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# Subscription Requirement for Credit Purchases - Implementation Complete
## ✅ Implementation Status: COMPLETE
**Policy:** Users must have an active subscription (minimum Essential $5/month) to purchase credits.
---
## 🔧 Code Changes Made
### 1. **Checkout Page** (`checkout.php`)
✅ **Added:**
- Subscription check using `hasActiveSubscription()`
- Redirect to subscription page if user has credits but no subscription
- Visual notice showing subscription is verified (if subscribed)
- Error message: "An active subscription (minimum Essential plan) is required to purchase credits"
**Code Location:**
```php
// Lines ~33-45: Subscription check and redirect
if ($has_credits && $is_logged_in && !$has_active_subscription) {
$_SESSION['error_message'] = 'An active subscription (minimum Essential plan) is required to purchase credits. Please subscribe first.';
header('Location: /account_settings.php?tab=subscription&require_subscription=1');
exit;
}
```
### 2. **Payment Processing** (`process_credit_payment.php`)
✅ **Added:**
- Subscription validation at top of file (before any processing)
- Subscription check in `handleCreatePaymentIntent()`
- Subscription check in `handleCartPayment()`
- Subscription check in `handlePayPalPayment()`
- Clear error messages with subscription signup link
**Code Location:**
```php
// Lines ~13-30: Global subscription check
$has_active_subscription = hasActiveSubscription($_SESSION['user_id']);
if ($has_active_subscription === false) {
echo json_encode([
'success' => false,
'error' => 'Active subscription required',
'message' => 'An active subscription (minimum Essential plan at $5/month) is required to purchase credits.',
'requires_subscription' => true,
'subscription_url' => '/account_settings.php?tab=subscription'
]);
exit;
}
```
### 3. **JavaScript Validation** (`checkout.php`)
✅ **Added:**
- Subscription check in `processPayment()` function
- Validates subscription before showing payment form
- Redirects to subscription page if no subscription
- Uses API endpoint `/api/check_subscription.php`
**Code Location:**
```javascript
// Lines ~2531-2550: Subscription validation in processPayment()
if (hasCredits) {
const subCheckResponse = await fetch('/api/check_subscription.php', {
method: 'GET',
credentials: 'same-origin'
});
const subCheck = await subCheckResponse.json();
if (!subCheck.has_active_subscription) {
showErrorMessage('An active subscription (minimum Essential plan at $5/month) is required to purchase credits.');
window.location.href = '/account_settings.php?tab=subscription&require_subscription=1';
return;
}
}
```
### 4. **API Endpoint** (`api/check_subscription.php`)
✅ **Created:**
- New API endpoint for frontend subscription checks
- Returns JSON with `has_active_subscription` status
- Used by JavaScript validation
---
## 📋 Validation Points
### Multiple Layers of Protection:
1. ✅ **Checkout Page** - Redirects if no subscription
2. ✅ **Payment Processing** - Blocks payment if no subscription
3. ✅ **JavaScript** - Validates before payment form
4. ✅ **All Payment Methods** - Stripe, PayPal, and cart payments
---
## 🎯 User Experience Flow
### Scenario: User Without Subscription Tries to Buy Credits
1. User adds Premium 500 credits to cart
2. User goes to checkout
3. **System checks subscription** → No subscription found
4. **Redirects to:** `/account_settings.php?tab=subscription&require_subscription=1`
5. **Shows message:** "An active subscription (minimum Essential plan) is required to purchase credits. Please subscribe first."
6. User subscribes to Essential ($5/month)
7. User returns to checkout
8. **System checks subscription** → Subscription found ✅
9. Payment proceeds normally
### Scenario: User With Subscription Buys Credits
1. User has Essential subscription ($5/month) ✅
2. User adds Premium 500 credits to cart
3. User goes to checkout
4. **System checks subscription** → Subscription found ✅
5. **Shows notice:** "Active Subscription Verified - Credits purchased will include permanent commercial licensing rights."
6. Payment proceeds normally
7. Credits added to account
---
## 🔍 Testing Checklist
- [ ] User without subscription tries to checkout with credits → Redirects to subscription page
- [ ] User with subscription can checkout with credits → Payment proceeds
- [ ] JavaScript validation blocks payment if subscription expires mid-checkout
- [ ] Backend validation blocks payment if subscription expires
- [ ] Error messages are clear and helpful
- [ ] Subscription signup link works correctly
- [ ] All payment methods (Stripe, PayPal) validate subscription
---
## 📊 Business Impact
### Revenue Improvement:
- **Before:** $129 one-time (no recurring revenue)
- **After:** $129 + $60/year = $189 first year, $60/year ongoing
- **3-Year Total:** $309 vs $129 (140% more revenue!)
### Benefits:
- ✅ Guaranteed recurring revenue from all credit buyers
- ✅ Higher customer lifetime value
- ✅ More engaged user base
- ✅ Sustainable business model
---
## ⚠️ Important Notes
1. **Existing Credit Buyers:** Consider grandfathering users who already bought credits
2. **Terms Update:** May need to update terms of service to reflect subscription requirement
3. **User Communication:** Clear messaging about why subscription is required
4. **Support:** Be ready to explain the subscription requirement to users
---
## 📝 Files Modified
1. ✅ `/checkout.php` - Added subscription check and redirect
2. ✅ `/process_credit_payment.php` - Added subscription validation
3. ✅ `/api/check_subscription.php` - New API endpoint
4. ✅ `/500_CREDITS_PURCHASE_AUDIT.md` - Updated documentation
---
**Status:** ✅ **IMPLEMENTATION COMPLETE**
**Last Updated:** 2025-01-XX