Credit System

Zero uses a credit-based system for AI features. Credits are consumed based on actual language model token usage, providing transparent pay-as-you-go pricing.

What Are Credits?

Credits are Zero's internal currency for AI features. Credit consumption is based on the actual number of tokens processed by the language model - both input tokens (your query) and output tokens (the AI's response).

No Subscriptions: Buy credits once, use them whenever. No monthly fees, no recurring charges, no expiration.

What Costs Credits?

Only two features consume credits:

AI Chat

Conversing with Zero's AI assistant costs credits based on actual token usage. The cost varies depending on:

Query complexity (more complex questions require more input tokens)
Response length (longer AI responses use more output tokens)
Conversation context (longer conversations maintain more context)

Simple questions use fewer tokens and therefore fewer credits than complex, multi-step requests that require detailed responses.

Aura Mode

Aura Mode provides crypto market sentiment analysis and costs 2x the normal AI credit rate. When you activate Aura (brain toggle button), each AI interaction costs double the token-based amount.

Token-Based Pricing: Credits are calculated based on LLM token usage. More complex AI queries consume more tokens and therefore more credits. Aura Mode doubles this cost.

What's Free?

These features don't consume credits:

Web Search: Private internet searches are completely free
Token Prices: Price lookups and market data don't cost credits
NEAR Explorer: Wallet lookups, transaction details, and blockchain queries are free

Maximize Free Features: You can use Zero's search, price tracking, and blockchain explorer extensively without ever buying credits. Credits are only needed for AI interactions.

How Credit Consumption Works

You Ask a Query: Type your question or command into Zero
Intent Classification: Zero determines if the query requires AI
AI Processing: If AI is needed, the language model processes your query
Credits Deducted: Credits are deducted based on actual tokens used

Checking Your Credit Balance

Your current credit balance appears in the top-right corner of Zero's interface, next to your wallet connection. Click the balance to view your remaining credits and purchase more if needed.

Credit Efficiency Tips

Be Specific

Specific queries get better answers with fewer tokens:

❌ "Tell me about NEAR" → Vague, may require multiple clarifying queries
✅ "Explain NEAR's sharding mechanism" → Specific, single query gets the answer

Daily Free Credits

When you connect your NEAR wallet, Zero automatically claims your 50 free credits (every user gets upon logging in every 24 hours). These credits can be used for AI chat or Aura Mode.

Credit Expiration

Credits do NOT expire. Buy once, use whenever. There's no time limit or pressure to consume credits quickly.

No Expiration: Zero credits remain in your account indefinitely until you use them.

Credit Usage Transparency

Zero provides visibility into credit usage. Your running balance is always visible in the interface, so you know exactly how many credits you have remaining.

Fair Pricing: Zero's credit system ensures you only pay for AI interactions, based on actual token usage. No subscriptions, no hidden fees.