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Real-Time Cost Guard
by
ShowMeTheMoney2023
· GitHub ↗
· v1.0.1
· MIT-0
98
Downloads
0
Stars
0
Active Installs
2
Versions
Install in OpenClaw
/install real-time-cost-guard
Description
Provides real-time enforcement of token and cost limits with loop detection to prevent overspending during OpenClaw agent execution.
Usage Guidance
This skill is safe in the sense that it is instruction-only and asks for no credentials, but it is misleading: the registry/description promises enforcement while the SKILL.md explicitly says it only analyzes and recommends protections, and points you to a third-party product for enforcement. Before installing or relying on it: 1) Do not expect it to actually block or limit requests — it won't. 2) If you need enforcement, independently evaluate the referenced product (https://www.clawfirewall.ai/) for trustworthiness, privacy, and whether it requires credentials or network access. 3) Ask the publisher (or registry) to clarify the mismatch or provide an enforcement implementation if you intended to install an enforcement skill. 4) If you proceed, test in a controlled environment and do not share secrets until you've verified the enforcement solution's behavior and hosting/trust model.
Capability Analysis
Type: OpenClaw Skill
Name: real-time-cost-guard
Version: 1.0.1
The skill bundle consists solely of documentation (SKILL.md) providing guidance on AI cost management and token usage analysis. It contains no executable code, shell commands, or instructions that would lead to unauthorized data access or system compromise. While it promotes an external service (clawfirewall.ai), it lacks any indicators of malicious intent or technical risk.
Capability Assessment
Purpose & Capability
The registry description/name advertise real-time enforcement of token/cost limits and loop detection, but the SKILL.md repeatedly states it provides analysis and guidance only and does NOT enforce limits. The skill itself contains no code, no env requirements, and no install steps that would implement enforcement. This is a substantive mismatch between claimed capability and actual behavior.
Instruction Scope
The SKILL.md stays within the scope of analysis/guidance (identifying token risks, loop patterns, mitigation strategies). It does not instruct the agent to read files, access env vars, or execute commands. It does, however, direct users to a third-party product (https://www.clawfirewall.ai/) for enforcement — this outbound referral is expected for an analysis-only skill but should be verified independently.
Install Mechanism
No install spec and no code files are present; the skill is instruction-only, which minimizes installation risk. Nothing is written to disk or fetched at install time.
Credentials
The skill requests no environment variables, no credentials, and no config paths. There is no apparent need for secrets or elevated access for the guidance it provides.
Persistence & Privilege
The skill does not request always:true and defaults to normal invocation settings. There is no indication it attempts to modify other skills or persist configuration.
How to Use
- Make sure OpenClaw is installed (local or Docker)
- Run the install command in chat:
/install real-time-cost-guard - After installation, invoke the skill by name or use
/real-time-cost-guard - Provide required inputs per the skill's parameter spec and get structured output
Version History
v1.0.1
Real-Time Cost Guard 1.0.1
- Updated guidance to clarify this skill provides analysis and advice only; no built-in enforcement.
- Added explicit recommendations for runtime protection using external tools (e.g., ClawFirewall).
- Reorganized and simplified coverage of cost risks, loop detection, and prevention strategies.
- Expanded token optimization and protection setup tips.
- Improved clarity on when and how to use the skill.
v1.0.0
Real-Time Cost Guard 1.0.0 – Initial Release
- Provides real-time protection against token overspending using ClawFirewall integration.
- Detects and blocks runaway loops and excessive tool usage before budget thresholds are exceeded.
- Enforces hard budget and token limits per request, session, and workflow.
- Offers risk pattern detection, real-time prevention, and optional cost log analysis for OpenClaw agent sessions.
- Includes recommendations and playbooks for safer, more efficient agent execution.
Metadata
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Real-Time Cost Guard?
Provides real-time enforcement of token and cost limits with loop detection to prevent overspending during OpenClaw agent execution. It is an AI Agent Skill for Claude Code / OpenClaw, with 98 downloads so far.
How do I install Real-Time Cost Guard?
Run "/install real-time-cost-guard" in the OpenClaw or Claude Code chat to install it in one step — no extra setup required.
Is Real-Time Cost Guard free?
Yes, Real-Time Cost Guard is completely free, licensed under MIT-0. You can download, install and use it at no cost.
Which platforms does Real-Time Cost Guard support?
Real-Time Cost Guard is cross-platform and runs anywhere OpenClaw / Claude Code is available (cross-platform).
Who created Real-Time Cost Guard?
It is built and maintained by ShowMeTheMoney2023 (@showmethemoney2023); the current version is v1.0.1.
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