> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://hellotars.com/docs/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.
# Conversation usage
> What counts as a billable conversation, how the Billing page shows your allowance and credits, and what happens when the allowance runs out.
export const img = {
activity: {
activityTimeline: "/docs/guides/activity/images/activity-timeline.png",
capturedVariablesPanel: "/docs/guides/activity/images/captured-variables-panel.png",
dataViewCards: "/docs/guides/activity/images/data-view-cards.png",
exportDataDialog: "/docs/guides/activity/images/export-data-dialog.png",
tasksPanelExportReady: "/docs/guides/activity/images/tasks-panel-export-ready.png"
},
analytics: {
analyticsOverview: "/docs/guides/analytics/images/analytics-overview.png",
exploreGallery: "/docs/guides/analytics/images/explore-gallery.png",
exploreTab: "/docs/guides/analytics/images/explore-tab.png",
goalForm: "/docs/guides/analytics/images/goal-form.png",
goalsTab: "/docs/guides/analytics/images/goals-tab.png",
improveDiagnostics: "/docs/guides/analytics/images/improve-diagnostics.png",
improveTab: "/docs/guides/analytics/images/improve-tab.png",
teamTab: "/docs/guides/analytics/images/team-tab.png"
},
billing: {
billingOverview: "/docs/guides/billing/images/billing-overview.png",
buyConversationsDialog: "/docs/guides/billing/images/buy-conversations-dialog.png",
buySeatsDialog: "/docs/guides/billing/images/buy-seats-dialog.png",
livechatSeatsTab: "/docs/guides/billing/images/livechat-seats-tab.png",
organizationDeletionLifecycle: "/docs/guides/billing/images/organization-deletion-lifecycle.svg",
organizationSwitcher: "/docs/guides/billing/images/organization-switcher.png",
rolesAndAccessMatrix: "/docs/guides/billing/images/roles-and-access-matrix.png"
},
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agentCardMenu: "/docs/guides/building/images/agent-card-menu.png",
agentConfigure: "/docs/guides/building/images/agent-configure.png",
agentExitRoutesDialog: "/docs/guides/building/images/agent-exit-routes-dialog.png",
agentLibrary: "/docs/guides/building/images/agent-library.png",
agentModelParameters: "/docs/guides/building/images/agent-model-parameters.png",
aiAgentGambitLoop: "/docs/guides/building/images/ai-agent-gambit-loop.svg",
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builtInToolsDialog: "/docs/guides/building/images/built-in-tools-dialog.png",
configureDebugTab: "/docs/guides/building/images/configure-debug-tab.png",
configureLanguage: "/docs/guides/building/images/configure-language.png",
configureNotifications: "/docs/guides/building/images/configure-notifications.png",
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draftSwitcherChip: "/docs/guides/building/images/draft-switcher-chip.png",
duplicateAgentDialog: "/docs/guides/building/images/duplicate-agent-dialog.png",
flowConditions: "/docs/guides/building/images/flow-conditions.png",
gambitPalette: "/docs/guides/building/images/gambit-palette.png",
gambits: {
gambitAiAgent: "/docs/guides/building/gambits/images/gambit-ai-agent.png",
gambitApiCall: "/docs/guides/building/gambits/images/gambit-api-call.png",
gambitAutoSuggestion: "/docs/guides/building/gambits/images/gambit-auto-suggestion.png",
gambitButton: "/docs/guides/building/gambits/images/gambit-button.png",
gambitCard: "/docs/guides/building/gambits/images/gambit-card.png",
gambitChannel: "/docs/guides/building/gambits/images/gambit-channel.png",
gambitCustomCode: "/docs/guides/building/gambits/images/gambit-custom-code.png",
gambitDateTime: "/docs/guides/building/gambits/images/gambit-date-time.png",
gambitGeoLocation: "/docs/guides/building/gambits/images/gambit-geo-location.png",
gambitLanguage: "/docs/guides/building/gambits/images/gambit-language.png",
gambitLiveChat: "/docs/guides/building/gambits/images/gambit-live-chat.png",
gambitMediaUpload: "/docs/guides/building/gambits/images/gambit-media-upload.png",
gambitNoInput: "/docs/guides/building/gambits/images/gambit-no-input.png",
gambitRedirect: "/docs/guides/building/gambits/images/gambit-redirect.png",
gambitStarRating: "/docs/guides/building/gambits/images/gambit-star-rating.png",
gambitStartAndEnd: "/docs/guides/building/gambits/images/gambit-start-and-end.png",
gambitText: "/docs/guides/building/gambits/images/gambit-text.png",
gambitTrigger: "/docs/guides/building/gambits/images/gambit-trigger.png"
},
languagesTranslateGambit: "/docs/guides/building/images/languages-translate-gambit.png",
languageSystemMessages: "/docs/guides/building/images/language-system-messages.png",
newDraftDialog: "/docs/guides/building/images/new-draft-dialog.png",
outputComponentsGrid: "/docs/guides/building/images/output-components-grid.png",
publishDialog: "/docs/guides/building/images/publish-dialog.png",
systemPromptDialog: "/docs/guides/building/images/system-prompt-dialog.png",
testModeEventLog: "/docs/guides/building/images/test-mode-event-log.png",
testModePanel: "/docs/guides/building/images/test-mode-panel.png",
validationProblemsPanel: "/docs/guides/building/images/validation-problems-panel.png",
variablePickerPanel: "/docs/guides/building/images/variable-picker-panel.png",
variablePillInserted: "/docs/guides/building/images/variable-pill-inserted.png",
versionsDraftsPanel: "/docs/guides/building/images/versions-drafts-panel.png"
},
campaigns: {
campaignFlavorsTriggers: "/docs/guides/campaigns/images/campaign-flavors-triggers.svg",
campaignReplyRouting: "/docs/guides/campaigns/images/campaign-reply-routing.svg",
campaignSendAnatomy: "/docs/guides/campaigns/images/campaign-send-anatomy.svg",
createACampaign: "/docs/guides/campaigns/images/create-a-campaign.png",
walletReserveSettleRefund: "/docs/guides/campaigns/images/wallet-reserve-settle-refund.svg",
webhookCampaignContractLocking: "/docs/guides/campaigns/images/webhook-campaign-contract-locking.svg",
webhookCampaignLifecycleStates: "/docs/guides/campaigns/images/webhook-campaign-lifecycle-states.svg",
webhookCampaignOneCallOneDelivery: "/docs/guides/campaigns/images/webhook-campaign-one-call-one-delivery.svg"
},
channels: {
distributeWhatsappConnect: "/docs/guides/channels/images/distribute-whatsapp-connect.png",
whatsappConnectDialogWaiting: "/docs/guides/channels/images/whatsapp-connect-dialog-waiting.png",
whatsappEmptyState: "/docs/guides/channels/images/whatsapp-empty-state.png"
},
deploy: {
bridgeEventGambitSection: "/docs/guides/deploy/images/bridge-event-gambit-section.png",
deploymentSurfacesAndChannels: "/docs/guides/deploy/images/deployment-surfaces-and-channels.svg",
designAgentTab: "/docs/guides/deploy/images/design-agent-tab.png",
designLauncherTab: "/docs/guides/deploy/images/design-launcher-tab.png",
embedIframeTab: "/docs/guides/deploy/images/embed-iframe-tab.png",
embedTheWidget: "/docs/guides/deploy/images/embed-the-widget.png",
mobileAppIntegration: "/docs/guides/deploy/images/mobile-app-integration.png",
onYourDomain: "/docs/guides/deploy/images/on-your-domain.png",
shareYourAgentLink: "/docs/guides/deploy/images/share-your-agent-link.png"
},
developer: {
api: {
channelSendTemplateVsMessage: "/docs/developer/api/images/channel-send-template-vs-message.svg",
endUsers: {
endUsersListCursorPagination: "/docs/developer/api/end-users/images/end-users-list-cursor-pagination.svg"
},
triggerCallConversationLifecycle: "/docs/developer/api/images/trigger-call-conversation-lifecycle.svg"
},
developerSurfacesMap: "/docs/developer/images/developer-surfaces-map.svg",
embed: {
embedConfigToWidgetContext: "/docs/developer/embed/images/embed-config-to-widget-context.svg",
hostPageBridgeFlow: "/docs/developer/embed/images/host-page-bridge-flow.svg",
identitySigningFlow: "/docs/developer/embed/images/identity-signing-flow.svg",
scriptVsIframeEmbed: "/docs/developer/embed/images/script-vs-iframe-embed.svg"
},
mobile: {
bridgeMessageProtocol: "/docs/developer/mobile/images/bridge-message-protocol.svg",
webviewBridgeArchitecture: "/docs/developer/mobile/images/webview-bridge-architecture.svg"
}
},
endUsers: {
anonymousToIdentifiedProfile: "/docs/guides/end-users/images/anonymous-to-identified-profile.svg",
bulkActionBar: "/docs/guides/end-users/images/bulk-action-bar.png",
campaignConsentGate: "/docs/guides/end-users/images/campaign-consent-gate.svg",
consentPerChannelStates: "/docs/guides/end-users/images/consent-per-channel-states.svg",
dynamicVsStaticSegments: "/docs/guides/end-users/images/dynamic-vs-static-segments.svg",
endUserDirectory: "/docs/guides/end-users/images/end-user-directory.png",
endUserProfileAcrossChannels: "/docs/guides/end-users/images/end-user-profile-across-channels.svg",
endUserProfilePanes: "/docs/guides/end-users/images/end-user-profile-panes.png",
profileMergeAndTakeoverProtection: "/docs/guides/end-users/images/profile-merge-and-takeover-protection.svg",
segmentBuilder: "/docs/guides/end-users/images/segment-builder.png",
segmentsPage: "/docs/guides/end-users/images/segments-page.png"
},
getStarted: {
agentStates: "/docs/get-started/images/agent-states.svg",
buildToLivePath: "/docs/get-started/images/build-to-live-path.svg",
dashboardSidebarMap: "/docs/get-started/images/dashboard-sidebar-map.png",
organizationOwnershipAndRoles: "/docs/get-started/images/organization-ownership-and-roles.svg",
quickstart: {
step1CreateYourAccount: "/docs/get-started/images/quickstart/step-1-create-your-account.png",
step3ConnectTheAiAgent: "/docs/get-started/images/quickstart/step-3-connect-the-ai-agent.png",
step4TestMode: "/docs/get-started/images/quickstart/step-4-test-mode.png"
},
quickstartCanvas: "/docs/get-started/images/quickstart-canvas.png"
},
knowledge: {
addASource: "/docs/guides/knowledge/images/add-a-source.png",
addRetrieverPicker: "/docs/guides/knowledge/images/add-retriever-picker.png",
attachKnowledgeGambit: "/docs/guides/knowledge/images/attach-knowledge-gambit.png",
configureARetriever: "/docs/guides/knowledge/images/configure-a-retriever.png",
createKnowledgeBaseDialog: "/docs/guides/knowledge/images/create-knowledge-base-dialog.png",
customRetrieverDialog: "/docs/guides/knowledge/images/custom-retriever-dialog.png",
datasetTab: "/docs/guides/knowledge/images/dataset-tab.png",
documentChangeReindexLifecycle: "/docs/guides/knowledge/images/document-change-reindex-lifecycle.svg",
documentsTabPreview: "/docs/guides/knowledge/images/documents-tab-preview.png",
importAWebsite: "/docs/guides/knowledge/images/import-a-website.png",
kbList: "/docs/guides/knowledge/images/kb-list.png",
retrieverIndexStates: "/docs/guides/knowledge/images/retriever-index-states.svg",
retrieverQueryPipeline: "/docs/guides/knowledge/images/retriever-query-pipeline.svg",
standardVsParentChildChunking: "/docs/guides/knowledge/images/standard-vs-parent-child-chunking.svg",
syncManagement: "/docs/guides/knowledge/images/sync-management.png",
testRetriever: "/docs/guides/knowledge/images/test-retriever.png"
},
liveChat: {
agentWorkspace: "/docs/guides/live-chat/images/agent-workspace.png",
assignedAgentPicker: "/docs/guides/live-chat/images/assigned-agent-picker.png",
automaticAssignmentRouting: "/docs/guides/live-chat/images/automatic-assignment-routing.svg",
availabilityDropdown: "/docs/guides/live-chat/images/availability-dropdown.png",
cannedResponses: "/docs/guides/live-chat/images/canned-responses.png",
composerPreferences: "/docs/guides/live-chat/images/composer-preferences.png",
copilotPanel: "/docs/guides/live-chat/images/copilot-panel.png",
filterConversationsDialog: "/docs/guides/live-chat/images/filter-conversations-dialog.png",
inboxAnalyticsTab: "/docs/guides/live-chat/images/inbox-analytics-tab.png",
inboxAvailabilityTab: "/docs/guides/live-chat/images/inbox-availability-tab.png",
inboxesSettings: "/docs/guides/live-chat/images/inboxes-settings.png",
inboxRoutingTab: "/docs/guides/live-chat/images/inbox-routing-tab.png",
labelsSettings: "/docs/guides/live-chat/images/labels-settings.png",
newAttributeDialog: "/docs/guides/live-chat/images/new-attribute-dialog.png",
newCannedResponseDialog: "/docs/guides/live-chat/images/new-canned-response-dialog.png",
notificationPreferences: "/docs/guides/live-chat/images/notification-preferences.png",
notificationsPage: "/docs/guides/live-chat/images/notifications-page.png",
pickupTargetCard: "/docs/guides/live-chat/images/pickup-target-card.png",
resolveMenu: "/docs/guides/live-chat/images/resolve-menu.png",
searchDialog: "/docs/guides/live-chat/images/search-dialog.png",
seatGateConversation: "/docs/guides/live-chat/images/seat-gate-conversation.png",
seatsSettings: "/docs/guides/live-chat/images/seats-settings.png",
workTheInbox: "/docs/guides/live-chat/images/work-the-inbox.png"
},
security: {
addOpenRouterKeyDialog: "/docs/guides/security/images/add-open-router-key-dialog.png",
auditChainVerified: "/docs/guides/security/images/audit-chain-verified.png",
auditEventDrawer: "/docs/guides/security/images/audit-event-drawer.png",
auditExportDialog: "/docs/guides/security/images/audit-export-dialog.png",
auditLogViewer: "/docs/guides/security/images/audit-log-viewer.png",
auditRecordLifecycle: "/docs/guides/security/images/audit-record-lifecycle.svg",
logPrivacyRedactionEnabled: "/docs/guides/security/images/log-privacy-redaction-enabled.png",
modelProviderEmptyState: "/docs/guides/security/images/model-provider-empty-state.png",
privacySettings: "/docs/guides/security/images/privacy-settings.png",
siemConnectWizard: "/docs/guides/security/images/siem-connect-wizard.png",
supportActorMasking: "/docs/guides/security/images/support-actor-masking.svg"
},
tools: {
addToolModal: "/docs/guides/tools/images/add-tool-modal.png",
addToolsPanel: "/docs/guides/tools/images/add-tools-panel.png",
codekitActionEditor: "/docs/guides/tools/images/codekit-action-editor.png",
codekitConnectToolkitsDialog: "/docs/guides/tools/images/codekit-connect-toolkits-dialog.png",
codekitSchemaDialog: "/docs/guides/tools/images/codekit-schema-dialog.png",
codekitToolkit: "/docs/guides/tools/images/codekit-toolkit.png",
codekitToolkitAnatomy: "/docs/guides/tools/images/codekit-toolkit-anatomy.svg",
createActionDialog: "/docs/guides/tools/images/create-action-dialog.png",
createCodekitDialog: "/docs/guides/tools/images/create-codekit-dialog.png",
responseFilteringDialog: "/docs/guides/tools/images/response-filtering-dialog.png",
toolGambitEditorAgentMode: "/docs/guides/tools/images/tool-gambit-editor-agent-mode.png",
toolGambitEditorWorkflowMode: "/docs/guides/tools/images/tool-gambit-editor-workflow-mode.png",
toolkitDetail: "/docs/guides/tools/images/toolkit-detail.png",
toolsConnected: "/docs/guides/tools/images/tools-connected.png",
toolsDirectory: "/docs/guides/tools/images/tools-directory.png",
viewActionsModal: "/docs/guides/tools/images/view-actions-modal.png",
workflowModeResponse: "/docs/guides/tools/images/workflow-mode-response.png"
}
};
Every plan includes a number of conversations for each billing cycle. Agent replies and live-chat replies draw from the same allowance, and test conversations never draw from it. The **Overview** tab of **Settings > Billing** shows the allowance, the packs you bought, and the point where new conversations stop.
## What counts as one conversation
One conversation is one 24-hour window between one end user and one deployment on one channel. The first message from that end user opens the window and uses one conversation. Every message inside the next 24 hours, from the end user, the agent, or a human agent, is free. A message after the window closes opens a new window and uses one more conversation.
While you hold no credits, the card footer states this rule in short form as **1 conversation = a 24h window / visitor**. Once you hold credits, that footer reads **+N credits available after your plan** instead. Tars does not count separate conversations per agent reply, per gambit, or per handoff to live chat.
## What is never billed
Only production traffic on a live deployment counts. These never use a conversation from your allowance:
* Conversations in **Test Mode** inside the builder
* Conversations on a staging deployment
* Conversations with a draft that is not published
You can build and test as much as you need without touching the allowance.
## The Plan conversations card
The top card on the **Overview** tab shows your plan badge and, below a divider, the **Plan conversations** section. It reads **this cycle** on monthly billing and **this year** on annual billing. Enterprise plans with unlimited volume show **Unlimited** instead of a count and hide the bar.
The section shows one large number, for example **420 of 500 left**, above a thin usage bar with two tick marks at 70% and 90%. Under the bar you see how many conversations you used and the date and time the allowance resets. A status badge in the corner tells you where you stand.
| Badge | When it shows |
| ---------------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Healthy** | Less than 70% of the allowance is used. The bar is the primary color. |
| **Getting close** | 70% or more is used. The bar turns amber. |
| **90% used** | 90% or more is used. The bar turns red. |
| **Running on credits** | The allowance is empty and a purchased pack is now paying for conversations. |
| **Paused** | The allowance and all packs are empty. New conversations get no reply. |
| **Over ยท grace** | Enterprise only. Usage went past the included volume and the agent keeps running. |
Members who can manage billing see **Upgrade for more** on the Free plan. On a paid plan they see **Buy more** until the organization owns a pack, after which the button moves to the **Conversation credits** card. See [Roles and permissions](/docs/guides/billing/roles-and-permissions) for who can manage billing.
## The Conversation credits card
Conversation packs are extra conversations you buy on a paid plan. Tars spends first from the batch that expires soonest, which is normally the plan allowance for the cycle. Once your organization has bought or been granted extra conversations, a second card named **Conversation credits** with a **Top-up** badge appears beside the plan card.
The card shows the total **credits left**, a bar for how much of the purchased total is used or expired, and one row per pack. Each row lists the purchase date, the pack size such as **+1,000**, the remaining balance, and the expiry date. Unused credits do not reset with your billing cycle, so a pack you bought in March still pays for conversations in June.
The Free plan does not offer packs.
## The Buy conversations dialog
**Buy more** on either card opens the **Buy conversations** dialog. The subtitle reads **Priced at your plan rate** followed by the validity, for example **valid for 365 days**. Enterprise contracts with an end date show **valid until your contract ends** instead.
The dialog lists the pack sizes your plan offers, from smallest to largest. Each option shows the size, such as **+1,000 conversations**, the price for each conversation, and the total. Select a size and choose **Continue to payment** to open Stripe checkout.
When you return, the Billing page shows the toast **Conversations added** and the new pack appears in the credits table. See [Invoices and payment issues](/docs/guides/billing/invoices-and-payment-issues) for the receipt.
## When the allowance runs out
On the Free and Premium plans, an empty allowance with no credits left pauses new conversations. A red strip appears at the top of the **Overview** tab and states **Agent paused** with the reason **conversation limit reached**. New chats get no reply, but end users inside an open 24-hour window can keep talking. The strip offers **Buy more** on Premium and **Upgrade** on Free to members who can manage billing.
Enterprise plans do not pause. Past the included volume, an amber strip states **Over your included volume** and your account manager reconciles the extra usage. See [Plans and upgrading](/docs/guides/billing/plans-and-upgrading) for how Enterprise contracts set volume.
## Usage notification emails
Tars emails every member whose role can manage billing when usage of the plan allowance crosses 70%, 90%, and 100%. Each threshold sends at most one email per billing cycle. When usage jumps past two thresholds at once, only the higher one sends. The subject names the threshold, for example **You've used 70% of your TARS conversation allowance**.
The 70% email links to **View usage**, and the 90% email links to **Buy a pack**. At 100%, Free and Premium members get **You've reached your TARS conversation limit** with a **Buy a pack or upgrade** button. Enterprise members get **You've reached your TARS conversation allotment** and a note that service continues without interruption.
## Related pages
* [Plans overview](/docs/get-started/plans-overview)
* [Plans and upgrading](/docs/guides/billing/plans-and-upgrading)
* [Roles and permissions](/docs/guides/billing/roles-and-permissions)
* [Invoices and payment issues](/docs/guides/billing/invoices-and-payment-issues)