Credits are only automatically returned when a generation ends in a generation error. If a generation completes — even if the result doesn’t match your prompt, doesn’t preserve likeness, or is otherwise unsatisfactory — credits are consumed and cannot be automatically reinstated. Credits power the generation process itself, not the quality of the output. This applies to every generation that uses credits, including ones an AI assistant such as ChatGPT or Claude starts for you through Runway MCP.

If you see a generation error banner during a run, credits should reappear within a few minutes and the spend entry will disappear from your credit usage table.

Tips to optimize credit spend

Prompting is an iterative process — it's completely normal to refine your approach as you go. These resources can help you get closer to your desired outcome:

• Introduction to Prompting
• Image to Video Prompting Guide
• Camera Terms, Prompts, & Examples
• Prompt Library

For more hands-on creative guidance, join our Discord community where moderators and experienced Runway users can help with prompting techniques and workflow tips.