GPT-5.6 Pricing: Why Cheaper Models Don't Always Mean Lower Costs

OpenAI's GPT-5.6 introduces three tiers—Sol ($5/$30 per million tokens), Terra ($2.50/$15), and Luna ($1/$6)—plus improved prompt caching with 90% read discounts. However, the article argues that total AI workflow costs depend on task fit, output shape, retries, and human review, not just per-token prices. Founders should model four cost layers: model tier, output length, context reuse, and operational overhead.