Review the PlotDirector subscription, pricing, signup and account-management areas and implement a complete trial-visibility pass.

PlotLine/Controllers/ManageAccountController.cs

@@ -30,10 +30,12 @@ public sealed class ManageAccountController(
             return RedirectToAction("Login", "Account");
         }
 
+        var subscription = await subscriptions.GetCurrentSubscriptionAsync(user.UserID);
         return View(new ManageAccountViewModel
         {
             User = user,
-            Subscription = await subscriptions.GetCurrentSubscriptionAsync(user.UserID),
+            Subscription = subscription,
+            Trial = TrialVisibilityViewModel.FromSubscription(subscription, DateTime.UtcNow),
             HasPaidBillingRisk = await subscriptions.HasPaidBillingRiskAsync(user.UserID)
         });
     }
@@ -104,6 +106,7 @@ public sealed class ManageAccountController(
         {
             User = user,
             CurrentSubscription = subscription,
+            Trial = TrialVisibilityViewModel.FromSubscription(subscription, DateTime.UtcNow),
             Usage = subscription is null ? null : await subscriptions.GetUsageSummaryAsync(user.UserID),
             AvailableLevels = await subscriptions.GetActiveSubscriptionLevelsAsync()
         });

PlotLine/Models/SubscriptionModels.cs

@@ -66,6 +66,7 @@ public sealed class UserSubscriptionDetail : UserSubscription
     public int? MonthlyPricePence { get; set; }
     public int? AnnualPricePence { get; set; }
     public string CurrencyCode { get; set; } = "GBP";
+    public bool RequiresStripeSubscription { get; set; }
 }
 
 public sealed class SubscriptionLimitResult

PlotLine/Services/CoreServices.cs

@@ -372,6 +372,7 @@ public sealed class ProjectService(
     IWarningRepository warnings,
     IWritingScheduleRepository writingSchedule,
     IProjectActivityService activity,
+    ISubscriptionService subscriptions,
     ICurrentUserService currentUser,
     IHardDeleteFileCleanupService fileCleanup,
     ILogger<ProjectService> logger) : IProjectService
@@ -386,7 +387,8 @@ public sealed class ProjectService(
         return new ProjectIndexViewModel
         {
             ActiveProjects = await projects.ListActiveForUserAsync(currentUser.UserId.Value),
-            ArchivedProjects = await projects.ListArchivedForUserAsync(currentUser.UserId.Value)
+            ArchivedProjects = await projects.ListArchivedForUserAsync(currentUser.UserId.Value),
+            Trial = TrialVisibilityViewModel.FromSubscription(await subscriptions.GetCurrentSubscriptionAsync(currentUser.UserId.Value), DateTime.UtcNow)
         };
     }
 

PlotLine/ViewModels/AuthViewModels.cs

@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@ public sealed class ManageAccountViewModel
 {
     public AppUser User { get; set; } = new();
     public UserSubscriptionDetail? Subscription { get; set; }
+    public TrialVisibilityViewModel? Trial { get; set; }
     public bool HasPaidBillingRisk { get; set; }
 }
 
@@ -14,10 +15,77 @@ public sealed class ManageSubscriptionViewModel
 {
     public AppUser User { get; set; } = new();
     public UserSubscriptionDetail? CurrentSubscription { get; set; }
+    public TrialVisibilityViewModel? Trial { get; set; }
     public SubscriptionUsageSummary? Usage { get; set; }
     public IReadOnlyList<SubscriptionLevel> AvailableLevels { get; set; } = [];
 }
 
+public sealed class TrialVisibilityViewModel
+{
+    public const int TrialDurationDays = 30;
+
+    public string PlanName { get; init; } = string.Empty;
+    public DateTime StartDateUtc { get; init; }
+    public DateTime ExpiryDateUtc { get; init; }
+    public int DaysRemaining { get; init; }
+    public int DaysElapsed { get; init; }
+    public int ProgressPercentage { get; init; }
+    public bool IsExpired { get; init; }
+    public int? WarningThresholdDays { get; init; }
+
+    public string StatusLabel => IsExpired
+        ? "Trial expired"
+        : DaysRemaining == 1 ? "1 day remaining" : $"{DaysRemaining} days remaining";
+
+    public string WarningCssClass => WarningThresholdDays switch
+    {
+        <= 1 => "trial-status--one-day",
+        <= 3 => "trial-status--three-days",
+        <= 7 => "trial-status--seven-days",
+        <= 14 => "trial-status--fourteen-days",
+        _ => "trial-status--steady"
+    };
+
+    public static TrialVisibilityViewModel? FromSubscription(UserSubscriptionDetail? subscription, DateTime utcNow)
+    {
+        if (subscription is null)
+        {
+            return null;
+        }
+
+        var isTrialPlan = subscription.IsTrial
+            || (!subscription.RequiresStripeSubscription && string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(subscription.StripeSubscriptionId));
+        if (!isTrialPlan)
+        {
+            return null;
+        }
+
+        var start = subscription.StartDateUTC;
+        var expiry = subscription.TrialExpiryDateUTC ?? start.AddDays(TrialDurationDays);
+        var totalDays = Math.Max(1, (int)Math.Ceiling((expiry - start).TotalDays));
+        var rawRemaining = (int)Math.Ceiling((expiry - utcNow).TotalDays);
+        var daysRemaining = Math.Max(0, rawRemaining);
+        var daysElapsed = Math.Clamp(totalDays - daysRemaining, 0, totalDays);
+        var progress = Math.Clamp((int)Math.Round(daysElapsed * 100m / totalDays), 0, 100);
+
+        return new TrialVisibilityViewModel
+        {
+            PlanName = subscription.DisplayName,
+            StartDateUtc = start,
+            ExpiryDateUtc = expiry,
+            DaysRemaining = daysRemaining,
+            DaysElapsed = daysElapsed,
+            ProgressPercentage = progress,
+            IsExpired = utcNow >= expiry,
+            WarningThresholdDays = daysRemaining <= 1 ? 1
+                : daysRemaining <= 3 ? 3
+                : daysRemaining <= 7 ? 7
+                : daysRemaining <= 14 ? 14
+                : null
+        };
+    }
+}
+
 public sealed class PricingViewModel
 {
     public IReadOnlyList<SubscriptionLevel> Plans { get; set; } = [];

PlotLine/ViewModels/CoreViewModels.cs

@@ -25,6 +25,7 @@ public sealed class ProjectIndexViewModel
 {
     public IReadOnlyList<Project> ActiveProjects { get; init; } = [];
     public IReadOnlyList<Project> ArchivedProjects { get; init; } = [];
+    public TrialVisibilityViewModel? Trial { get; init; }
 }
 
 public sealed class ProjectDetailViewModel

PlotLine/Views/Account/Register.cshtml

@@ -7,10 +7,19 @@
     <div>
         <p class="eyebrow">Account</p>
         <h1>Create your account</h1>
-        <p class="lead-text">Create a PlotDirector account so your workspace can use the new authentication foundation.</p>
+        <p class="lead-text">Create your account to start a free 30-day PlotDirector trial immediately. No payment details are required.</p>
     </div>
 </div>
 
+<section class="trial-status-panel trial-status-panel--signup">
+    <div>
+        <p class="eyebrow">Free trial</p>
+        <h2>30 days to plan, test and decide</h2>
+        <p>Your trial begins as soon as registration is complete. When it expires, your account will show that the trial has ended and you can upgrade from the subscription page.</p>
+    </div>
+    <a class="btn btn-outline-primary" asp-controller="Pricing" asp-action="Index">Compare plans</a>
+</section>
+
 <section class="edit-panel">
     <form asp-action="Register" method="post" class="asset-create-form">
         <div asp-validation-summary="ModelOnly" class="alert alert-warning"></div>

PlotLine/Views/ManageAccount/Index.cshtml

@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@
 @{
     ViewData["Title"] = "Manage Account";
     var subscription = Model.Subscription;
+    var trial = Model.Trial;
 }
 
 <div class="page-heading compact">
@@ -64,11 +65,39 @@
     }
     else
     {
+        @if (trial is not null)
+        {
+            <div class="trial-status-panel @trial.WarningCssClass">
+                <div class="trial-status-panel__heading">
+                    <div>
+                        <p class="eyebrow">Free trial status</p>
+                        <h3>@trial.StatusLabel</h3>
+                    </div>
+                    <a class="btn btn-outline-primary btn-sm" asp-action="Subscription">Upgrade</a>
+                </div>
+                <p>Your 30-day @trial.PlanName trial expires on @FormatDate(trial.ExpiryDateUtc).</p>
+                <div class="trial-progress" aria-label="Trial progress">
+                    <div class="trial-progress__bar" style="width: @trial.ProgressPercentage%"></div>
+                </div>
+            </div>
+        }
         <div class="row g-3">
             <div class="col-md-4">
                 <p class="eyebrow">Current plan</p>
                 <p>@subscription.DisplayName</p>
             </div>
+            <div class="col-md-4">
+                <p class="eyebrow">Trial start</p>
+                <p>@(trial is null ? "Not on trial" : FormatDate(trial.StartDateUtc))</p>
+            </div>
+            <div class="col-md-4">
+                <p class="eyebrow">Trial expiry</p>
+                <p>@(trial is null ? "Not on trial" : FormatDate(trial.ExpiryDateUtc))</p>
+            </div>
+            <div class="col-md-4">
+                <p class="eyebrow">Days remaining</p>
+                <p>@(trial is null ? "Not on trial" : trial.StatusLabel)</p>
+            </div>
             <div class="col-md-4">
                 <p class="eyebrow">Books</p>
                 <p>@FormatLimit(subscription.MaxBooks)</p>
@@ -159,6 +188,8 @@
     private static string FormatLimit(int value) => value >= 999999 ? "Practical unlimited" : value.ToString("N0");
 
     private static string FormatStorage(int value) => value >= 1024 ? $"{value / 1024:N0} GB" : $"{value:N0} MB";
+
+    private static string FormatDate(DateTime value) => value.ToLocalTime().ToString("yyyy-MM-dd");
 }
 
 @section Scripts {

PlotLine/Views/ManageAccount/Subscription.cshtml

@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@
 @{
     ViewData["Title"] = "Subscription";
     var subscription = Model.CurrentSubscription;
+    var trial = Model.Trial;
     var usage = Model.Usage;
 }
 
@@ -34,6 +35,23 @@
     }
     else
     {
+        @if (trial is not null)
+        {
+            <div class="trial-status-panel @trial.WarningCssClass">
+                <div class="trial-status-panel__heading">
+                    <div>
+                        <p class="eyebrow">Free trial status</p>
+                        <h3>@trial.StatusLabel</h3>
+                    </div>
+                    <a class="btn btn-primary btn-sm" asp-controller="Pricing" asp-action="Index">Upgrade</a>
+                </div>
+                <p>Your 30-day @trial.PlanName trial started on @FormatDate(trial.StartDateUtc) and expires on @FormatDate(trial.ExpiryDateUtc).</p>
+                <div class="trial-progress" aria-label="Trial progress">
+                    <div class="trial-progress__bar" style="width: @trial.ProgressPercentage%"></div>
+                </div>
+                <p class="muted mb-0">@trial.DaysElapsed days used, @trial.DaysRemaining days remaining.</p>
+            </div>
+        }
         <div class="row g-3">
             <div class="col-md-4">
                 <p class="eyebrow">Plan</p>
@@ -53,11 +71,19 @@
             </div>
             <div class="col-md-3">
                 <p class="eyebrow">Trial</p>
-                <p>@(subscription.IsTrial ? "Trial" : "No")</p>
+                <p>@(trial is null ? "No" : "30-day free trial")</p>
+            </div>
+            <div class="col-md-3">
+                <p class="eyebrow">Trial start</p>
+                <p>@(trial is null ? "Not set" : FormatDate(trial.StartDateUtc))</p>
             </div>
             <div class="col-md-3">
                 <p class="eyebrow">Trial expiry</p>
-                <p>@FormatDate(subscription.TrialExpiryDateUTC)</p>
+                <p>@(trial is null ? FormatDate(subscription.TrialExpiryDateUTC) : FormatDate(trial.ExpiryDateUtc))</p>
+            </div>
+            <div class="col-md-3">
+                <p class="eyebrow">Days remaining</p>
+                <p>@(trial is null ? "Not on trial" : trial.StatusLabel)</p>
             </div>
             <div class="col-md-3">
                 <p class="eyebrow">Started</p>
@@ -160,7 +186,7 @@
                     <p>@(string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(level.Description) ? "No description available." : level.Description)</p>
                     @if (!level.RequiresStripeSubscription)
                     {
-                        <p class="lead-text">Free / trial / application managed</p>
+                        <p class="lead-text">30-day free trial / application managed</p>
                     }
                     else
                     {
@@ -197,7 +223,7 @@
                     </dl>
                     @if (!level.RequiresStripeSubscription)
                     {
-                        <p class="muted">Draft Desk is managed inside PlotDirector.</p>
+                        <p class="muted">Draft Desk is a 30-day free trial. No payment details are required.</p>
                     }
                     else
                     {

PlotLine/Views/Pricing/Index.cshtml

@@ -35,7 +35,7 @@
         <div class="marketing-container pricing-hero__inner">
             <p class="marketing-eyebrow">Pricing</p>
             <h1>Simple pricing for stories of every size.</h1>
-            <p class="marketing-lead">Start free, subscribe when you're ready, or choose a plan straight away.</p>
+            <p class="marketing-lead">Start with a 30-day free trial. No payment details are required until you choose a paid plan.</p>
             <div class="marketing-actions">
                 <a class="marketing-btn marketing-btn--primary" asp-controller="Pricing" asp-action="StartTrial">Start Free Trial</a>
                 <a class="marketing-btn marketing-btn--secondary" href="#plans">Compare Plans</a>
@@ -71,7 +71,12 @@
                     {
                         var isCurrent = Model.CurrentSubscriptionLevelID == plan.SubscriptionLevelID;
                         var isSuggested = suggestedPlanId == plan.SubscriptionLevelID;
-                        <article class="pricing-card @(isSuggested ? "pricing-card--featured" : string.Empty)">
+                        var isTrialPlan = !plan.RequiresStripeSubscription;
+                        <article class="pricing-card @(isSuggested ? "pricing-card--featured" : string.Empty) @(isTrialPlan ? "pricing-card--trial" : string.Empty)">
+                            @if (isTrialPlan)
+                            {
+                                <p class="pricing-badge pricing-badge--trial">30-day free trial</p>
+                            }
                             @if (isSuggested)
                             {
                                 <p class="pricing-badge">Most Popular</p>
@@ -94,12 +99,17 @@
                                 else
                                 {
                                     <strong>Free</strong>
-                                    <span>trial workspace</span>
+                                    <span>30-day trial workspace</span>
-                                    <small>Assigned when you create an account.</small>
+                                    <small>No payment details required. Starts immediately after registration.</small>
                                 }
                             </div>
 
                             <ul class="pricing-feature-list">
+                                @if (!plan.RequiresStripeSubscription)
+                                {
+                                    <li>30 days of free access</li>
+                                    <li>No credit card required</li>
+                                }
                                 <li>@FormatLimit(plan.MaxBooks) books</li>
                                 <li>@FormatLimit(plan.MaxCharactersPerProject) characters per project</li>
                                 <li>@FormatLimit(plan.MaxScenesPerBook) scenes per book</li>
@@ -166,7 +176,7 @@
             <div class="faq-grid">
                 <article>
                     <h3>Can I start with a free trial?</h3>
-                    <p>Yes. Creating an account starts you on the Draft Desk evaluation plan, so you can try the workspace before choosing a paid subscription.</p>
+                    <p>Yes. Creating an account starts a 30-day Draft Desk trial immediately, so you can try the workspace before choosing a paid subscription.</p>
                 </article>
                 <article>
                     <h3>Can I subscribe without using the trial?</h3>
@@ -186,7 +196,11 @@
                 </article>
                 <article>
                     <h3>Do I need a credit card for the trial?</h3>
-                    <p>The registration flow creates the evaluation workspace. Payment details are only handled when you choose a paid subscription through Stripe Checkout.</p>
+                    <p>No. Payment details are not required for the free trial. Stripe Checkout is only used when you choose a paid subscription.</p>
+                </article>
+                <article>
+                    <h3>What happens when the trial expires?</h3>
+                    <p>Your trial status will show in your dashboard and subscription pages. When the 30 days are over, choose a paid plan to continue with higher paid-plan access.</p>
                 </article>
             </div>
         </div>
@@ -196,7 +210,7 @@
         <div class="marketing-container final-cta__inner">
             <p class="marketing-eyebrow">Begin with clarity</p>
             <h2>Ready to take control of your story?</h2>
-            <p>Try PlotDirector free, or choose the paid plan that fits the novel you are building.</p>
+            <p>Try PlotDirector free for 30 days with no payment details, or choose the paid plan that fits the novel you are building.</p>
             <div class="marketing-actions">
                 <a class="marketing-btn marketing-btn--primary" asp-controller="Pricing" asp-action="StartTrial">Start Free Trial</a>
                 <a class="marketing-btn marketing-btn--secondary" href="#plans">View Plans</a>

PlotLine/Views/Projects/Index.cshtml

@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 @model ProjectIndexViewModel
 @{
     ViewData["Title"] = "Projects";
+    var trial = Model.Trial;
 }
 
 <div class="page-heading">
@@ -14,6 +15,24 @@
     </div>
 </div>
 
+@if (trial is not null)
+{
+    <section class="trial-dashboard-banner @trial.WarningCssClass"
+             data-trial-banner
+             data-trial-banner-key="projects:@trial.ExpiryDateUtc.ToString("yyyyMMdd")"
+             aria-label="Trial status">
+        <div class="trial-dashboard-banner__body">
+            <p class="eyebrow">Free trial status</p>
+            <h2>@trial.StatusLabel on @trial.PlanName</h2>
+            <p>Your 30-day trial expires on @FormatDate(trial.ExpiryDateUtc). Upgrade whenever you are ready.</p>
+        </div>
+        <div class="trial-dashboard-banner__actions">
+            <a class="btn btn-primary btn-sm" asp-controller="ManageAccount" asp-action="Subscription">Upgrade</a>
+            <button class="btn btn-outline-secondary btn-sm" type="button" data-trial-banner-dismiss>Dismiss</button>
+        </div>
+    </section>
+}
+
 @if (TempData["ArchiveMessage"] is string archiveMessage)
 {
     <div class="alert alert-success">@archiveMessage</div>
@@ -140,6 +159,10 @@ else
     </div>
 }
 
+@functions {
+    private static string FormatDate(DateTime value) => value.ToLocalTime().ToString("yyyy-MM-dd");
+}
+
 @section Scripts {
     <script>
         (() => {

PlotLine/wwwroot/css/plotline-theme.css

@@ -558,6 +558,49 @@ a:focus-visible {
   color: var(--plotline-text);
 }
 
+.trial-status-panel,
+.trial-dashboard-banner {
+  border-color: rgba(84, 68, 48, 0.16);
+  background:
+    linear-gradient(135deg, rgba(255, 253, 248, 0.96), rgba(242, 226, 207, 0.56)),
+    var(--plotline-surface);
+  box-shadow: var(--plotline-shadow-subtle);
+}
+
+.trial-status-panel--signup {
+  border-color: rgba(49, 95, 103, 0.22);
+  background:
+    linear-gradient(135deg, rgba(223, 236, 239, 0.72), rgba(255, 253, 248, 0.92)),
+    var(--plotline-surface);
+}
+
+.trial-status-panel h2,
+.trial-status-panel h3,
+.trial-dashboard-banner h2 {
+  color: var(--plotline-text);
+}
+
+.trial-progress {
+  box-shadow: inset 0 1px 2px rgba(62, 45, 28, 0.08);
+}
+
+.trial-progress__bar {
+  background: linear-gradient(90deg, var(--plotline-secondary), var(--plotline-accent));
+}
+
+.trial-status--fourteen-days {
+  border-color: rgba(184, 118, 43, 0.28);
+}
+
+.trial-status--seven-days,
+.trial-status--three-days,
+.trial-status--one-day {
+  border-color: rgba(184, 118, 43, 0.38);
+  background:
+    linear-gradient(135deg, rgba(251, 236, 211, 0.84), rgba(255, 253, 248, 0.92)),
+    var(--plotline-surface);
+}
+
 .table {
   --bs-table-bg: transparent;
   --bs-table-color: var(--plotline-text);
@@ -3649,6 +3692,14 @@ a:focus-visible {
   box-shadow: 0 26px 58px rgba(31, 42, 68, 0.13);
 }
 
+.pricing-card--trial {
+  border-color: rgba(95, 120, 108, 0.52);
+  background:
+    linear-gradient(180deg, rgba(255, 253, 249, 0.98), rgba(235, 241, 237, 0.9)),
+    #fff;
+  box-shadow: 0 24px 54px rgba(31, 42, 68, 0.11);
+}
+
 .pricing-badge {
   position: absolute;
   top: clamp(1.2rem, 2.4vw, 1.65rem);
@@ -3666,6 +3717,12 @@ a:focus-visible {
   text-transform: uppercase;
 }
 
+.pricing-badge--trial {
+  border-color: rgba(95, 120, 108, 0.48);
+  color: #314b42;
+  background: rgba(95, 120, 108, 0.18);
+}
+
 .pricing-card__heading {
   display: grid;
   gap: 0.5rem;

PlotLine/wwwroot/css/site.css

@@ -169,6 +169,77 @@ td.text-end {
   max-width: 980px;
 }
 
+.trial-status-panel,
+.trial-dashboard-banner {
+  border: 1px solid var(--plotline-line);
+  border-radius: 8px;
+  padding: 18px 20px;
+  background: var(--plotline-panel);
+}
+
+.trial-status-panel {
+  display: grid;
+  gap: 12px;
+  margin-bottom: 18px;
+}
+
+.trial-status-panel--signup {
+  grid-template-columns: minmax(0, 1fr) auto;
+  align-items: center;
+  max-width: 980px;
+}
+
+.trial-status-panel h2,
+.trial-status-panel h3,
+.trial-dashboard-banner h2 {
+  margin: 0;
+}
+
+.trial-status-panel p,
+.trial-dashboard-banner p {
+  margin-bottom: 0;
+}
+
+.trial-status-panel__heading,
+.trial-dashboard-banner {
+  display: flex;
+  gap: 16px;
+  align-items: center;
+  justify-content: space-between;
+}
+
+.trial-dashboard-banner {
+  margin-bottom: 18px;
+}
+
+.trial-dashboard-banner__body {
+  min-width: 0;
+}
+
+.trial-dashboard-banner__actions {
+  display: flex;
+  flex: 0 0 auto;
+  flex-wrap: wrap;
+  gap: 8px;
+}
+
+.trial-progress {
+  height: 10px;
+  overflow: hidden;
+  border-radius: 999px;
+  background: rgba(84, 68, 48, 0.12);
+}
+
+.trial-progress__bar {
+  height: 100%;
+  border-radius: inherit;
+}
+
+.trial-status-panel[hidden],
+.trial-dashboard-banner[hidden] {
+  display: none;
+}
+
 .location-page .page-heading.compact,
 .location-page .edit-panel,
 .location-page .empty-panel,
@@ -3974,6 +4045,19 @@ body.dragging-location [data-drag-type="location"] {
     grid-template-columns: 1fr;
   }
 
+  .trial-status-panel--signup,
+  .trial-status-panel__heading,
+  .trial-dashboard-banner {
+    align-items: stretch;
+    flex-direction: column;
+  }
+
+  .trial-dashboard-banner__actions,
+  .trial-dashboard-banner__actions .btn,
+  .trial-status-panel--signup .btn {
+    width: 100%;
+  }
+
   .attention-list p {
     grid-column: auto;
   }

PlotLine/wwwroot/js/site.js

@@ -37,6 +37,32 @@
   applyTheme(readTheme() || "light");
 })();
 
+(() => {
+  const banner = document.querySelector("[data-trial-banner]");
+  if (!banner) {
+    return;
+  }
+
+  const key = `plotline.trialBanner.dismissed.${banner.dataset.trialBannerKey || "current"}`;
+  try {
+    if (localStorage.getItem(key) === "true") {
+      banner.hidden = true;
+      return;
+    }
+  } catch {
+    // The banner can still be dismissed for this page view if storage is unavailable.
+  }
+
+  banner.querySelector("[data-trial-banner-dismiss]")?.addEventListener("click", () => {
+    banner.hidden = true;
+    try {
+      localStorage.setItem(key, "true");
+    } catch {
+      // Dismissal persistence is a convenience only.
+    }
+  });
+})();
+
 (() => {
   const modalElement = document.getElementById("plotlineConfirmModal");
   const modal = modalElement && window.bootstrap ? new bootstrap.Modal(modalElement) : null;