GROWTH PATTERN

Adding Freemium Gating to Next.js + RevenueCat Apps

The Next.js + RevenueCat + RevenueCat setup processes payments, but there's no automated connection between feature usage and subscription limits.

Next.js + RevenueCat

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

While Next.js + RevenueCat handles billing correctly, it doesn't monitor feature usage or trigger upgrade prompts when free users hit limits. Payment processing works, but usage tracking is separate.

Standard Next.js + RevenueCat Flow vs Optimized Skene Flow

Standard Flow
1

User subscribes via RevenueCat

2

Subscription status stored in your database

3

Features accessible but no usage limits enforced

Skene Flow
1

Track usage in your database 'subscriptions' and 'usage' tables

2

Detect when free tier user hits limit (e.g., 1GB storage used)

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 your database feature usage with RevenueCat subscription tiers. When free users hit limits (like 100 API calls), it automatically blocks features and sends 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 + RevenueCat.

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