GROWTH PATTERN

Adding Freemium Gating to Next.js + Firebase Apps

While Next.js + Firebase integrates payments for billing, there's no automated system to enforce usage limits or prompt upgrades when free users hit limits.

Next.js + Firebase

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What's Missing in Standard Next.js + Firebase Architecture

Without usage tracking in Firebase, free users can consume unlimited resources without hitting conversion triggers. payments processes payments but doesn't monitor feature usage, requiring separate tracking implementation.

Standard Next.js + Firebase Flow vs Optimized Skene Flow

Standard Flow
1

User subscribes via payments

2

Subscription status stored in Firebase

3

Features accessible but no usage limits enforced

Skene Flow
1

Track usage in Firebase '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 freemium gating into Next.js + Firebase by monitoring Firebase usage tables and payments subscription status. When free users hit limits, it automatically blocks features and triggers upgrade prompts.

Implementation Comparison

Using Skene Infrastructure

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 Next.js + Firebase.

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