Remove Stripe paywall — make search engine publicly free

[Copilot]

The app had a Stripe-based freemium model (2 free searches, $10 one-time unlock) that gated full access. This removes all payment infrastructure and opens the engine to everyone unconditionally.

Backend (app.py)

• Removed stripe import and all Stripe env config (STRIPE_SECRET_KEY, STRIPE_PRICE_ID, STRIPE_WEBHOOK_SECRET, BASE_URL)
• Removed _PAYMENTS_DB, _WAITLIST_DB, and their init functions
• Removed helpers: _record_payment, _make_access_token, _check_persistent_access
• Removed routes: /create-checkout-session, /payment-success, /payment-cancel, /webhook, /admin/grant-access, /api/waitlist
• Dropped unused flash and stripe imports

Frontend

• static/script.js: removed abbiey_access_token localStorage→cookie sync IIFE
• templates/index.html: removed payment success toast block
• templates/landing.html: replaced pricing section and waitlist form with free-access messaging; updated nav CTA and hero copy
• Deleted templates/payment_success.html and templates/payment_cancel.html

Dependencies

• Removed stripe>=7.0 from requirements.txt

Warning

Firewall rules blocked me from connecting to one or more addresses (expand for details)

I tried to connect to the following addresses, but was blocked by firewall rules:

• archive.org
  • Triggering command: /usr/bin/python python -m pytest tests/ -q (dns block)
• en.wikipedia.org
  • Triggering command: /usr/bin/python python -m pytest tests/ -q (dns block)
• hn.algolia.com
  • Triggering command: /usr/bin/python python -m pytest tests/ -q (dns block)
• search.disroot.org
  • Triggering command: /usr/bin/python python -m pytest tests/ -q (dns block)
• search.marginalia.nu
  • Triggering command: /usr/bin/python python -m pytest tests/ -q (dns block)
• search.mdosch.de
  • Triggering command: /usr/bin/python python -m pytest tests/ -q (dns block)
• searx.be
  • Triggering command: /usr/bin/python python -m pytest tests/ -q (dns block)
• searxng.site
  • Triggering command: /usr/bin/python python -m pytest tests/ -q (dns block)
• stract.com
  • Triggering command: /usr/bin/python python -m pytest tests/ -q (dns block)
• www.reddit.com
  • Triggering command: /usr/bin/python python -m pytest tests/ -q (dns block)

If you need me to access, download, or install something from one of these locations, you can either:

• Configure Actions setup steps to set up my environment, which run before the firewall is enabled
• Add the appropriate URLs or hosts to the custom allowlist in this repository's Copilot coding agent settings (admins only)

Original prompt

Make it public

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Project	Deployment	Actions	Updated (UTC)
abbiey-search	Ready	Preview, Comment	Mar 19, 2026 4:04am
abbiey-search-v7g7	Ready	Preview, Comment	Mar 19, 2026 4:04am