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Every action in Runable costs credits. Some actions cost a lot more than others. This page covers the most effective ways to stretch your credits further without sacrificing quality.

Use canvas tools instead of chat prompts

This is the single biggest credit saver. When you need to edit an image or video that is already on the canvas, use the canvas toolbar instead of typing a request in chat.

Direct canvas edit (cheaper)

Select an image on the canvas, click Remove BG, Text Edit, Mark & Edit, or Upscale from the toolbar. The operation runs directly on the image without going through the agent.

Chat prompt (more expensive)

Type “remove the background from this image” in the chat. The agent processes the message, calls the tool, and applies the result. You pay for the agent’s reasoning plus the operation.
Direct canvas edits use up to 10x fewer credits than sending the same request as a chat prompt. This applies to:
Canvas toolWhat it doesWhy it saves credits
Remove BGRemoves background from an imageRuns the operation directly, no agent reasoning cost
Text EditDetects and changes text in an imageSame operation, no chat message cost
Mark & EditDraw regions and give per-region instructionsTargeted edit, no agent overhead
UpscaleIncrease image resolution (1x-4x)Direct operation, no prompt processing
Edit ImageRefine an image with a promptRuns image model directly, skips the agent loop
Edit VideoEdit a video with instructionsDirect video model call
Remove Video BGRemove video backgroundDirect operation, no agent overhead
Motion ControlApply motion from a reference videoDirect canvas operation
Whenever you see a button for it on the canvas toolbar, use the button. Save chat prompts for tasks that need the agent’s reasoning, like building something new or making complex multi-step changes.

Mute videos you do not need audio for

Videos with AI-generated audio cost roughly 2x the credits of muted videos. If you are creating a product teaser, a social media clip, or any video where you plan to add your own music or voiceover later, turn off audio during generation. Toggle the Mute button in the video metadata options before generating. The UI shows a tooltip: “It takes half the tokens to generate a muted video.”

Generate a muted video to save credits, add audio later

Choose the right model tier

Not every task needs the most powerful model. Using Lite for simple tasks saves significant credits compared to Max.
TaskRecommended tierWhy
Fix a typo on your websiteLiteSimple edit, no deep reasoning needed
Change a color or fontLiteStraightforward CSS change
Generate a standard landing pageProGood balance for most builds
Create a presentation deckProHandles layout and content well
Build a complex app with auth, payments, and databaseMaxNeeds deep reasoning to get architecture right
Write a detailed research reportMaxNeeds thorough analysis
Lite costs the least per message. Pro is the sweet spot for most work. Save Max for projects where getting it wrong would cost you more in credits than the extra cost of Max.

Use lower resolution for drafts

Higher resolution costs more credits for both images and videos.
  • Video: 720p costs less than 1080p, which costs less than 4K. Generate at 720p while iterating on the concept. Once you are happy with the result, regenerate the final version at higher resolution.
  • Images: Start with the default resolution. Only upscale when you need the final version for print or large displays. Upscaling from 2x to 4x can cost up to 17x more.

Use Plan Mode to avoid wasted work

Plan Mode costs a small amount of credits for the planning step, but it can save you a lot by preventing the agent from building something wrong. If a complex project goes sideways 3 steps in, you have already spent credits on work you need to redo. Click Plan before sending complex requests. The agent writes a plan, you approve it, and it builds correctly the first time.

Save your brand to memory

Every time you describe your brand colors, fonts, and preferences in a prompt, the agent processes those extra tokens. Save your brand identity to memory once, and every future conversation starts with those defaults already loaded.

Save your brand to memory so you do not repeat it

This saves tokens on every future prompt, which saves credits.

Write detailed prompts upfront

A vague prompt like “make me a website” leads to back-and-forth. Every message costs credits. A detailed first prompt that includes your requirements, content, style preferences, and structure gives the agent everything it needs to get it right in fewer messages.

Vague (more rounds, more credits)

“Make me a website for my bakery.”Agent asks 4-5 questions. You answer. It builds. You ask for changes. 6-8 messages total.

Detailed (fewer rounds, fewer credits)

“Build a website for Flour & Fold bakery with a hero, menu section, about us, and contact form. Cream and brown colors, DM Sans font, warm tone.”Agent builds on the first try. 2-3 messages total.

Quick reference

TipEstimated savings
Use canvas tools instead of chat promptsUp to 10x per operation
Mute videos when you do not need AI audio2x on video generation
Use Lite for simple edits3-5x vs Max
Generate at 720p while iterating, upscale later2-4x on video
Use Plan Mode for complex projectsPrevents entire rebuild costs
Save brand to memorySaves tokens on every prompt
Write detailed promptsFewer message rounds

Next steps

Plans and credits

See how credits work and what each plan includes.

AI Canvas overview

Learn about the canvas workspace where direct editing saves the most credits.