Claude Effort Levels: Anthropic's Own Advice Is Not What You Think

Claude Code has five effort levels. I gave it the same build at every level and graded each with 17 hidden tests. Low took 44 seconds and cost 18 cents. Max took 40 minutes and $9.50. Same score. Here's what effort actually changes, the one question to ask when Claude gets something wrong, and which level to actually use. 👉 Get the summary and tips here: https://www.skool.com/barts-ai-workshop-4507/classroom/717060a4?md=fdd74538c5674819bedfba42499fb92f 👉 Work with me: https://workingmodels.ai/start 👉 Connect with me: https://x.com/bartslodyczka 🏆 Support the channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8F7X90NDmMr1mGx8897r_A/join 0:00 Higher has to be better? 1:06 What effort actually is 2:32 Who's making the decisions 3:36 I ran all five levels 5:14 Where high effort earns its keep 6:52 The one question to ask 7:47 Which level to use 8:54 The loop I use now 10:26 Start on medium