A: Hello Kenlyle,

Thank you for raising this important question! AI credits are indeed a key part of the NoCode-X platform, and we appreciate the opportunity to clarify how they work and ensure full transparency.

AI credits: How they work
AI credits are not required for the platform to function. They are specifically tied to the use of AI-powered features, such as API calls to GPT, Grok, or other AI services integrated into NoCode-X. You have two options for enabling these features:
-> Use the AI credits provided by NoCode-X: These credits are a one-time top-up and do not automatically renew.
-> Bring Your Own Key (BYOK): You can integrate your own API keys for AI services, giving you full control over your AI usage and costs.
This means that even if your AI credits are used up, the platform itself remains fully operational, and you can continue using AI features by bringing your own key. There is no need to subscribe or pay extra to "recover" AI functionality.

What does an AI credit buy?
AI credits are calculated based on input and output tokens used during AI interactions. For example:
-> A single AI credit covers a specific number of tokens (e.g., words or characters) processed during an AI request.
->> The cost of an AI operation depends on the complexity of the task. For instance:
== Generating a complete data schema with sample data will consume more credits than a simple one-word input/output interaction.
== Tasks like debugging, text-to-JSON conversion, or generating test data will vary in credit consumption based on the size and complexity of the input/output.

To make this clearer, we are actively working on a transparency page that breaks down AI credit usage in detail. You can find more information here: Understanding AI Credits and Billing: https://docs.nocode-x.com/licenses-&-billing/Understanding%20AI%20Credits%20and%20Billing

Cost Transparency
Our goal is to keep AI credit costs as transparent as possible:
-> AI credits are priced based on the actual cost to us, with a 25% service fee to cover operational expenses.
-> This includes both input and output tokens, ensuring that you only pay for what you use.
-> For simplicity, we provide all-in-one invoicing, so you don’t have to manage multiple subscriptions or services.

Flexibility for our users
We understand that flexibility is important, so we offer:
-> BYOK (Bring Your Own Key): If you prefer, you can use your own API keys for AI services, bypassing the need for NoCode-X AI credits entirely.
-> Custom Integrations: You can reuse existing integrations or create your own, giving you full control over your AI workflows.

We hope this explanation provides clarity on how AI credits work and their role in the platform. AI credits are designed to enhance your experience with NoCode-X, but they are not a barrier to using the platform or its core features. If you have further questions or need more details, feel free to reach out here or contact us directly. We’re always happy to help and improve transparency for our users.

Thank you again for bringing this up—it’s a great topic that indeed deserves its own thread!