What the thinking level does
Before the builder writes anything, it thinks the request through. The thinking level sets how much of that thinking it does on each message you send.
| Level | What it means |
|---|---|
| Low | The lightest reasoning the model can do. Uses the fewest credits. |
| Smart | Our recommended setting. The best depth for the cost on that model. |
| Max | The deepest reasoning the model supports. |
Low, Smart and Max are about how deeply the builder thinks, not how fast it replies.
How it affects credits
The builder's thinking is part of the AI work you pay for. Deeper thinking usually means more of that work, so the same request usually uses more credits on Max than on Low. How much more depends on the request and the model, so there's no fixed price per level.
The AI model you pick changes the cost too. See Choosing the builder's AI model.
Which level to use
- Smart suits most work.
- Low suits small, clear changes: a color, some wording, moving a button.
- Max suits hard problems: a bug the builder keeps missing, tricky logic, a big feature with many parts.
A good habit: switch to Max for one hard problem, then switch back.
How to change it
- Open the app in the editor.
- Under the box where you type to the builder, click the brain icon. It shows the level you're on now.
- Pick Low, Smart or Max.
The same control sits beside the model picker in the box where you describe a new app on your dashboard.
On a phone, open the builder chat's More menu and pick a level under Thinking level.
The level applies to the messages you send after you change it. Messages that already ran stay charged as they ran. Your choice is remembered on this browser.
Why some models don't show it, or show fewer levels
Not every model has all three levels. The picker only shows the levels the current model can really use. If you switch models, the levels on offer can change too.
- Overskill Max always thinks at maximum depth, so there's no level to pick and the control is hidden.
- Some other models have only one thinking depth, or choose their own depth for each message. The control is hidden on those too.
On a phone, the More menu still shows the one level and why there's no choice.
Nothing is wrong with your account when the control is missing. That model just has no level to choose.
Where each model starts
- Overskill Lite and the Claude models start on Smart.
- Most other models that have levels start on Max. You can still pick a lighter level on those.
- Once you pick a level yourself, that choice wins wherever the model has it.
Related: What are credits? · Using your credits efficiently while building