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How Credits Work

Every time a CatDoes agent performs a step — generating a design, writing code, or running a build — it consumes credits. The cost of each step depends on which agent tier you’re using and the complexity of the task.

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Pick the Right Agent Tier

CatDoes lets you switch between Junior, Senior, and Principal agent tiers. This is the single biggest lever you have for controlling credit usage.
TierBest forCredit cost
JuniorSimple tasks, small visual changes, repetitive workLowest (0.3x)
SeniorBigger features, detailed designs, fixing tricky problems(1x)
PrincipalBest quality thinking, planning complex features, important decisionsHighest (1.6x)
The Principal tier uses the most capable AI model available and delivers best-in-class quality and reasoning. However, it costs significantly more per step. A great way to use Principal without burning through credits is to let it plan first. Ask Principal to figure out how a feature should be built — the approach, the structure, the steps — and then switch to Junior or Senior to actually build it. You get Principal-quality thinking upfront, and the bulk of the work happens at a lower cost. This often leads to better results in fewer steps, saving you credits overall.
Start with the Junior tier and only switch to Senior or Principal when the task genuinely requires it. For many routine tasks — small layout adjustments, simple component creation, or basic CRUD logic — Junior delivers solid results at a fraction of the cost.
The Principal tier is available on paid plans only. If you’re on a free plan, you’ll be prompted to upgrade when selecting it.
You can switch tiers from the agent dropdown in your project dashboard. The change applies to the next step the agent takes.

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Write Clear Prompts

Vague instructions lead to more back-and-forth steps, and each step costs credits. The more specific you are upfront, the fewer steps the agent needs to get it right. See the Writing Good Prompts page for detailed tips and examples.

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Start a New Chat When the Conversation Gets Long

The longer the conversation, the less sharp the agent becomes — it might forget things, make mistakes, or break something that was working. Starting a new chat gives the agent a clean slate so it works better and wastes fewer credits. Click the Compact and Save button at the bottom of your conversation. Your project and codebase carry over. If something goes wrong, you can always roll back to a previous chat to restore your codebase and conversation history.

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Earn Free Credits

There are several ways to earn free credits — from sharing on X to community programs like CatDoes Catapult and Cat Composer. See the Free Credits page for details.

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Quick Reference

  • Use Junior agents for simple tasks, Senior for complex ones, and Principal only when top-tier quality is essential.
  • Write specific, detailed Prompts to reduce unnecessary steps.
  • Start a new chat when the conversation gets too long.
  • Share on X to earn free credits.