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Ctoken is a command-line utility that counts tokens in files, directories, or input streams, designed to help developers estimate LLM token usage. It is maintained on GitHub by RimantasZ and is useful when building AI skills, knowledge bases, or MCP (multi-agent control plane) descriptions. The tool simplifies token counting compared to web-based calculators, especially when processing multiple files. Users can run it directly in a terminal to get token counts without switching interfaces. It is targeted at developers working with large language models who need precise input size estimates for cost or performance planning.

Ctoken was highlighted on Hacker News as a practical CLI tool for token counting in AI development workflows. The post emphasizes its utility in implementing AI skills and knowledge bases, where CLI tools are preferred over web calculators for efficiency. It is discussed in the context of deterministic tool adoption gates, which evaluate tools on maturity, dependency footprint, and platform fit. The tool appears to be gaining traction among developers who need reliable, scriptable token estimation. Its visibility in developer communities suggests it is being adopted as a lightweight, no-frills utility for token budgeting in AI projects.