# Refunds & Credits

**Effective date:** 2026-07-31  
**Operator:** SQLGuard Inc / DoggyBagg  
**Contact:** hello@sqlguard.io  
**Related:** [Terms](/terms) §5 · [Disclaimer](/disclaimer)

## USDC / on-chain payments

Exact USDC settlements on Base are processed by third-party facilitators (CDP when configured; otherwise PayAI or successors) and the public blockchain. **Confirmed transfers are final.** The Operator generally **cannot claw back** USDC once settled. Do not treat SQLGuard as a reversible card checkout.

## Gateway invoice ($299/mo and siblings)

Invoice/commercial licence billing is arranged off-chain via hello@sqlguard.io. Refunds, if any, are stated in the invoice terms for that engagement. Absent a written invoice refund clause, prepaid invoice periods are non-refundable once the licence window begins.

## Pilot Challenge unlock ($100 Exact)

`POST /v1/challenge/unlock` (amount `100000000`) purchases the unlock SKU after a DENY/`deny_id` path. Once Exact settle completes and slots/session token are issued, the purchase is **fulfilled**. Unused slots expire at TTL with **no USDC refund**. FAIL burns are final.

## Gateway Pilot ($100 / 7 days)

Exact or invoice Pilot grants a time-boxed slot window. Unused slots at expiry are **not refundable**. Re-purchase if needed.

## Session / Workday / Instant / Bind (legacy Exact)

- **Session / Workday:** Unused slots expire at TTL. Expired or burned slots (including FAIL burns) are **not refundable**.
- **Instant Cert / Mandate Bind:** One Exact settle purchases one certificate attempt for that request path. PASS or FAIL attestations that successfully complete the pipeline are **fulfilled SKUs**. Policy FAIL is not a defect entitling you to USDC return.

## Prepaid credits

- Credits are prepaid units for `/v1/validate` (and related credit-gated paths), not cash.
- Credits are non-transferable and have no cash redemption value.
- If a credit is debited and the sandbox is **unavailable** (infra error) such that no certificate is issued, the Service may **automatically re-credit** that debit. That is a credit ledger correction—not a USDC refund.
- Abuse, fraud, or AUP violations may result in forfeiture without refund.

## Free endpoints

`/v1/probe`, `/v1/gate`, `/v1/gateway/decide`, `/v1/challenge` (DENY mint), `/handshake`, discovery docs, and similar free surfaces have **no purchase** and no refund.

## Dispute path

Email hello@sqlguard.io within **14 days** of the settlement with:

- agent id / wallet
- approximate time (UTC)
- settlement / tx hash if known
- SKU and HTTP status observed

We may require on-chain and ledger evidence. Chargeback-style reversal of USDC is typically impossible; remedies, if any, are limited to discretionary credit adjustments required by law or Operator goodwill.

## No insurance

Refunds policy does not insure production data loss. Authorize ≠ insurance. See [Disclaimer](/disclaimer).