# RTK

> Apache-2.0 Rust CLI proxy — fewer agent shell tokens

**Category:** AI Agents  
**Pricing:** open-source  
**URL:** https://www.rtk-ai.app  
**GitHub:** https://github.com/rtk-ai/rtk  
**Added:** 2026-09-15

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## The Hook

RTK (Rust Token Killer) is a single-binary CLI proxy that shrinks bash output agents read — fewer tokens on common dev commands.

## What's Good

Apache-2.0 (rtk-ai/rtk). Rust binary, zero runtime deps. Claims large cuts on noisy command output so coding agents spend less context on `git status`, logs, and build spam. Homebrew formula; docs/troubleshooting at rtk-ai.app. Drop under existing agent shells without changing the agent product.

## The Catch

Vs the coding agent itself (Claude Code, Codex, Aider): RTK is a token-thrift layer under agents — output compression/proxy, not an agent, not a model router. You must wire it into the shell path the agent actually uses; over-aggressive filtering can hide the error you needed.

## Verdict

Apache-2.0 agent shell thrift. Cut tokens under agents; it is not the agent.