> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.chief.bot/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Credit cost by mode

> Chief lets you dial intelligence up or down per task.

Chief lets you dial intelligence up or down per task. Higher intelligence does more thinking, which costs more [credits](/help/plans-credits-billing/how-credits-work). Choosing the right level for each job is the simplest way to control your spend.

## The intelligence levels and their cost

<Frame>
  <img src="https://mintcdn.com/chief-2d405d1a/BBGD1uH7sfT84ugx/images/help/gs-intelligence-levels.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=BBGD1uH7sfT84ugx&q=85&s=e0b3876a72fee1b8c84a2cba58ce83db" alt="Chief billing - the intelligence levels and their credit cost" width="1300" height="601" data-path="images/help/gs-intelligence-levels.png" />
</Frame>

Open the [**Intelligence level**](/help/answer-depth-chiefs-agents/response-modes-automatic-fast-expert) menu in the prompt bar to pick a level. Each option shows its relative credit cost:

* **Auto (Automatic)** — Baseline cost. Switches between Fast and Expert based on the complexity of your prompt, so simple prompts stay cheap and complex ones get more depth automatically.
* **Fast** — Baseline cost. Prioritizes speed over depth.
* **Expert** — **Uses \~3x the credits.** Deeper reasoning, but not as fast.
* **[Deep Intelligence](/help/answer-depth-chiefs-agents/deep-intelligence-research-mode)** — **Uses \~5x the credits.** Deploys a fleet of long-running agents across LLMs that collaborate to get bigger jobs done. Available on paid plans.

<Tip>
  💡 **Tip:** Leave Chief on Auto for day-to-day work. It uses Fast (baseline) when a prompt is simple and only escalates to Expert when the prompt warrants it — giving you depth when it matters without paying for it on every message.
</Tip>

## How to change the level for a task

<Frame>
  <img src="https://mintcdn.com/chief-2d405d1a/ZjT7ckngTj8rjHF7/images/help/answerdepth-mode-selector.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=ZjT7ckngTj8rjHF7&q=85&s=c0030c36baf6c05d599647560bbd581a" alt="Chief billing - changing the intelligence level in the prompt bar" width="1400" height="207" data-path="images/help/answerdepth-mode-selector.png" />
</Frame>

1. In the [prompt bar](/help/the-prompt-bar-scope/the-prompt-bar-a-tour-of-your-chat-controls), open the **Intelligence level** menu.
2. Select the level you want. Each row shows a credit-multiplier badge (for example "Uses \~3x the credits") for the paid levels.
3. Send your prompt — it runs at the level you selected.

## FAQ

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Are the multipliers exact?">
    They're approximate guides — Chief labels Expert as "\~3x" and Deep Intelligence as "\~5x" relative to baseline. Actual usage varies with the length and complexity of each task. Use them to compare levels, not to predict an exact charge.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Why can't I select Deep Intelligence?">
    Deep Intelligence is a paid feature. On a free plan the row shows an "Upgrade" prompt instead of selecting it. [Upgrade to a paid plan](/help/plans-credits-billing/plans-overview-explore-pro-power-user-enterprise) to unlock it.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="I added an agent and now I can't switch to Fast or Expert.">
    Prompts that [mention agents](/help/answer-depth-chiefs-agents/calling-on-a-specific-agent-in-your-prompt) require Deep Intelligence. Chief blocks the lower levels and offers a link to remove the agents and switch back to Auto if you'd rather run a cheaper level.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>