# Running an experiment

> How to set up and launch a Qsolve run: enter your input, pick a machine, adjust solver settings, set a spend limit, then approve the quote, stop or rerun it.

Source: https://qsolve.omlabs.co/docs/use/running-an-experiment
Updated: 2026-11-12

You set up a run on the workflow's page in four parts: your problem, where to run, solver settings and the run summary. Press **Run** and Qsolve sizes the run and quotes a price. Within your spend limit it starts at once. Above it, it waits for your approval. You must be signed in; otherwise the button reads **Sign in to run**.

## Your problem

The input form is generated from the workflow's input schema and validates as you type. The **Run summary** box shows **Ready** when the input is valid, or "N to fix" with the problems marked in the form.

**Start from** lists the workflow's example inputs, for instance "6-node graph" for `max-cut`. Choose one to load it, or **Blank** to start empty. The first example loads by default.

Switch **Edit as** to **JSON** to edit the raw input. The editor reports "Valid input" or the first problem, and **Open a .json file** loads an input from disk. The input must be a JSON object under 1 MB. For a QUBO it looks like this:

```json
{
  "Q": [[-3, 2, 0, 1, 0],
        [ 2,-2, 3, 0, 1],
        [ 0, 3,-4, 2, 0],
        [ 1, 0, 2,-1, 2],
        [ 0, 1, 0, 2,-3]],
  "labels": ["a", "b", "c", "d", "e"]
}
```

An information icon next to **Your problem** states the workflow's limits, such as "Up to 24 binary variables per run". Inputs outside the limits are rejected before any credits are spent.

## Where to run

Choose a machine under **Where to run**. Only machines the workflow supports appear:

| Card | Use it for |
|---|---|
| **CPU simulator** | Exact and cheapest. Best for small problems |
| **GPU simulator** | Faster on large circuits, costs more per run |
| **IBM quantum computer** | Real hardware, priced by quantum seconds |

Each card shows its availability: **Ready** (with the number in the queue), **Starts on demand** or **No machine idle**. A card that is unavailable says why and cannot be selected. For the IBM quantum computer, pick a **Device** from the chips or type another name under **Other device**. [Machines and targets](/docs/use/machines-and-targets) says when to use which.

## Solver settings

If the workflow has settings, **Solver settings** shows **Tuned defaults**. Select **Adjust** to open them. Each workflow declares its own, with limits and a description behind the information icon. For `generic-qubo` and `max-cut`:

| Setting | Default | Range | Effect |
|---|---|---|---|
| Circuit depth (`layers`) | 3 | 1 to 8 | More layers can find better answers but take longer to train |
| Final shots | 4,000 | 100 to 20,000 | Shots for the final measurement. More shots cost more |
| Shots per training step | 1,000 | 100 to 8,000 | Used when training samples the circuit |
| Optimiser iterations | 100 | 5 to 400 | Steps of the classical optimiser |

When you change a setting the summary reads "N changed", and **Reset to defaults** restores them. The workflow's author chose the defaults, and the track record was measured with them, so changing them takes you away from the numbers on the workflow page.

## Run summary and spend limit

The **Run summary** box repeats the target and shows the workflow's **Typical cost**. The **Spend limit** is the most you will pay for this run, between 0.0001 and 1,000 credits. Qsolve suggests ten times the typical cost, rounded up and at least 1 credit, or 5 credits if the workflow has no cost history. The box also shows your balance and a link to **Usage**.

After sizing, Qsolve shows an exact quote. If the run's hold is within your limit it starts. If not, you decide. See [Credits and pricing](/docs/use/credits-and-pricing).

## After you press Run

The run page opens. A progress strip shows **Sized**, **Quoted**, **Queued**, **Running** and **Settled** (or **Failed** or **Stopped**).

- **Needs your OK.** The hold is above your spend limit. The page shows the quote, the amount held while running and your limit. Choose **Run for up to X credits** to accept or **Cancel**. An unconfirmed quote expires after 15 minutes.
- **Stop.** A run that has not started ends at once and nothing is charged. A running run is stopped and billed for what it used.
- **Run again.** Reopens the workflow with the same input, settings and target. It runs the latest published version, which may differ from the one you ran before. See [Reproducibility](/docs/use/reproducibility).
- **Report.** Downloads the run and its events as a JSON file.

Your balance and recent runs are on **My runs** and **Usage**.