Before executing actions through MCP, you can check whether they will consume Search Atlas quota to avoid unexpected usage. This allows you to plan your actions and ensure you have enough credits before running large or resource-intensive tasks.
🧠 Why This Matters
Some MCP actions:
- consume quota (when work is produced)
- require confirmation (for paid or irreversible actions)
Checking cost beforehand helps you:
- avoid failed executions
- control usage
- plan workflows more efficiently
⚙️ Step-by-Step: Check Cost Before Running an Action
📌 Step 1
Open your MCP-connected AI assistant
📌 Step 2
Ask about the action before executing it
Examples:
- “Will this action consume credits?”
- “How much quota will this use?”
- “Check cost before running this task”
📌 Step 3
The assistant evaluates the request
It determines whether the action:
- is read-only
- produces work
- requires quota or Hyperdrive Credits
📌 Step 4
Review the response
You will be informed if the action:
- consumes quota
- requires approval
- is free (read-only)
🔍 How MCP Determines Cost
MCP follows the core rule:
👉 Quota is charged when work is produced
This means:
- Generating content → consumes quota
- Running audits → consumes quota
- Submitting data → consumes quota
- Viewing data → does NOT consume quota
🔐 Approval-Based Actions
Some actions require confirmation before execution, especially when they:
- consume Hyperdrive Credits
- trigger external systems
- are irreversible or visible externally
In these cases:
- The assistant prepares the action
- You are prompted to confirm
- Execution only proceeds after approval
⚠️ Important Notes
- Checking cost is a read-only action
- It does NOT consume Search Atlas quota
- It only uses AI assistant tokens
🔁 Best Practice
Before running large workflows (audits, campaigns, content generation), always check:
- your available quota
- whether the action will consume credits
This helps avoid interruptions and ensures smoother execution.
MCP allows you to understand costs before executing actions, giving you full visibility and control over your usage. By checking costs in advance, you can confidently run tasks knowing exactly how they will impact your Search Atlas credits.
If you need further assistance, open the chat widget in the bottom-right corner of the platform and type human teammate to be connected with a member of our team.