How usage works
The JoyCode viewer and IDE are always free to use. The AI agent runs on a usage quota with two limits that work together. Here is exactly how they work, with no surprises.
The 5-hour window
A short rolling window that caps how much the agent can do in any 5-hour stretch. It starts the moment you begin using the agent and resets 5 hours later. This is what gives you a fresh allowance several times a day, instead of one pool you could drain in a single sitting.
The weekly cap
A wider ceiling measured over a rolling 7 days. It is not a reset on a fixed day of the week: each bit of usage frees back up exactly 7 days after you used it, so your weekly capacity is always recovering in the background.
Both limits apply at the same time, and the agent keeps working while you are under both. If you reach the 5-hour window, you get more time when it resets in a few hours. If you reach the weekly cap, capacity returns gradually as older usage ages out of the 7-day window.
Good to know
What uses your quota
Each message you send, and the tools the agent runs to read and edit your scripts, draw from both limits. Light edits cost little; long reasoning, large scripts and big multi-step tasks cost more.
Code completion is always free
Autocomplete runs on a model you download and run locally on your own machine. It never touches your agent quota or either limit; it only uses your computer's processing power, so you can use it as much as you like.
FLASH costs less than PRO
FLASH is fast and light on your quota for everyday edits. PRO is a deeper model that draws more per request. Switch between them per session to balance depth against how much you use.
See your usage anytime
Type /usage in the agent chat to see your plan, how much of the 5-hour window you have used and when it resets, and your rolling weekly figure. The same view is on the web.
Need more room?
Free includes a reduced quota so you can explore everything. Pro raises both the 5-hour window and the weekly cap for long sessions and serious builds. Compare plans.