Make the most of your quota

Shortwave's AI assistant uses a daily quota system. Each request consumes a portion of your quota depending on which intelligence level you use and how long the conversation is.

Intelligence levels

Shortwave offers four intelligence levels, each powered by a different AI model:

You can switch intelligence levels by clicking the model selector at the top of the AI chat panel. Your selection stays active until you change it.

How quota is consumed

• Each AI request uses quota based on the intelligence level and the length of the conversation
• Longer conversations cost more because the AI processes the full chat history with each new message
• A single long conversation can use significantly more quota than several short ones

Tips to make your quota last

1. Start new chats frequently. Instead of continuing a long conversation, start a fresh chat for each new topic. This keeps the context window small and reduces the per-request cost.
2. Match the level to the task. Basic requests work well for quick actions like labeling, marking done, or simple questions. Use Standard for everyday email work. Save Advanced and Expert for tasks that genuinely need deeper reasoning.
3. Be specific in your prompts. Clear, focused prompts get better results in fewer requests.

Quota resets

Your quota resets every 24 hours. There is currently no way to purchase additional quota or top off mid-day.

If you're consistently hitting your quota limit, consider upgrading to a higher plan for a larger daily allowance, or adjusting your usage patterns with the tips above.