I want to reassure you that nothing is being taken away unfairly. My earlier point about monthly credits was only explaining that all model usage runs through the same security and tracking system, which is why the update applies to every tier.
Think of it this way. Earlier, you had to take your car to another place to fill it up. Now the exact same fuel, at the same price, from the same provider, is filled for you automatically. Nothing about your car changes and nothing about your tank changes. We simply improved how it gets refilled. Your cost stays the same because the fuel provider still charges based on how much you use.
It would only be a violation if we changed the fuel, changed the price, or limited your ability to use your own car, and none of that is happening. In fact, we keep upgrading the car itself. We add new and better AI models within minutes of their launch because we genuinely want users to have world-class tools and we want you to succeed.
Additional context: Many people had trouble keeping their own API keys active. If someone forgot to top up their OpenAI or Gemini balance or let their key expire, their Pickaxe stopped working. In many cases they were serving their own clients, so one expired key affected multiple people, and Pickaxe got blamed even though we had no control over their billing. With the new system, at least we know the tank is always filled so no one gets stranded. The model provider still charges the same, and your tools keep running smoothly without interruption.