# Smart Link Limits and Extra Links

> How many smart links a Switchboard can have: which links count towards your plan, the 5-draft limit, archiving to free a place, extra link packs and what happens when a plan is paused.

Source: https://docs.theavoxai.com/chat-links/limits

Your plan sets how many [smart links](https://docs.theavoxai.com/chat-links) each Switchboard can have. Some plans allow
unlimited links. This page explains what counts, how drafts work, how to free a place, and how to get
more links without changing your plan.

## Where to see your count

- On the **Smart links** page, **Smart links used** shows how many links you have out of how many your
  plan allows. The line under it says how many of those are extra links, and how many
  drafts you have ("Drafts 2 of 5").
- **Settings > Usage** shows the same count, with "Includes ... extra links for this Switchboard" when
  you have some.
- The link packs window (**Buy more links**) shows **Smart links in this Switchboard**.

Each Switchboard has its own count. Links in one Switchboard never use another's places.

## What counts

| Link state | Counts towards your plan? |
| --- | --- |
| **Live** | Yes |
| **Scheduled** | Yes |
| **Paused**, by you, by a paused Switchboard or by Avox | Yes |
| **Ended** | Yes |
| **Draft** | Yes |
| **Archived** | No |

Every link that isn't archived holds a place, because it can be switched back on at any time. Only two
things free a place:

- **Archive** a link you're done with (in the link's **...** menu). It stops opening WhatsApp, keeps its
  numbers, and no longer counts. **Restore** brings it back while your plan has room.
- **Delete a draft** (the bin on its row in the list). Drafts never opened WhatsApp, so they can be
  deleted for good.

**Duplicate** makes a new link, so the copy takes a place of its own.

> **Warning**
>
> Archiving a link stops every printed QR code for it opening WhatsApp. Pick a link you no longer use,
> like an old campaign, before archiving one that's printed on a menu or a sign.

## When every link is in use

When you have as many links as your plan allows, **Create smart link** is greyed out and says why
([AVX-1170](https://docs.theavoxai.com/error-codes/avx-1170)). So are **Duplicate** and **Restore**. Links you already have keep
working, opening WhatsApp and counting visits as usual.

To make room, do one of these:

1. Archive a link you no longer use, or delete a draft.
2. [Buy extra links](#extra-link-packs) for this Switchboard.
3. Move to a plan with more smart links: see [Plans](https://docs.theavoxai.com/plans) and [Change plan](https://docs.theavoxai.com/billing/change-plan).

## Drafts

A link you start but don't finish is kept as a draft, so you can carry on later where you left off. See
[Drafts](https://docs.theavoxai.com/chat-links#drafts).

- Each Switchboard keeps **up to 5 drafts** at a time ([AVX-3835](https://docs.theavoxai.com/error-codes/avx-3835)). Archived
  drafts don't count towards the 5.
- Drafts also count towards your plan, like every link that isn't archived.
- At 5 drafts, a new link isn't saved as a draft as you type: it's kept in this browser until you create
  it. You can still create it and switch it on straight away. **Save as draft** is greyed out until you
  finish or delete a draft.

## Extra link packs

When your plan has a limit, you can add links to one Switchboard without changing your plan. Click
**Buy more links** on the **Smart links** page.

**1. Pick a pack**

Each pack adds a set number of links. The window shows how many links this Switchboard has now.

**2. Check the total**

**Extra links**, **Lasts** ("For good - nothing renews or expires") and **Total today**.

**3. Pay with PayPal**

One payment, nothing renews. The links are added straight away and you can use them at once.

- **Kept for good.** Extra links never expire and stay with the Switchboard you bought them for, on top
  of what your plan includes. They also stay when you change plan.
- **Priced in US dollars.** India accounts see the price in rupees first; PayPal charges the US dollar
  amount.
- **Receipts.** You get an invoice and an email receipt, and the payment shows in your payment history as
  "Extra smart links bought".
- **Who can buy.** People with the **Manage billing** permission. Others who can see billing see the
  packs with a note to ask an Admin.

You can't buy packs when the Switchboard has no plan ([AVX-1171](https://docs.theavoxai.com/error-codes/avx-1171)) or when its
plan already allows unlimited links ([AVX-1172](https://docs.theavoxai.com/error-codes/avx-1172)). More on paying and refunds:
[Billing](https://docs.theavoxai.com/billing#smart-link-limits-and-extra-links).

## Extra links from Avox

The Avox team can also add links to a Switchboard, for example as part of an offer. They show in your
count the same way as links you bought ("Includes ... extra links"), and they work the same.

## Paused plans and no plan

- **Paused plan.** While your plan is paused, it allows no smart links of its own. Extra links you bought
  or were given still count, so the Switchboard can have that many. Your plan's links come back as soon
  as you resume it. You can still buy extra links while it's paused.
- **No plan.** A Switchboard with no plan (its own or its Owner's) can't make new smart links
  ([AVX-1171](https://docs.theavoxai.com/error-codes/avx-1171)). The links it already has keep working. Pick a plan to make new
  ones.

Links you already have are never deleted because of a limit. While a Switchboard has more links than it
allows, they keep working; you just can't make new ones until there's room.

## Who can do what

| To | You need |
| --- | --- |
| See the count | **See smart links** |
| Archive, restore and delete drafts | **Create and edit smart links** |
| Buy extra links | **Manage billing** |

## Related

- [Smart links](https://docs.theavoxai.com/chat-links): Create, share and manage your links