AI Workflow Cost Levers

Decide which cost levers actually apply to an AI-integrated workflow (prompt caching, batch processing, cheaper model tier, executor+advisor model composition, context trimming/retrieval, incremental vs. full-recompute) and which don't, given constraints like timeliness and output quality. Use whenever a workflow calls an LLM (n8n, Zapier, a script, an agent) and the user asks "how do I make this cheaper," "is this going to be expensive," "which lever should I pull," or is scoping cost for an AI automation. Also trigger when a workflow "regenerates," "recomputes," or "reprocesses" a full dataset every run -- often the real cost driver, independent of model choice. Also re…