How CL Tokens work
Everything you need to know about token consumption, engine multipliers, and managing your balance.
What is a CL Token?
CL Tokens are the currency of CalibraLogic. Every query you make consumes tokens based on the engine used and query complexity. Think of it as high-octane fuel for your diagnostic reasoning.
Two Ways to Get Tokens
Subscription
Monthly token allowance included with your plan. Precision-weighted for professional engineering workflows.
- Garage100,000
- Tuner500,000
- Engineer1,500,000+10K Ultra bonus
Token Purchase
Buy anytime, never expires. Ideal for high-intensity firmware analysis or one-off large scale projects.
Subscriber bonus up to +20% extra on every top-up.
Engine Multipliers
Different engines provide varying levels of depth and reasoning. Multipliers are applied to the base token cost of your input and output.
| Engine | Multiplier | Optimized For |
|---|---|---|
| CL-Scan | 1x | Quick lookups, basic DTC clearing steps |
| CL-Forge | 2.5x | Standard ECU remapping logic generation |
| CL-Matrix | 3x | Reasoning-heavy diagnostic paths |
| CL-Engineering | 7.5x | Deep structural analysis of mechanical systems |
| CL-Assembly | 10x | Expert firmware hex-dump analysis |
| Ultra Mode | 30x | Premium multimodal expert reasoning |
What Affects Token Consumption
Engine Choice
As seen above, the multiplier of your selected engine scales the base token cost.
Query Complexity
Simple queries (~45 tokens, an estimate) vs. Knowledge Base-intensive searches: ~65 CL per knowledge-base query (planning estimate — subscriptions are billed per token, not per query).
Reasoning
Complex problems require "Thinking Tokens" where the engine simulates internal diagnostic paths.
Practical Examples
| Engine | Query Type | Est. Cost |
|---|---|---|
| CL-Scan | Simple query | ~45 CL |
| CL-Forge | Map analysis | ~250 CL |
| CL-Matrix | Log analysis | ~300 CL |
| CL-Engineering | Deep calibration | ~750 CL |
| CL-Assembly | Firmware RE | ~1,000 CL |
| Ultra Mode | Complex multi-domain | ~3,000 CL |
infoMeasured API Usage
- CL-Scan median API call: 6 CL (API-key traffic, 2026-04-22 → 2026-09-08, n=355)
- CL-Forge median API call: 15 CL (API-key traffic, 2026-04-22 → 2026-09-08, n=140)
- CL-Matrix median API call: 13 CL (API-key traffic, 2026-04-22 → 2026-09-08, n=25, small sample)
- CL-Engineering median API call: 36 CL (API-key traffic, 2026-04-22 → 2026-09-08, n=70)
- CL-Assembly median API call: 72 CL (API-key traffic, 2026-04-22 → 2026-09-08, n=67)
- Ultra median API call: 180 CL (API-key traffic, 2026-04-22 → 2026-09-08, n=17, small sample)
Recorded at the engine multipliers in effect at the time. A median API call is not the cost of a knowledge-base query.
Monthly Subscription Tokens
These tokens are your primary budget. They reset every billing cycle. Use them or lose them — they do not roll over to the next month.
Purchased Tokens
Tokens bought through the shop act as a safety net. They never expire and are only consumed after your monthly subscription tokens are fully exhausted.
Want to estimate your usage?
Calculate how many tokens your specific project needs based on engine and query depth.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do tokens expire?
Monthly subscription tokens expire at the end of your billing cycle. Purchased tokens never expire.
Can I combine token pools?
Yes. Our system automatically draws from your monthly pool first, then your purchased pool if needed.
Do unused tokens roll over?
Subscription tokens do not roll over. This helps us maintain consistent infrastructure costs for our high-performance engines.
Why are engine costs different?
More complex engines (like CL-Engineering) require significantly more computing power to process, reflected in the multiplier.
What is a Knowledge Base Query?
A query that points to one supported ECU family (by name, or by cues such as DSG or AdBlue) triggers a Knowledge Base search (DAMOS data, A2L definitions, function references); the matching context adds input tokens. Queries without such a match skip the search.
How can I track my usage?
Your account dashboard provides real-time tracking and downloadable logs for every query and its token cost.