Do workflows use AI credits if they only send emails and texts?

No. A workflow only uses AI credits when it includes an AI step, such as an AI call, AI SMS, AI email or another AI channel. A plain drip campaign with emails, waits and SMS has no AI cost.

What it costs depends on what you build. For example, if the trigger is an inbound call and the AI receptionist answers and talks on the phone, that conversation uses AI credits because the AI is speaking.

Workflows live inside AI agents because workflow steps can use the agent's system prompt. One agent trained on your company can answer calls as the AI receptionist, book demos, follow up with no shows, run a drip campaign and make outbound calls, so you do not need a separate agent per task or have to repeat the same training and FAQs.