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

# Pricing and usage

> Understand credits and usage controls for Archal testing environments.

Archal gives each verified self-serve workspace $20 in one-time credit. The
first $5 arrives after signup. The remaining \$15 arrives after the first
sandbox is ready. No card is required to use the free credit.

| Base price |                                         Included credit |                  Environment runtime |
| ---------: | ------------------------------------------------------: | -----------------------------------: |
|        \$0 | $5 after signup, then $15 after the first ready sandbox | \$0.10 per active environment-minute |

Runtime is prorated by the billed second for each environment, beginning when
that environment is ready and ending when teardown is accepted. Failed
provisioning and cold-start time are free.

When the free credit runs out, a workspace owner or admin can enable monthly
usage billing:

```bash theme={null}
archal workspace billing setup
```

The command prints a Stripe Checkout URL when payment details are needed. After
setup, Archal invoices environment usage monthly. There is no subscription fee,
prepaid balance, or recurring credit grant. If payment becomes delinquent,
Archal stops new billable sandbox creation until billing is restored.

<Note>
  Runtime cost depends on ready duration and the number of active environments, not request count.
</Note>

See [Limits and usage](/api/limits-usage) for operational limits.