feat(license): add Lite SKU; remove user-facing free trial

Two coupled changes: 1. Lite tier - New Tier.LITE in src/license/schema.py. - FEATURES_BY_TIER[Tier.LITE] = {Deduplicator, Text Cleaner, Format Standardizer}. The three universally-useful tools that cover the most common bookkeeping / RevOps / Klaviyo prep workflows. Other six tools require Core. - i18n: license.tier_lite, license.feature_locked_title, license.feature_locked_body, license.upgrade_link, license.status_locked (en + es). - Per-tool feature gate at every GUI tool page (require_feature_or_render_upgrade) and every tool CLI (guard(feature=...)). A locked tool renders an upgrade prompt + Manage-license button (GUI) or exits with code 2 (CLI). - Home grid: tool cards the user's tier doesn't unlock get a red 🔒 Locked badge in place of green Ready. 2. Trial removed - Activation form's "Start 1-year trial" button removed. - license_cli's `trial` subcommand removed. - activation.trial_button / activation.trial_help i18n keys dropped (pack parity test stays green). - Tier.TRIAL stays in the enum (back-compat with any field- tested trial licenses); LicenseManager._mint stays internal for tests and the seller's key generator. - Decision logged in DECISIONS §9b: a 1-year all-features trial undercuts paid Lite; paid-only keeps tier economics clean. Tests (+29 net): +17 Lite-tier unit/guard tests + 13 Lite-tier GUI tests + 1 trial-absent assertion - 2 trial CLI tests - 1 trial GUI button test. Total: 1995 → 2024. Co-Authored-By: Claude Opus 4.7 (1M context) <noreply@anthropic.com>
2026-05-13 17:19:30 +00:00
parent e612c751a8
commit d32b58e61a
33 changed files with 621 additions and 153 deletions
--- a/src/cli.py
+++ b/src/cli.py
@@ -500,7 +500,8 @@ def _write_match_groups(result, original_df, path: Path) -> None:

 def main():
    from src.cli_license_guard import guard
-    guard()
+    from src.license import FeatureFlag
+    guard(feature=FeatureFlag.DEDUPLICATOR.value)
    app()


--- a/src/cli_column_map.py
+++ b/src/cli_column_map.py
@@ -349,7 +349,8 @@ def _print_results(result, input_path: Path, options) -> None:

 def main():
    from src.cli_license_guard import guard
-    guard()
+    from src.license import FeatureFlag
+    guard(feature=FeatureFlag.COLUMN_MAPPER.value)
    app()


--- a/src/cli_format.py
+++ b/src/cli_format.py
@@ -358,7 +358,8 @@ def standardize(

 def main():
    from src.cli_license_guard import guard
-    guard()
+    from src.license import FeatureFlag
+    guard(feature=FeatureFlag.FORMAT_STANDARDIZER.value)
    app()


--- a/src/cli_license_guard.py
+++ b/src/cli_license_guard.py
@@ -30,9 +30,21 @@ def _is_help_invocation() -> bool:
    return any(arg in _HELP_FLAGS for arg in sys.argv[1:])


-def guard() -> None:
-    """Block startup if no valid license. No-op when license is valid,
-    when called with ``--help``, or under ``DATATOOLS_DEV_MODE``."""
+def guard(feature: str | None = None) -> None:
+    """Block startup if no valid license.
+
+    *feature* — when supplied, also requires that the active license's
+    tier unlocks the named feature flag (e.g.
+    ``"03_format_standardizer"``). A Lite-tier user running
+    ``cli_format`` would pass the global validity check but fail the
+    feature check; we surface a clear "upgrade your tier" message
+    rather than letting them hit a runtime error halfway through a
+    job.
+
+    No-op when license is valid (and the feature is unlocked), when
+    called with ``--help`` / ``-h`` / ``--version``, or under
+    ``DATATOOLS_DEV_MODE=1``.
+    """
    if _is_help_invocation():
        return
    # Lazy import so a broken license module doesn't fail ``--help``.
@@ -40,6 +52,7 @@ def guard() -> None:
        ExpiredLicenseError,
        InvalidLicenseError,
        LicenseError,
+        UnsupportedFeatureError,
        get_manager,
    )

@@ -48,15 +61,33 @@ def guard() -> None:
        return

    try:
-        if mgr.is_valid():
-            return
+        if not mgr.is_valid():
+            state = mgr.current_state()
+            _exit_with_message(state)
+        if feature is not None:
+            try:
+                mgr.require_feature(feature)
+            except UnsupportedFeatureError as e:
+                _exit_with_feature_message(feature, str(e))
+        return
    except LicenseError:
-        # ``is_valid()`` swallows errors and returns False, but be
-        # paranoid: fall through to the state-based diagnostic.
-        pass
+        state = mgr.current_state()
+        _exit_with_message(state)

-    state = mgr.current_state()
-    _exit_with_message(state)
+
+def _exit_with_feature_message(feature: str, detail: str) -> NoReturn:
+    """Print the upgrade-tier diagnostic and exit. Mirrors the
+    GUI's ``require_feature_or_render_upgrade`` UX in CLI form."""
+    msg = (
+        f"This command requires the {feature!r} feature, which is not "
+        f"included in your current license tier.\n"
+        f"Detail: {detail}\n"
+        "Run ``python -m src.license_cli status`` to see your tier, "
+        "then activate an upgrade blob with "
+        "``python -m src.license_cli renew <blob>``."
+    )
+    print(f"Error: {msg}", file=sys.stderr)
+    raise SystemExit(2)


 def _exit_with_message(state) -> NoReturn:
--- a/src/cli_missing.py
+++ b/src/cli_missing.py
@@ -374,7 +374,8 @@ def _print_results(result, input_path: Path, options) -> None:

 def main():
    from src.cli_license_guard import guard
-    guard()
+    from src.license import FeatureFlag
+    guard(feature=FeatureFlag.MISSING_HANDLER.value)
    app()


--- a/src/cli_pipeline.py
+++ b/src/cli_pipeline.py
@@ -301,7 +301,8 @@ def run(

 def main() -> None:
    from src.cli_license_guard import guard
-    guard()
+    from src.license import FeatureFlag
+    guard(feature=FeatureFlag.PIPELINE_RUNNER.value)
    app()


--- a/src/cli_text_clean.py
+++ b/src/cli_text_clean.py
@@ -371,7 +371,8 @@ def _print_results(result, input_path: Path, options) -> None:

 def main():
    from src.cli_license_guard import guard
-    guard()
+    from src.license import FeatureFlag
+    guard(feature=FeatureFlag.TEXT_CLEANER.value)
    app()


--- a/src/gui/app.py
+++ b/src/gui/app.py
@@ -61,6 +61,16 @@ st.divider()
 # ---------------------------------------------------------------------------

 from src.gui.tools_registry import TOOLS, tool_description, tool_name
+from src.license import get_manager
+
+# Per-tier feature set for badging — Ready tools that the user's
+# tier doesn't unlock get a red "🔒 Locked" pill instead of the green
+# "Ready" so they see at a glance which tools an upgrade would
+# unlock. Dev-mode skips the lock check so the home grid renders the
+# full SKU during development.
+_license_state = get_manager().current_state()
+_unlocked_features = set(_license_state.features) if _license_state.valid else set()
+_dev_mode = get_manager().dev_mode

 # Render tool cards in a 3-column grid. Cards picked up by the analyzer get a
 # coloured "N findings" badge so the user can see at a glance which tools
@@ -73,17 +83,31 @@ for row_start in range(0, len(TOOLS), 3):
            break
        tool = TOOLS[idx]
        with col:
-            status_key = "status.ready" if tool.status == "Ready" else "status.coming_soon"
-            status_color = "green" if tool.status == "Ready" else "orange"
+            tool_locked = (
+                tool.status == "Ready"
+                and not _dev_mode
+                and tool.tool_id not in _unlocked_features
+            )
+            if tool_locked:
+                status_key = "license.status_locked"
+                status_color = "red"
+            elif tool.status == "Ready":
+                status_key = "status.ready"
+                status_color = "green"
+            else:
+                status_key = "status.coming_soon"
+                status_color = "orange"
+
            badge = ""
            n = findings_count_for_tool(tool.tool_id)
            if n:
                badge_key = "home.findings_badge_one" if n == 1 else "home.findings_badge_other"
                badge = f" :red-background[**{t(badge_key, n=n)}**]"
+            lock_glyph = "🔒 " if tool_locked else ""
            st.markdown(
                f"### {tool.icon} {tool_name(tool.tool_id)}{badge}\n\n"
                f"{tool_description(tool.tool_id)}\n\n"
-                f":{status_color}[**{t(status_key)}**]"
+                f":{status_color}[**{lock_glyph}{t(status_key)}**]"
            )


--- a/src/gui/components/init.py
+++ b/src/gui/components/init.py
@@ -41,6 +41,7 @@ from . import _legacy as _legacy  # noqa: F401  (keep for direct access)
 from .activation import (  # noqa: F401  re-exported
    render_activation_form,
    render_license_status_sidebar,
+    require_feature_or_render_upgrade,
    require_license_or_render_activation,
 )

@@ -53,6 +54,7 @@ __all__ = [
    # License gate + activation form
    "render_activation_form",
    "render_license_status_sidebar",
+    "require_feature_or_render_upgrade",
    "require_license_or_render_activation",
    # Dedup widgets
    "config_panel",
--- a/src/gui/components/activation.py
+++ b/src/gui/components/activation.py
@@ -125,19 +125,12 @@ def render_activation_form(*, key_prefix: str = "act") -> None:
            height=120,
        )

-        col_activate, col_trial = st.columns(2)
-        with col_activate:
-            is_renewal = state.activated
-            label = (
-                _t("activation.renew_button") if is_renewal
-                else _t("activation.activate_button")
-            )
-            submit = st.form_submit_button(label, type="primary")
-        with col_trial:
-            trial = st.form_submit_button(
-                _t("activation.trial_button"),
-                help=_t("activation.trial_help"),
-            )
+        is_renewal = state.activated
+        label = (
+            _t("activation.renew_button") if is_renewal
+            else _t("activation.activate_button")
+        )
+        submit = st.form_submit_button(label, type="primary")

    # Process the submission.
    if submit:
@@ -159,17 +152,6 @@ def render_activation_form(*, key_prefix: str = "act") -> None:
        except LicenseError as e:
            st.error(f"{_t('activation.errors_heading')}: {e}")

-    if trial:
-        try:
-            lic = mgr.issue_trial(name=name, email=email)
-            st.success(_t(
-                "activation.success",
-                name=lic.name, expires=lic.expires_at[:10],
-            ))
-            st.rerun()
-        except LicenseError as e:
-            st.error(f"{_t('activation.errors_heading')}: {e}")
-
    # Deactivate (only useful when already activated).
    if state.activated:
        st.divider()
@@ -195,24 +177,61 @@ def require_license_or_render_activation(*, feature: Optional[str] = None) -> No
    unlocked), this is a no-op. Otherwise it renders the activation
    form in place of the page body and calls ``st.stop()``.

-    The chrome helper invokes this automatically so individual pages
-    don't have to call it; the explicit *feature* form is provided
-    for tools that want to bypass the global gate but enforce a tier
-    check (future SKU work).
+    Tool pages that need per-tool gating call
+    :func:`require_feature_or_render_upgrade` *after* this — that
+    keeps the global gate (activate / renew flow) separate from the
+    per-tier feature gate (upgrade flow).
    """
    mgr = get_manager()
    if mgr.dev_mode:
        return
    if mgr.is_valid():
-        # When feature gating gets enabled per-tool, this is the hook.
-        if feature is not None:
-            try:
-                mgr.require_feature(feature)
-            except LicenseError as e:
-                st.error(f"⚠️ {e}")
-                st.stop()
        return

    # Otherwise: render the activation form inline and stop the page.
    render_activation_form(key_prefix="gate")
    st.stop()
+
+
+def require_feature_or_render_upgrade(feature: str) -> None:
+    """Per-tool feature gate. Renders an upgrade prompt + stops the
+    page when the active license's tier doesn't unlock *feature*.
+
+    Call from tool pages after ``hide_streamlit_chrome``. The page
+    body should be wrapped after this call so the upgrade prompt
+    cleanly replaces the body when the user's tier is too low.
+
+    Distinguished from :func:`require_license_or_render_activation`
+    by what it offers the user: that one drops them into the
+    activation form (paste a paid blob to activate at all); this one
+    surfaces an upgrade prompt with a button to the Activate page
+    (paste a higher-tier blob to upgrade).
+    """
+    from src.license import UnsupportedFeatureError
+
+    mgr = get_manager()
+    if mgr.dev_mode:
+        return
+    try:
+        mgr.require_feature(feature)
+        return
+    except UnsupportedFeatureError:
+        pass  # render the upgrade prompt below
+    except LicenseError as e:
+        # Not-activated / expired / invalid — fall through to the
+        # global gate (which would already have run; this is belt
+        # and braces for callers that bypass it).
+        st.error(f"⚠️ {e}")
+        st.stop()
+
+    state = mgr.current_state()
+    tier_label = _t(f"license.tier_{state.tier}") or state.tier.title()
+    feature_names = ", ".join(
+        _t(f"tools.{f}.name") if f.startswith("0") and "_" in f else f
+        for f in state.features
+    )
+    st.warning(_t("license.feature_locked_title", tier=tier_label))
+    st.caption(_t("license.feature_locked_body", features=feature_names))
+    if st.button(_t("license.upgrade_link"), key="upgrade_to_activate"):
+        st.switch_page("pages/_Activate.py")
+    st.stop()
--- a/src/gui/pages/1_Deduplicator.py
+++ b/src/gui/pages/1_Deduplicator.py
@@ -22,11 +22,14 @@ from src.gui.components import (
    hide_streamlit_chrome,
    match_group_card,
    pickup_or_upload,
+    require_feature_or_render_upgrade,
    require_normalization_gate,
    results_summary,
 )
+from src.license import FeatureFlag

 hide_streamlit_chrome()
+require_feature_or_render_upgrade(FeatureFlag.DEDUPLICATOR)
 require_normalization_gate()

 # ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
--- a/src/gui/pages/2_Text_Cleaner.py
+++ b/src/gui/pages/2_Text_Cleaner.py
@@ -18,8 +18,10 @@ from src.gui.components import (
    hide_streamlit_chrome,
    pickup_or_upload,
    render_hidden_aware_preview,
+    require_feature_or_render_upgrade,
    require_normalization_gate,
 )
+from src.license import FeatureFlag
 from src.core.text_clean import (
    PRESETS,
    CleanOptions,
@@ -29,6 +31,7 @@ from src.core.text_clean import (
 )

 hide_streamlit_chrome()
+require_feature_or_render_upgrade(FeatureFlag.TEXT_CLEANER)
 require_normalization_gate()


--- a/src/gui/pages/3_Format_Standardizer.py
+++ b/src/gui/pages/3_Format_Standardizer.py
@@ -17,6 +17,7 @@ if str(_project_root) not in sys.path:
 from src.gui.components import (
    hide_streamlit_chrome,
    pickup_or_upload,
+    require_feature_or_render_upgrade,
    require_normalization_gate,
 )
 from src.core.format_standardize import (
@@ -25,8 +26,10 @@ from src.core.format_standardize import (
    StandardizeOptions,
    standardize_dataframe,
 )
+from src.license import FeatureFlag

 hide_streamlit_chrome()
+require_feature_or_render_upgrade(FeatureFlag.FORMAT_STANDARDIZER)
 require_normalization_gate()


--- a/src/gui/pages/4_Missing_Values.py
+++ b/src/gui/pages/4_Missing_Values.py
@@ -17,6 +17,7 @@ if str(_project_root) not in sys.path:
 from src.gui.components import (
    hide_streamlit_chrome,
    pickup_or_upload,
+    require_feature_or_render_upgrade,
    require_normalization_gate,
 )
 from src.core.missing import (
@@ -26,8 +27,10 @@ from src.core.missing import (
    handle_missing,
    profile_missing,
 )
+from src.license import FeatureFlag

 hide_streamlit_chrome()
+require_feature_or_render_upgrade(FeatureFlag.MISSING_HANDLER)
 require_normalization_gate()


--- a/src/gui/pages/5_Column_Mapper.py
+++ b/src/gui/pages/5_Column_Mapper.py
@@ -17,6 +17,7 @@ if str(_project_root) not in sys.path:
 from src.gui.components import (
    hide_streamlit_chrome,
    pickup_or_upload,
+    require_feature_or_render_upgrade,
    require_normalization_gate,
 )
 from src.core.column_mapper import (
@@ -27,8 +28,10 @@ from src.core.column_mapper import (
    infer_mapping,
    map_columns,
 )
+from src.license import FeatureFlag

 hide_streamlit_chrome()
+require_feature_or_render_upgrade(FeatureFlag.COLUMN_MAPPER)
 require_normalization_gate()


--- a/src/gui/pages/6_Outlier_Detector.py
+++ b/src/gui/pages/6_Outlier_Detector.py
@@ -11,9 +11,15 @@ _project_root = Path(__file__).resolve().parent.parent.parent.parent
 if str(_project_root) not in sys.path:
    sys.path.insert(0, str(_project_root))

-from src.gui.components import hide_streamlit_chrome, require_normalization_gate
+from src.gui.components import (
+    hide_streamlit_chrome,
+    require_feature_or_render_upgrade,
+    require_normalization_gate,
+)
+from src.license import FeatureFlag

 hide_streamlit_chrome()
+require_feature_or_render_upgrade(FeatureFlag.OUTLIER_DETECTOR)
 require_normalization_gate()

 # ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
--- a/src/gui/pages/7_Multi_File_Merger.py
+++ b/src/gui/pages/7_Multi_File_Merger.py
@@ -11,9 +11,15 @@ _project_root = Path(__file__).resolve().parent.parent.parent.parent
 if str(_project_root) not in sys.path:
    sys.path.insert(0, str(_project_root))

-from src.gui.components import hide_streamlit_chrome, require_normalization_gate
+from src.gui.components import (
+    hide_streamlit_chrome,
+    require_feature_or_render_upgrade,
+    require_normalization_gate,
+)
+from src.license import FeatureFlag

 hide_streamlit_chrome()
+require_feature_or_render_upgrade(FeatureFlag.MULTI_FILE_MERGER)
 require_normalization_gate()

 # ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
--- a/src/gui/pages/8_Validator_Reporter.py
+++ b/src/gui/pages/8_Validator_Reporter.py
@@ -11,9 +11,15 @@ _project_root = Path(__file__).resolve().parent.parent.parent.parent
 if str(_project_root) not in sys.path:
    sys.path.insert(0, str(_project_root))

-from src.gui.components import hide_streamlit_chrome, require_normalization_gate
+from src.gui.components import (
+    hide_streamlit_chrome,
+    require_feature_or_render_upgrade,
+    require_normalization_gate,
+)
+from src.license import FeatureFlag

 hide_streamlit_chrome()
+require_feature_or_render_upgrade(FeatureFlag.VALIDATOR_REPORTER)
 require_normalization_gate()

 # ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
--- a/src/gui/pages/9_Pipeline_Runner.py
+++ b/src/gui/pages/9_Pipeline_Runner.py
@@ -17,6 +17,7 @@ if str(_project_root) not in sys.path:
 from src.gui.components import (
    hide_streamlit_chrome,
    pickup_or_upload,
+    require_feature_or_render_upgrade,
    require_normalization_gate,
 )
 from src.core.pipeline import (
@@ -28,8 +29,10 @@ from src.core.pipeline import (
    run_pipeline,
    validate_pipeline,
 )
+from src.license import FeatureFlag

 hide_streamlit_chrome()
+require_feature_or_render_upgrade(FeatureFlag.PIPELINE_RUNNER)
 require_normalization_gate()


--- a/src/i18n/packs/en.json
+++ b/src/i18n/packs/en.json
@@ -68,8 +68,6 @@
    "blob_help": "Begins with `DTLIC1:` — paste the entire string.",
    "activate_button": "Activate",
    "renew_button": "Apply renewal",
-    "trial_button": "Start 1-year trial",
-    "trial_help": "Skips the paid blob and self-issues a 1-year license tied to your name and email. Useful for evaluating before purchase.",
    "or_separator": "— or —",
    "success": "Activated! Welcome, {name}. Your license is valid until {expires}.",
    "renewed": "License renewed. New expiry: {expires}.",
@@ -86,13 +84,18 @@
    "renewal_warning_30": "⚠️ License expires in {days} days. Renew soon to avoid interruption.",
    "renewal_warning_expired": "🛑 License expired on {date}. Renew to continue using DataTools.",
    "tier_trial": "Trial",
+    "tier_lite": "Lite",
    "tier_core": "Core",
    "tier_pro": "Pro",
    "tier_enterprise": "Enterprise",
    "registered_to": "Registered to {name} · {email}",
    "expires_on": "Expires on {date}",
    "issued_on": "Issued on {date}",
-    "view_details": "License details"
+    "view_details": "License details",
+    "feature_locked_title": "🔒 This tool isn't on your {tier} license",
+    "feature_locked_body": "Your current license unlocks: {features}. Upgrade to access this tool.",
+    "upgrade_link": "Manage license",
+    "status_locked": "Locked"
  },
  "tools": {
    "01_deduplicator": {
--- a/src/i18n/packs/es.json
+++ b/src/i18n/packs/es.json
@@ -68,8 +68,6 @@
    "blob_help": "Empieza con `DTLIC1:` — pega la cadena completa.",
    "activate_button": "Activar",
    "renew_button": "Aplicar renovación",
-    "trial_button": "Iniciar prueba de 1 año",
-    "trial_help": "Omite el código de pago y emite una licencia local de 1 año vinculada a tu nombre y correo. Útil para evaluar antes de comprar.",
    "or_separator": "— o —",
    "success": "¡Activado! Bienvenido, {name}. Tu licencia es válida hasta el {expires}.",
    "renewed": "Licencia renovada. Nueva fecha de caducidad: {expires}.",
@@ -86,13 +84,18 @@
    "renewal_warning_30": "⚠️ La licencia caduca en {days} días. Renueva pronto para evitar interrupciones.",
    "renewal_warning_expired": "🛑 La licencia caducó el {date}. Renuévala para seguir usando DataTools.",
    "tier_trial": "Prueba",
+    "tier_lite": "Lite",
    "tier_core": "Core",
    "tier_pro": "Pro",
    "tier_enterprise": "Enterprise",
    "registered_to": "Registrado a nombre de {name} · {email}",
    "expires_on": "Caduca el {date}",
    "issued_on": "Emitida el {date}",
-    "view_details": "Detalles de la licencia"
+    "view_details": "Detalles de la licencia",
+    "feature_locked_title": "🔒 Esta herramienta no está incluida en tu licencia {tier}",
+    "feature_locked_body": "Tu licencia actual incluye: {features}. Actualiza para acceder a esta herramienta.",
+    "upgrade_link": "Gestionar licencia",
+    "status_locked": "Bloqueado"
  },
  "tools": {
    "01_deduplicator": {
--- a/src/license/features.py
+++ b/src/license/features.py
@@ -29,7 +29,26 @@ def _all() -> FrozenSet[FeatureFlag]:


 FEATURES_BY_TIER: dict[Tier, FrozenSet[FeatureFlag]] = {
-    Tier.TRIAL: _all(),
+    # TRIAL is no longer reachable from the activation UI (no free
+    # trial in v1.6) but we leave the mapping in place so legacy
+    # trial licenses on disk still load. Effectively LITE-equivalent
+    # if anyone has one.
+    Tier.TRIAL: frozenset({
+        FeatureFlag.DEDUPLICATOR,
+        FeatureFlag.TEXT_CLEANER,
+        FeatureFlag.FORMAT_STANDARDIZER,
+    }),
+    # LITE — the cheap SKU. Three tools that cover the common
+    # bookkeeping / RevOps workflow: clean text, standardise formats,
+    # remove duplicates. Buyers who want missing-handler, column-
+    # mapper, outlier-detector, validator, or the pipeline runner
+    # upgrade to CORE.
+    Tier.LITE: frozenset({
+        FeatureFlag.DEDUPLICATOR,
+        FeatureFlag.TEXT_CLEANER,
+        FeatureFlag.FORMAT_STANDARDIZER,
+    }),
+    # CORE — the v1 full SKU. Every Ready tool.
    Tier.CORE: _all(),
    # Pre-wired for future SKUs. Today they mirror CORE so the gating
    # tests exercise the lookup path without making a marketing claim.
--- a/src/license/schema.py
+++ b/src/license/schema.py
@@ -31,12 +31,19 @@ from typing import Any
 class Tier(str, Enum):
    """License tier. Drives the feature set the active license unlocks.

-    Order matters: TRIAL < CORE < PRO < ENTERPRISE. A higher tier
-    inherits every feature of the lower tiers — see
+    Order matters for upgrade pricing: LITE < CORE < PRO < ENTERPRISE.
+    Each higher tier inherits every feature of the lower tiers — see
    :data:`.features.FEATURES_BY_TIER`.
+
+    ``TRIAL`` is retained for backward-compat with the brief trial-
+    enabled build, but is no longer reachable from any user-facing
+    entry point (the GUI trial button and the ``license_cli trial``
+    subcommand were both removed in v1.6). The enum value stays so
+    a buyer with a trial license on disk doesn't see a load failure.
    """

    TRIAL = "trial"
+    LITE = "lite"
    CORE = "core"
    PRO = "pro"
    ENTERPRISE = "enterprise"
--- a/src/license_cli.py
+++ b/src/license_cli.py
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 """CLI for license management.

-Five commands:
+Four commands:

 - ``activate BLOB --name NAME --email EMAIL``
    First-time activation. Verifies the signed blob, ensures the
@@ -9,23 +9,23 @@ Five commands:
 - ``renew BLOB``
    Apply a renewal blob to the currently-active license. The blob's
    embedded name + email must match the active license; tier may
-    differ (upgrade path).
+    differ (upgrade path, e.g., Lite → Core).

 - ``status [--json]``
    Print the current license state. Human-readable by default;
    ``--json`` emits the same payload as a JSON document for piping
    into shell scripts / monitoring.

- ``trial --name NAME --email EMAIL [--years N]``
-    Self-issue a trial license without a paid blob. Useful for
-    evaluating the product or for support to repro a buyer's issue
-    locally without needing a real key.
-
 - ``deactivate``
    Remove the local license file.

 This CLI is exempt from the guard that protects every tool CLI —
 otherwise a user with no license couldn't run ``activate``.
+
+There is **no free-trial subcommand**: every license requires a paid
+blob from the seller. The internal ``LicenseManager._mint`` API is
+used by tests and by the seller's ``scripts/generate_license.py``;
+end users have no way to self-issue a license.
 """

 from __future__ import annotations
@@ -134,25 +134,6 @@ def status(
    )


-@app.command()
-def trial(
-    name: str = typer.Option(..., "--name", "-n"),
-    email: str = typer.Option(..., "--email", "-e"),
-    years: int = typer.Option(1, "--years", help="Trial length (default: 1 year)."),
-) -> None:
-    """Self-issue a trial license without a paid blob."""
-    mgr = get_manager()
-    try:
-        lic = mgr.issue_trial(name=name, email=email, years=years)
-    except LicenseError as e:
-        typer.echo(f"Trial issuance failed: {e}", err=True)
-        raise typer.Exit(code=2)
-    typer.echo(
-        f"Trial issued. Key: {lic.license_key} · "
-        f"Expires: {lic.expires_at[:10]} ({lic.days_remaining()} days)"
-    )
-
-
@app.command()
 def deactivate(
    confirm: bool = typer.Option(