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Documentation Index

Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.getcore.me/llms.txt

Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

Goal: Convert free users to paid, or upgrade users to higher tiers, at moments when they’ve experienced value.

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Tools Required

This skill runs using CORE memory only. No integrations required.

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Trigger

Run on demand when the user wants to design or optimize in-app upgrade moments.

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Setup

Search memory for:
  • “What’s your current free-to-paid conversion rate?”
  • “What’s your freemium or trial model?”
  • “When do upgrade prompts appear?”
If nothing found, ask once:
“Tell me: (1) Freemium, free trial, or both? (2) What features are gated? (3) What’s your current conversion rate (if known)?”
Store the response in memory. Do not ask again in future runs.

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Step 1: Understand Your Upgrade Triggers

Identify when to show upgrade prompts:
  • Feature gates: User tries a paid-only feature
  • Usage limits: User hits a free tier limit
  • Trial expiration: Trial is ending (7, 3, 1 day warnings)
  • Time-based: After X days of free use
  • Behavior-triggered: After achieving certain milestones
Choose which triggers matter most for your product.

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Step 2: Design Paywall Components

Standard structure for any paywall:
  1. Headline — Focus on what they get: “Unlock [Feature] to [Benefit]”
  2. Value demonstration — Preview, before/after, or “With Pro you could…”
  3. Feature comparison — Highlight key differences
  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”

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Step 3: Create Paywall Variations

Vary by trigger type:

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Feature Lock Paywall

  • [Lock icon] This feature is available on Pro
  • [Feature preview/screenshot]
  • [Benefits of this feature]
  • [Upgrade button]
  • [Continue with Free]

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Usage Limit Paywall

  • You’ve reached your free limit
  • [Progress bar showing limit]
  • Free: 3 items | Pro: Unlimited
  • [Upgrade] vs. [Delete item to continue]

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Trial Expiration Paywall

  • Your trial ends in X days
  • What you’ll lose: [List used features]
  • What you’ve accomplished: [Data created, projects, etc.]
  • [Continue with Pro] vs. [Remind later]

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Step 4: Optimize Timing and Frequency

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When to Show

  • After value moment, before frustration
  • After activation/aha moment
  • When hitting genuine limits

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When NOT to Show

  • During onboarding (too early)
  • During active flow (interrupts)
  • Repeatedly after dismissal

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Frequency Rules

  • Max once per session
  • Remember dismissals (7-30 days before showing again)
  • Track annoyance signals
  • Don’t show to already-upgraded users

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Step 5: Optimize Copy and Design

Headlines that work:
  • Benefit-focused: “Unlock advanced analytics”
  • Outcome-focused: “Get reports delivered weekly”
  • Problem-focused: “No more manual exports”
Avoid:
  • Guilt-tripping: “Don’t miss out”
  • Fear-based: “Your data will be deleted”
  • Vague: “Upgrade today”
Visual design:
  • Keep modal size reasonable (don’t cover entire screen)
  • Use contrasting button colors
  • Make close button obvious and large
  • Test mobile carefully (full-screen overlays feel aggressive)

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Step 6: Plan Post-Upgrade Experience

After user upgrades:
  • Immediate access to features
  • Confirmation and receipt
  • Guide to new features
  • Celebration moment
Make the upgrade feel like a smart choice, not a trap.

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Step 7: Measure and Optimize

Track:
  • Paywall impression rate (% who see it)
  • Click-through to upgrade
  • Completion rate (% who finish upgrade)
  • Revenue per user
  • Churn rate post-upgrade
Test:
  • Trigger timing
  • Headline/copy variations
  • Price presentation
  • Feature emphasis
  • Design/layout
  • Trial length

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Output Format

Paywall Strategy — [Product Name] Upgrade Model
  • Type: [Freemium / Free trial / Feature-gated]
  • Upgrade triggers: [List main triggers]
  • Current free-to-paid rate: [X%]
Paywall Designs
  1. Feature lock:
    • Headline: [Benefit-focused]
    • Features highlighted: [List 3-5]
  2. Usage limit:
    • Messaging: [Specific limit]
    • Alternative action: [Optional downgrade vs. delete]
  3. Trial expiration:
    • Warning cadence: [7 days / 3 days / 1 day]
    • Value recap: [What they’ve accomplished]
Copy Variations
  • Primary CTA: [Action-focused button text]
  • Escape hatch: [Not now / Continue free / Remind me]
  • Tone: [Respectful / Helpful / Not pushy]
Timing Rules
  • Show after: [Specific moment / milestone]
  • Don’t show: [During onboarding / In flow / After dismissal]
  • Frequency cap: [Max once per session / 7-day cool-down]
Test Plan
  • Test 1: [Trigger timing] on [Audience segment]
  • Test 2: [Copy variation] to measure [conversion %]
  • Test 3: [Price presentation] on [Segment]
Success Metrics
  • Current free-to-paid rate: [X%] → Target: [Y%]
  • Average revenue per user: [X]→Target:[X] → Target: [Y]
  • Post-upgrade churn: [X%] → Target: [Y%]

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Edge Cases

  • Low initial activation: Users aren’t hitting the aha moment; paywall won’t help → Improve onboarding first
  • Free users already satisfied: If they’re happy on free, don’t force upgrade → Consider freemium model acceptance
  • High unsubscribe after upgrade: Paywall might be too aggressive → Reduce frequency, soften copy, improve onboarding
  • Users can complete task on free tier: Upgrade gate feels artificial → Limit features used in task, not the task itself
  • Long sales cycle: Single paywall view won’t convert → Build nurture with email after paywall dismissal
  • Mobile app limitations: Some payment processing required → Use native in-app purchase systems