How Credits Work in Tusk Central AI

In this article

• What are Credits?
• Do I always use Credits when I chat?
• When does a chat use Credits?
• How many Credits does each chat use?
• Does every message in a thread use Credits?
• Do my free Credits reset each month?
• What happens if I run out of Credits?
• How do I use fewer Credits?
• Free vs. Credit-using models — quick reference

What are Credits?

Credits are Tusk's way of measuring usage on premium AI models — the powerful, deep-thinking models designed for complex tasks.

The good news: most models in Tusk are completely free and unlimited. You'll only see credits used when you choose a premium model for heavier work, like deep research, long-form writing, or advanced reasoning.

Do I always use Credits when I chat?

No. Most models never touch your credits.

Tusk AI models fall into two categories:

You can check which type a model is by looking at its label in the model picker before you start chatting.

When does a chat use Credits?

A chat uses credits when the following is true:

1. You manually pick a model labeled "Uses Credits" from the model list.

Each round of your message → AI response on a premium model uses credits.

💡 Tip: If you want to avoid using credits, pick any Free Unlimited model before sending your message.

How many Credits does each chat use?

The exact number of credits per chat depends on three things:

1. Which model you're using — premium models vary in cost; heavier-duty models use more credits per chat.
2. How long your message is — longer prompts with more detail use more credits.
3. How long the AI's response is — a brief answer costs less than a detailed, multi-page response.

In practice:

• A short question + short answer → very low credit use
• A long document, detailed code review, or in-depth research request + a long detailed response → higher credit use

All charges stay in micro-payment territory — small amounts per chat, not large monthly fees.

Does every message in a thread use Credits?

Yes, if you're using a premium model. Here's how it works:

• Every time you send a new message and the AI responds, that counts as one credit-using cycle.
• This applies to every back-and-forth exchange in the conversation, not just the first one.
• If you switch to a free model mid-conversation, subsequent messages in that thread stop using credits.

Do my free Credits reset each month?

Yes. Tusk gives you free credits every month to use on premium models.

Here's what happens:

• Your free credit balance automatically refills at the start of each billing cycle.
• If you use up your free credits before the month ends, you can either:
  • Switch to a Free Unlimited model and keep chatting for free, or
  • Add more credits on a simple pay-as-you-go basis to continue using premium models right away.

There are no surprise lockouts, and you are never forced into a subscription.

What happens if I run out of Credits?

Running out of credits doesn't stop you from using Tusk. You have two options:

1. Keep using Free Unlimited models — no interruption, no cost.
2. Add more credits — a small, one-time pay-as-you-go top-up lets you keep using premium models immediately.

You'll never be locked out of Tusk. Free models are always available.

How do I use fewer Credits?

A few simple habits help you get more from your monthly free credits:

• Use free models for everyday tasks — brainstorming, drafting, quick questions, and casual research don't need a premium model.
• Save premium models for deep work — complex analysis, long-form writing, detailed coding, or research where accuracy and depth really matter.
• Be specific in your prompts — a clear, focused question often gets a useful answer faster (and shorter) than a vague, open-ended one.
• Ask for shorter answers when you don't need a report — if you just need a quick summary, say so.

Free vs. Credit-using models — quick reference

Model availability may change as we add new models. Always check the in-app model list for the latest.

Still have questions?
Check out all the support articles at support.tuskcentral.ai or send us a message.