diff --git a/CHANGELOG.md b/CHANGELOG.md
index e74280b3c..b3f4772c5 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 # Unreleased
 
+* chore!: use `--tcycles` for consistency instead of raw `--cycles` amounts
 * fix: Validate explicit canister paths and throw an error if `canister.yaml` is not found
 
 # v0.1.0-beta.3
diff --git a/crates/icp-canister-interfaces/src/cycles_ledger.rs b/crates/icp-canister-interfaces/src/cycles_ledger.rs
index 9a090e348..015a04e78 100644
--- a/crates/icp-canister-interfaces/src/cycles_ledger.rs
+++ b/crates/icp-canister-interfaces/src/cycles_ledger.rs
@@ -117,8 +117,10 @@ impl CreateCanisterError {
             CreateCanisterError::TooOld => "created_at_time is too old.".to_string(),
             CreateCanisterError::InsufficientFunds { balance } => {
                 format!(
-                    "Insufficient cycles. Requested: {requested_cycles} cycles, available balance: {balance} cycles. 
-                    use `icp cycles mint` to get more cycles or use `--cycles` to specify a different amount."
+                    "Insufficient cycles. Requested: {} TCYCLES, available balance: {} TCYCLES. 
+                    use `icp cycles mint` to get more cycles or use `--tcycles` to specify a different amount.",
+                    BigDecimal::new(requested_cycles.into(), CYCLES_LEDGER_DECIMALS),
+                    BigDecimal::from_biguint(balance.0.clone(), CYCLES_LEDGER_DECIMALS)
                 )
             }
         }
diff --git a/crates/icp-cli/src/commands/canister/create.rs b/crates/icp-cli/src/commands/canister/create.rs
index e3d08e6d7..c53054fe2 100644
--- a/crates/icp-cli/src/commands/canister/create.rs
+++ b/crates/icp-cli/src/commands/canister/create.rs
@@ -1,8 +1,9 @@
 use anyhow::anyhow;
+use bigdecimal::BigDecimal;
 use candid::{Nat, Principal};
 use clap::Args;
 use icp::context::Context;
-use icp::{Canister, context::CanisterSelection, prelude::*};
+use icp::{Canister, context::CanisterSelection};
 use icp_canister_interfaces::cycles_ledger::CanisterSettingsArg;
 
 use crate::{
@@ -11,7 +12,7 @@ use crate::{
     progress::{ProgressManager, ProgressManagerSettings},
 };
 
-pub(crate) const DEFAULT_CANISTER_CYCLES: u128 = 2 * TRILLION;
+pub(crate) const DEFAULT_CANISTER_TCYCLES: &str = "2";
 
 #[derive(Clone, Debug, Default, Args)]
 pub(crate) struct CanisterSettings {
@@ -49,9 +50,9 @@ pub(crate) struct CreateArgs {
     #[arg(long, short = 'q')]
     pub(crate) quiet: bool,
 
-    /// Cycles to fund canister creation (in raw cycles).
-    #[arg(long, default_value_t = DEFAULT_CANISTER_CYCLES)]
-    pub(crate) cycles: u128,
+    /// Cycles to fund canister creation (in TCYCLES).
+    #[arg(long, default_value = DEFAULT_CANISTER_TCYCLES)]
+    pub(crate) tcycles: BigDecimal,
 
     /// The subnet to create canisters on.
     #[arg(long)]
@@ -128,7 +129,7 @@ pub(crate) async fn exec(ctx: &Context, args: &CreateArgs) -> Result<(), anyhow:
         .collect();
     let progress_manager = ProgressManager::new(ProgressManagerSettings { hidden: ctx.debug });
     let create_operation =
-        CreateOperation::new(agent, args.subnet, args.cycles, existing_canisters);
+        CreateOperation::new(agent, args.subnet, args.tcycles.clone(), existing_canisters);
 
     let canister_settings = args.canister_settings_with_default(&canister_info);
     let pb = progress_manager.create_progress_bar(&canister);
diff --git a/crates/icp-cli/src/commands/cycles/mint.rs b/crates/icp-cli/src/commands/cycles/mint.rs
index 727656b84..f7059883f 100644
--- a/crates/icp-cli/src/commands/cycles/mint.rs
+++ b/crates/icp-cli/src/commands/cycles/mint.rs
@@ -9,12 +9,12 @@ use crate::operations::token::mint::mint_cycles;
 #[derive(Debug, Args)]
 pub(crate) struct MintArgs {
     /// Amount of ICP to mint to cycles.
-    #[arg(long, conflicts_with = "cycles")]
+    #[arg(long, conflicts_with = "tcycles")]
     pub(crate) icp: Option<BigDecimal>,
 
-    /// Amount of cycles to mint. Automatically determines the amount of ICP needed.
+    /// Amount of cycles to mint (in TCYCLES). Automatically determines the amount of ICP needed.
     #[arg(long, conflicts_with = "icp")]
-    pub(crate) cycles: Option<u128>,
+    pub(crate) tcycles: Option<BigDecimal>,
 
     #[command(flatten)]
     pub(crate) token_command_args: TokenCommandArgs,
@@ -22,8 +22,8 @@ pub(crate) struct MintArgs {
 
 pub(crate) async fn exec(ctx: &Context, args: &MintArgs) -> Result<(), anyhow::Error> {
     // Validate args
-    if args.icp.is_none() && args.cycles.is_none() {
-        bail!("no amount specified. Use --icp or --cycles");
+    if args.icp.is_none() && args.tcycles.is_none() {
+        bail!("no amount specified. Use --icp or --tcycles");
     }
 
     let selections = args.token_command_args.selections();
@@ -38,7 +38,7 @@ pub(crate) async fn exec(ctx: &Context, args: &MintArgs) -> Result<(), anyhow::E
         .await?;
 
     // Execute mint operation
-    let mint_info = mint_cycles(&agent, args.icp.as_ref(), args.cycles).await?;
+    let mint_info = mint_cycles(&agent, args.icp.as_ref(), args.tcycles.as_ref()).await?;
 
     // Display results
     let _ = ctx.term.write_line(&format!(
diff --git a/crates/icp-cli/src/commands/deploy/mod.rs b/crates/icp-cli/src/commands/deploy/mod.rs
index a91e606b8..f33c7ea87 100644
--- a/crates/icp-cli/src/commands/deploy/mod.rs
+++ b/crates/icp-cli/src/commands/deploy/mod.rs
@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
 use anyhow::anyhow;
+use bigdecimal::BigDecimal;
 use candid::{CandidType, Principal};
 use clap::Args;
 use futures::{StreamExt, future::try_join_all, stream::FuturesOrdered};
@@ -40,9 +41,9 @@ pub(crate) struct DeployArgs {
     #[arg(long)]
     pub(crate) controller: Vec<Principal>,
 
-    /// Cycles to fund canister creation (in cycles).
-    #[arg(long, default_value_t = create::DEFAULT_CANISTER_CYCLES)]
-    pub(crate) cycles: u128,
+    /// Cycles to fund canister creation (in TCYCLES).
+    #[arg(long, default_value = create::DEFAULT_CANISTER_TCYCLES)]
+    pub(crate) tcycles: BigDecimal,
 
     #[command(flatten)]
     pub(crate) identity: IdentityOpt,
@@ -115,7 +116,7 @@ pub(crate) async fn exec(ctx: &Context, args: &DeployArgs) -> Result<(), anyhow:
         let create_operation = CreateOperation::new(
             agent.clone(),
             args.subnet,
-            args.cycles,
+            args.tcycles.clone(),
             existing_canisters.into_values().collect(),
         );
         let mut futs = FuturesOrdered::new();
diff --git a/crates/icp-cli/src/operations/create.rs b/crates/icp-cli/src/operations/create.rs
index e85ab3e95..2a6ab29a1 100644
--- a/crates/icp-cli/src/operations/create.rs
+++ b/crates/icp-cli/src/operations/create.rs
@@ -1,9 +1,10 @@
+use bigdecimal::{BigDecimal, ToPrimitive};
 use candid::{Decode, Encode, Nat, Principal};
 use ic_agent::{Agent, AgentError};
 use icp_canister_interfaces::{
     cycles_ledger::{
-        CYCLES_LEDGER_PRINCIPAL, CanisterSettingsArg, CreateCanisterArgs, CreateCanisterResponse,
-        CreationArgs, SubnetSelectionArg,
+        CYCLES_LEDGER_DECIMALS, CYCLES_LEDGER_PRINCIPAL, CanisterSettingsArg, CreateCanisterArgs,
+        CreateCanisterResponse, CreationArgs, SubnetSelectionArg,
     },
     cycles_minting_canister::CYCLES_MINTING_CANISTER_PRINCIPAL,
     registry::{GetSubnetForCanisterRequest, GetSubnetForCanisterResult, REGISTRY_PRINCIPAL},
@@ -44,12 +45,15 @@ pub enum CreateOperationError {
 
     #[snafu(display("failed to resolve subnet: {message}"))]
     SubnetResolution { message: String },
+
+    #[snafu(display("cycles amount overflow"))]
+    CyclesAmountOverflow,
 }
 
 struct CreateOperationInner {
     agent: Agent,
     subnet: Option<Principal>,
-    cycles: u128,
+    tcycles: BigDecimal,
     existing_canisters: Vec<Principal>,
     resolved_subnet: OnceCell<Result<Principal, String>>,
 }
@@ -70,14 +74,14 @@ impl CreateOperation {
     pub fn new(
         agent: Agent,
         subnet: Option<Principal>,
-        cycles: u128,
+        tcycles: BigDecimal,
         existing_canisters: Vec<Principal>,
     ) -> Self {
         Self {
             inner: Arc::new(CreateOperationInner {
                 agent,
                 subnet,
-                cycles,
+                tcycles,
                 existing_canisters,
                 resolved_subnet: OnceCell::new(),
             }),
@@ -92,6 +96,10 @@ impl CreateOperation {
         &self,
         settings: &CanisterSettingsArg,
     ) -> Result<Principal, CreateOperationError> {
+        let raw_cycles = (&self.inner.tcycles * 10u128.pow(CYCLES_LEDGER_DECIMALS as u32))
+            .to_u128()
+            .ok_or(CreateOperationError::CyclesAmountOverflow)?;
+
         let creation_args = CreationArgs {
             subnet_selection: Some(SubnetSelectionArg::Subnet {
                 subnet: self
@@ -104,7 +112,7 @@ impl CreateOperation {
         let arg = CreateCanisterArgs {
             from_subaccount: None,
             created_at_time: None,
-            amount: Nat::from(self.inner.cycles),
+            amount: Nat::from(raw_cycles),
             creation_args: Some(creation_args),
         };
 
@@ -123,7 +131,7 @@ impl CreateOperation {
             CreateCanisterResponse::Ok { canister_id, .. } => canister_id,
             CreateCanisterResponse::Err(err) => {
                 return CreateCanisterSnafu {
-                    message: err.format_error(self.inner.cycles),
+                    message: err.format_error(raw_cycles),
                 }
                 .fail();
             }
diff --git a/crates/icp-cli/src/operations/token/mint.rs b/crates/icp-cli/src/operations/token/mint.rs
index 2e7b3cbc8..9055f3bcd 100644
--- a/crates/icp-cli/src/operations/token/mint.rs
+++ b/crates/icp-cli/src/operations/token/mint.rs
@@ -64,9 +64,9 @@ pub struct MintInfo {
 ///
 /// * `agent` - The IC agent to use for queries and updates
 /// * `icp_amount` - Optional ICP amount to convert to cycles
-/// * `cycles_amount` - Optional desired cycles amount (will calculate required ICP)
+/// * `tcycles_amount` - Optional desired cycles amount in TCYCLES (will calculate required ICP)
 ///
-/// One of `icp_amount` or `cycles_amount` must be provided (but not both).
+/// One of `icp_amount` or `tcycles_amount` must be provided (but not both).
 ///
 /// # Returns
 ///
@@ -74,7 +74,7 @@ pub struct MintInfo {
 pub async fn mint_cycles(
     agent: &Agent,
     icp_amount: Option<&BigDecimal>,
-    cycles_amount: Option<u128>,
+    tcycles_amount: Option<&BigDecimal>,
 ) -> Result<MintInfo, MintCyclesError> {
     // Get user principal
     let user_principal = agent
@@ -86,7 +86,11 @@ pub async fn mint_cycles(
         (icp_amount * 100_000_000_u64)
             .to_u64()
             .ok_or(MintCyclesError::IcpAmountOverflow)?
-    } else if let Some(cycles_amount) = cycles_amount {
+    } else if let Some(tcycles_amount) = tcycles_amount {
+        let cycles_amount = (tcycles_amount.clone() * 10u128.pow(CYCLES_LEDGER_DECIMALS as u32))
+            .to_u128()
+            .ok_or(MintCyclesError::IcpAmountOverflow)?;
+
         // Query CMC for conversion rate
         let cmc_response = agent
             .query(
diff --git a/crates/icp-cli/tests/canister_create_tests.rs b/crates/icp-cli/tests/canister_create_tests.rs
index ef323ef0a..890b06bd1 100644
--- a/crates/icp-cli/tests/canister_create_tests.rs
+++ b/crates/icp-cli/tests/canister_create_tests.rs
@@ -122,8 +122,8 @@ async fn canister_create_with_settings() {
             "my-canister",
             "--environment",
             "random-environment",
-            "--cycles",
-            &format!("{}", 70 * TRILLION), /* 70 TCYCLES because compute allocation is expensive */
+            "--tcycles",
+            "70", /* 70 TCYCLES because compute allocation is expensive */
         ])
         .assert()
         .success();
@@ -202,8 +202,8 @@ async fn canister_create_with_settings_cmdline_override() {
             "2",
             "--environment",
             "random-environment",
-            "--cycles",
-            &format!("{}", 70 * TRILLION), /* 70 TCYCLES because compute allocation is expensive */
+            "--tcycles",
+            "70", /* 70 TCYCLES because compute allocation is expensive */
         ])
         .assert()
         .success();
diff --git a/crates/icp-cli/tests/canister_settings_tests.rs b/crates/icp-cli/tests/canister_settings_tests.rs
index 9260c8825..8b6e2a969 100644
--- a/crates/icp-cli/tests/canister_settings_tests.rs
+++ b/crates/icp-cli/tests/canister_settings_tests.rs
@@ -682,8 +682,8 @@ async fn canister_settings_update_miscellaneous() {
             "deploy",
             "--subnet",
             common::SUBNET_ID,
-            "--cycles",
-            &format!("{}", 120 * TRILLION), // 120 TCYCLES because compute allocation is expensive
+            "--tcycles",
+            "120", // 120 TCYCLES because compute allocation is expensive
             "--environment",
             "random-environment",
         ])
diff --git a/crates/icp-cli/tests/common/clients/icp_cli.rs b/crates/icp-cli/tests/common/clients/icp_cli.rs
index 35ab0dbdd..b882e6748 100644
--- a/crates/icp-cli/tests/common/clients/icp_cli.rs
+++ b/crates/icp-cli/tests/common/clients/icp_cli.rs
@@ -1,5 +1,7 @@
+use bigdecimal::BigDecimal;
 use candid::Principal;
 use icp::{prelude::*, project::DEFAULT_LOCAL_ENVIRONMENT_NAME};
+use icp_canister_interfaces::cycles_ledger::CYCLES_LEDGER_DECIMALS;
 
 use crate::common::TestContext;
 
@@ -78,14 +80,15 @@ impl<'a> Client<'a> {
     }
 
     pub(crate) fn mint_cycles(&self, amount: u128) {
+        let tcycles = BigDecimal::new(amount.into(), CYCLES_LEDGER_DECIMALS);
         self.ctx
             .icp()
             .current_dir(&self.current_dir)
             .args([
                 "cycles",
                 "mint",
-                "--cycles",
-                &amount.to_string(),
+                "--tcycles",
+                &tcycles.to_string(),
                 "--environment",
                 &self.environment,
             ])
diff --git a/crates/icp-cli/tests/cycles_tests.rs b/crates/icp-cli/tests/cycles_tests.rs
index 22acceb16..87bf6943c 100644
--- a/crates/icp-cli/tests/cycles_tests.rs
+++ b/crates/icp-cli/tests/cycles_tests.rs
@@ -74,8 +74,8 @@ async fn cycles_balance() {
         .args([
             "cycles",
             "mint",
-            "--cycles",
-            "1000000000",
+            "--tcycles",
+            "0.001",
             "--environment",
             "random-environment",
         ])
@@ -89,8 +89,8 @@ async fn cycles_balance() {
         .args([
             "cycles",
             "mint",
-            "--cycles",
-            "1500000000",
+            "--tcycles",
+            "0.0015",
             "--environment",
             "random-environment",
         ])
diff --git a/docs/cli-reference.md b/docs/cli-reference.md
index 4e5eac6c5..bdda0f141 100644
--- a/docs/cli-reference.md
+++ b/docs/cli-reference.md
@@ -160,9 +160,9 @@ Create a canister on a network
 * `--freezing-threshold <FREEZING_THRESHOLD>` — Optional freezing threshold in seconds. Controls how long a canister can be inactive before being frozen
 * `--reserved-cycles-limit <RESERVED_CYCLES_LIMIT>` — Optional reserved cycles limit. If set, the canister cannot consume more than this many cycles
 * `-q`, `--quiet` — Suppress human-readable output; print only canister IDs, one per line, to stdout
-* `--cycles <CYCLES>` — Cycles to fund canister creation (in raw cycles)
+* `--tcycles <TCYCLES>` — Cycles to fund canister creation (in TCYCLES)
 
-  Default value: `2000000000000`
+  Default value: `2`
 * `--subnet <SUBNET>` — The subnet to create canisters on
 
 
@@ -445,7 +445,7 @@ Convert icp to cycles
 ###### **Options:**
 
 * `--icp <ICP>` — Amount of ICP to mint to cycles
-* `--cycles <CYCLES>` — Amount of cycles to mint. Automatically determines the amount of ICP needed
+* `--tcycles <TCYCLES>` — Amount of cycles to mint (in TCYCLES). Automatically determines the amount of ICP needed
 * `--network <NETWORK>` — Name of the network to target, conflicts with environment argument
 * `--mainnet` — Shorthand for --network=mainnet
 * `-e`, `--environment <ENVIRONMENT>` — Override the environment to connect to. By default, the local environment is used
@@ -474,9 +474,9 @@ Deploy a project to an environment
 
 * `--subnet <SUBNET>` — The subnet to use for the canisters being deployed
 * `--controller <CONTROLLER>` — One or more controllers for the canisters being deployed. Repeat `--controller` to specify multiple
-* `--cycles <CYCLES>` — Cycles to fund canister creation (in cycles)
+* `--tcycles <TCYCLES>` — Cycles to fund canister creation (in TCYCLES)
 
-  Default value: `2000000000000`
+  Default value: `2`
 * `--identity <IDENTITY>` — The user identity to run this command as
 * `-e`, `--environment <ENVIRONMENT>` — Override the environment to connect to. By default, the local environment is used
 * `--ic` — Shorthand for --environment=ic