> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://adapt.com/docs/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.
# Usage-Based Pricing
> Detailed breakdown of how usage-based pricing works
Adapt uses a credits system tied to actual usage. This page explains how credits are consumed and what controls you have over billing.
## Credits
All usage is measured in credits:
* Credits are consumed as you use Adapt
* Purchase a plan to receive monthly credits, or enable auto-recharge to top up on demand
* Higher-tier plans include **volume bonus credits** — for example, the \$5,000/mo plan grants 10% extra credits on top of the base allocation
Usage is gated on your **effective spendable balance**: total credits minus recorded usage.
Usage pauses when your effective spendable balance reaches zero. Automations resume automatically after credits are added.
## Pricing Components
### Response work
Credits are used when Adapt pulls in context, evaluates your request, and generates a response. Questions that require more context or more complex reasoning typically consume more credits.
### Execution work
Credits are also used when Adapt executes work on your behalf:
| Component | Description |
| ------------------ | ---------------------------------------- |
| **Container time** | Per-second billing while a sandbox runs |
| **Memory** | Based on memory allocated to the sandbox |
| **CPU** | Based on CPU allocated to the sandbox |
**When is execution used?**
* Running Python or JavaScript code
* Complex data analysis
* File processing
* API calls from sandbox
**When is execution not needed?**
* Simple questions and conversations
* Web searches
* Reading data from connected integrations
* Most typical queries
### Image generation
Credits are also used when Adapt generates or edits an image. Image usage is billed in credits like any other Adapt usage and shows up alongside the rest of your activity in **Settings > Billing > Usage**.
## Auto-Recharge
Auto-recharge keeps your account running without interruption by automatically purchasing credits when your effective balance drops below a configured threshold.
### How It Works
1. Set a **credit threshold** in **Settings > Billing > Auto-Recharge**
2. When your effective balance drops below that threshold, a top-up charge fires automatically
3. Your default payment method on file is used
4. Spending is capped monthly
### Setup
Auto-recharge is disabled by default. Go to **Settings > Billing > Auto-Recharge** to enable it and configure your threshold, top-up amount, and monthly cap.
Auto-recharge requires an active self-serve plan or an active enterprise sales contract.
### Disabled States
Auto-recharge may be disabled automatically if:
* Your card is declined
* Your plan is canceled
Check **Settings > Billing** for the current status and reason.
## Credit Notifications
Adapt proactively alerts you so you're never caught off guard:
* **70% warning**: Slack notification when 70% of your plan credits are consumed
* **Low balance banner**: In-app banner visible to your team when credits are running low
* **Zero-credit pause**: Automations are paused automatically when your effective balance reaches zero
* **Recharge notification**: Alert when an auto-recharge top-up fires
* **Resume notification**: Confirmation when paused tasks resume after credits are added
## Annual vs Monthly Billing
Credits are granted at the start of each billing cycle.
Annual plans are granted in 12 equal monthly installments, not as a lump sum. Your first month's credits are granted when the annual plan starts, and the remaining 11 installments are granted automatically on each monthly anniversary.
Self-serve annual plans include a 10% discount over the equivalent monthly cost and are charged up front. Enterprise annual billing follows the payment terms in your contract.
Annual billing is available for both Standard and Enterprise plans. Monthly-to-annual switches take effect immediately.
Annual-to-monthly billing changes are not currently supported.
## Ways to Optimize Costs
### Ask Efficiently
Specific questions usually use fewer credits than vague ones that require follow-ups.
**Instead of:** "Tell me about our customers"
**Try:** "What's our customer count by segment for Q4?"
Ask for "brief" or "summary" to get shorter responses.
**Instead of:** "Analyze our pipeline"
**Try:** "Give me a brief pipeline summary in bullet points"
A scheduled report costs less than asking the same question repeatedly.
### Manage Compute
* Simple queries don't need compute
* Point Adapt to summary tables when possible
* Batch complex analysis rather than running it many times
## Billing Details
### How Charges Work
Your plan grants a set amount of credits each billing period. You're charged when:
* Your **plan renews** — a new monthly or annual cycle begins and credits refresh
* **Auto-recharge** fires — your balance drops below your configured threshold and a top-up is purchased automatically
* You **upgrade** your plan — charged the price difference (or full annual price, if switching to annual)
Credits are consumed in the background as you use Adapt. Balances and usage breakdowns update in real time in **Settings > Billing**.
### Billing Cycle
* **Start**: When your current plan begins
* **Renewals**: Credits refresh based on your monthly or annual plan schedule
* **Invoices**: Available in your billing dashboard for each completed charge
### Cost Controls
You can control costs by:
* Configuring **auto-recharge** with a monthly spending cap
* Monitoring your credit balance in **Settings > Billing > Usage**
* Reviewing **credit notifications** — Adapt alerts you at 70% plan credit usage and when your balance is running low
## Viewing Your Usage
### Real-Time Dashboard
**Settings > Billing > Usage**
See:
* Current credit balance and remaining credits by source (plan, rollover, recharge, bonus, admin)
* Usage over time
* Usage trend over time
* Projected spend
### Detailed Reports
Download usage reports showing:
* Per-query costs
* User breakdown
* Integration usage
* Daily and weekly trends
## Fair Use
We want Adapt to be affordable for everyone:
* No hidden fees
* Transparent pricing
* Predictable credit controls
* Clear visibility into remaining balance
If you see unexpected charges, contact [support@adapt.com](mailto:support@adapt.com) and we'll help you understand and optimize.
For full pricing details, visit [adapt.com/pricing](https://adapt.com/pricing).
## Questions?
Volume discounts available
Common questions answered