Cheap Agent plugin
A Claude Code and Codex plugin: the expensive model plans, a cheap one writes code under a test, and your plan lasts longer.
- 329 ★ on the repository
- Last commit
- MIT
Extended access
Why this level
- The cheap model receives project code through an outside provider and edits files in a separate `git worktree` copy.
- Three hooks and an MCP server run in every project granted `/cheapag:allow` and execute the project's tests.
Install
- Works in
In your terminal, with SkillFoxx CLI
npx skillfoxx add plugins/cheap-agentDetects the agents on your machine, shows the access level and pins the version.
Other ways to install
Access and checks
How we reviewExtended accessThe tool runs code or makes network calls and only reads external data.
- The cheap model receives project code through an outside provider and edits files in a separate `git worktree` copy.
- Three hooks and an MCP server run in every project granted `/cheapag:allow` and execute the project's tests.
This is third-party code. Review the repository files before installing.
What it does
Cheap Agent splits the work between two models. The frontier model, Claude Opus in Claude Code or an OpenAI model in Codex, reads the task, plans and writes a short assignment. A cheap model such as DeepSeek carries it out in a separate copy of the project (`git worktree`): first it writes a failing test, then it fixes the code until the test passes. The plugin runs the tests itself and lets only passing work into the project. Changes stay uncommitted, and you review them like any other edit. If the cheap model gets stuck, a Sonnet helper finishes the step in Claude Code, or the frontier model itself does in Codex. Three hooks stop the frontier model from quietly redoing work that has already been accepted.
Who it is for. Developers on Claude or ChatGPT subscriptions whose limits go on typing routine code instead of hard decisions.
Good fit when
- The weekly plan limit runs out early because the expensive model types routine code itself.
- A feature with tests, such as CSV export and monthly budgets: the frontier model keeps the plan and the cheap one does the typing.
- An ordinary bug is being fixed in a real project, where a single assignment and one test are enough.
- Changes should land in the working copy uncommitted so you can review them before committing.
- One login and the shared `/cheapag:allow` and `/cheapag:status` commands are wanted in both Claude Code and Codex.
Not a fit when
- A change of a few lines or a whole small app from scratch: the frontier model is already quick and there is nothing to save.
- Project code must not go to outside providers: the cheap model receives it through OpenRouter, DeepSeek, OpenCode Go or Command Code.
- The project has no tests or no way to run them: work is accepted only after tests pass.
- A task from the hardest tier: on nine hard SWE-bench Verified bugs the plugin solved 6 while plain Opus solved 7.
Example request
Add monthly budgets to the expense tracker, plus a CSV export. Tests for everything.Limitations
You need Node.js 20 or newer and an API key with a few dollars on it at OpenRouter, DeepSeek, OpenCode Go or Command Code. Command Code requires a plan with API access, and OpenCode Go needs its region set to Global for DeepSeek models. Project code goes to the chosen provider after `/cheapag:allow`, which you run once per project. On Windows you also need Git for Windows, the first run takes about two minutes while the OpenCode engine sets itself up, and a crashed engine copy can linger in Task Manager. The cheap model cannot read dependency folders such as `node_modules` inside its copy, although tests run as usual.
How to disable. In Claude Code run `claude plugin uninstall cheapag@cheapag` and `claude mcp remove -s user cheapag`. In Codex `codex plugin remove cheapag@cheap-agent` is enough.
FAQ
How do I install Cheap Agent in Claude Code?
Run `npx cheap-agent`, pick a provider (OpenRouter if unsure), press Enter for the recommended models and paste your API key. The installer checks the key and adds the plugin for every project. Then run `/cheapag:allow` once in each project.
How do I connect Cheap Agent to Codex?
Log in through `npx cheap-agent`, then run `codex plugin marketplace add muaaz9329/cheap-ag` and `codex plugin add cheapag@cheap-agent`. In the project trust the three hooks and run `$cheapag:allow`.
Where does my code and API key go?
Code reaches the chosen provider only after `/cheapag:allow`, and the command shows which models will see it. The key stays on your machine in a hidden prompt and a local credential store, and never enters the chat.
Does the plugin commit changes?
No. Accepted work lands in the project uncommitted, so you review the changes and commit them yourself.
How do I switch the cheap model?
Log in again with another preset, for example `npx cheap-agent login --preset strongest`. Per project, the `models` section of `cheapag.json` sets them; without the file the models picked at setup apply.
Discussion
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README in short
The author built the plugin so a $20 or $100 Claude plan stretches further. On SWE-bench Verified with Opus 5.5, Opus token use fell by 55–63% across task sets, while on the nine hardest bugs 6 were solved against 7. Windows is supported with a few known caveats.