> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.aiola.app/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Trial and Subscription

> Start Aiola's 7-day trial, maintain active access, or use an eligible lifetime backend profile.

Aiola requires active access after sign-in. New eligible accounts can start with a 7-day free trial that includes Pro features.

## Start the trial

<Steps>
  <Step title="Sign in">
    Complete account sign-in and provider setup.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Open pricing">
    At the access screen, select **Start 7-day free trial** to review the current plan options.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Activate access">
    Complete the selected option, return to Aiola, and use **Check subscription** if the app has not updated yet.
  </Step>
</Steps>

The trial provides access for seven days. You can cancel during the trial without being charged.

## After the trial

When the trial ends, Aiola routes you to the access screen. Choose a plan to continue from your existing work; the expired-trial screen states that your data is not lost.

The app checks access before routing into workspaces. Once active access is detected, it opens the normal project selection flow.

<Note>
  **Check subscription** refreshes account access after a purchase or renewal. The action has a short cooldown, so wait for the displayed timer before trying again.
</Note>

## Lifetime and BYOD access

Accounts with lifetime entitlement can use **Central Settings → Backend** to connect a lifetime or BYOD backend profile. This option points analytics, app logs, and feedback at infrastructure you control.

Backend configuration is available only when the lifetime entitlement is present or a lifetime profile is already active. It requires the desktop app.

See [Configure a Lifetime Backend](/guides/configure-lifetime-backend) for setup, testing, checkpoints, and recovery.

## If access does not refresh

* Confirm you are signed in with the account used for the trial or plan.
* Select **Check subscription** after completing checkout.
* Wait for the cooldown if repeated checks are temporarily limited.
* Sign out only if you need to switch accounts; doing so returns you to setup.

Current plan availability and purchase details are shown on [aiola.app/pricing](https://aiola.app/pricing).