Frequently Asked Questions

Getting Started

Why does PlotCraft use OpenRouter?

OpenRouter gives you direct control over your AI costs. Instead of a subscription, you pay only for what you use. This means:

  • No monthly fees when you're not generating stories
  • Full transparency on costs
  • Choice of AI models to match your budget
  • Your API credits belong to you, not PlotCraft

How do I check my OpenRouter balance?

Visit your OpenRouter dashboard to view your current balance and usage history.

What's the minimum OpenRouter balance needed?

We recommend starting with at least $5. This gives you enough for 10-50 stories depending on your quality tier and story length choices.

Generation Issues

My generation failed. What should I check?

  1. OpenRouter balance: Ensure you have sufficient credits. The error will mention "insufficient credits" if this is the issue.
  2. Model availability: Some models may be temporarily unavailable. Try switching to a different quality tier.
  3. Connection issues: Check your internet connection. PlotCraft uses WebSockets for real-time updates.
  4. Browser compatibility: Try refreshing, or use a different browser. Chrome, Firefox, and Safari are all supported.

My story is too short. How do I get longer output?

  • Use a longer prompt: More detail in your prompt gives agents more to work with
  • Enable Research Mode: Research adds depth and detail
  • Use Standard Mode: Agent collaboration produces longer stories than Express Mode
  • Increase target length: Set a higher page or word count target
  • Use Story Architect: The planning phase helps agents understand the scope you want

The story doesn't match my prompt. What went wrong?

  • Be more specific: Vague prompts lead to unexpected results
  • Try Story Architect: Chat with the Editor to clarify your vision before generation
  • Use Premium tier: Higher quality models follow instructions more precisely
  • Check your theme: Theme affects agent personalities and interpretations

Generation is taking too long

Standard Mode typically takes 3-10 minutes. If generation seems stuck:

  • Check if agents are still conversing (you should see new messages)
  • High-traffic times may slow response
  • Complex prompts with Research Mode take longer
  • Premium tier (Claude Opus) is slower but higher quality

If truly stuck, you can cancel and retry. Your session is automatically saved.

Costs & Billing

Why did my story cost more than expected?

Story costs depend on several factors:

  • Quality tier: Premium costs ~6x more than Budget
  • Story length: Longer stories use more tokens
  • Mode: Standard and Architect modes use multiple agent calls
  • Research: Thorough research adds additional API calls
  • Revisions: More revision rounds increase cost

The costs shown (~$0.08 to ~$0.50) are estimates for a typical 3-page story in Standard Mode. Actual costs vary.

How do I reduce costs?

  • Use Express Mode for drafts and testing
  • Start with Budget tier to validate your prompt
  • Use shorter prompts (you can always iterate)
  • Disable Research Mode when not needed

Account & Data

Is my OpenRouter API key stored securely?

Yes. Your API key is encrypted before storage and is never exposed to the frontend. PlotCraft uses your key only to make API calls on your behalf.

Are my stories private?

By default, all your stories are private. Only you can see them unless you explicitly share a story using the share feature.

Can I delete my stories?

Yes. From your story archive, you can delete any story. Deleted stories are permanently removed and cannot be recovered.

How long are my stories saved?

Completed stories are saved indefinitely as long as you have an account. In-progress sessions are saved for 2 hours to allow recovery from interruptions.

Features

What is the Research Dossier?

When Research Mode is enabled, PlotCraft compiles a dossier of facts, references, and context that the agents use while writing. You can view this dossier to see exactly what information informed your story.

Can I continue a story or create sequels?

Yes! Upload your previous story as a reference document when starting a new generation. The agents will use it for continuity. For best results, include a brief summary of what happened and what you want next.

What file types can I upload?

PlotCraft supports:

  • .txt (plain text)
  • .md (markdown)
  • .pdf (PDF documents)

Themes

Can I use multiple themes in one story?

Themes are applied per-generation. However, you can use "Free Writing" theme and describe a multi-genre story in your prompt. The agents will adapt to your request.

Do themes affect quality?

Themes don't affect AI model quality, but they do change agent personalities. A Romance agent focuses on emotional depth, while an SCP agent focuses on technical documentation style. Choose the theme that matches your story's needs.

Still Have Questions?

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