ASK THE PAST API · EFFECTIVE AUGUST 7, 2026

Terms of service.

Operator details. The service is operated and sold by Colin Wren, a sole proprietor in Brooklyn, New York. Ask the past is the product name; Colin Wren is the legal seller. This page is not legal advice.

1. The service

Ask the past provides an OpenAI-compatible API gateway to historical language models, beginning with Mr. Chatterbox. The model generates Victorian-flavoured conversation; it does not reliably answer questions, verify facts, or understand current events.

2. Using the API

You must use the API lawfully, keep your payment credentials and API credentials secure, and follow our Acceptable Use Policy. Do not use the service for emergency, medical, legal, financial, safety-critical, or other high-impact decisions.

You are responsible for the prompts you submit and for reviewing any output before using or publishing it. Do not submit secrets, payment information, or personal information that you are not authorized to process.

3. Price and payment

The homepage may offer a small, rate-limited free demonstration without an account or payment. Free access is promotional, may be shared by people using the same network address, and may be changed, limited, or withdrawn at any time.

The paid API uses one-time prepaid credit packs, not a subscription or a per-request card charge. Current packs are 250 credits for US$2, 750 credits for US$5, and 3,500 credits for US$20. Chatterbox and the smaller models use one credit per successful request; Talkie 1930 uses four credits. Prices, pack sizes, model weights, and payment methods may change. Ask the past does not receive or store full card numbers.

Credits are added only after Stripe or another supported payment rail confirms the pack purchase. A credit balance is not cash, is not transferable, and has no automatic renewal. Failed model requests restore their reserved credits; refund eligibility for a completed pack purchase is described in our Refund Policy.

4. Refunds

Our Refund Policy describes how to request a review of duplicate, failed, or incorrectly charged requests. Nothing in these terms limits non-waivable consumer rights.

5. Availability and output

The service is provided on an “as available” basis. Models may be slow, unavailable, incomplete, repetitive, inaccurate, or surprising. We do not promise uninterrupted access, a particular quality level, or that output is suitable for a particular purpose.

The model and runtime are documented in the Mr. Chatterbox model card and provenance project. The model declares MIT; the British Library blbooks dataset card declares CC0-1.0, and third-party notices still apply.

6. Suspension and changes

We may limit, suspend, or end access to protect the service, enforce these terms, respond to abuse, or comply with law. We may update the service and these terms by publishing a revised version on this site.

7. Contact

For billing, privacy, or abuse questions, email hello@askthepast.online. This address is also the intended public support contact in Stripe.