> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.parsue.io/aceland-unity-packages/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.parsue.io/aceland-unity-packages/open-and-paid/whats-free-and-whats-paid.md).

# What's Free and What's Paid

AceLand packages are **true open core**. This page draws the exact line between the free Core and the paid Editor tier, and explains what happens when a subscription ends.

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### The Free Core (forever)

Everything you need to **build and ship** is free and open source — including all future updates:

* The complete **runtime container** — resolution, lifetimes, scopes, entry points, pooling.
* The **Source Generator** (zero-reflection injection plans).
* The **Abstractions** layer (contracts, attributes, the bridge).
* **No phone-home, no license check, no restrictions** in the free Core.

{% hint style="success" %}
There is **no version gating**. You never lose access to a version you already use, and updates to the Core are always free. Cancelling only affects the Editor tools — never your ability to compile, build, or run.
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### The Paid Editor Tier

A single subscription unlocks two things:

1. **Editor tools** — the node-based dependency **Graph** window, the **build-time Validation** window, and **Diagnostics**.
2. **Discord supporter role** — access to the package's **dedicated** support channel (priority Q\&A), **on top of** the public community channels that are open to everyone.

These are **100% Editor-only** and **never enter a player build**. The paid layer exists purely to speed up development and give you a private support channel.

{% hint style="info" %}
**Community support is free for everyone.** Free Core and all open-source packages are supported in the **public Discord channels** (bug reports, feature requests, opinions). The supporter role only adds an **extra** dedicated channel — see [Discord Support & Roles](/aceland-unity-packages/open-and-paid/discord-support-and-roles.md).
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{% hint style="success" %}
Subscribe or buy once — same tools. You can unlock this tier with a recurring subscription or a one-time purchase you own forever. A one-time purchase never expires and has nothing to cancel. See [Billing & Cancellation](/aceland-unity-packages/open-and-paid/billing-and-cancellation.md).
{% endhint %}

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### Free vs Paid at a Glance

<table data-search="false"><thead><tr><th width="490.4000244140625">Capability</th><th width="113.7999267578125">Free Core</th><th>Paid Editor Tier</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Runtime container &#x26; resolution</td><td>✅</td><td>✅</td></tr><tr><td>Source Generator (zero-reflection)</td><td>✅</td><td>✅</td></tr><tr><td>Lifetime Scopes, entry points, pooling</td><td>✅</td><td>✅</td></tr><tr><td>Compile / build / ship your game</td><td>✅</td><td>✅</td></tr><tr><td>Future Core updates</td><td>✅</td><td>✅</td></tr><tr><td>Dependency <strong>Graph</strong> window</td><td>—</td><td>✅</td></tr><tr><td>Build-time <strong>Validation</strong> window</td><td>—</td><td>✅</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Diagnostics</strong> &#x26; generated-code tools</td><td>—</td><td>✅</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Discord</strong> public community channels (bug reports, feedback)</td><td>✅</td><td>✅</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Discord</strong> dedicated supporter channel (priority Q&#x26;A)</td><td>—</td><td>✅</td></tr></tbody></table>

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### What Happens When a Subscription Ends

When your subscription is cancelled or expires, the Editor tools **degrade gracefully** — they never throw, never crash, and **never fail your build**:

1. The paid **Editor windows show a short "renew to re-enable" page** instead of the tool.
2. The **build-time validator silently skips** — your build is never blocked by license state.
3. The **Core, runtime, and Source Generator keep working exactly as before**.

{% hint style="info" %}
Renewing restores everything instantly: the Editor tools re-unlock and the Discord supporter role is automatically restored on the next verification.
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{% hint style="success" %}
A one-time (perpetual) license never ends. It has no billing period to expire, so the Editor tools stay unlocked and the Discord role stays held indefinitely — the only thing that reduces a perpetual license is a refund (which removes just that purchase's seats). See [One-Time Purchase](/aceland-unity-packages/open-and-paid/billing-and-cancellation.md#one-time-purchase-own-it-forever).
{% endhint %}

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### Offline Behaviour

Verification happens against the server on each Editor session (there is a **0-day offline grace**). If you have no connection:

* The paid tools **pause** and show a "connection required" hint.
* Your **build and runtime are unaffected**.
* Everything resumes automatically once you're back online.

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### Why It Works This Way

* The runtime has **zero dependency on the Editor tools**, so the free Core compiles and builds on its own.
* The Editor tools are **Editor-only**, so they were never part of a player build to begin with.
* License logic lives **only inside a closed-source licensing runtime** (`AceLand.Licensing.Editor.dll`), which every paid package's Editor DLL references and which is **installed automatically** as a dependency. The open-source Core stays completely clean of any verification or network code.
* Because the licensing runtime is **shared**, all your paid AceLand packages use the same verification path and the same seat/member rules — each package simply plugs in its own product id.

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