AI Tools: 8 Free AI Tools to Get You Ahead of 99% of People

Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DMlBzXvG22g

Channel: Austin Marchese

Introduction

The video from Austin Marchese outlines eight free AI‑enhanced utilities that can be combined with Claude to improve planning, token efficiency, output control, project management, content discovery, local file handling, business skill application, and voice input. It also notes two sponsors that provide payment processing and analytics, positioning the toolset as a way to build faster, lower costs, and better evaluate ideas.

What the video covers

The presentation walks through each utility, explaining its purpose, how it integrates with Claude, and the performance claims associated with it. The tools are grouped into categories: visual planning, input filtering, output limitation, parallel project sessions, real‑time content aggregation, local markdown viewing, pre‑built business skills, and voice‑to‑text control. Sponsor mentions are included for context but are not presented as free tools.

Step‑by‑step walkthrough

• Lavish – visual planning: Install Lavish, then tell Claude “download Lavish” using the provided link. Once loaded, you can create a visual planning document, add comments, and use the “send to agent” action to update the plan automatically as the conversation progresses.
• RTK (Rust Token Killer) – input filtering: Run the RTK command (similar to the Lavish setup) before sending text to Claude. The tool strips unnecessary characters, claiming a 60‑90% reduction in input tokens. After filtering, the example shows roughly 1,800 tokens remaining from an original ~15,000‑token input.
• Caveman & Ponytail – output control: Copy the combined Caveman + Ponytail query into Claude. Ponytail is said to reduce code volume by about 54%, while Caveman forces terse, “caveman‑style” responses. The video cites associated speed and cost benefits: up to 94% faster, about 20% cheaper, and about 27% faster in certain scenarios.
• Claude Code Projects – parallel sessions: Enable the Projects tab in Claude (available for Pro/Max users). This feature lets you run multiple cloud sessions within a single conversation, maintaining separate contexts while sharing the overall chat history.
• buildpartner.ai – real‑time content discovery: Within Claude, ask buildpartner.ai for recent free AI tools from Twitter, Instagram, or YouTube. The tool pulls live feeds into the chat, allowing you to curate trend roundups without leaving the terminal. A referral link provides five times the free usage.
• Obsidian – local markdown viewer: Download Obsidian, create a folder for your Claude‑generated markdown files, and use it as a local editor. The video likens it to “Apple Notes on steroids” for viewing and editing files stored on your machine.
• Anthropic small‑business plugin – pre‑built skills: Install the plugin to access ready‑made skills such as sales funnel builders, mail management utilities, and other business‑focused automations. These are intended to spark creative implementation within your Claude workflow.
• Hex – voice‑to‑text control: Set up Hex with the double‑press Ctrl hotkey. Pressing the hotkey activates voice dictation that can be used in any application, turning spoken thoughts into text without leaving your current workspace.

Tools and performance numbers

• RTK claims 60‑90% token reduction for inputs.
• After RTK filtering, the example shows ~1,800 tokens remaining from an original ~15,000‑token raw output.
• Ponytail claims ~54% less code volume.
• Associated speed claims: up to 94% faster, about 27% faster in certain tests.
• Cost claim: about 20% cheaper when using Ponytail‑limited output.
• buildpartner.ai offers 5x free usage via its referral link.
• All eight core utilities (Lavish, RTK, Caveman, Ponytail, Claude Code Projects, buildpartner.ai, Obsidian, Anthropic plugin, Hex) are described as free to use.

Caveats and hype check

The video cites strong performance claims (e.g., 60‑90% token reduction, 54% less code, up to 94% faster) that are based on tool documentation and may vary by use case; these should be treated as optimistic estimates rather than guaranteed results.

Multiple affiliate or referral links are presented (Lavish, buildpartner.ai, etc.), and the sponsor Wopp/Wopster receives prominent promotion, indicating a commercial incentive behind the recommendations. The sponsor Warp is also mentioned for payment processing and customer analytics, but the video does not detail its free tier or specific features.

Concrete next actions

• Add Lavish to Claude and say “download Lavish” with the provided link to enable visual planning.
• Run the RTK command (similar to the Lavish setup) to filter input before sending to Claude.
• Copy the Caveman + Ponytail query into Claude to limit output length and complexity.
• Enable Claude Code Projects via the Projects tab in Claude (Pro/Max) to run parallel sessions.
• Use buildpartner.ai to ask for recent free AI tools on Twitter, Instagram, or YouTube without leaving Claude.
• Download Obsidian, create a repository folder, and use it to view/edit Claude‑generated markdown files.
• Explore the Anthropic small‑business plugin and experiment with its pre‑built skills in your workflow.
• Set up Hex with the double‑press Ctrl hotkey to start voice dictation into any application.
• Sign up for Wopp/Wopster using the link in the description for low‑fee payments and analytics.
• Consider Warp for additional payment processing and customer‑analytics features.
• Comment on the video which tool interests you most to enter the giveaway for a Claude Max subscription.