Never Run Out of AI Credits (Usage Guide)
Never Run Out of AI Credits: The Complete Usage Management Guide
You're deep into Chapter 12, finally hitting your creative stride. You ask the AI to help develop a crucial plot twist—and suddenly you're blocked. "You've reached your monthly AI limit."
Frustrating, right?
Here's the truth: most writers hit their AI limits not because they use too much AI, but because they don't understand how usage tracking works. They waste prompts on simple tasks, use expensive Pro models when Base models would work fine, and choose the wrong subscription plan for their needs.
This guide will show you exactly how to manage your AI usage in Bookwiz, optimize your prompts to get more value from every request, and choose the perfect plan for your writing style. By the end, you'll never worry about running out of AI credits again.
Understanding What Actually Counts Toward Your Limits
Let's clear up a common misconception: not everything you do in Bookwiz uses AI credits.
What Gets Tracked
Bookwiz only tracks actual AI interactions:
AI chat requests - Every message you send to the AI assistant
Tokens used - Both your prompts (input) and AI responses (output)
Model type - Whether you used a Pro or Base AI model
Estimated cost - Internal tracking for Bookwiz's AI expenses
What Doesn't Count
These activities are completely unlimited:
Regular typing and editing - Write as much as you want manually
File operations - Create, delete, move, rename files freely
Viewing and reading - Browse your book without limits
Exporting - Generate PDFs, EPUBs, and Word docs anytime
Organizing - Restructure your files and folders endlessly
The key insight? Only AI conversations consume your limits. Everything else is unlimited, even on the free plan.
Decoding AI Model Tiers: Pro vs. Base
Understanding the difference between Pro and Base AI models is crucial for optimizing your usage. Think of it like choosing between a sports car and an economy car—both get you there, but for different purposes.
🧠 Pro AI Models: Your Creative Powerhouse
Pro models include Claude Sonnet 4, Claude 3.7 Sonnet, Gemini 2.5 Pro, Kimi K2, and Mistral Nemo. These are sophisticated AI systems designed for complex creative work.
Best for:
Deep character development and psychological analysis
Complex plot structuring and story arc planning
Sophisticated narrative feedback and editing
Creative brainstorming for unique story elements
Understanding nuanced context across multiple chapters
Example use case: "Analyze Sarah's character arc from chapters 1-8 and suggest how her relationship with Marcus should evolve to create maximum emotional impact in the climax."
This requires understanding context, psychology, and narrative structure—perfect for Pro AI.
⚡ Base AI Models: Your Efficiency Expert
Base models include Gemini 2.5 Flash and GPT-4o Mini. These are optimized for speed and efficiency on straightforward tasks.
Best for:
Quick grammar and spelling corrections
Simple questions with clear answers
Basic editing suggestions
Fast responses when you need them immediately
Repetitive tasks that don't require deep analysis
Example use case: "Fix the grammar and punctuation in this paragraph."
This is a straightforward task that Base AI handles perfectly—no need to waste a Pro prompt.
The Strategic Choice
Here's the secret that experienced Bookwiz users know: use Base AI as your default, save Pro AI for when you truly need it.
If you're asking yourself "Do I need Pro AI for this?", the answer is probably no. Start with Base AI. You can always ask the same question to Pro AI later if the Base response isn't sufficient.
This simple strategy can reduce your Pro AI usage by 50-70%, meaning you'll rarely hit your limits.
Your Plan Options: Finding the Perfect Fit
Choosing the right plan isn't about picking the most expensive option—it's about matching your actual usage patterns. Let's break down each tier.
Free Plan: Testing the Waters
Limits:
🧠 Pro AI: 3 prompts/month
⚡ Base AI: 15 prompts/month
Books: Up to 3
Storage: 100MB
Perfect for: Writers who want to try Bookwiz before committing, or those who write primarily without AI assistance and only need occasional help.
Reality check: 3 Pro prompts goes fast. If you're serious about using AI for writing, you'll outgrow this quickly.
Explorer Plan: The Writer's Starting Point
Price: $9/month or $90/year (save $18 annually)
Limits:
🧠 Pro AI: 100 prompts/month
⚡ Base AI: 1,000 prompts/month
Books: Unlimited
Storage: 1GB
Perfect for: Regular writers who use AI moderately—a few times per writing session for character development, plot help, and editing.
Real-world usage: If you write 3-4 times per week and use AI for 2-3 questions per session, you'll use about 40-60 prompts monthly. The Explorer plan gives you comfortable headroom.
Want to get started with organized writing that makes AI even more effective? Check out our guide on organizing your book files like a pro.
Storyteller Plan: The Serious Writer's Choice
Price: $35/month or $350/year (save $70 annually)
Limits:
🧠 Pro AI: 500 prompts/month
⚡ Base AI: Unlimited
Books: Unlimited
Storage: 10GB
Custom templates, advanced exports, priority support
Perfect for: Dedicated writers who rely heavily on AI for character development, plot structuring, and extensive editing. If you're working on multiple projects or writing full-time, this is your tier.
Real-world usage: Daily writers who use AI extensively—10-15 prompts per writing session—will use 200-400 prompts monthly. The Storyteller plan provides plenty of buffer.
Professional Plan: Maximum Firepower
Price: $99/month or $990/year (save $198 annually)
Limits:
🧠 Pro AI: 2,000 prompts/month
⚡ Base AI: Unlimited
Books: Unlimited
Storage: 20GB
Everything in Storyteller plus collaboration, API access, 24/7 support
Perfect for: Professional authors managing multiple books, collaborative teams, or writers who use AI for nearly every aspect of their writing process.
Real-world usage: If you're using AI 20+ times per day across multiple projects, this plan ensures you'll never hit limits.
Tracking Your Usage: Know Where You Stand
Ignorance isn't bliss when it comes to AI usage—it's how you end up blocked mid-chapter. Here's how to stay informed.
Your Usage Dashboard
Access your detailed usage statistics at /dashboard/usage. Here's what you'll find:
Summary Statistics:
Total tokens consumed this billing period
Total AI requests made
Input vs. output token breakdown
Estimated cost (Bookwiz's internal tracking)
Daily Usage Chart:A visual representation of your last 14 days, color-coded by model type (purple for Pro AI, blue for Base AI). Hover over any day to see exact numbers.
This chart reveals patterns you might not notice otherwise. Do you use more AI on weekends? Spike during editing phases? Understanding these patterns helps you plan better.
Model Breakdown:See exactly which AI models you're using most. If you notice you're primarily using Pro AI for simple tasks, that's your cue to optimize.
Quick Dashboard View
Your main dashboard (/dashboard) shows at-a-glance stats:
Pro AI usage: X / Limit with progress bar
Base AI usage: X / Limit with progress bar
Books created
Total words written
Check this before each writing session. If you're at 80% of your Pro AI limit with 10 days left in your billing cycle, you know to be strategic.
In-Chat Warnings
When you approach or hit your limits, Bookwiz shows warning banners directly in the chat panel:
Yellow warning (80%+ usage): "You've used 85 of 100 Pro AI prompts this month"
Red warning (100% usage): "You've reached your monthly limit of 100 Pro AI requests"
These real-time alerts help you adjust your usage before you're completely blocked.
The Art of Prompt Optimization: Get 3x More Value
Here's where most writers waste their AI credits: inefficient prompting. Let me show you how to get dramatically more value from every request.
Strategy 1: Batch Your Requests
Every separate message to AI counts as one prompt, regardless of how simple or complex.
❌ Inefficient approach (4 prompts):
"Check this paragraph for grammar errors"
"Now improve the flow"
"Make it more concise"
"Strengthen the imagery"✅ Efficient approach (1 prompt):
"Review this paragraph: fix grammar, improve flow, make it more concise, and strengthen the imagery."Same result, 75% fewer prompts used. This single strategy can triple your effective AI usage.
Strategy 2: Be Ruthlessly Specific
Vague prompts lead to clarifying questions, which consume more prompts.
❌ Vague (leads to 3-4 prompts):
"Help me with my character"
→ AI: "Which character? What aspect do you need help with?"
→ You: "Sarah, her backstory"
→ AI: "What do you want to know about her backstory?"
→ You: "Why she became a detective"✅ Specific (1 prompt):
"Develop Sarah's backstory: Why did she become a detective? Focus on the traumatic event at age 16 that shaped her career choice and how it affects her current obsession with cold cases."The AI has everything it needs to give you a complete, useful response immediately.
Strategy 3: Use File Mentions Strategically
Bookwiz's file mention system (@filename.md) lets you give AI context without wasting prompts explaining.
❌ Context-building waste (2 prompts):
Prompt 1: "Tell me about Sarah from my notes"
Prompt 2: "Now suggest how she'd react to discovering magic"✅ Efficient context (1 prompt):
"Read @character-sarah.md and suggest how she would react to discovering magic exists, based on her personality and backstory."The AI reads the file automatically and gives you a contextual response in one shot.
For more on organizing your files to make AI even more effective, see our file organization guide.
Strategy 4: Choose the Right Model
This is the big one. Ask yourself before every prompt: "Does this need Pro AI?"
Use Base AI for:
Grammar and spelling fixes
Simple factual questions
Basic editing suggestions
Quick clarifications
Formatting help
Use Pro AI for:
Character psychology and development
Plot structure and story arcs
Thematic analysis
Complex narrative problems
Creative brainstorming for unique elements
When in doubt, start with Base AI. You can always re-ask with Pro AI if needed.
Billing Cycles and Reset Dates: Timing Matters
Understanding when your limits reset prevents frustrating surprises.
How Reset Dates Work
Free Plan:Limits reset on the 1st of each calendar month, regardless of when you signed up.
Paid Plans:Limits reset based on your subscription date, not the calendar month.
Example: If you subscribe on January 15th, your limits reset on the 15th of every month. Your next billing cycle starts February 15th, not February 1st.
This is crucial for planning. If you're at 90% usage on January 10th and your reset is January 15th, you only need to be strategic for 5 days. But if your reset is February 1st, you need to stretch your remaining prompts for 22 days.
Annual Subscriptions: Monthly Resets
A common misconception: annual subscriptions don't give you all prompts at once.
You still get monthly limits that reset every month. You just pay once per year instead of monthly, saving 15-17% in the process.
Example:
Annual Storyteller subscription starts January 15th
You get 500 Pro AI prompts
They reset on February 15th, March 15th, etc.
You pay again on January 15th next year
Managing Plan Changes
Upgrading:
New limits available immediately
Prorated charge for the remainder of your current billing period
Next full charge at your regular billing date
Downgrading:
Takes effect at your next billing date
Keep current limits until then
No refund for unused time
If you're approaching your limit mid-month, upgrading gives you immediate relief. But if you're consistently under your limit, downgrading at your next billing cycle saves money.
Warning Signs You're on the Wrong Plan
Your usage patterns tell you everything you need to know about whether you're on the right plan.
Signs You Should Upgrade
You hit your limit before the 20th of your billing cycleIf you're consistently running out with a week or more to go, you need more prompts.
You're rationing AI usageIf you're avoiding asking AI for help because you're worried about limits, you're limiting your writing potential.
You're using Base AI for complex tasksIf you're forcing Base AI to handle character development because you're out of Pro prompts, you're not getting quality help.
You're working on multiple projectsMultiple books means multiplied AI needs. The Free or Explorer plan won't cut it.
Signs You Should Downgrade
You use less than 50% of your limits consistentlyIf you're only using 40 of your 100 Pro prompts monthly, you're overpaying.
Your usage is decliningIf you used AI heavily while drafting but barely touch it during editing phases, consider a lower plan during editing.
You've changed your writing styleIf you've learned to write more independently and need less AI assistance, a lower tier might fit better.
The 20-30% Buffer Rule
Choose a plan where your typical usage is 70-80% of the limit. This gives you:
Room for heavy usage months
No stress about running out
Flexibility to experiment
Buffer for unexpected projects
If you consistently use 90%+ of your limit, upgrade. If you consistently use under 60%, consider downgrading.
Real-World Usage Scenarios
Let's look at three typical writers and their ideal plans.
Scenario 1: The Weekend Novelist
Writing pattern:
Writes Saturday and Sunday mornings
2-3 hours per session
Uses AI for character questions and plot help
Edits manually most of the time
Typical usage:
4-6 AI requests per weekend
16-24 requests per month
Mix of Pro (character/plot) and Base (quick questions)
Best plan: Explorer ($9/month)
100 Pro prompts provides plenty of headroom
1,000 Base prompts is more than enough
Unlimited books for multiple projects
Scenario 2: The Daily Writer
Writing pattern:
Writes 5-6 days per week
1-2 hours per session
Heavy AI usage for development and editing
Working on a novel and short stories
Typical usage:
8-12 AI requests per writing session
200-300 requests per month
Primarily Pro AI for complex work
Best plan: Storyteller ($35/month)
500 Pro prompts handles heavy usage comfortably
Unlimited Base AI for quick tasks
Custom templates for different story types
Scenario 3: The Professional Author
Writing pattern:
Writes daily, often multiple sessions
Managing 2-3 book projects simultaneously
Uses AI extensively for all phases
Collaborating with editors
Typical usage:
15-25 AI requests per day
450-750 requests per month
Heavy Pro AI usage across multiple books
Best plan: Professional ($99/month)
2,000 Pro prompts ensures no limits
Collaboration features for editor feedback
Priority support for urgent issues
API access for custom workflows
If you're just starting out and want to write your first book efficiently, check out our 5-minute quick start guide.
Advanced Optimization Techniques
Once you've mastered the basics, these advanced strategies squeeze even more value from your AI usage.
Technique 1: The Context File Strategy
Create dedicated context files that you reference instead of re-explaining.
Create files like:
world-building.md- Your story's rules, magic system, geographycharacter-profiles.md- All character details in one placeplot-outline.md- Your story structure and key eventsstyle-guide.md- Your writing preferences and voice notes
Then reference them:
"Based on @world-building.md and @character-profiles.md, suggest how Sarah would use magic to solve the locked-room mystery in Chapter 8."The AI reads both files and gives you a contextual answer without you wasting prompts explaining your world and character.
Technique 2: The Template Prompt Library
Create a personal document of your most-used prompts, optimized for efficiency.
Example templates:
Character Development:
"Develop [CHARACTER]'s arc: [CURRENT STATE] → [DESIRED END STATE]. Focus on [SPECIFIC ASPECT]. Consider their relationship with [OTHER CHARACTER] and how [PLOT EVENT] affects them."
Scene Enhancement:
"Improve this scene: strengthen dialogue, enhance sensory details, increase tension, and ensure it advances [PLOT GOAL]. Scene: [PASTE SCENE]"
Plot Problem-Solving:
"I need [CHARACTER] to [ACTION] but it seems inconsistent with [ESTABLISHED TRAIT]. Suggest 3 ways to make this work while maintaining character integrity and advancing the plot."Fill in the brackets, and you have a specific, efficient prompt ready to go.
Technique 3: The Cascade Approach
Start broad with Base AI, then drill down with Pro AI only when needed.
Step 1 (Base AI):"List 5 possible ways Sarah could discover magic exists."
Step 2 (evaluate yourself):Review the 5 options. Pick the most promising 2.
Step 3 (Pro AI, if needed):"Develop option 2 in detail: How does Sarah's detective background influence how she investigates and ultimately accepts magic? How does this discovery tie into her cold case obsession?"
You used one Base prompt to generate options, then one Pro prompt for deep development. More efficient than immediately jumping to Pro AI for brainstorming.
Protecting Your Work: Version Control Matters
While managing AI usage is important, protecting your writing is critical. Bookwiz includes Git version control to ensure you never lose work, even if you experiment heavily with AI suggestions.
Every change is tracked. Every edit is reversible. If an AI suggestion ruins a chapter, you can revert to any previous version with a single click.
Learn more about protecting your writing with version control.
Take Control of Your AI Usage Today
Managing your AI usage isn't about restriction—it's about optimization. When you understand how tracking works, choose the right plan, and use efficient prompting strategies, you get more value from every AI interaction.
Your action plan:
Check your current usage - Visit
/dashboard/usageand see your patternsEvaluate your plan - Are you consistently using 70-80% of your limits?
Implement one optimization strategy - Start with batching requests or choosing models strategically
Review weekly - Check your usage dashboard every week to spot patterns
Adjust as needed - Upgrade if you're consistently hitting limits, downgrade if you're consistently under 60%
The goal isn't to use less AI—it's to use AI smarter. With the right plan and efficient prompting, you'll always have AI assistance when you need it most.
Ready to optimize your writing workflow? Check our pricing plans to find your perfect fit, or start writing smarter today with the strategies in this guide.
Your next great chapter is waiting—and now you know you'll have AI help whenever you need it.