# Set a spend limit for a chat

> Set a maximum spend per chat so the agent pauses and asks before going over your limit.

canonical: https://agentsky.dev/help/session-budget
source: https://agentsky.dev/help/session-budget.md
updated: 2026-10-21

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**Set a maximum spend per chat so the agent pauses and asks before going over your limit.**

A session budget is a safety net. When the agent approaches the limit, it stops and asks what you want to do — continue, stop, or raise the limit. This prevents an unexpectedly large bill on a long-running task.

To set a budget for a specific chat:
1. Open the chat settings (accessible from the chat header).
2. Enter a maximum spend in USD.

To set a default budget for all new chats:
1. Settings › Team › Billing.
2. Find Default session budget and enter an amount.

Where: Chat settings (per chat) or Settings › Team › Billing (default). API: set the `budget_usd` field when creating a session.

Good to know: workspace-level spend policies set by an owner or admin override per-chat budgets. If no budget is set, chats run until you stop them or your balance runs out. Related: [How billing works](https://agentsky.dev/help/billing-how-it-works), [Read your usage and billing details](https://agentsky.dev/help/usage-and-billing-page).