> ## 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.

# I'm out of credits unexpectedly

> Option A — Your personal balance is empty.

## Symptoms

* A modal reads **Out of credits** or **This project is out of credits**.
* A File shows **Chief ran out of credits to process this File.**
* You have a personal balance but still can't work in a project.
* A banner nudges **Refill Soon: Almost out of credits**.

## Likely causes

* Your personal [credit balance](/help/plans-credits-billing/how-credits-work) reached zero.
* You're in a project paid for by an organization, and that project ran out of credits — your personal balance doesn't apply there.
* A large file or heavy chat [used credits faster than expected](/help/plans-credits-billing/credit-cost-by-mode).

## Solution

<Frame>
  <img src="https://mintcdn.com/chief-2d405d1a/BBGD1uH7sfT84ugx/images/help/gs-command-palette.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=BBGD1uH7sfT84ugx&q=85&s=d53a1ae562edb68987d6213ef8f7b7dd" alt="Chief - the Command Center showing your Credit Balance and Credits and Plans" width="1000" height="881" data-path="images/help/gs-command-palette.png" />
</Frame>

**Option A — Your personal balance is empty.**

1. On the [**Out of credits** modal](/help/plans-credits-billing/what-happens-when-you-run-out-of-credits), click [**Refill Credits**](/help/plans-credits-billing/refilling-credits) (or **Refill Now**) to top up and keep using Chief.
2. You can also wait for credits to be refilled if your plan refills on a schedule.

**Option B — A project is out of credits (someone else pays).**

1. If you see **This project is out of credits**, note that [the organization that pays for the project](/help/plans-credits-billing/personal-vs-organization-billing) has run out — and "Your personal balance doesn't apply to this project."
2. Contact the project owner (the modal shows their email) to top up so the team can keep working there.

**Option C — A File specifically failed on credits.**

1. On the File showing **Chief ran out of credits to process this File**, click **top up your credits**.
2. After topping up, click [**Try Again**](/help/troubleshooting/my-file-wont-process-or-isnt-ready) on that File to re-queue it.

<Note>
  ℹ️ **Good to know:** Credits are tied to who pays. Your personal balance covers your own work, but a project funded by an organization draws on that organization's credits — not yours.
</Note>

## Still stuck?

If your balance shows credits but Chief still blocks you, or a refill didn't apply, email **[support@chief.bot](mailto:support@chief.bot)** with your current balance and what you were doing.

## FAQ

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="I have plenty of personal credits but a project says it's out.">
    Personal credits don't apply to a project paid for by an organization. That project draws on the owner's credits — contact the project owner shown in the modal to top up.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="I refilled but Chief still shows &#x22;Out of credits.&#x22;">
    Refresh the page so your new balance loads. If a specific File still shows the credit error, click **Try Again** on it. If the block persists, contact support.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Why did I run out so fast?">
    Processing large files and running complex, multi-step chats use more credits. Check [**Usage This Month**](/help/plans-credits-billing/checking-your-credit-balance-usage) in your credits panel to see where they went.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>