API credits are usage units or billing measures for accessing a cloud service through its application programming interface (API). Providers may charge credits for model calls, input and output volume, or compute consumed. The exact pricing model varies, so a credit amount does not by itself reveal how much work a system performed.
In cyber security research, API credits can help indicate the scale and cost of automated workflows, such as AI systems screening vulnerabilities or generating candidate exploits and patches. High usage is not proof that results are accurate, functional, or used in an attack. Teams should monitor API spending, set usage limits, and review the service’s billing details alongside technical evidence when assessing a research run.