Table of Contents

Getting Started

DotnetTokenKiller (DTK) is a .NET CLI proxy that reduces LLM token usage by filtering the verbose output of dotnet commands.

Prerequisites

  • .NET 10 SDK or later (full SDK, not just the runtime)
  • OS: Windows, macOS, or Linux — any platform supported by the .NET SDK
  • Shell: Works with bash, zsh, fish, PowerShell, and cmd
  • Python 3 (optional): Required only if you use dtk integrate claude or dtk integrate gemini, which install Python-based hooks

Installation

Install DTK as a global .NET tool:

dotnet tool install -g DotnetTokenKiller

To update an existing installation:

dotnet tool update -g DotnetTokenKiller

To uninstall:

dotnet tool uninstall -g DotnetTokenKiller

First Use

Prefix any supported dotnet command with dtk:

dtk dotnet build
dtk dotnet test

DTK runs the underlying dotnet command, filters the output, and prints a compact summary. For example, a successful build that normally prints restore progress, project paths, and timing becomes:

✓ dotnet build (1 project, 1.86s)

A test run with one failure strips adapter banners, license warnings, and framework internals down to:

FAILURES (1):
  SampleApp.Tests.IntentionallyFailingTests.AlwaysFails [5 ms]
    Intentional failure
    at samples/SampleApp.Tests/IntentionallyFailingTests.cs:line 8
dotnet test: 1 failed, 3 passed (1 project, 0.07s)

Supported Commands

Command Description
dtk dotnet build Build with filtered output
dtk dotnet test Test with filtered output
dtk dotnet restore Restore with filtered output
dtk dotnet clean Clean with filtered output
dtk gain Show token savings analytics
dtk reset Clear all tracking data
dtk config show Display current configuration
dtk config set Update a configuration value
dtk doctor Run self-diagnostic checks
dtk completion Print a shell completion script
dtk integrate Install AI agent integration artifacts

Any other dotnet subcommand (e.g., dtk dotnet publish) is passed through to dotnet unchanged.

Troubleshooting

dtk: command not found

The .NET global tools directory is not on your PATH. Add it:

# Linux / macOS (bash/zsh)
export PATH="$PATH:$HOME/.dotnet/tools"

# Windows (PowerShell)
$env:PATH += ";$env:USERPROFILE\.dotnet\tools"

Add the line to your shell profile (~/.bashrc, ~/.zshrc, or $PROFILE) to make it permanent.

dtk is installed but outdated

dotnet tool update -g DotnetTokenKiller

Proxy or corporate firewall errors during install

If dotnet tool install fails behind a proxy, configure NuGet to use your proxy:

# Linux / macOS
export HTTP_PROXY=http://proxy:port
export HTTPS_PROXY=http://proxy:port

# Windows (PowerShell)
$env:HTTP_PROXY = "http://proxy:port"
$env:HTTPS_PROXY = "http://proxy:port"

Then retry the install command.

dtk integrate claude / dtk integrate gemini fails

These commands generate Python-based hooks that require python3 to be available on your PATH at runtime. Verify with:

python3 --version

Next Steps

  • Usage Guide — all flags and command details
  • Configuration — customize behavior via CLI or JSON config
  • AI Agent Setup — integrate with Claude Code, Copilot, Gemini, Cursor, Windsurf, Aider, or JetBrains AI
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