economy-mode

---
name: "economy-mode"
description: "Shifts Layer 3 model selection to cost-optimized alternatives when economy mode is active."
domain: "model-selection"
confidence: "low"
source: "manual"
---

## SCOPE

✅ THIS SKILL PRODUCES:
- A modified Layer 3 model selection table applied when economy mode is active
- `economyMode: true` written to `.squad/config.json` when activated persistently
- Spawn acknowledgments with `💰` indicator when economy mode is active

❌ THIS SKILL DOES NOT PRODUCE:
- Code, tests, or documentation
- Cost reports or billing artifacts
- Changes to Layer 0, Layer 1, or Layer 2 resolution (user intent always wins)

## Context

Economy mode shifts Layer 3 (Task-Aware Auto-Selection) to lower-cost alternatives. It does NOT override persistent config (`defaultModel`, `agentModelOverrides`) or per-agent charter preferences — those represent explicit user intent and always take priority.

Use this skill when the user wants to reduce costs across an entire session or permanently, without manually specifying models for each agent.

## Activation Methods

| Method | How |
|--------|-----|
| Session phrase | "use economy mode", "save costs", "go cheap", "reduce costs" |
| Persistent config | `"economyMode": true` in `.squad/config.json` |
| CLI flag | `squad --economy` |

**Deactivation:** "turn off economy mode", "disable economy mode", or remove `economyMode` from `config.json`.

## Economy Model Selection Table

When economy mode is **active**, Layer 3 auto-selection uses this table instead of the normal defaults:

| Task Output | Normal Mode | Economy Mode |
|-------------|-------------|--------------|
| Writing code (implementation, refactoring, bug fixes) | `claude-sonnet-4.5` | `gpt-4.1` or `gpt-5-mini` |
| Writing prompts or agent designs | `claude-sonnet-4.5` | `gpt-4.1` or `gpt-5-mini` |
| Docs, planning, triage, changelogs, mechanical ops | `claude-haiku-4.5` | `gpt-4.1` or `gpt-5-mini` |
| Architecture, code review, security audits | `claude-opus-4.5` | `claude-sonnet-4.5` |
| Scribe / logger / mechanical file ops | `claude-haiku-4.5` | `gpt-4.1` |

**Prefer `gpt-4.1` over `gpt-5-mini`** when the task involves structured output or agentic tool use. Prefer `gpt-5-mini` for pure text generation tasks where latency matters.

## AGENT WORKFLOW

### On Session Start

1. READ `.squad/config.json`
2. CHECK for `economyMode: true` — if present, activate economy mode for the session
3. STORE economy mode state in session context

### On User Phrase Trigger

**Session-only (no config change):** "use economy mode", "save costs", "go cheap"

1. SET economy mode active for this session
2. ACKNOWLEDGE: `✅ Economy mode active — using cost-optimized models this session. (Layer 0 and Layer 2 preferences still apply)`

**Persistent:** "always use economy mode", "save economy mode"

1. WRITE `economyMode: true` to `.squad/config.json` (merge, don't overwrite other fields)
2. ACKNOWLEDGE: `✅ Economy mode saved — cost-optimized models will be used until disabled.`

### On Every Agent Spawn (Economy Mode Active)

1. CHECK Layer 0a/0b first (agentModelOverrides, defaultModel) — if set, use that. Economy mode does NOT override Layer 0.
2. CHECK Layer 1 (session directive for a specific model) — if set, use that. Economy mode does NOT override explicit session directives.
3. CHECK Layer 2 (charter preference) — if set, use that. Economy mode does NOT override charter preferences.
4. APPLY economy table at Layer 3 instead of normal table.
5. INCLUDE `💰` in spawn acknowledgment: `🔧 {Name} ({model} · 💰 economy) — {task}`

### On Deactivation

**Trigger phrases:** "turn off economy mode", "disable economy mode", "use normal models"

1. REMOVE `economyMode` from `.squad/config.json` (if it was persisted)
2. CLEAR session economy mode state
3. ACKNOWLEDGE: `✅ Economy mode disabled — returning to standard model selection.`

### STOP

After updating economy mode state and including the `💰` indicator in spawn acknowledgments, this skill is done. Do NOT:
- Change Layer 0, Layer 1, or Layer 2 model choices
- Override charter-specified models
- Generate cost reports or comparisons
- Fall back to premium models via economy mode (economy mode never bumps UP)

## Config Schema

`.squad/config.json` economy-related fields:

```json
{
  "version": 1,
  "economyMode": true
}
```

- `economyMode` — when `true`, Layer 3 uses the economy table. Optional; absent = economy mode off.
- Combines with `defaultModel` and `agentModelOverrides` — Layer 0 always wins.

## Anti-Patterns

- **Don't override Layer 0 in economy mode.** If the user set `defaultModel: "claude-opus-4.6"`, they want quality. Economy mode only affects Layer 3 auto-selection.
- **Don't silently apply economy mode.** Always acknowledge when activated or deactivated.
- **Don't treat economy mode as permanent by default.** Session phrases activate session-only; only "always" or `config.json` persist it.
- **Don't bump premium tasks down too far.** Architecture and security reviews shift from opus to sonnet in economy mode — they do NOT go to fast/cheap models.