Credits

Credits are prepaid balance used to cover usage (and optionally plan fees) across Forgeon. They are designed to be predictable, auditable, and safe for both the platform and your budget.

Key rules (enterprise‑grade)

• Credits accumulate when you top up.
• Credits are consumed first for eligible charges before any other payment source.
• Credits can cover usage (runtime, database, storage, egress) and plan fees if your policy allows.
• Credits expire based on the pack (default 30 days unless stated otherwise).
• Credits are non‑withdrawable after purchase (no cash‑out mechanism).
• Credits are tenant‑scoped (cannot be transferred across workspaces/tenants).
• Credits are idempotent on payment events (duplicate payment events do not double‑grant).

Where credits apply

• Runtime usage
• Database usage
• Storage and network usage (when metered)
• Plan charges (if policy allows)

Credit lifecycle (POV user)

1. Top up credits → balance increases immediately.
2. Use services → usage is metered and deducted from your balance.
3. End of cycle → invoice shows usage and credits applied.
4. Expiry → remaining balance expires per pack policy.

flowchart LR
  A[Top up credits] --> B[Usage metered]
  B --> C[Credits deducted]
  C --> D[Invoice generated]
  D --> E[Credits expire by policy]

Policy examples (common setups)

Example A — Free plan + credits

• User stays on Free plan with Free limits.
• Credits pay for usage above the free included limits (if allowed).
• Pro features remain locked without a plan upgrade.

Example B — Pro plan + credits

• User subscribes to Pro.
• Credits can offset Pro plan fees (if policy allows).
• Credits also cover usage until depleted or expired.

Example C — Credits‑only (no subscription)

• User does not upgrade to Pro.
• Credits cover usage but do not unlock Pro features.
• Once credits expire or run out, usage may be blocked depending on policy.

Example D — Trial + credits

• User is on a trial plan.
• Credits cover usage during trial.
• After trial ends, the account falls back to Free or must upgrade, depending on policy.

Decision guide (which setup fits you?)

• Choose Free + Credits if you want low commitment and occasional usage with strict limits.
• Choose Pro + Credits if you need Pro features, higher limits, and predictable billing.
• Choose Credits‑only if you just need short‑term usage without committing to a plan.
• Choose Trial + Credits if you want to evaluate Pro features while still capping spend.

Founder FAQ (budget safety)

• Can credits protect me from surprise charges? Yes—credits cap spend to your prepaid balance.
• What happens when credits hit zero? Usage may be blocked or downgraded depending on your policy.
• Can I set a hard stop? Yes—enable low‑balance or zero‑balance deploy blocks in policy.
• Are credits refundable? No. Credits are non‑withdrawable after purchase.
• Do credits replace Free plan limits? No. Plan limits still apply.

What credits are not

• Not a subscription by themselves.
• Not a refundable balance.
• Not a transferable asset between tenants.

Common questions

• Do credits roll over? Yes, until the pack’s expiry.
• Can credits pay subscriptions? Yes, if your tenant policy enables it.
• Can I withdraw credits? No. Credits are non‑withdrawable after purchase.
• Do credits replace plan limits? No. Plan limits still apply to Free/Pro tiers.

Troubleshooting

Credits not applied

• Check your plan policy and invoice timing.
• Verify the charge type is eligible for credits.
• Confirm the credit pack has not expired.

Balance seems wrong

• Ensure duplicate payment events were not processed (idempotency should prevent this).
• Check the credit ledger for the exact grant/deduction sequence.