Workflow: cut Claude Code costs by routing tasks to Fable, Sonnet, or Haiku
A Reddit user shared a multi-agent workflow for Claude Code that assigns each AI agent a different Claude model based on task complexity. Hard thinking goes to the powerful (expensive) model; simple repetitive work goes to the cheap fast one. The result is similar output quality at a fraction of the usual API bill.
Claude comes in several tiers: Fable is the most capable and expensive, Sonnet sits in the middle, and Haiku is the fastest and cheapest. This workflow wires up multiple AI agents inside Claude Code and gives each one the right-sized model for its job — Fable for architecture decisions and complex debugging, Sonnet for writing and reviewing code, and Haiku for repetitive low-stakes tasks like reading files or reformatting output. Because agents run in parallel (at the same time), the overall job finishes faster too. Solo developers and indie makers who rely heavily on Claude Code stand to save meaningfully on monthly API costs without sacrificing the quality of the final output. The pattern is reusable: set it up once and apply it to any project.
Key points
- Match each agent to the cheapest model that can handle its specific task
- Fable for complex design/analysis, Sonnet for coding, Haiku for simple repetitive steps
- Parallel agents mean faster results alongside lower costs
- Practical for solo makers facing high monthly LLM bills
- Directly applicable inside Claude Code with no extra tooling needed
Quick term guide
- multi-agent workflow
- A setup where two or more AI tools each handle different parts of a job and pass results between them
- multi-agent
- A setup where several AI agents each handle a different subtask and work together to complete a larger goal.
- agent workflow
- A set of steps an AI follows automatically to complete a series of tasks in order.
- AI agents
- AI agents are AI tools that can carry out steps toward a goal, not just answer once.
- Architecture
- The overall structure and organization of a software project.
- Solo developer
- An individual who handles all parts of creating a project or product alone.
- developers
- Developers are people who build software, apps, or websites.
- indie maker
- An individual or very small team that builds and releases apps or web products independently, without a large company behind them.