Does Skene work with Django + PostgreSQL + Stripe?

Yes! Skene is tool-agnostic and works with Django + PostgreSQL + Stripe and any tech stack. 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.

Django + PostgreSQL + Stripe Adding Freemium Gating to Django + PostgreSQL + Stripe Apps: Manual Webhooks vs Skene Infrastructure

What's Missing in Standard Django + PostgreSQL + Stripe Architecture

While Stripe processes payments reliably, webhooks fire for payment events (invoice.paid, customer.subscription.deleted) but don't track user activity in your app. There's no connection between Stripe subscription data and usage tracking.

Standard Django + PostgreSQL + Stripe Flow vs Optimized Skene Flow

Standard Flow

1

User subscribes via Stripe

2

Subscription status stored in PostgreSQL

3

Features accessible but no usage limits enforced

Skene Flow

1

Track usage in PostgreSQL 'subscriptions' and 'usage' tables

2

Detect when free tier user hits limit (e.g., 20 API requests this month)

3

Block feature access and trigger upgrade prompt email

4

Track conversion from free to paid

Visual comparison of the flows:

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How Skene Fixes This

This Skene Prompt installs usage tracking that correlates PostgreSQL feature usage with Stripe subscription tiers. When free users hit limits (like 100 API calls), it automatically blocks features and sends upgrade prompts.

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 Django + PostgreSQL + Stripe.

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
  }
});

Frequently asked questions

Related growth patterns

Django

Adding Framework Onboarding to Django

Django excels at user management, but there's no built-in way to detect when users transition from 'registered' to 'activated.'

Django + PostgreSQL

Adding Activation to Django + PostgreSQL Apps

While Django + PostgreSQL handles authentication well, it's missing the critical Activation Loop that drives users to their first value moment.

Django + PostgreSQL

Adding Retention to Django + PostgreSQL Apps

Django + PostgreSQL manages user data correctly, but there's no connection between data storage and retention automation.

Django + PostgreSQL + Stripe

Adding Retention to Django + PostgreSQL + Stripe Apps

Without activity monitoring in Django + PostgreSQL + Stripe, you can't detect dormant users or celebrate growth milestones that keep users engaged.

Django

Implementing Setup Tracking for Django

Django works out of the box, but developers often struggle with initial setup because there's no milestone tracking or guidance.

Django + Stripe

Adding Freemium Gating to Django + Stripe Apps

Free tier users in Django + Stripe apps often hit limits without any automated upgrade prompts or feature blocking.