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

# Billing and top-ups

> Buy credits that never expire, set up auto-reload, cap your monthly spend, and manage payment methods.

Top-ups are credits you buy outright. They sit behind your daily and monthly allowances and do not expire.

## Before you start

A payment method. You can add one during your first purchase.

## Buy credits

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open Usage">
    Select **Usage** in the sidebar, or go to **Settings** → **Account** → **Usage**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Choose an amount">
    Find **Top-up credits**. Under **Credits to buy**, pick a pack — credits are sold in packs of 5, 10, 25, and 50, at \$1 per credit.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Buy">
    Select **Buy credits**. The button shows **Opening…** while checkout opens.

    **Expected result:** after payment, `Payment received — credits updated`, and **Current balance** goes up.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Note>
  Purchased credits never expire and are spent only after your daily and monthly allowances are used. Buying does not change your plan.
</Note>

## Auto-reload

Auto-reload buys a small pack of credits automatically when your balance runs low, so a long build does not stop halfway. It is a single switch — currently it tops you up with 10 credits when your balance settles below 5.

Find **Auto-reload** on the **Usage** page. Turning it on confirms with `Auto-reload is on`.

<Warning>
  Auto-reload charges your saved payment method without asking each time. Pair it with a monthly spend limit if you want a hard ceiling.
</Warning>

## Cap your spending

Set a **Monthly spend limit** on the **Usage** page. As the page puts it: *Usage pauses for the month once spend reaches this cap.*

Enter a whole-dollar amount, or leave it empty for no cap.

Hitting the cap pauses usage rather than deleting anything. Your projects and published sites are untouched.

## Payment methods

Manage cards under **Settings** → **Account** → **Billing**, which holds your plan, payment methods, and invoices.

To add one, select **Add a payment method**, enter your card, and select **Save card**.

## Verify

* **Current balance** on the **Usage** page reflects your purchase.
* A confirmation appears after checkout.
* Your saved card is listed under **Billing**.

## Troubleshooting

| Message                                                           | What it means                  | What to do                                                                     |
| ----------------------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------ | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
| `Couldn't start checkout — try again`                             | Checkout did not open.         | Reload and retry.                                                              |
| `Your card was declined`                                          | Your bank refused the charge.  | Try another card.                                                              |
| `Couldn't save auto-reload`                                       | The setting did not save.      | Retry. If it persists, reload.                                                 |
| `Couldn't save the spend limit`                                   | The limit did not save.        | Retry.                                                                         |
| `Enter a positive whole-dollar amount, or leave empty for no cap` | The value's shape is wrong.    | Use a whole number, or clear the field.                                        |
| Paid but balance unchanged                                        | Confirmation can lag slightly. | Select **Refresh usage**. If it persists after a few minutes, contact support. |

## Next

<Columns cols={2}>
  <Card title="Track your usage" icon="chart-line" href="/credits/track-usage">
    See where your credits went.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Plans" icon="layer-group" href="/credits/plans">
    Compare the plans.
  </Card>
</Columns>