Credits are spent only when you put something in — research, a Smart Touch, an intro. The background intelligence that keeps you honorable — Honor Score, Health, pre-call briefs, the Monday digest — is always free.
Credits meter the things you initiate — a contact research (2), a Smart Touch (3), an intro or recognition draft (1). Everything Ember does on its own to keep you honorable — scoring, health, pre-call briefs, loop closure, the Monday digest — never costs a credit. Unused monthly credits roll over one month; purchased top-ups last 24 months.