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

# Build credits

> What build credits are, what uses them, where to see your balance, and how to get more.

Build credits are what the app builder uses when it builds or changes an app. Every plan includes a monthly amount, and credits refresh each month.

> [!NOTE]
>
> How many credits each plan includes, and what extra credits cost, are on the [pricing page](https://assembly.com/pricing).

## What uses credits

| Uses credits | Doesn't use credits |
| - | - |
| Building an app, once you approve the plan and the build starts | Describing your idea and answering the app builder's questions |
| Changing an app in its build chat | Reviewing and adjusting the app plan |
| | The step of a build that fails, or that you stop |
| | Using your apps, for you, your team, and your clients |
| | Running your apps, including hosting, storage, and AI features inside them |

Builds run in steps. If a build fails or you stop it partway, the steps that already finished are still charged. A build that stops because it hit the per-build credit limit is also charged.

A typical app takes a few dozen credits to build from scratch, and smaller changes use less. Clear, specific requests use fewer credits, because the app builder gets it right in fewer rounds. See [Writing initial prompts](https://assembly.com/docs/building-new-apps/writing-initial-prompts.md) and [Iterating on apps](https://assembly.com/docs/building-new-apps/iterating-on-apps.md).

## Check your balance

Go to **Settings → Plans**. The **Current Plan** card shows:

* How many credits you have left, split into your monthly credits and any extra credits
* When your monthly credits reset, and when any extra credits expire
* How many credits you've used this billing period

Click **View usage** to see **Build credit usage**: how many credits each app and teammate used over a period you choose.

Assembly also shows a banner in the app builder when you're running low.

## When credits reset

Your monthly credits refresh every month on every plan. On annual billing you're billed once for the year, but credits are still granted monthly.

* **Paid plans:** credits you don't use roll over for one billing cycle, then expire.
* **Free plan:** your balance resets to your plan's amount each month. Unused credits don't carry over.

## Get more credits

On a paid plan, go to **Settings → Plans**, then click **Add credits**. You have two options:

> [tab] Increase monthly credits
>
> Raise the number of credits your plan includes every month. You can adjust it month to month: increases apply right away, and decreases take effect at your next renewal. Extra credits cost the same flat rate on every paid plan.

> [tab] One-time top-up
>
> Buy a one-time pack of credits, with no change to your subscription. One-time credits stay valid for 12 months, and their expiry date shows on your credit bar. One-time packs are non-refundable.

On the Free plan, upgrade to a paid plan to add credits, or wait for your monthly credits to refresh. See [Plans](https://assembly.com/docs/programs-and-support/plans.md).

If you're already at the highest monthly amount and need more, [contact support](https://assembly.com/docs/programs-and-support/contact-us.md).

## If you run out

Running out of credits doesn't affect your live apps. They keep working for you, your team, and your clients. You just can't build new apps or make changes until you add credits or your credits refresh.

If you run out partway through a change, that change still finishes. You'll need more credits to start the next one.

For current credit amounts, the price of extra credits, and the monthly maximum, see the FAQ on the [pricing page](https://assembly.com/pricing).


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