Credits estimate and quota display

Before any reading runs, you see a cost estimate. This article: how it's computed and where to check your balance.

Estimate at the set-up bottom

Estimated: ~120 credits
Your balance: 1,200 (25 days left this month)

Expand for the breakdown:

Base read: 30 credits (80,000-word book)
× 3 personas = 90 credits
+ AI Editor service = 60 credits
+ Quick mode discount -50 credits
= 130 credits (small variance)

What affects credits

Factor	Effect
Chapters / words	More = more
Persona count	Linear
Service	AI Editor > AI Beta Readers
Test type	Full > Quick
AI model	Deep > Balanced > Fast
Web search	+~20% if on

Where to see balance

Three places:

1. Set-up page bottom (live)
2. Account → Credits → Balance
3. Editor status bar (small number)

Estimate vs actual

Estimates are usually within ±10% — actuals can shift:

• More: complex books (many characters, scenes) need more analysis tokens
• Less: book shorter than expected, AI ends earlier

Actual cost is shown in the completed report.

When you don't have enough

Estimate exceeds balance → AiGateModal with three options:

• Upgrade
• Cancel

See: Word limit and upgrade

Saving credits

1. Quick mode → opening diagnostic only (~⅓ cost)
2. Fewer personas → first water-temp test
3. Subset of chapters → e.g. first 5 only

Related

• Pick a plan
• Word limit and upgrade