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

# Credits & usage

> How AI Apps meters generations with credits, how reservations and refunds work, and how it relates to your other AIClips balances.

AI Apps uses **credits** to meter generations. Different tools and settings cost different amounts, and the price is shown before you generate.

## How charging works

<Steps>
  <Step title="Estimate">
    Before you run, the app shows the credit cost based on the tool, quality, and options (for example, video length or number of images).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Reserve">
    When you start, the estimated credits are reserved from your balance.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Confirm or refund">
    On success, the reservation is charged. If a generation fails or is cancelled, the reserved credits are returned automatically.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Plans & top-ups

Your plan includes a monthly credit allowance, and you can top up any time. Your current balance is always visible in the app.

<Info>
  **AI Apps credits are separate from Studio's video credits today.** Your AIClips sign-in is shared across all products, but Studio meters its own balance for video renders. See [Plans & Credits](/getting-started/plans-and-credits) for how they compare.
</Info>

## Your creations

Everything you generate is saved to your **creations** library, so you can find, re-download, and reuse past results.

<Card title="Buying credits" icon="credit-card" href="/account/buying-credits">
  How to top up and manage billing.
</Card>