Credits
Searches spend prepaid credits from one balance shared with the Lineage app. Each search has a cap you set.
Planned for the research API (milestone M5). Until it ships, the search and record endpoints return 404 not_found. Keys and GET /v1/key work now.
How a search is charged
- When a search starts, Lineage holds up to budget_credits from your balance.
- When it finishes, Lineage charges what the search actually used and releases the rest.
- Failed searches, living-person blocks and skipped sources cost nothing.
What a search costs
These costs are proposed, not final. Deep search cost depends on how many sources and pages are read and on the model, and never goes past budget_credits.
| Action | Proposed cost |
|---|---|
Quick search (indexed sources only) | About 2 credits |
Deep search | 25 to 200 credits, capped by budget_credits |
Contact request draft | About 10 credits |
Living-person block or failed search | 0 credits |
Buying credits
Credits come in packs of 1,000, 5,000 and 15,000. Pack prices and the purchase fee are on the credits page. There is no subscription. Credits are added only after the payment provider confirms the payment, and unused credits from a purchase can be refunded within 24 hours.
Archive fees
Some archives charge a copy fee for a record you request by letter. You pay the archive directly. Lineage never pays or collects archive fees.