Ark

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docs / audit / pricing

Pricing engine

Ark's pricing engine determines your allowed price range from two inputs: package type and audit score. Creators choose their final price within this range.

The label model

Unlike App Stores where creators self-price (leading to race-to-the-bottom dynamics), Ark follows a record label model. The audit certifies quality, and quality determines value. A higher-scoring package commands a higher price — not because the creator asked for it, but because it earned it.

Price ranges by type and score

TypeScore 60–69Score 70–79Score 80–89Score 90+
skill$5 – $9$9 – $15$15 – $22$22 – $29
agent$19 – $35$35 – $49$49 – $65$65 – $79
bundle$29 – $59$59 – $89$89 – $119$119 – $149
system$99 – $199$199 – $299$299 – $399$399 – $499
os$299 – $499$499 – $649$649 – $799$799 – $999

Setting your price

After the audit, set preferred_price in ark.json within the returned range:

ark.json
"sale": {
  "model": "one-time",
  "preferred_price": 49  ← within your range
}

If you leave preferred_price as null, Ark sets it to the midpoint of the range.

Worked examples

PackageTypeScoreRangeCreator chose
voice-writeragent92$65 – $79Free (acquisition)
agent-comptableagent87$49 – $65$49
noesisgen-fullsystem94$399 – $499$399/yr (subscription)
quick-summarizeskill71$9 – $15$12
Free packages bypass the price range. Set "model": "free" to publish at no cost, regardless of score. You still need a score of 60+ to pass the audit.

Ark's commission

Ark takes a commission on each transaction. The commission funds platform infrastructure, manual review, and creator support.

Transaction typeCommission
One-time purchase20%
Subscription (monthly)20%
Subscription (annual)15%

A $49 one-time sale: Ark keeps $9.80, creator receives $39.20. Payouts via Stripe Connect, 7-day rolling basis.

Why the range matters

Buyers see the price and the score together. A $79 agent with a score of 91 is easy to justify. A $79 agent with a score of 63 would raise doubts. The pricing engine prevents mismatches that would damage creator reputation and buyer trust.