# Open source token efficiency benchmark update, inference taxonomy framework, Alec Aivazis on Houdini and GraphQL > Source: > Published: 2026-09-14 16:30:10+00:00 ### [Benchmark: GraphQL is more token-efficient than REST](#benchmark-graphql-is-more-token-efficient-than-rest) New numbers from my open source benchmark suite show a significant and durable advantage for using GraphQL rather than other JSON API technologies under the hood to connect agents to deployed services. ### [Categorizing and evaluating inference spend](#categorizing-and-evaluating-inference-spend) Not all tokens give equal value. Here's a framework for categorizing your inference calls and finding "code smells" that might be costing you a ton of money for relatively little value. ### [Alec Aivazis, creator of Houdini GraphQL](#alec-aivazis-creator-of-houdini-graphql) Alec is a consummate GraphQL practitioner and tooling visionary. The Houdini framework is a unique take on the GraphQL developer experience and it was an absolute pleasure hearing Alec's take on this and much more in these conversations: