clerk-cost-tuning

# Clerk Cost Tuning

## Overview
Understand Clerk pricing and optimize costs for your application.

## Prerequisites
- Clerk account active
- Understanding of MAU (Monthly Active Users)
- Application usage patterns known

## Clerk Pricing Model

### Pricing Tiers (as of 2024)

| Tier | MAU Included | Price | Features |
|------|--------------|-------|----------|
| Free | 10,000 | $0 | Basic auth, 5 social providers |
| Pro | 10,000 | $25/mo | Custom domain, priority support |
| Enterprise | Custom | Custom | SSO, SLA, dedicated support |

### Per-User Pricing (after included MAU)
- Pro: ~$0.02 per MAU above 10,000

### What Counts as MAU?
- Any user who signs in during the month
- Active session = counted
- Multiple sign-ins = counted once

## Cost Optimization Strategies

### Strategy 1: Reduce Unnecessary Sessions
```typescript
// lib/session-optimization.ts
import { auth } from '@clerk/nextjs/server'

// Use session efficiently - avoid creating multiple sessions
export async function getOrCreateSession() {
  const { userId, sessionId } = await auth()

  // Prefer existing session over creating new ones
  if (sessionId) {
    return { userId, sessionId, isNew: false }
  }

  // Only create session when absolutely needed
  return { userId, sessionId: null, isNew: true }
}

// Configure session lifetime appropriately
// Clerk Dashboard > Configure > Sessions
// Longer sessions = fewer re-authentications
```

### Strategy 2: Implement Guest Users
```typescript
// lib/guest-users.ts
// Use guest mode for non-essential features to reduce MAU

export function useGuestOrAuth() {
  const { userId, isLoaded, isSignedIn } = useUser()

  // Allow limited functionality without sign-in
  const guestId = useMemo(() => {
    if (typeof window === 'undefined') return null
    let id = localStorage.getItem('guest_id')
    if (!id) {
      id = crypto.randomUUID()
      localStorage.setItem('guest_id', id)
    }
    return id
  }, [])

  return {
    userId: isSignedIn ? userId : nu