> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.milkstraw.ai/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# How we identify savings

> MilkStraw AI monitors your AWS usage to find and apply Fluid savings.

## Monitoring your usage

With a secure, least-privilege cross-account role, MilkStraw AI regularly checks your AWS usage and cost data, including running instances, services, savings coverage, and on-demand spend.

## Identifying opportunities

MilkStraw AI looks for three main scenarios:

* **Uncovered On-Demand usage:** When on-demand usage can be covered by <Tooltip tip="Long term AWS commitments managed by MilkStraw AI">Fluid savings</Tooltip>, we show it as a savings plan on the **Overview** page.
* **Underutilized savings:** If any <Tooltip tip="Standard AWS accounts that contain Commitment-based discounts">MilkBoxes</Tooltip> in your organization aren’t being fully used, we mark them for removal.
* **Waste:** The [project board](/projects-and-findings) on the **Overview** page lists tasks that cut waste, such as idle resources and outdated instance types.

## Applying savings

<Steps>
  <Step title="Activate">
    A member with the Engineer, Admin, or Owner role clicks **Activate** on the **Overview** page. A payment method is required. See [Activate and track savings](/activate-savings).
  </Step>

  <Step title="We apply the savings">
    Our team transfers MilkBoxes into your organization. This usually takes 48 hours to a week.
  </Step>

  <Step title="We keep your savings matched to your usage">
    When your usage drops, our team removes underutilized MilkBoxes to prevent waste.
  </Step>
</Steps>


This documentation is built and hosted on [Mintlify](https://mintlify.com), a developer documentation platform.