Does Skene work with Remix + Clerk?

Yes! Skene is tool-agnostic and works with Remix + Clerk 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.

Remix + Clerk Adding Freemium Gating to Remix + Clerk Apps: Manual Webhooks vs Skene Infrastructure

What's Missing in Standard Remix + Clerk Architecture

Remix + Clerk subscriptions work, but there's no system to track usage and automatically enforce subscription-based feature limits without custom implementation.

Standard Remix + Clerk Flow vs Optimized Skene Flow

Standard Flow

1

User subscribes via payments

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., 5 team members invited)

3

Block feature access and trigger upgrade prompt email

4

Track conversion from free to paid

Visual comparison of the flows:

Loading diagram...

How Skene Fixes This

This Skene Prompt installs usage tracking that correlates your database feature usage with payments 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 Remix + Clerk.

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

Clerk

Adding Activation to Clerk Apps

Clerk excels at user management, but misses opportunities to celebrate user achievements and drive deeper engagement.

Next.js + Clerk + Stripe

Adding Freemium Gating to Next.js + Clerk + Stripe Apps

While Next.js + Clerk + Stripe integrates Stripe for billing, there's no automated system to enforce usage limits or prompt upgrades.

Next.js + Clerk + Stripe

Adding Retention to Next.js + Clerk + Stripe Apps

Users subscribe and use Next.js + Clerk + Stripe, but there's no system to detect churn risk or trigger re-engagement when activity drops.

Next.js + Convex + Clerk

Adding Activation to Next.js + Convex + Clerk Apps

While Next.js + Convex + Clerk handles authentication well, it's missing the critical Activation Loop that drives users to their first value moment.

Next.js + Convex + Clerk

Adding Retention to Next.js + Convex + Clerk Apps

The Next.js + Convex + Clerk setup works for onboarding, but there's no automated way to identify inactive users or celebrate engagement milestones.

Next.js + Convex + Clerk + Stripe

Adding Activation to Next.js + Convex + Clerk + Stripe Apps

Users sign up with Next.js + Convex + Clerk + Stripe, but then there's no system to identify when they complete their first meaningful action—like connecting their first integration.