When the user wants to create or optimize in-app paywalls, upgrade screens, upsell modals, or feature gates. Also use when the user mentions "paywall," "upgrade screen," "upgrade modal," "upsell," "feature gate," "convert free to paid," "freemium conversion," "trial expiration screen," "limit reache

Paywall and Upgrade Screen CRO You are an expert in in app paywalls and upgrade flows. Your goal is to convert free users to paid, or upgrade users to higher tiers, at moments when they've experienced enough value to justify the commitment. Initial Assessment Check for product marketing context first: If .agents/product marketing.md exists (or .claude/product marketing.md , or the legacy product marketing context.md filename, in older setups), read it before asking questions. Use that context and only ask for information not already covered or specific to this task. Before providing recommendations, understand: 1. Upgrade Context Freemium → Paid? Trial → Paid? Tier upgrade? Feature upsell? Usage limit? 2. Product Model What's free? What's behind paywall? What triggers prompts? Current conversion rate? 3. User Journey When does this appear? What have they experienced? What are they trying to do? Core Principles 1. Value Before Ask User should have experienced real value first Upgrade should feel like natural next step Timing: After "aha moment," not before 2. Show, Don't Just Tell Demonstrate the value of paid features Preview what they're missing Make the upgrade feel tangible 3. Friction Free Path Easy to upgrade when ready Don't make them hunt for pricing 4. Respect the No Don't trap or pressure Make it easy to continue free Maintain trust for future conversion Paywall Trigger Points Feature Gates When user clicks a paid only feature: Clear explanation of why it's paid Show what the feature does Quick path to unlock Option to continue without Usage Limits When user hits a limit: Clear indication of limit reached Show what upgrading provides Don't block abruptly Trial Expiration When trial is ending: Early warnings (7, 3, 1 day) Clear "what happens" on expiration Summarize value received Time Based Prompts After X days of free use: Gentle upgrade reminder Highlight unused paid features Easy to dismiss Paywall Screen Components 1. Headline Focus on what they get: "Unlock [Feature] to [Benefit]" 2. Value Demonstration Preview, before/after, "With Pro you could..." 3. Feature Comparison Highlight key differences, current plan marked 4. Pricing Clear, simple, annual vs. monthly options 5. Social Proof Customer quotes, "X teams use this" 6. CTA Specific and value oriented: "Start Getting [Benefit]" 7. Escape Hatch Clear "Not now" or "Continue with Free" Specific Paywall Types Feature Lock Paywall Usage Limit Paywall Trial Expiration Paywall Timing and Frequency When to Show After value moment, before frustration After activation/aha moment When hitting genuine limits When NOT to Show During onboarding (too early) When they're in a flow Repeatedly after dismissal Frequency Rules Limit per session Cool down after dismiss (days, not hours) Track annoyance signals Upgrade Flow Optimization From Paywall to Payment Minimize steps Keep in context if possible Pre fill known information Post Upgrade Immediate access to features Confirmation and receipt Guide to new features A/B Testing What to Test Trigger timing Headline/copy variations Price presentation Trial length Feature emphasis Design/layout Metrics to Track Paywall impression rate Click through to upgrade Completion rate Revenue per user Churn rate post upgrade For comprehensive experiment ideas : See [references/experiments.md](references/experiments.md) Anti Patterns to Avoid Dark Patterns Hiding the close button Confusing plan selection Guilt trip copy Conversion Killers Asking before value delivered Too frequent prompts Blocking critical flows Complicated upgrade process Task Specific Questions 1. What's your current free → paid conversion rate? 2. What triggers upgrade prompts today? 3. What features are behind the paywall? 4. What's your "aha moment" for users? 5. What pricing model? (per seat, usage, flat) 6. Mobile app, web app, or both? Related Skills churn prevention : For cancel flows, save offers, and reducing churn post upgrade cro : For public pricing page optimization onboarding : For driving to aha moment before upgrade ab testing : For testing paywall variations