Sonnet 5.5 is Claude Code default with 1M context: trim Sume tools

Claude Code 2.1.284, released September 28, made Claude Sonnet 5.5 the default Sonnet, with a 1M context window (read 2026-10-04). Sonnet 5.5 itself is priced at $2 per million input tokens and $10 output, per Anthropic. A window that big makes it tempting to connect every tool you own, including all of Sume's hosted MCP tools, and let the model sort it out.

Room is not the same as value. Every tool schema is text the model reads on every turn, and a smaller surface is cheaper and picks the right tool more often.

How do I keep Sume's surface small?

Sume's tools and gates page shows the surface follows the credential. An OAuth token with only mcp:read sees read-only tools, and one with mcp:write or an API key sees the full set. Choose the narrowest credential that does the job.

What does a lean session look like?

Add the server as the quickstart shows, then ask for discovery before work.

claude mcp add --transport http sume https://mcp.sume.com/mcp
claude mcp login sume

Habits that help

Keep each session pointed at one job.

• Run mcp_health once at the start, then tools_schema only for the tool you will call.
• Pass dry_run=true and max_spend_usd on the first paid call.
• Start a fresh session for unrelated work rather than growing one.