How to Setup the Zerocost SDK

How to Set Up the Zerocost SDK

This guide explains how to integrate the Zerocost SDK into your application and start monetizing without charging users.

Official docs: https://zerocost.app/docs

What is Zerocost?

Zerocost is a monetization SDK that enables apps to generate revenue through:

• Contextual ads
• Anonymized data
• Interaction recordings

It works without paywalls, subscriptions, or invasive tracking, allowing developers to monetize while keeping products free.

1. Install the SDK

Run the automated setup command:

npx @zerocost/sdk

This installs and configures the SDK automatically.

2. Initialize the SDK

Create a file like src/zerocost.ts:

import { ZerocostSDK } from '@zerocost/sdk';

export const zc = new ZerocostSDK({
  appId: "your_app_id",
  apiKey: "your_api_key",
  appName: "your_app_name",
  log: true,

  llm: {
    llmPath: "/chat"
  },

  consent: {
    showSettingsButton: true
  }
});

zc.init();

3. Add SDK to Your App

Import the setup file into your app root:

import "../zerocost";

Place this in:

• App.tsx (React)
• pages/_app.tsx (Next.js)

4. Enable Monetization Streams

From the Zerocost dashboard, you can enable:

Ads (Product 1)

• Contextual, non-intrusive sponsorships
• No behavioral tracking

Data (Product 2)

• Anonymized AI interaction data

Recordings (Product 3)

• Session-level interaction capture

5. Configure User Consent

Zerocost requires explicit user opt-in before monetization activates.

consent: {
  showSettingsButton: true
}

6. Customize Ads

From the dashboard, you can:

• Select ad formats
• Control placement
• Enter route (inline text ad)
• Remove Zerocost watermark

7. Test Integration

Before deploying:

• Run your app locally
• Verify SDK initializes
• Check consent UI
• Ensure monetization activates only after opt-in

8. Go Live

After deployment:

• Ads begin generating impressions
• Data collection starts (if enabled)
• Revenue starts accumulating

9. Monitor Performance

Track from dashboard:

• Revenue
• Impressions
• Consent rates
• Active users

10. Update SDK

npm install @zerocost/sdk@latest

Summary

• Install SDK
• Initialize
• Import into app root
• Enable monetization
• Ensure consent
• Deploy

Typical setup time: ~1–5 minutes

Zerocost enables monetization without paywalls, while keeping products free and privacy-first.