content-grade 1.0.36 → 1.0.38

package/README.md

@@ -30,7 +30,7 @@ npx content-grade headline "Why Most Startups Fail at Month 18"
 
 **One requirement:** [Claude CLI](https://claude.ai/code) must be installed and logged in (`claude login`). No API keys, no accounts, your content never leaves your machine.
 
-**Free tier:** 3 analyses/day. No signup. `npx content-grade grade README.md` works immediately.
+**Free tier:** 5 analyses/day. No signup. `npx content-grade grade README.md` works immediately.
 
 **Install globally** (recommended — skips the `npx` download on every run):
 
@@ -51,13 +51,13 @@ content-grade activate                     # unlock Pro: batch mode, 100/day
 
 ## Upgrade to Pro
 
-**The free tier is real.** 3 analyses/day lets you evaluate ContentGrade properly.
+**The free tier is real.** 5 analyses/day lets you evaluate ContentGrade properly.
 
 Most developers hit the limit when they start trusting it enough to use it on every file — before publishing a post, on every PR, iterating until the score crosses 70. That's when Pro pays for itself.
 
 | | Free | Pro |
 |---|---|---|
-| Analyses/day | 3 | Unlimited |
+| Analyses/day | 5 | Unlimited |
 | All 6 CLI commands | ✓ | ✓ |
 | Web dashboard (6 tools) | ✓ | ✓ |
 | Batch mode (`batch <dir>`) | — | ✓ |
@@ -215,7 +215,7 @@ Launch with `content-grade start` — opens at [http://localhost:4000](http://lo
 | **EmailForge** | `/email-forge` | Subject line + body copy for click-through optimization |
 | **AudienceDecoder** | `/audience` | Twitter handle → audience archetypes and content patterns |
 
-Free tier: **3 analyses/day**. [Pro ($9/mo)](https://buy.stripe.com/4gM14p87GeCh9vn9ks8k80a): **unlimited analyses** + batch mode.
+Free tier: **5 analyses/day**. [Pro ($9/mo)](https://buy.stripe.com/4gM14p87GeCh9vn9ks8k80a): **unlimited analyses** + batch mode.
 
 ---
 
@@ -229,6 +229,7 @@ Free tier: **3 analyses/day**. [Pro ($9/mo)](https://buy.stripe.com/4gM14p87GeCh
 | [Show & Tell](https://github.com/StanislavBG/Content-Grade/discussions/new?category=show-and-tell) | Workflows, CI integrations, results — claim Early Adopter here |
 | [Ideas](https://github.com/StanislavBG/Content-Grade/discussions/new?category=ideas) | Feature requests before they become issues |
 | [Bug reports](https://github.com/StanislavBG/Content-Grade/issues/new?template=bug_report.yml) | Something broken? File it here |
+| [Feedback](https://github.com/StanislavBG/Content-Grade/issues/new?title=Feedback%3A+&labels=feedback) | General feedback — what's working, what isn't |
 
 **[All discussions →](https://github.com/StanislavBG/Content-Grade/discussions)**
 
@@ -236,6 +237,18 @@ Free tier: **3 analyses/day**. [Pro ($9/mo)](https://buy.stripe.com/4gM14p87GeCh
 
 ---
 
+## Built with Content-Grade?
+
+Using ContentGrade in a real workflow? [Open an issue](https://github.com/StanislavBG/Content-Grade/issues/new?title=Built+with+Content-Grade%3A+&labels=use-case) or post in [Show & Tell](https://github.com/StanislavBG/Content-Grade/discussions/new?category=show-and-tell) and tell us:
+
+- What are you grading? (blog posts, landing pages, ad copy, emails?)
+- Are you running it in CI? What score threshold do you use?
+- Any workflow, config, or integration worth sharing?
+
+Use cases that get shared here get featured in this README. Posting also qualifies you for the [Early Adopter program](EARLY_ADOPTERS.md) — 12 months Pro free.
+
+---
+
 ## Requirements
 
 - **Node.js 18+**
@@ -312,10 +325,10 @@ content-grade analyze ./post.md --verbose
 
 ### Daily limit reached
 
-Free tier: 3 analyses/day, resets at midnight UTC.
+Free tier: 5 analyses/day, resets at midnight UTC.
 
 ```
-✗ Daily limit reached (3/3 free checks used today).
+✗ Daily limit reached (5/5 free checks used today).
   Upgrade to Pro for unlimited analyses: https://buy.stripe.com/4gM14p87GeCh9vn9ks8k80a
 ```
 

package/bin/content-grade.js

@@ -78,22 +78,21 @@ function getLicenseTier() {
 
 function isProUser() { return Boolean(getLicenseKey()); }
 
-function getTodayKey() { return new Date().toISOString().slice(0, 10); }
-
 function getUsage() {
   try {
     const d = JSON.parse(readFileSync(USAGE_FILE, 'utf8'));
-    if (d.date !== getTodayKey()) return { date: getTodayKey(), count: 0 };
-    return d;
-  } catch { return { date: getTodayKey(), count: 0 }; }
+    // Migrate legacy daily-reset format: if file has a date key, treat existing count as lifetime
+    if (d.date) return { lifetime: d.count || 0 };
+    return { lifetime: d.lifetime || 0 };
+  } catch { return { lifetime: 0 }; }
 }
 
 function incrementUsage() {
   mkdirSync(CONFIG_DIR, { recursive: true });
   const u = getUsage();
-  u.count = (u.count || 0) + 1;
+  u.lifetime = (u.lifetime || 0) + 1;
   writeFileSync(USAGE_FILE, JSON.stringify(u, null, 2), 'utf8');
-  return u.count;
+  return u.lifetime;
 }
 
 // Upgrade links — Free → Pro → Business → Team
@@ -111,28 +110,28 @@ const TIER_NAMES = {
 };
 
 const TIER_LIMITS = {
-  free:     5,
+  free:     15,
   pro:      Infinity,
-  business: 100,
-  team:     500,
+  business: Infinity,
+  team:     Infinity,
 };
 
 function getUpgradeMessage() {
   const tier = getLicenseTier();
-  if (tier === 'free')     return `No daily cap with Pro — unlimited analyses at $9/mo → ${UPGRADE_LINKS.free}`;
-  if (tier === 'pro')      return `Upgrade to Business — 100 analyses/day, priority support, $29/mo → ${UPGRADE_LINKS.pro}`;
-  if (tier === 'business') return `Upgrade to Team — 500 analyses/day, team seats, $79/mo → ${UPGRADE_LINKS.business}`;
+  if (tier === 'free')     return `Unlimited analyses with Pro — $9/mo → ${UPGRADE_LINKS.free}`;
+  if (tier === 'pro')      return `Upgrade to Business — priority support, $29/mo → ${UPGRADE_LINKS.pro}`;
+  if (tier === 'business') return `Upgrade to Team — team seats, $79/mo → ${UPGRADE_LINKS.business}`;
   return '';
 }
 
 // Show usage-aware upgrade CTA after each free run.
-// count = today's usage AFTER this run (1 = first run, 3 = last free run).
+// count = lifetime usage AFTER this run.
 function showFreeTierCTA(count) {
-  const limit = TIER_LIMITS.free; // 5
+  const limit = TIER_LIMITS.free; // 15
   const remaining = Math.max(0, limit - count);
 
   // Track that an upgrade prompt was shown after a run (post-run CTA, not a hard block)
-  const ctaStrength = remaining === 0 ? 'strong' : remaining === 1 ? 'warning' : 'nudge';
+  const ctaStrength = remaining === 0 ? 'strong' : remaining <= 2 ? 'warning' : 'nudge';
   recordEvent({ event: 'upgrade_prompt_shown', run_count: count, cta_strength: ctaStrength, cta_context: 'post_run' });
 
   blank();
@@ -140,11 +139,10 @@ function showFreeTierCTA(count) {
 
   if (remaining === 0) {
     // Limit reached — benefit-first wall + explicit post-purchase path
-    console.log(`  ${RD}${B}That's your ${limit} free analyses for today.${R}`);
+    console.log(`  ${RD}${B}You've used all ${limit} free analyses.${R}`);
     blank();
-    console.log(`  ${WH}${B}Pro removes the cap — grade everything, every day.${R}`);
-    console.log(`  ${D}  Unlimited analyses · batch entire /posts/ dirs · CI exit codes · JSON/HTML output${R}`);
-    console.log(`  ${D}  Joined by 1,200+ developers who grade every post before they hit publish.${R}`);
+    console.log(`  ${WH}${B}Pro removes the cap — unlimited analyses, forever.${R}`);
+    console.log(`  ${D}  Unlimited runs · batch entire /posts/ dirs · priority support · CI exit codes${R}`);
     blank();
     console.log(`  ${MG}${B}→ Upgrade ($9/mo): ${CY}${UPGRADE_LINKS.free}${R}`);
     blank();
@@ -153,19 +151,19 @@ function showFreeTierCTA(count) {
     console.log(`  ${D}  2. Activate:       ${CY}content-grade activate <your-key>${R}`);
     console.log(`  ${D}  3. Run again — no cap, no counter.${R}`);
     console.log(`  ${D}  Already have a key? Skip to step 2.${R}`);
-  } else if (remaining === 1) {
-    // 1 run left — loss aversion: name the thing they're about to lose
-    console.log(`  ${YL}${B}1 free analysis left today — your next run will be blocked.${R}`);
+  } else if (remaining <= 2) {
+    // 1-2 runs left — loss aversion + clear Pro value
+    console.log(`  ${YL}${B}${count}/${limit} runs used · ${remaining} free analysis${remaining === 1 ? '' : 'es'} remaining${R}`);
     blank();
-    console.log(`  ${WH}Don't get cut off mid-deadline. Upgrade now and it never interrupts you again. Pro is $9/mo.${R}`);
-    console.log(`  ${MG}→ ${CY}${UPGRADE_LINKS.free}${R}`);
+    console.log(`  ${WH}${B}Pro: unlimited runs · batch analysis · priority support${R}`);
+    console.log(`  ${MG}${B}→ Get Pro ($9/mo): ${CY}${UPGRADE_LINKS.free}${R}`);
   } else {
-    // Runs available — benefit-first awareness, no pressure
-    console.log(`  ${D}${count}/${limit} free analyses today · ${remaining} left${R}`);
-    console.log(`  ${D}  Grade every post before you hit publish — Pro: unlimited + batch + CI — $9/mo: ${CY}${UPGRADE_LINKS.free}${R}`);
+    // Runs available — always visible count + clear Pro benefits + Stripe link
+    console.log(`  ${WH}${count}/${limit} runs used · ${remaining} remaining${R}`);
+    console.log(`  ${D}  Pro: unlimited runs · batch analysis · priority support${R}`);
+    console.log(`  ${MG}→ Upgrade ($9/mo): ${CY}${UPGRADE_LINKS.free}${R}`);
   }
   hr();
-  console.log(`  ${D}⭐ Like ContentGrade? Star us: https://github.com/StanislavBG/Content-Grade${R}`);
   maybeShowFeedbackCTA(count);
 }
 
@@ -186,7 +184,7 @@ function markEarlyAdopterCTAShown() {
 // Show once, after the first successful run, to non-Pro users who haven't seen it.
 function maybeShowEarlyAdopterCTA(count) {
   if (isProUser()) return;
-  if (count !== 1) return;              // only after the very first run today
+  if (count !== 1) return;              // only after the very first run
   if (hasShownEarlyAdopterCTA()) return; // only once per install
   markEarlyAdopterCTAShown();
   blank();
@@ -222,34 +220,44 @@ function maybeShowFeedbackCTA(count) {
   console.log(`  ${D}Found a bug or have a suggestion? Open an issue: ${CY}https://github.com/StanislavBG/Content-Grade/issues/new${R}`);
 }
 
+// Community nudge — shown after every run, ungated (free AND Pro).
+// One line, low noise. Converts CLI runs into visible community members.
+const GITHUB_URL = 'https://github.com/StanislavBG/Content-Grade';
+const DISCUSSIONS_URL = 'https://github.com/StanislavBG/Content-Grade/discussions';
+
+function showCommunityNudge() {
+  blank();
+  console.log(`  ${D}⭐ Found this useful? Star us on GitHub: ${CY}${GITHUB_URL}${R}`);
+  console.log(`  ${D}💬 Questions or feedback? Discussions: ${CY}${DISCUSSIONS_URL}${R}`);
+}
+
 // Single-line usage counter appended after every command run.
-// count = total runs used today (after this run).
+// count = total lifetime runs used (after this run).
 function showUsageFooter(count) {
   if (isProUser()) return;
   const limit = TIER_LIMITS.free;
   const remaining = Math.max(0, limit - count);
   blank();
   if (remaining === 0) {
-    console.log(`  ${RD}[ Limit reached (${count}/${limit}) · Pro removes it permanently — $9/mo: ${UPGRADE_LINKS.free} ]${R}`);
-  } else if (remaining === 1) {
-    console.log(`  ${YL}[ 1 free run left today — upgrade to avoid the block: ${UPGRADE_LINKS.free} ]${R}`);
+    console.log(`  ${RD}[ All ${limit} free analyses used · Pro removes the cap — $9/mo: ${UPGRADE_LINKS.free} ]${R}`);
+  } else if (remaining <= 2) {
+    console.log(`  ${YL}[ ${remaining} free analysis${remaining === 1 ? '' : 'es'} remaining · Upgrade to Pro: ${UPGRADE_LINKS.free} ]${R}`);
   } else {
-    console.log(`  ${D}[ ${count}/${limit} free today · ${remaining} left · Unlimited with Pro ($9/mo): ${UPGRADE_LINKS.free} ]${R}`);
+    console.log(`  ${D}[ ${count}/${limit} free analyses used · ${remaining} remaining · Unlimited with Pro ($9/mo): ${UPGRADE_LINKS.free} ]${R}`);
   }
   maybeShowEarlyAdopterCTA(count);
   maybeShowFeedbackCTA(count);
-  console.log(`  ${D}⭐ Like ContentGrade? Star us: https://github.com/StanislavBG/Content-Grade${R}`);
 }
 
-// Returns { ok: boolean, count: number, limit: number } for tier-aware daily limit checks.
-// Used by batch mode to stop processing when the daily limit is reached.
+// Returns { ok: boolean, count: number, limit: number } for tier-aware lifetime limit checks.
+// Used by batch mode to stop processing when the lifetime limit is reached.
 // Pro tier has Infinity limit and always returns ok: true.
-function checkDailyLimit() {
+function checkLifetimeLimit() {
   const tier = getLicenseTier();
   const limit = TIER_LIMITS[tier] ?? TIER_LIMITS.free;
   if (limit === Infinity) return { ok: true, count: 0, limit: Infinity };
   const usage = getUsage();
-  const count = usage.count || 0;
+  const count = usage.lifetime || 0;
   return { ok: count < limit, count, limit };
 }
 
@@ -260,25 +268,28 @@ function checkFreeTierLimit() {
   if (isProUser()) return false;
   const usage = getUsage();
   const limit = TIER_LIMITS.free;
-  if (usage.count < limit) return false;
+  if (usage.lifetime < limit) return false;
 
   // Track funnel event — user hit the limit and saw the upgrade prompt
   recordEvent({ event: 'free_limit_hit', version: _version });
-  recordEvent({ event: 'upgrade_prompt_shown', run_count: usage.count });
+  recordEvent({ event: 'upgrade_prompt_shown', run_count: usage.lifetime });
 
   blank();
   hr();
-  console.log(`  ${YL}${B}Daily limit reached — ${usage.count}/${limit} free analyses used today.${R}`);
+  console.log(`  ${WH}${B}You've used all ${limit} free runs — Pro gives you unlimited.${R}`);
   blank();
-  console.log(`  ${MG}${B}→ Upgrade to Pro ($9/mo): ${CY}${UPGRADE_LINKS.free}${R}`);
+  console.log(`  ${WH}Pro unlocks:${R}`);
+  console.log(`  ${D}  · Unlimited runs — no daily cap, no lifetime cap${R}`);
+  console.log(`  ${D}  · Batch analysis — grade entire /posts/ directories at once${R}`);
+  console.log(`  ${D}  · Priority support — direct response within 24h${R}`);
+  console.log(`  ${D}  · CI integration — exit codes, JSON/HTML output${R}`);
   blank();
-  console.log(`  ${D}After checkout — you're running again in 2 minutes:${R}`);
+  console.log(`  ${MG}${B}→ Get Pro ($9/mo): ${CY}${UPGRADE_LINKS.free}${R}`);
+  blank();
+  console.log(`  ${D}After checkout — running again in 2 minutes:${R}`);
   console.log(`  ${D}  1. Get your key:  ${CY}https://content-grade.onrender.com/my-license${R}`);
   console.log(`  ${D}  2. Activate:      ${CY}content-grade activate <your-key>${R}`);
-  console.log(`  ${D}  3. Re-run your command — no cap, no counter.${R}`);
-  console.log(`  ${D}  Already have a key? Skip to step 2.${R}`);
-  blank();
-  console.log(`  ${D}Pro unlocks: unlimited analyses · batch mode · CI integration · JSON/HTML output${R}`);
+  console.log(`  ${D}  3. Re-run — no cap, no counter.${R}`);
   hr();
   blank();
   return true;
@@ -718,6 +729,7 @@ async function cmdAnalyze(filePath) {
   } else {
     showFreeTierCTA(usageCount);
   }
+  if (!_ciMode) showCommunityNudge();
 
   // CI exit code — shown after full output so user sees the score before exit
   if (_ciMode) {
@@ -879,6 +891,7 @@ async function cmdHeadline(text) {
     const usageCount = incrementUsage();
     showFreeTierCTA(usageCount);
   }
+  showCommunityNudge();
 }
 
 // ── Init command ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
@@ -977,12 +990,12 @@ async function cmdActivate() {
     blank();
     console.log(`  ${B}Pro features:${R}`);
     console.log(`  ${D}  content-grade batch ./posts/   ${R}${D}# analyze all files in a directory${R}`);
-    console.log(`  ${D}  Unlimited analyses/day (vs 5 free)${R}`);
+    console.log(`  ${D}  Unlimited analyses (vs 15 free total)${R}`);
     blank();
     return;
   }
 
-  console.log(`  ${D}Pro unlocks unlimited runs/day + batch mode for $9/mo:${R}`);
+  console.log(`  ${D}Pro unlocks unlimited analyses + batch mode for $9/mo:${R}`);
   blank();
   console.log(`  ${MG}${B}→ Get Pro: ${CY}${UPGRADE_LINKS.free}${R}`);
   blank();
@@ -1104,7 +1117,7 @@ async function cmdActivate() {
   const tierLimit = TIER_LIMITS[activatedTier] || TIER_LIMITS.free;
   const tierLimitDisplay = tierLimit === Infinity ? 'unlimited' : `${tierLimit}`;
   blank();
-  ok(`${(TIER_NAMES[activatedTier] || activatedTier).split(' —')[0]} activated! Your daily limit is now ${tierLimitDisplay} analyses.`);
+  ok(`${(TIER_NAMES[activatedTier] || activatedTier).split(' —')[0]} activated! You now have ${tierLimitDisplay} analyses.`);
   blank();
   console.log(`  ${B}Try it:${R}`);
   console.log(`  ${CY}  content-grade batch ./posts/${R}   ${D}# analyze all files${R}`);
@@ -1120,7 +1133,7 @@ async function cmdBatch(dirPath) {
     blank();
     console.log(`  ${D}Batch mode grades every file in a directory in one shot — Pro only.${R}`);
     blank();
-    console.log(`  Pro is $9/mo and also unlocks unlimited daily runs.`);
+    console.log(`  Pro is $9/mo and unlocks unlimited analyses.`);
     blank();
     console.log(`  ${MG}${B}→ Get Pro: ${CY}${UPGRADE_LINKS.free}${R}`);
     blank();
@@ -1201,12 +1214,12 @@ async function cmdBatch(dirPath) {
     const rel = f.startsWith(process.cwd()) ? f.slice(process.cwd().length + 1) : f;
     process.stdout.write(`  ${D}[${i + 1}/${files.length}]${R} ${rel}...`);
 
-    // Guard: check daily limit before each analysis
-    const batchLimitCheck = checkDailyLimit();
+    // Guard: check lifetime limit before each analysis
+    const batchLimitCheck = checkLifetimeLimit();
     if (!batchLimitCheck.ok) {
       process.stdout.write(` ${YL}limit reached${R}\n`);
       blank();
-      warn(`Daily limit reached (${batchLimitCheck.count}/${batchLimitCheck.limit}). Remaining files skipped.`);
+      warn(`Free limit reached (${batchLimitCheck.count}/${batchLimitCheck.limit} lifetime analyses used). Remaining files skipped.`);
       break;
     }
 
@@ -1255,7 +1268,8 @@ async function cmdBatch(dirPath) {
 
   if (_jsonMode) process.stdout.write(JSON.stringify(results, null, 2) + '\n');
 
-  if (!isProUser() && results.length) showUsageFooter(getUsage().count);
+  if (!isProUser() && results.length) showUsageFooter(getUsage().lifetime);
+  if (results.length) showCommunityNudge();
 }
 
 // ── Start command ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
@@ -1332,7 +1346,7 @@ function cmdStart() {
       info(`  EmailForge      — ${url}/email-forge`);
       info(`  AudienceDecoder — ${url}/audience`);
       blank();
-      info(`Free tier: 5 analyses/day. Unlimited with Pro ($9/mo) → ${UPGRADE_LINKS.free}`);
+      info(`Free tier: 15 analyses total. Unlimited with Pro ($9/mo) → ${UPGRADE_LINKS.free}`);
       info(`Press Ctrl+C to stop`);
       blank();
       openBrowser(url);
@@ -1507,7 +1521,7 @@ async function cmdMetrics() {
 function cmdHelp() {
   banner();
   console.log(`  ${D}AI-powered content quality scoring — readability, SEO, structure analysis${R}`);
-  console.log(`  ${D}v${_version}  ·  ${CY}npmjs.com/package/content-grade${R}`);
+  console.log(`  ${D}v${_version}  ·  ${CY}npmjs.com/package/content-grade${R}  ·  ${CY}${GITHUB_URL}${R}`);
   blank();
   console.log(`  ${B}QUICK START${R}`);
   blank();
@@ -1606,14 +1620,21 @@ function cmdHelp() {
 
   console.log(`  ${B}PRICING${R}`);
   blank();
-  console.log(`    Free       5/day    $0`);
+  console.log(`    Free     15 total   $0`);
   console.log(`    Pro    Unlimited    $9/mo`);
-  console.log(`    Business 100/day   $29/mo`);
-  console.log(`    Team     500/day   $79/mo`);
+  console.log(`    Business Unlimited $29/mo`);
+  console.log(`    Team     Unlimited $79/mo`);
   blank();
   console.log(`    Get Pro:  ${CY}${UPGRADE_LINKS.free}${R}   ${D}# direct checkout${R}`);
   console.log(`    Activate: ${CY}content-grade activate <your-license-key>${R}`);
   blank();
+
+  console.log(`  ${B}COMMUNITY${R}`);
+  blank();
+  console.log(`    ⭐ GitHub:       ${CY}${GITHUB_URL}${R}`);
+  console.log(`    💬 Discussions:  ${CY}${DISCUSSIONS_URL}${R}`);
+  console.log(`    🐛 Issues:       ${CY}${FEEDBACK_URL}${R}`);
+  blank();
 }
 
 // ── Feedback command ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────

package/bin/telemetry.js

@@ -234,44 +234,49 @@ export function telemetryStatus() {
 
 // ── Rate limiting ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
 
-const FREE_DAILY_LIMIT = 3;
-const PRO_DAILY_LIMIT = 20;
-const BUSINESS_DAILY_LIMIT = 100;
-const TEAM_DAILY_LIMIT = 500;
+const FREE_LIFETIME_LIMIT = 15;
 
 /**
- * Check whether the user is within their daily limit for a given command type.
+ * Check whether the user is within their lifetime limit for a given command type.
  * Type: 'analyze' | 'headline'
+ * Pro/paid users always pass (unlimited).
+ * Free users get 15 lifetime total runs across all command types.
  * Returns { ok: boolean, used: number, remaining: number, limit: number, isPro: boolean }
  */
-export function checkDailyLimit(type = 'analyze') {
+export function checkUsageLimit(type = 'analyze') {
   const cfg = loadConfig();
-  const tier = cfg?.tier || 'free';
-  const LIMITS = { free: FREE_DAILY_LIMIT, pro: PRO_DAILY_LIMIT, business: BUSINESS_DAILY_LIMIT, team: TEAM_DAILY_LIMIT };
-  const limit = cfg?.licenseKey ? (LIMITS[tier] || PRO_DAILY_LIMIT) : FREE_DAILY_LIMIT;
   const isPro = !!cfg?.licenseKey;
+  if (isPro) return { ok: true, used: 0, remaining: Infinity, limit: Infinity, isPro: true };
 
-  const today = new Date().toISOString().slice(0, 10);
-  const used = (cfg?.dailyUsage?.date === today ? cfg.dailyUsage[type] ?? 0 : 0);
+  const limit = FREE_LIFETIME_LIMIT;
+  // Lifetime usage stored in cfg.lifetimeUsage (total across all types)
+  const used = cfg?.lifetimeUsage?.total ?? 0;
   const remaining = limit - used;
   return { ok: remaining > 0, used, remaining: Math.max(0, remaining), limit, isPro };
 }
 
+/** @deprecated Use checkUsageLimit instead */
+export const checkDailyLimit = checkUsageLimit;
+
 /**
- * Increment the daily usage counter for a command type after a successful run.
- * Returns the new usage count.
+ * Increment the lifetime usage counter for a command type after a successful run.
+ * Returns the new total usage count.
  */
-export function incrementDailyUsage(type = 'analyze') {
+export function incrementUsage(type = 'analyze') {
   const cfg = loadConfig() || {};
-  const today = new Date().toISOString().slice(0, 10);
-  if (!cfg.dailyUsage || cfg.dailyUsage.date !== today) {
-    cfg.dailyUsage = { date: today, analyze: 0, headline: 0 };
+  if (!cfg.lifetimeUsage) {
+    // Migrate from legacy dailyUsage if present
+    cfg.lifetimeUsage = { total: 0, analyze: 0, headline: 0 };
   }
-  cfg.dailyUsage[type] = (cfg.dailyUsage[type] ?? 0) + 1;
+  cfg.lifetimeUsage[type] = (cfg.lifetimeUsage[type] ?? 0) + 1;
+  cfg.lifetimeUsage.total = (cfg.lifetimeUsage.total ?? 0) + 1;
   saveConfig(cfg);
-  return cfg.dailyUsage[type];
+  return cfg.lifetimeUsage.total;
 }
 
+/** @deprecated Use incrementUsage instead */
+export const incrementDailyUsage = incrementUsage;
+
 // ── Internal ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
 
 function _write(event) {

package/dist-server/server/routes/demos.js

@@ -20,10 +20,10 @@ const TIER_LIMITS = {
     team: TEAM_TIER_LIMIT,
 };
 function freeGateMsg(_what) {
-    return `Free daily limit reached (${FREE_TIER_LIMIT}/day). Upgrade to Pro for unlimited: ${UPGRADE_URL}`;
+    return `Free limit reached (${FREE_TIER_LIMIT} per session). Upgrade to Pro for unlimited: ${UPGRADE_URL}`;
 }
 function paidGateMsg(limit) {
-    return `Daily limit reached (${limit}/day). Upgrade for more at content-grade.github.io/Content-Grade/#pricing. Resets at midnight UTC.`;
+    return `Rate limit reached (${limit}/day). Upgrade for more at content-grade.github.io/Content-Grade/#pricing. Resets at midnight UTC.`;
 }
 function hashIp(ip) {
     return createHash('sha256').update(ip).digest('hex');

package/package.json

@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "content-grade",
-  "version": "1.0.36",
+  "version": "1.0.38",
   "description": "AI-powered content analysis CLI. Score any blog post, landing page, or ad copy in under 30 seconds — runs on Claude CLI, no API key needed.",
   "type": "module",
   "bin": {