Source: https://crabglamp.com/docs/llm-proxy/how-to/raise-a-spend-cap
Last updated: 2026-06-09
Type: how-to

You hit your spend cap or want to bump it preemptively. The cap is per-key and applies to the combined LLM and voice spend.

## Minimum cap

The minimum spend cap is **2000 cents ($20)**. Below the floor, the `PATCH /api/provider-keys/[id]` endpoint returns a 400 validation error. The minimum protects against accidental zero-cap keys that would block every request. Pass `null` to remove the cap entirely.

## From the dashboard

1. Open `/dashboard/llm`.
2. Click the key card you want to update.
3. Click **Edit cap**.
4. Enter the new value in cents (the dashboard renders dollars but submits cents).
5. Click **Save**.

The dashboard issues `PATCH /api/provider-keys/[id]` with body `{ "spendLimitCents": 20000 }` for a $200 cap. Same endpoint accepts `{ "spendLimitCents": null }` to remove the cap. (The cap is set from the dashboard or this API — there is no `crabglamp keys` CLI command for it.)

## When the change takes effect

- The new cap is saved immediately.
- The proxy picks it up and enforces it on every request within about two minutes.

## What happens when the cap is reached

The proxy returns HTTP 429 with body `{ "error": "Monthly spend limit reached", "limit": <cents>, "current": <cents> }`. Subsequent requests with the same key also return 429. The dashboard card flips to a red banner indicating the cap is reached.

Accrued spend resets each invoice period. The cap itself does not reset; it stays the value you set until you change it again.