> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://elarislabs.ai/docs/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Credits

> Credits meter every AI generation at ~$0.008 each, split between a workspace pool and per-brand balances — learn how deductions, top-ups, and the credit hierarchy work.

Credits are Elaris's usage currency. Every AI generation — images, video, audio, and Virtual Try-On — deducts credits from your balance.

## How much does one credit cost?

<CodeGroup>
  ```text Credit anchor theme={"dark"}
  1 credit ≈ $0.008 of underlying model (fal) cost
  credits  = ceil(cost_usd / 0.008)   # minimum 1 credit per generation
  ```
</CodeGroup>

The same anchor applies across all media types: images, video, audio, and Virtual Try-On.

## How is the credit hierarchy structured?

Credits can live in two places:

1. **Workspace pool** — shared across all brands in the workspace
2. **Brand balance** — allocated to a specific brand for dedicated spend

When a generation runs, Elaris deducts from the **brand balance first**, then falls back to the workspace pool (depending on configuration). This lets you ring-fence budgets by brand without losing access to shared capacity.

<Tip>
  Navigate to **Workspace → Credits** to see current balances for the workspace pool and each individual brand.
</Tip>

## What do common flows cost?

| Flow                                | Typical credits                               |
| ----------------------------------- | --------------------------------------------- |
| AI generation (full campaign batch) | 60                                            |
| Moodboard generation                | 50                                            |
| Video generation                    | Dynamic — model × duration × quality tier     |
| Studio image generation             | Per-model (see [Image models](/docs/models/image)) |
| MCP paid tool call                  | Deducted against API key's brand spend limit  |

Studio generations use **per-model** costs. Video scales with duration and model tier — Studio shows the estimated cost before you confirm a generation.

## What about MCP tool usage?

MCP discovery tools (`list_brands`, `list_models`, `get_credits`, etc.) are **free**. Generation tools deduct credits against the API key's associated brand balance and spend limit (up to 2,000 credits per API key, configurable in **Connect → API Keys**).

<Note>
  If you see an **insufficient credits** modal, top up the workspace pool or brand balance from **Workspace → Credits**, or wait for your plan's credit renewal at the start of the next billing cycle.
</Note>

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Plans & Billing" icon="credit-card" href="/docs/workspaces/plans-and-billing">
    See which plan includes how many monthly credits and how to top up.
  </Card>

  <Card title="How pricing works" icon="calculator" href="/docs/pricing/how-pricing-works">
    Understand the full credit math for images, video, and audio.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>