GROWTH PATTERN

Implementing Usage-Based Billing with RevenueCat

RevenueCat handles transactions, but misses the opportunity to automatically gate features based on subscription tiers.

RevenueCat

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What's Missing in Standard RevenueCat Architecture

RevenueCat manages billing, but free users can access all features without hitting conversion triggers because usage isn't tracked.

Standard RevenueCat Flow vs Optimized Skene Flow

Standard Flow
1

User subscribes via RevenueCat

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 RevenueCat 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

This Skene configuration tracks feature usage and integrates with RevenueCat to enforce subscription limits. It automatically gates features for free users and sends conversion-focused email sequences when limits are reached.

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 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