What's Missing in Standard Polar.sh Architecture
Polar.sh manages billing, but free users can access all features without hitting conversion triggers because usage isn't tracked.
Standard Polar.sh Flow vs Optimized Skene Flow
Standard Flow
1
User subscribes via Polar.sh
2
Subscription active but no usage limits enforced
3
Free users can access all features without limits
Skene Flow
1
Monitor usage in database and Polar.sh subscription status
2
Detect when free tier user hits usage limit
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
The Skene setup for Polar.sh monitors usage metrics and subscription status, automatically blocking features and sending upgrade prompts when free tier users exceed their 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 Polar.sh.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
}
});