Maybe, maybe not. Once something stops being free the human brain starts setting expectations (at least mine does.) Sure that last conversation “only” cost $0.08 but since I’m now paying it better damn well work and not fuck up my code. And even though it was only $0.08 I’ll be cranky that I have to undo its changes because it went down a rabbit hole and now need to reprompt it or ask it what the hell it thinks it’s doing… costing yet another $0.08.

Sure it’s a few pennies but it does add up. I’m sure there is some research or term / explanation for this phenomenon.

And with Claude Code, it's typically not $0.08... it's more like $0.50, $5.00 just for a roll LOL. Variable rewards gambling addiction? Definitely...

I was thinking cursor pricing. It becomes a whole different ballgame when you plug these tools into the providers API and pay by the token. Suddenly you really start evaluating how much value you are actually getting out of the tool!