ago

Not sure how that’s possible? Do you ask it one question every hour or so?