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

# Credits: AI usage

> ZARMS Credits are the unit AI features use. How many credits each plan includes, when they expire, which features use them, how to set a monthly limit, buying more, and checking your usage.

**ZARMS Credits** (shown as "Credits" in the app) are used up as you use ZARMS AI features. One credit equals ¥1 (tax excluded). Separately from your plan fee, credits count how much AI you use.

Everyday work on cards and boards, comments, and actions from AI agents (MCP) or the API don't use credits.

## Features that use credits

* [AI search](https://help.zarms.cloud/en/ai/ask.md) (per question; running an action it suggests doesn't use credits)
* Card [advice](https://help.zarms.cloud/en/ai/advice-and-reports.md), board AI reports, and Insights advice
* [Asking AI in Insights](https://help.zarms.cloud/en/ai/insights-dashboards.md) (per question; reopening a tab to redraw it doesn't use credits)
* Processor suggestions
* Preparing Google Drive documents so AI can search them

How many credits are used depends on how much the AI reads and writes. AI search and board reports show an estimate, such as "About X Credits", before you run them. If you reopen advice or a report within 24 hours, ZARMS shows the earlier text and doesn't use credits.

## Credits you get and when they expire

| Source | Amount | Expires |
| - | - | - |
| Trial | 2,000 (once, when the trial starts) | When the trial ends |
| Starter | 1,000 every month if monthly; 12,000 at once if annual | End of that billing period |
| Standard | 2,000 every month if monthly; 24,000 at once if annual | End of that billing period |
| Additional purchase | What you bought | 90 days after purchase |

* Expired credits don't carry over to the next period.
* Credits closest to expiring are used first.
* Basic has no credits each period. After the trial ends, you can't use AI even if credits are left.

## Set a monthly limit

Who can do this: Owner, Manager

To avoid using too much, you can set a cap on how many credits can be used each month. Set it in **Limit and alert settings** on the **AI** tab of the [admin console](https://help.zarms.cloud/en/admin/admin-console.md).

| Setting | What it does |
| - | - |
| Monthly usage cap in credits | How many credits can be used in one month. Counted per month even on annual billing |
| Alert at this percent of the limit | When usage goes over this percent, a notice appears on the **AI** tab. Starts at 80 |
| Stop AI features when the limit is reached | On: AI stops at the limit. Off: you're notified, but AI doesn't stop |

The limit starts at your plan's included credits (2,000 during the trial, 1,000 for Starter, 2,000 for Standard). If it's empty, it's filled in automatically when your contract changes or new credits are added. A value you set is never overwritten.

When usage reaches 80% and 100% of the limit, an email goes to the Owner, Managers, and the billing and credit alerts address.

> [!NOTE]
>
> Buying more credits doesn't raise the monthly limit by itself. On the purchase form, tick "Also
> raise the monthly usage cap so I can use what I buy" (on by default) and, once payment completes,
> the limit is raised to this month's usage plus your balance. If AI has stopped at the limit, raise
> it on the AI tab.

## Buy more credits

Who can do this: Owner, billing manager (Starter plan or higher)

**1. Open the additional credits section**

Open the **Billing** tab in the admin console and go to **Additional credits**.

**2. Enter a quantity and buy**

Enter a **Quantity** from 1 to 100 and click **Buy**. Each unit is 1,000 credits for ¥1,000 (tax
excluded). You pay on the Stripe screen.

When payment is complete, the credits are added to your balance. Purchased credits expire after 90 days. There is no automatic monthly purchase.

## Check your usage

On the **AI** tab of the admin console, you can see:

* How much you've used this billing period, and your limit
* Your remaining credits (included credits and purchased credits)
* Usage by feature and by month
* A history of credit additions and deductions, and recent AI use

Members and Guests can't open the AI tab. If AI stops, the message on the screen tells you why (see [AI isn't available](https://help.zarms.cloud/en/troubleshooting/ai-unavailable.md)).


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