# betterCTX

> betterCTX (bctx) is a token compression engine for AI coding tools. It runs locally as a CLI, shell hook, and MCP server to cut LLM token consumption by up to 99% across Cursor, Claude Code, Copilot, Windsurf, and any MCP-compatible agent.

bctx processes code and conversation context entirely on-device. It exposes 41 skills (Wave 1 + Wave 2 + Wave 3) across reading, code intelligence, memory, session, execution, and analysis, and supports 17 languages via tree-sitter.

## Product

- [Home](/home): Overview, quickstart, and live token savings.
- [How it works](/how-it-works): Compression engine, lens modes, and the shell hook.
- [Benchmark](/benchmark): Measured token savings across real coding sessions.
- [Compatibility](/compatibility): 24 native agent integrations and any MCP client.
- [Extensions](/extensions): Editor and shell extensions.
- [Pricing](/pricing): Free local tier, Beacon+ ($9/mo), Studio ($29/mo), and Let's Talk.
- [Changelog](/changelog): Release notes for the bctx CLI and MCP server.
- [Compare](/compare): How bctx compares to other context tools.

## Core concepts

- [Lens modes](/lens-modes): Compression strategies per task type.
- [Shell hook](/shell-hook): Transparent compression at the terminal layer.
- [Vault](/vault): Local-only encrypted context store.
- [Token savings](/token-savings): Methodology behind the savings numbers.
- [MCP server](/mcp-server): Local MCP transport for any compatible agent.
- [Multi-agent](/multi-agent): Coordinating multiple agents through bctx.
- [Protocols](/protocols): CCP, CEP, and TDD symbol shorthands.
- [Context engineering](/context-engineering): The discipline behind bctx.

## Documentation

- [Getting started](/docs/getting-started): Install bctx and run your first session.
- [Quick reference](/docs/quick-reference): Commands and flags at a glance.
- [Configuration](/docs/configuration): Project and global config.
- [CLI reference](/docs/cli): Full CLI surface.
- [Skills (MCP)](/docs/tools): Overview of the 41 skills.
- [Reading skills](/docs/tools/reading): File and repo reading skills.
- [Code intelligence](/docs/tools/intelligence): Symbol, dependency, and structural skills.
- [Memory skills](/docs/tools/memory): Long-term and project memory skills.
- [Session skills](/docs/tools/session): Live conversation skills.
- [Execution skills](/docs/tools/execution): Run, test, and verify skills.
- [Analysis skills](/docs/tools/analysis): Diff, lint, and audit skills.
- [Code intelligence engine](/docs/tree-sitter): Tree-sitter parsing details.
- [Analytics](/docs/analytics): Local-only usage insights.
- [Token guide](/docs/token-guide): How tokens are counted and saved.

## Guides

- [Troubleshooting](/docs/troubleshooting): Fix common issues.
- [Writing recipes](/docs/writing-recipes): Patterns for high-leverage prompts.
- [CI/CD integration](/docs/ci-cd): Run bctx in pipelines.
- [Team setup](/docs/team-setup): Share config across a team.
- [Switching to bctx](/docs/migrating): Migrate from other context tools.

## Reference

- [MCP API schemas](/docs/mcp-api): Full MCP request/response schemas.
- [Security model](/docs/security-model): 100% local processing guarantees.
- [Supported languages](/docs/supported-languages): The 17 languages bctx parses.

## Blog

- [Blog index](/blog): Articles on context engineering and token economics.

## Optional

- [Privacy](/privacy): Privacy policy.
- [Contact](/contact): Get in touch.