OpenClaw Cost Guard

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name: openclaw-cost-guard

description: Track OpenClaw/Clawdbot token and cost usage from session JSONL logs (prefer real usage.cost when present), generate daily/weekly summaries and top expensive sessions, and run budget checks (exit code on breach). Use to monitor spend, enforce budgets via cron/alerts, and apply a token-saving playbook to reduce output/tool-call cost.

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# OpenClaw Cost Guard

Use this skill when you need:

1) Data source (important)

Prefer **session JSONL** logs (they contain per-call `usage`, often with **real USD cost**):

Do **not** estimate from “current context window” style token fields.

2) Quick commands

Daily costs (last 7 days)

python3 {baseDir}/scripts/extract_cost.py --last-days 7

Today / yesterday

python3 {baseDir}/scripts/extract_cost.py --today
python3 {baseDir}/scripts/extract_cost.py --yesterday

Top expensive sessions

python3 {baseDir}/scripts/extract_cost.py --top-sessions 10

JSON output (for dashboards)

python3 {baseDir}/scripts/extract_cost.py --last-days 30 --json

3) If cost is missing (fallback estimate)

Some providers may omit `usage.cost`. You can provide per-1M-token prices:

export PRICE_INPUT=1.75
export PRICE_OUTPUT=14
export PRICE_CACHE_READ=0.175
export PRICE_CACHE_WRITE=0
python3 {baseDir}/scripts/extract_cost.py --last-days 7

4) Budget alerts

The extractor can run as a **budget check**:

python3 {baseDir}/scripts/extract_cost.py --today --budget-usd 5

python3 {baseDir}/scripts/extract_cost.py --today --budget-usd 5 --budget-mode warn

Wiring it to a cron alert (recommended)

Run it daily (or hourly) and if exit code is 2, send yourself a Telegram message.

(Implementation depends on your OpenClaw channel setup; do not embed secrets in scripts.)

5) Token-saving playbook (teach the AI)

When the user says “use as few tokens as possible”, apply:

Optional phrasing to keep yourself in check:

> "Answer in <=6 lines. If more is needed, ask permission."