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

# ICS

> Interaction Computed Signal. The billing unit.

One ICS is one unique nuance activation in one interaction. Billing is outcome-based: you pay for what the SGM finds, not for what it processes.

If the SGM finds nothing, you pay nothing.

## How ICS accumulates

A `/sense` call with the `empathy` Protocol against a 400-word advisory transcript might activate five nuances. That is five ICS.

The same call on a 40-word message with only one activated nuance is one ICS.

## Where ICS is metered

| Surface     | How ICS is priced                                  |
| ----------- | -------------------------------------------------- |
| **Atlas**   | ICS bundled under the contracted engagement (POA). |
| **IBF API** | Metered per detection, under an Atlas engagement.  |

Rate on SGM 0.2: **£0.004 per ICS** at spot. Atlas rates are contract-specific.

Stage & Dive packaging ships with the public launch. [Closed beta](https://blankstate.ai/stage-worlds-beta).

## Suppression

The Protocol's `fidelityThreshold` controls suppression. Activations below the threshold are not returned and not billed.

```json theme={null}
"fidelityThreshold": 0.6
```

Set this low (0.4) for research and calibration; high (0.75+) for auditable production.

## Reading your usage

```bash theme={null}
curl https://ibf.blankstate.ai/api/v1/usage \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $BKS_KEY"
```

Or open **Atlas > API Dashboard** for the visual breakdown.