# AI credits and where your AI runs

> PlexiDesk credits run AI with no key to set up. See your balance, add credits, and choose between credits and your own Anthropic key.

Source: https://plexiidesk.com/help/ai-credits
Section: Account, plans and support > Plans and billing
Plans: All plans
Updated: 2026-10-15

PlexiDesk's AI, including the Plexii assistant, needs an AI model to run. It can run in two ways:

- **On PlexiDesk credits.** A prepaid balance on your PlexiDesk account. There is no key to set up: sign in and AI works.
- **On your own Anthropic API key.** Requests go straight from your computer to Anthropic, and Anthropic bills you.

This page explains how credits work, how to add more, and how to choose which way your AI runs.

## Before you start

- **Credits need you to be signed in.** They belong to your PlexiDesk account. See [Create an account and sign in](https://plexiidesk.com/help/account-sign-in).
- **New accounts start with $1 of free AI credits.**
- **Credits work on every plan,** and are separate from it: paying for a plan does not add credits, and credits do not change your plan.
- **A few features always use your own key,** even when you run on credits. See [Add your own API keys](https://plexiidesk.com/help/api-keys#do-you-need-a-key).

## How credits work

- **Credits are a balance in US dollars.** Each AI request uses some of it, depending on how much the AI reads and writes for that request.
- **Requests go through PlexiDesk.** When AI runs on credits, your request goes through PlexiDesk to Anthropic, so its use can be counted against your balance. See [Privacy settings and what leaves your computer](https://plexiidesk.com/help/settings-privacy).
- **Credits are not topped up each month.** Your balance goes down as you use AI, and up when you add credits.

## See your balance

1. Click the gear at the right-hand end of the header to open **Settings**.
2. Click the **AI** tab.
3. Under **AI · source**, the card shows your **Credit balance**.

The card appears when **Automatic** or **PlexiDesk credits** is chosen. If you are signed out, it says **Sign in to your PlexiDesk account to use credits.**

## Add credits

1. Open **Settings** > **AI**.
2. Under your **Credit balance**, click **Add $5**, **Add $10** or **Add $20**.
3. PlexiDesk says **Opened the checkout page in your browser.** Pay on the checkout page.
4. When the payment has gone through, open the **AI** tab again to see your new balance.

## Choose where your AI runs

Under **AI · source** in **Settings** > **AI**, choose one:

| Choice | Under it | What it does |
| --- | --- | --- |
| **Automatic** | Credits first, then your key | Uses your credits while you have a balance. When they run out, it switches to your own Anthropic key, if you have added one. New installs start here. |
| **PlexiDesk credits** | Metered, prepaid balance | Always uses your credits while you are signed in. |
| **Your own key** | Direct to Anthropic | Always uses your own Anthropic key, never your credits. |

To add your own key, see [Add your own API keys](https://plexiidesk.com/help/api-keys). For every AI setting, see [AI settings](https://plexiidesk.com/help/settings-ai).

## When your credits run out

The card under **AI · source** shows **Credits used up.** and what to do next:

- **If you have added your own key:** **Add more below, or switch to your own key to keep going.** On **Automatic**, PlexiDesk already switches to your key for you.
- **If you have not:** **Add credits below, or add your own Anthropic key under API keys.**

Either add credits, or add your own key and choose **Automatic** or **Your own key**.

## See how much AI you have used

When you have used AI on this computer, **Settings** > **AI** shows **AI usage on this device**: an estimated cost, how many AI requests you have made and how much text they used. It covers this computer only, whichever way your AI ran, and is an estimate. Your **Credit balance** is the figure that counts for credits.

## Tips

- **Keep both.** Add your own key and leave **Automatic** on. You use your credits first, and never lose AI when they run out.
- **Want requests to go straight to Anthropic?** Choose **Your own key**.
- **Using a local model?** A local AI model running through Ollama uses no credits. See [Enrich documents with a local AI model](https://plexiidesk.com/help/settings-local-ai).

## Common questions

**Do I need an API key to use AI?**
Not for most features. Sign in and leave **AI · source** on **Automatic** or **PlexiDesk credits**, and AI runs on your credits.

**I added my key, but my credits are still being used.**
On **Automatic**, credits are used first. To use your key all the time, choose **Your own key**.

**It says "AI credits are temporarily unavailable."**
PlexiDesk cannot reach the credit service just now. Add your own Anthropic key in **Settings** > **AI** to keep using AI, or try again later.

**Do credits come with Pro or Team?**
No. Credits are separate from your plan. Every new account starts with $1 of credits, and you add more whenever you need them.

**Can I get a refund for credits?**
[Contact us](https://plexiidesk.com/help/help-getting-help).

## Related tasks

- [AI settings](https://plexiidesk.com/help/settings-ai)
- [Add your own API keys](https://plexiidesk.com/help/api-keys)
- [Plans and pricing: Free, Pro and Team](https://plexiidesk.com/help/plans-and-pricing)
- [Privacy settings and what leaves your computer](https://plexiidesk.com/help/settings-privacy)
- [If Plexii can't answer or act](https://plexiidesk.com/help/plexii-troubleshooting)