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How credits work

This article explains how credits work in PicoBuddy, detailing how they're used for generating AI-created reading passages and how you can earn more.

Updated 2/21/2026 credits, AI generation, reading passages, referral program, credit balance

Understanding PicoBuddy Credits

At PicoBuddy, credits are the key to unlocking personalized, AI-generated reading content. Here's a clear guide to understanding how they work.

1. What Is a Credit?

Simply put, a credit is used to generate one AI-created reading passage. Each time you click the “Create Passage” button and a new text is generated, one credit is deducted from your account.

It’s important to note that:

  • Browsing the Public Library is always free! Feel free to explore the wealth of user-created passages without impacting your credit balance.
  • Taking quizzes doesn't cost credits. Test your comprehension without worrying about your credit count.

2. What Can You Do With a Credit?

With just one credit, you can:

  • Generate a Completely New Passage: Tailor the content to your specific needs.
  • Choose Topic, Grade Level, and Text Type: Create truly customized reading material.
  • Instantly Create a Printable Reading Activity: Perfect for classroom use or at-home learning.
  • Use the Passage for Quizzes, Downloads, or Sharing: Adapt the generated text for various learning activities.

Credits are specifically used for the AI generation of new passages. Reading existing content in the library and downloading resources do not require credits.

3. How Do Credits Reset?

Credits reset based on your PicoBuddy plan’s usage period:

  • Free Accounts: Receive a monthly credit allocation.
  • Paid Plans: Receive a weekly credit allocation.

Unless stated otherwise in your plan's terms, unused credits do not roll over to the next period.

4. How Can You Earn Extra Credits?

We love to reward our users! You can earn extra credits by inviting friends to join PicoBuddy:

  • Share Your Referral Link: Find your personal referral link on your profile menu under “Refer a Friend.”
  • Earn Bonus Credits: When someone signs up for PicoBuddy using your link, you will automatically receive bonus credits.
  • Automatic Credit Addition: The credits are added to your account as soon as your friend successfully signs up.

5. How to Check Your Credits

It's easy to check your credit balance:

  1. Click Your Profile Icon: Look for your profile icon in the top-right corner of the PicoBuddy interface.
  2. View Your Plan and Credits: You’ll see your current plan details and the number of remaining credits.
  3. Check the Reset Date: The usage period and reset date for your credits are also displayed for your convenience.

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