How to choose between using Pickaxe Credits and API

Questions
1

I just noticed that my pickaxe credits doesn’t get used up, and noticed it is using the API instead. Am I right that currently if you have API connected, then all Pickaxe will automatically use the API? And if I don’t want it to use the API I must remove the API key and it will revert back to using Pickacxe credits?

1 Like
2

Follow up. Can I no longer choose which pickaxe to use credits and which to use API?

3

That seems to be the behaviour under V2 of Pickaxe - I used to use the credit on the more expensive models and used my API for the cheaper models but now you no longer get a choice as to credits versus API other than at Studio level.

4

The decision to use credits or your own API key works on a Studio-by-Studio basis. If you enter an OpenAI API Key into a studio, it will use it for all the tools that use OpenAI models in that studio.

If you’re having a hard time deciding on whether to use your credits or your own API key, this video breaks down of the cost of credits vs API key.

5

Think the point here Mike was that it used to be on a pickaxe basis and so with V2, you changed the model - subtle, but I for one wanted to use pickaxe credits for my more expensive model usage and my API for the regular model usage which is the way ot worked in V1.

4 Likes
6

Thanks for the reply Mike.

7

This is really frustrating. This should be a per Pickaxe level of control. Feels a bit like a way for Pickaxe to reduce their costs (or increase revenue if a person goes all-in on credits) by going all-or-nothing on credits vs API. This was not a good move.

8

I can understand the frustration, but I think what’s going on here is that it used to be that each Pickaxe was its own little ecosystem. Then they launched Studio which allowed you to bundle individual Pickaxes together.

With the new version of Pickaxe the individual unit is the Studio itself — this requires shifting one’s thoughts around Pickaxe as a product a bit, but I don’t think it was rooted in cost reduction or generating more revenue as an intermediary to avoid paying the API directly.