> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.luxxon.dev/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Pricing

> Per-second µUSDC rates, dynamic factors, spot vs quote-locked.

Luxxon prices in **micro-USDC per second** (`µUSDC/s`). A baseline rate
gets multiplied by three dynamic factors at the moment a session is
priced.

## The formula

```
rate = base × supply_factor × demand_factor × corridor_multiplier
```

Everything in basis points internally (10000 = 1.0×) to keep settlement
math in integers — no float drift.

| Term                  | Source                                                                                          |
| --------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| `base_rate`           | Platform setting. Default: 1000 µUSDC/s ($0.001/s = $0.06/min).                                 |
| `supply_factor`       | `clamp(1 / active_operators_in_range, 0.7×, 3.0×)`. Few operators → surge up.                   |
| `demand_factor`       | `clamp(1 + open_sessions_in_range / available_operators, 1.0×, 3.0×)`. Busy area → surge up.    |
| `corridor_multiplier` | Per-zone override set by the platform (tourist zones, off-hours, special events). Default 1.0×. |

The clamps prevent runaway pricing — even in the most starved
combination, the rate caps at `base × 3 × 3 × corridor_max`.

<Warning>
  **During early access**, `supply_factor`, `demand_factor`, and
  `corridor_multiplier` all return `1.0×`. Real factor computation
  lights up once there are operators online to count. The API surface
  and contract are stable; the numbers behind them get more interesting.
</Warning>

## Two flows: spot and quote-locked

**Spot.** Don't pre-fetch a quote. POST `/sessions` directly; the
server computes the current rate at request time and stamps it on the
session. Fastest, no round-trip overhead, no surge guarantee.

```bash theme={null}
curl -X POST .../sessions \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $KEY" \
  -d '{"lat":4.71,"lng":-74.07,"maxDurationSeconds":300}'
```

**Quote-locked.** Pre-fetch a quote, then reference it on create.
Server validates the quote isn't expired and uses *that* rate. Standard
pattern for surge-sensitive flows.

```bash theme={null}
QUOTE=$(curl -s ".../pricing/quote?lat=4.71&lng=-74.07&durationSeconds=300" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $KEY" | jq -r '.data.quoteId')

curl -X POST .../sessions \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $KEY" \
  -d "{\"lat\":4.71,\"lng\":-74.07,\"maxDurationSeconds\":300,\"quoteId\":\"$QUOTE\"}"
```

Quotes expire after 30 seconds. Single-use — once consumed by a session
create, the same `quoteId` returns `pricing:quoteAlreadyUsed` (409).

## Rate-locking through a session

The rate stamped on the session is **immutable for the duration of that
session**. Surges can rise mid-session but already-running sessions
keep their locked rate. New sessions opened after the surge see the
new rate. Operators are paid at the locked rate too — symmetric.

## The settlement math

When a session ends, the meter produces `cleanSeconds` (billable) and
`failedSeconds` (non-billable, e.g. QoS violations). The amount math:

```
chargeable_seconds   = cleanSeconds                        # failedSeconds drop out
operator_share_bps   = 10000 − platform_fee_bps            # default fee 1500 (15%)
operator_earned      = chargeable_seconds × rate × operator_share_bps / 10000
platform_fee         = chargeable_seconds × rate × platform_fee_bps  / 10000
consumer_charged     = operator_earned + platform_fee
```

These are the `toAmount` / `feeAmount` you'll see on the settlement
payload at `/settlements/:sessionId`.

## Failed seconds are not billed

If 60 seconds of a session were live but 15 of them had geofence
breaches or QoS failures, the consumer is charged for 45 seconds and
the operator earns on 45 seconds. The platform's fee is on 45 seconds.
Nobody pays for what didn't work.

The discrimination criteria themselves (QoS thresholds, geofence
radius, telemetry continuity) are documented in
[Trust model](/concepts/trust-model/) — the short version is *failed
\= measurable platform breach*, not consumer dissatisfaction.

## Currency

USDC on Base. Only. See [Wallet](/concepts/wallet/) for funding flow.