Cut wasted tokens in Claude Code, Cursor and ChatGPT.
Build a small tool from your own AI bill: Terse, $300+ MRR in two weeks
Your own tool costs are a product idea that other builders share.
Figures as told to Indie Hackers (self-reported by the founder) · source
From Indie Hackers · May 2026
The Short Version
How DeveloperLuz (Terse) made $300+ MRR in two weeks with Claude Code, according to Indie Hackers (self-reported).
- What: After a painful Claude Code bill, the founder built Terse in about an hour: a floating macOS app that compresses prompts before they are sent and tracks token savings per tool call, with three compression modes.
- Result: The founder posted on Indie Hackers that Terse reached over $300 MRR in two weeks, and says revenue is still early (Indie Hackers, May 2026).
- Made with: Claude Code
| Who | DeveloperLuz (Terse) |
|---|---|
| Tool | Claude Code |
| Money | $300+ MRR in two weeks |
| Timeframe | May 2026 |
| Source | Indie Hackers |
| Self-reported | Yes |
The workflow
Made With
Claude CodeUse · Anthropic's agentic coding tool that edits files and runs commands in your codebaseTry Claude Code AIMore CasesWhere & With What
What They Did
- 1The moveAfter a painful Claude Code bill, the founder built Terse in about an hour: a floating macOS app that compresses prompts before they are sent and tracks token savings per tool call, with three compression modes.
- 2Step 2Start from your own pain
- 3Step 3Ship a tiny first version
- 4ResultThe founder posted on Indie Hackers that Terse reached over $300 MRR in two weeks, and says revenue is still early (Indie Hackers, May 2026).
Quick Answers
What tools do you need?
Claude Code (anthropic's agentic coding tool that edits files and runs commands in your codebase).
How much does it cost?
Claude Code is paid or trial-based. Check each tool's site for current prices.
Is it allowed?
Follow the platform rules and disclose ads.
Watch out: Self-reported and small. He says he built a Windows version before talking to enough Mac users.
Try It Yourself
(Our template, not the creator's prompt.) Here is a long prompt I send to my coding agent [paste]. Rewrite it to half the length without losing any instruction, then list what you removed.
Starter tools
Your first step
Open Claude Code, paste the prompt above and swap the [brackets] for your own niche.
Full write-up & sources
More detail: It has since added Windows, Chrome and VS Code versions and a pet animation that "eats tokens".
Source: Indie Hackers · May 2026. Summarised in our own words; figures as told to Indie Hackers (self-reported by the founder). Updated .
