{"found":true,"collection":"patterns","library_url":"https://www.grokbotdb.com/library/pat.reduce-steps-not-price","generated":"2026-09-06T05:32:11Z","citation":["Quote the record id and its source_url (or provenance if there is no URL).","Include last_verified or observed_at when present. Do not present an old date as current.","If tier is community and confidence is low, say so. Do not launder it into a fact.","If the database does not hold the answer, say that. Do not invent Grok Bot product claims.","Contradictions are data: when conflicts_with is present, report both records rather than picking a favourite.","Deprecated and removed records stay visible. They are history, not current guidance."],"record":{"id":"pat.reduce-steps-not-price","name":"You cannot downgrade the model, so reduce steps","category":"cost","problem":"The usual cost lever, choosing a cheaper model, does not exist here.","technique":"Manage spend by reducing agent steps and re-read context: fewer browser actions, shorter threads, state in files, slower cadences.","why_it_works":"Cursor manages model selection and there is no picker for users or team admins, so price per step is fixed and step count is the only variable.","when_to_use":"Every cost decision.","manual_ref":"1.11","evidence":"documented","related":["pat.connection-ladder","pat.short-orchestrator-thread","pat.script-not-loop"],"confidence":"high","first_seen":"2026-09-03","last_verified":"2026-09-03"}}