Funding your agent
How long will my credits last?
It depends on what you ask — but most tasks cost pennies, and Deputy is built to stretch your balance as far as possible.
The short answer
For everyday use like basic messages, scheduling, and quick research, most users find their balance lasts weeks before needing to top up. Heavier tasks like image or video generation cost more, but they're also far less frequent. The mix of what you ask Deputy to do is what determines how fast your credits move.
How Deputy keeps costs low
Deputy uses a smart routing system that automatically selects the most efficient AI model for each task. Not every request needs the most powerful (and most expensive!) model available. A quick calendar check or a short reply doesn't need the same horsepower as generating a 500-word research brief.
When you send a message, Deputy evaluates the complexity of your request and routes it to the most appropriate model: lightweight models handle simple lookups and short replies; more capable models are brought in when the task genuinely requires it. This happens automatically, with no configuration needed on your end.
The result is that the majority of everyday interactions cost a fraction of a cent — your balance goes a lot further than it would if Deputy used a single expensive model for everything.
If you ever want it to use a specific LLM, you can specify in your agent's tasks.
Approximate costs per task
These are estimates based on typical usage and are shown in USD. Actual costs vary depending on message length, how many steps a task involves, and which model is selected by the router.
| Task | Example | Approx. cost |
|---|---|---|
| Basic message | "What time is it in Tokyo?" or "Remind me to call Dan at 3pm" | ~$0.001–$0.005 |
| Email draft | Writing a follow-up, cold outreach, or reply in your voice | ~$0.01–$0.03 |
| Research task | Summarising a topic, pulling background on a company or person | ~$0.05–$0.20 |
| Image generation | Creating a custom image from a text description | ~$0.04–$0.10 |
| Video generation | Generating a short video clip from a prompt | ~$0.50–$2.00 |
What a typical day looks like
A user who sends a handful of messages, checks their calendar once, and asks Deputy to draft an email might spend $0.10–$0.30 in a day. That's $2–$3 a month for a fairly active user — less than a cup of coffee.
Heavy users who lean on research, automated follow-up sequences, or regular image generation will naturally spend more, but they're also replacing tools they'd otherwise pay monthly subscriptions for.
Idle time costs nothing
Deputy only draws from your balance when it actually does work. If you don't send a message today, nothing is deducted. There are no seat fees, no monthly minimums, and no expiry on your credits — your balance stays exactly where you left it.
If your balance ever runs low, Deputy will let you know over text before tasks are paused. You can top up at any time from the dashboard.
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