# Budgets and retainers

> Project budgets and retainers are Pro features. They help you stay on scope and bill recurring work.

Source: https://cruxy.io/support/budgets-retainers/ (updated 2026-10-14)

## Set a project budget

1. Tap **Clients**, then the client, then the **Projects** tab.
2. Tap a project.
3. Under **Budget**, choose **Hours** or **Amount** and enter the number.
4. Choose the **Period**: the whole project, each month or each week.
5. Tap **Save**.


A progress bar on the project shows how much is used, for example "13.5 of 20 hrs this month (68%)". Budgets count billable time for the whole workspace.

## The 80% heads-up

When logged time takes a project to 80% of its budget, Cruxy shows a heads-up. It shows another when the project goes over. The bar changes color at those points.

## Roll over unused budget

For a monthly budget, turn on **Roll Over Unused Hours** (or **Budget**). It saves as soon as you flip it. Unused budget carries into the next month, up to one month's worth, and overspending comes out of next month. Rollover starts on the first of the month you turned it on, with nothing carried in, and restarts if you change the budget.

Weekly budgets follow the week start day set on each device.

## Bill a retainer

A retainer is a fixed fee that repeats. Cruxy adds the charge on each date, ready to go on your next invoice.
1. Tap a client, then the yellow pencil for details. (When you add a new client, the Retainer row is on the same form.)
2. Tap **Add a fixed fee that repeats** under Retainer.
3. Enter a description and amount, and choose how often it repeats (monthly, weekly, every 2 weeks or quarterly) and on which day.
4. Set the start date, and an end date if you want one.
5. Tap **Save Retainer**.


Each client can have one retainer. The row shows the next charge date, or that it's paused or ended. Charges appear in Entries like any fixed fee, and the Invoices tab shows how many are ready to invoice.

## Pause or end a retainer

Open the retainer and switch on **Paused** to stop new charges without losing the setup. Set an end date to stop it on a date, or tap the trash icon to delete it. Charges already created stay.

If your workspace goes back to Free, retainers pause until you upgrade again. Existing budgets stay in place but can't be changed.

---
Still stuck? Email support@cruxy.io and you'll get a quick response from a real person.