Optimizing LLM Costs Under Heavy MCP Loads
jeann1977 · reddit · 2026-07-06
The author explores LLM cost optimization in heavy MCP scenarios like coding assistants, arguing that the key lies not in picking cheaper models, but in optimizing the entire request chain: prompt caching, context compression, lazy tool discovery for large MCP directories, budget-based model fallback, and complexity-aware smart routing. These can all be centralized at the gateway layer, keeping the client completely oblivious while unifying strategy, cost control, and inference optimization.
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