Spending controls

How a request is charged

1. Hold. Before the model starts, Lyber reserves the most the request could cost: the model's full context at the input rate, plus max_tokens at the output rate. If your available credit can't cover it, the request gets 402 insufficient_credit and nothing runs.
2. Charge. When the request finishes, Lyber charges the tokens the model reported (prompt_tokens × input rate + completion_tokens × output rate, rounded up to the micro-dollar) and releases the rest of the hold.

A smaller max_tokens means a smaller hold. If you leave it out, the hold covers the model's maximum output.

Cap a single request

Send max_cost_micro_usdc, a whole number of micro-dollars (1,000,000 = $1), to refuse any request whose hold would be larger. A refused request gets 402 request_budget_exceeded before anything runs or is held.

import os
from openai import OpenAI

client = OpenAI(
    base_url="https://lyber-paid-acceptance-gateway-production.up.railway.app/v1",
    api_key=os.environ["LYBER_API_KEY"],
)

response = client.chat.completions.create(
    model="minimax-m3.1-flash-abliterated",
    messages=[{"role": "user", "content": "Summarize this changelog."}],
    max_tokens=2048,
    extra_body={"max_cost_micro_usdc": 300_000},  # at most $0.30
)

import OpenAI from "openai";

const client = new OpenAI({
  baseURL: "https://lyber-paid-acceptance-gateway-production.up.railway.app/v1",
  apiKey: process.env.LYBER_API_KEY,
});

const response = await client.chat.completions.create({
  model: "minimax-m3.1-flash-abliterated",
  messages: [{ role: "user", content: "Summarize this changelog." }],
  max_tokens: 2048,
  // @ts-expect-error Lyber-only field, sent as part of the body
  max_cost_micro_usdc: 300_000, // at most $0.30
});

The Responses API applies a $1 ceiling to each request unless you send your own.

Preview a hold

POST /v1/credits/reservation-preview with a model and max_tokens returns the hold a request would need and whether your balance and limits cover it. It never runs the model or charges anything. See Credits.

Monthly limits

Set a monthly spending limit for the whole account and for each key under Limits in the dashboard. A request that would pass either one gets 402 account_spend_limit_exceeded or 402 key_spend_limit_exceeded. Keys can read their limits with GET /v1/credits/limits but can never raise them.