> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.getruba.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.
# Design a Trial Journey
> Configure trial length, conversion timing, reminders, and repeat-trial protection.
export const RubaSocials = () => {
if (typeof document === "undefined") {
return null;
}
const inject = () => {
const footer = document.getElementById("footer");
if (!footer || document.getElementById("ruba-socials")) {
return false;
}
const isDark = document.querySelector("html.dark") || document.querySelector('html[class*="dark"]');
const lineColor = isDark ? "#383838" : "#e8e8ed";
const iconColor = isDark ? "#8e8e93" : "#86868b";
const markColor = isDark ? "#ffffff" : "#08080c";
const hoverColor = "#0071e3";
const div = document.createElement("div");
div.id = "ruba-socials";
div.style.cssText = `display:flex;align-items:center;gap:20px;padding-top:20px;margin-top:20px;border-top:1px solid ${lineColor};width:100%`;
const logo = `Ruba`;
const spacer = ``;
const ig = ``;
const li = ``;
const x = ``;
const github = ``;
div.innerHTML = logo + spacer + ig + li + x + github;
footer.appendChild(div);
return true;
};
if (!document.documentElement.dataset.rubaSocialsObserver) {
document.documentElement.dataset.rubaSocialsObserver = "true";
const observer = new MutationObserver(() => {
if (!document.getElementById("ruba-socials")) {
inject();
}
});
observer.observe(document.body, {
childList: true,
subtree: true
});
}
setTimeout(() => {
if (!inject()) {
const interval = setInterval(() => {
if (inject()) {
clearInterval(interval);
}
}, 500);
setTimeout(() => clearInterval(interval), 10000);
}
}, 300);
return null;
};
A trial grants subscription access before the first charge while still collecting a payment method for conversion.
## Setting up a trial
Define the period on the catalog item, a buy link, or an individual checkout session. A value supplied by the buy link or checkout session takes precedence over the catalog default.
The period consists of a numeric duration plus one unit: day, week, month, or year.
## Starting a trial
Checkout saves the customer’s payment details but does not charge them. Benefits become available for the trial duration. Cancellation before `trial_end` prevents the first payment; otherwise Ruba charges the saved method when the trial expires and starts the paid billing cycle.
## Adding, extending or canceling a trial
Open **Update Subscription → Trial** for an existing subscription.
* A future end date adds or extends the trial. An active subscription returns to `trialing`, and billing waits for the new date.
* **End trial** converts immediately to `active` and opens a paid period with an immediate charge.
## Trial conversion reminders
Reminder timing follows the trial’s total length:
| Trial length | Message timing |
| -------------------- | ------------------------ |
| At least 3 days | 3 days before conversion |
| Between 1 and 3 days | 1 day before conversion |
| Less than 1 day | No reminder |
Fully free subscriptions and subscriptions already scheduled to cancel are skipped. Disable these messages under **Settings → Customer notifications** if your application sends its own.
## Preventing trial abuse
Enable **Prevent trial abuse** under the organization’s subscription settings to compare new attempts against earlier trial redemptions across your products.
### System flow
Ruba checks both the normalized email and the payment-method fingerprint. Email aliases such as `user+alias@example.com` are treated as the underlying address. Matching either signal to a previous redemption blocks another trial.
### What the customer sees
The checkout explains that the trial has already been used, reloads without the trial period, and still allows purchase at the regular subscription price.
## Starting a trial
Checkout saves the customer’s payment details but does not charge them. Benefits become available for the trial duration. Cancellation before `trial_end` prevents the first payment; otherwise Ruba charges the saved method when the trial expires and starts the paid billing cycle.
## Adding, extending or canceling a trial
Open **Update Subscription → Trial** for an existing subscription.
* A future end date adds or extends the trial. An active subscription returns to `trialing`, and billing waits for the new date.
* **End trial** converts immediately to `active` and opens a paid period with an immediate charge.
## Trial conversion reminders
Reminder timing follows the trial’s total length:
| Trial length | Message timing |
| -------------------- | ------------------------ |
| At least 3 days | 3 days before conversion |
| Between 1 and 3 days | 1 day before conversion |
| Less than 1 day | No reminder |
Fully free subscriptions and subscriptions already scheduled to cancel are skipped. Disable these messages under **Settings → Customer notifications** if your application sends its own.
## Preventing trial abuse
Enable **Prevent trial abuse** under the organization’s subscription settings to compare new attempts against earlier trial redemptions across your products.
### System flow
Ruba checks both the normalized email and the payment-method fingerprint. Email aliases such as `user+alias@example.com` are treated as the underlying address. Matching either signal to a previous redemption blocks another trial.
### What the customer sees
The checkout explains that the trial has already been used, reloads without the trial period, and still allows purchase at the regular subscription price.