Tokens & Billing

Tokens power AI generation in Refine. This page explains how they work.

How Tokens Work

Every time you send a message to the AI, tokens are consumed. The amount depends on:

• Prompt length — Longer, more detailed prompts use slightly more tokens
• Response complexity — Generating a full dashboard uses more than adding a column
• Iterations — Each back-and-forth message counts

One token roughly equals one AI interaction. Simple requests (add a field, change a color) use fewer tokens than complex ones (build a dashboard, create a multi-step form).

Plans and Limits

Tokens reset monthly on your billing date.

Free: Experimenting, publish. No code export.

Pro (all tiers): Full apps, publish, code export.

Free tier

The free tier is for experimenting and learning how Refine works. You can:

• Build a single CRUD page
• Try out prompts and see what's possible
• Publish your app with a shareable link

Free does not include code export.

Pro tier

Pro is for building real applications:

• Build and publish full apps
• Export source code to self-host
• Multiple projects per month
• Frequent iteration and refinement

Checking Your Balance

To see your remaining tokens:

1. Click your avatar in the top right corner
2. Your token balance displays in the menu

You'll receive a warning when running low.

Using Tokens Efficiently

1. Write detailed first prompts

A specific prompt generates better code with fewer iterations.

❌ Costs more tokens:

Create a table
→ Add name column
→ Add email column
→ Add status column
→ Make status a badge
→ Add sorting

✅ Costs fewer tokens:

Create a users table with columns: name, email, status (as colored badge).
Add sorting on all columns.

2. Use the Editor for small changes

Editing code directly is free. Save tokens for structural changes.

Use the Editor for:

• Color changes
• Text updates
• Spacing adjustments
• Small style tweaks

Use AI for:

• Adding new features
• Changing data structure
• Complex interactions

3. Batch related requests

Instead of:

Change header to blue
→ Add card shadows
→ Increase font size

Do:

Update styling: blue header (#2563eb), subtle shadows on cards,
and 16px body text.

4. Rollback instead of fixing

If the AI went in a wrong direction, rollback and retry with a clearer prompt. This often costs fewer tokens than asking for multiple fixes.

→ See Prompting Guide for more tips.

Upgrading to Pro

When to upgrade:

• You want to publish your app with a shareable link
• You want to export the source code
• You're building multiple applications
• You hit the free limit before finishing

How to upgrade

1. Go to account settings
2. Select Pro plan
3. Enter payment details
4. Tokens are added immediately

Downgrading

You can downgrade anytime. You keep Pro until your current billing period ends.

FAQ

Do unused tokens roll over?

No. Tokens reset monthly on your billing date.

What happens when I run out?

AI chat pauses until your tokens reset or you upgrade. You can still use the Editor to modify code directly.

Do publishing and exports cost tokens?

No. Publishing your app and exporting code (Pro) don't consume tokens.

Does editing code cost tokens?

No. Only AI chat uses tokens. Direct code editing in the Editor is free.

Can I buy more tokens mid-month?

Currently, tokens are tied to your plan. Upgrade to Pro for more monthly tokens.

How do refunds work?

We offer refunds within 7 days of purchase if you haven't used Pro features extensively. Contact support.

Next Steps

• Prompting Guide — Use tokens efficiently
• Using the Console — Learn the workspace
• Getting Started — Build your first app