Does Skene work with Billflow?

Yes! Skene is tool-agnostic and works with Billflow and any payments tool. The Skene SDK integrates with your existing codebase by analyzing your database schema, API routes, and authentication setup. After running `npx skene init`, Skene automatically detects your stack and generates the appropriate configuration.

Is the manual implementation code secure?

The manual code shown above is a simplified example and has several security concerns: it lacks proper input validation, doesn't handle SQL injection risks, and has no rate limiting. Additionally, the polling approach creates unnecessary database load. Skene handles all of these concerns automatically with built-in security best practices, proper error handling, and optimized queries.

How long does it take to implement Freemium Gating manually vs with Skene?

Implementing Freemium Gating manually typically takes 2-3 days of development time, including setting up workers, writing database queries, handling edge cases, and testing. With Skene, you can install the same functionality in under 5 minutes by copying the prompt into Cursor or Claude Code. Skene automatically generates the `skene.config.ts` file and integrates with your existing infrastructure.

Billflow Implementing Usage-Based Billing with Billflow: Manual Webhooks vs Skene Infrastructure

What's Missing in Standard Billflow Architecture

Billflow manages billing, but free users can access all features without hitting conversion triggers because usage isn't tracked.

Standard Billflow Flow vs Optimized Skene Flow

Standard Flow

User subscribes via Billflow

Subscription active but no usage limits enforced

Free users can access all features without limits

Skene Flow

Monitor usage in database and Billflow subscription status

Detect when free tier user hits usage limit

Block feature access and trigger upgrade prompt email

Track conversion from free to paid

Visual comparison of the flows:

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How Skene Fixes This

We built a Skene Prompt that installs freemium gating for Billflow. It monitors usage in your database and Billflow subscription status, automatically blocking features and triggering upgrade prompts when free users hit limits.

Implementation Comparison

Using Skene Infrastructure

Auto-managed state. Installed via Prompt.

Install via Prompt

cursor.mdc

@task: Initialize Skene.
@action: Analyze my local code, validating subscription via `npx skene login`, and generate `skene.config.ts` to implement the Freemium Gating pattern for Billflow.

Copy Skene Prompt for Cursor

Generated skene.config.ts

skene.config.ts

// skene.config.ts - The Automated Way
import { defineLoop } from '@skene/sdk';

export default defineLoop({
  type: 'freemium',
  opinion: 'Enforce usage limits for free tier users and trigger upgrade prompts',
  steps: [
    {
      trigger: {
        type: 'api',
        endpoint: '/api/features/*',
        method: 'POST'
      },
      condition: {
        type: 'usage',
        limit: {
          free: 100,
          paid: Infinity
        },
        period: '30d'
      },
      action: {
        type: 'block',
        message: 'You've reached your free tier limit. Upgrade to continue.',
        upgradePrompt: {
          type: 'email',
          provider: 'resend',
          template: 'upgrade_prompt'
        }
      }
    }
  ],
  recovery: {
    retries: 0 // No retries for blocking actions
  }
});

Implementing Usage-Based Billing with Billflow