# Agentic AI: Getting spArks

Creating a timestamp uses spArks, the prepaid credits in your spArxx.io account.
Checking your balance, listing and retrieving your evidence, and verifying
certificates are always free.

New accounts created while connecting an AI start with 0 spArks. You can add
some in either of these ways.

## Get 50 free spArks with the mobile app

1. Install the spArxx.io app on iOS or Android.
2. Open it. You'll get 50 free spArks on that device. No email or sign-up needed yet.
3. Tap **Already have an Account? Link Existing Account** (called **Restore Purchases**
   in older versions of the app). Enter the same email you used to connect your AI and
   your password, then tap **Link Account** (**Sign In & Restore** in older versions).

Signed up with just an emailed code? Then you don't have a password yet. On the
**Link Existing Account** screen, tap **Forgot Password?**, follow the email to set one,
then come back to the app and link.

The 50 spArks move into your account, and your AI can use them right away.
One welcome bonus per device.

Use **Link Existing Account**, not **Claim Account**. Claim Account creates a new
account with a new email, and the email you connected your AI with is already in use.

## Buy spArks

1. Sign in at [app.sparxx.io](https://app.sparxx.io) with the same email you used to
   connect your AI. Use your password, or tap **Magic Link** to get a sign-in link by
   email.
2. Click **spArks** in the upper-right corner to open the Credit Shop.
3. Choose a pack. The spArks are added to your account right away.

You can also buy spArks in the mobile app.

Have a gift card? Redeem it at the bottom of the Credit Shop.

## What a timestamp costs

| How it's created | Cost |
|---|---|
| By your AI, through an AI connection | 20 spArks |
| By you, in the spArxx.io web or mobile apps | 25 spArks |

1 spArk = $0.01 USD. Current rates are promotional and may change. Your AI can
check the current rate and your balance at any time.

## Which connection are you using?

There are two kinds of AI connection, and both reach the same spArxx.io account.

- **Full** (`/mcp`, or `/mcp-cli` for Claude Code): your AI can create timestamps for
  you. Before each one, it tells you the cost and asks you to confirm.
- **Read-only** (`/mcp-read-only`): your AI can check pricing and your balance, list and
  retrieve your evidence, and verify certificates, but it can't create timestamps or
  spend spArks. Create timestamps yourself in the spArxx.io web or mobile apps.

Not sure which one you have? Ask your AI whether it can create spArxx.io timestamps.
If you added spArxx.io from a connectors directory, that directory decides which
connection you get.