Switch to BSL license so it's free for individuals

Author: vdavid

AGENTS.md

@@ -27,11 +27,9 @@ This is a monorepo with the following structure:
 - `/apps/website/` - Marketing website (getcmdr.com)
     - Astro + Tailwind v4
     - Deployed via Docker + nginx
-    - Proprietary license
 - `/apps/license-server/` - License key generation webhook
     - Cloudflare Worker (Hono framework)
     - Receives Paddle webhooks, generates Ed25519-signed keys
-    - Proprietary license
 - `/scripts/check/` - Go-based unified check runner (replaces individual scripts)
 - `/docs/` - Docs including `style-guide.md`
 
@@ -111,8 +109,8 @@ See [docs/adr](docs/adr) for all key technical decisions, and the
 - **Clippy `--allow-dirty --allow-staged`** is used locally to allow auto-fixes even with uncommitted changes
 - **Paddle for payments**: Chosen for MoR model (handles taxes/invoicing), all-inclusive fees. See
   [ADR-014](docs/adr/014-payment-provider-paddle.md)
-- **AGPL + trial license model**: Source is open (AGPL), official binary has 14-day trial. See
-  [ADR-015](docs/adr/015-license-model-agpl-trial.md) and [licensing docs](docs/features/licensing.md)
+- **BSL license model**: Source-available (BSL 1.1), free for personal use, paid for commercial. See
+  [ADR-016](docs/adr/016-license-model-bsl.md) and [licensing docs](docs/features/licensing.md)
 
 ## MCP
 

LICENSE

@@ -1,36 +1,33 @@
 # Cmdr
 
-![License](https://img.shields.io/github/license/vdavid/cmdr)
+![License](https://img.shields.io/badge/license-BSL--1.1-blue)
 
-An extremely fast, keyboard-driven, two-pane file manager written in Rust for folks who miss the golden days of Norton
-Commander and Total Commander.
+An extremely fast AI-native file manager written in Rust, free forever for personal use on macOS.
 
-![cmdr](https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/7827b88d-e0a9-447e-b195-af7216c0fa35)
+Cmdr is for folks who love a rock-solid, keyboard-driven, two-pane file manager with a modern UI in 2026.
+
+Give it a try: [Download for macOS](https://getcmdr.com) on the website, or do `brew install cmdr`.
 
+![cmdr](https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/7827b88d-e0a9-447e-b195-af7216c0fa35)
 
 ## Overview
 
-Cmdr is a desktop file manager that brings back the classic two-pane layout. It's built for speed and keyboard
-navigation. If you've ever used Norton Commander, Midnight Commander, or Total Commander, you'll feel right at home.
+Cmdr is the first AI-native file manager, written by modern standards with built-in AI to support natural language
+search, smart renaming, and auto-organization. Built on the spiritual foundations of `mc` and Total Commander.
 
 Core features:
 
-- **Two-pane layout**: see two directories side by side
-- **Keyboard-first navigation**: do everything without touching your mouse
-- **Fast file operations**: copy, move, rename, and delete with a few keystrokes
-- **Cross-platform**: runs on macOS, Windows, and Linux
+- **Two-pane layout**: see two dirs side by side.
+- **Keyboard-first**: do anything without touching your mouse, using your familiar shortcuts.
+- **Blazing fast file operations**: copy, move, rename, and delete with a few keystrokes
+- **AI native**: search, rename, organize like you're in 2026.
 
 ## Installation
 
-Download the latest release for your platform from the [Releases](https://github.com/vdavid/cmdr/releases) page.
-
-### macOS
-
-(Downloadable installer coming soon)
+Download from [getcmdr.com](https://getcmdr.com) or just do `brew install cmdr`.
 
-### Windows and Linux
-
-Sorry, only macOS for now
+Windows and Linux users: sorry, you'll need to wait. The Rust+Tauri stack allows for cross-platform deployment, but the app
+uses OS-specific features by nature, so I've only had time to write and test it on macOS for now.
 
 ## Usage
 
@@ -53,21 +50,26 @@ gives it native performance with a modern, responsive UI.
 
 ## License
 
-Cmdr is available under a **dual license**:
+Cmdr is **source-available** under the [Business Source License 1.1](LICENSE).
+
+### Free for personal use
+
+Use Cmdr for free on any number of machines for personal, non-commercial projects. No nags, no trial timers, no
+restrictions.
+
+### Commercial use
 
-### Open source (AGPL-3.0-or-later)
+For work projects, you'll need a license:
 
-For open-source projects, personal use, and those who can comply with the
-[GNU Affero General Public License v3](https://www.gnu.org/licenses/agpl-3.0.html), Cmdr is free to use, modify, and
-distribute. The AGPL requires that if you modify Cmdr and make it available to users over a network, you must also make
-your source code available under the same license.
+- **$59/year** — subscription, auto-renews
+- **$149 one-time** — perpetual license
 
-### Commercial license
+Purchase at [getcmdr.com/pricing](https://getcmdr.com/pricing).
 
-For companies and individuals who cannot comply with the AGPL (e.g., you want to use Cmdr in proprietary software, or
-you don't want to disclose your source code), a commercial license is available.
+### Source code
 
-**Contact**: [veszelovszki@gmail.com](mailto:veszelovszki@gmail.com) for pricing and terms.
+The source becomes [AGPL-3.0](https://www.gnu.org/licenses/agpl-3.0.html) after 3 years (rolling per release). Until
+then, you can view, modify, and learn from the code — just not use it commercially without a license.
 
 ---
 
@@ -76,9 +78,9 @@ you don't want to disclose your source code), a commercial license is available.
 Contributions are welcome! Report issues and feature requests in the
 [issue tracker](https://github.com/vdavid/cmdr/issues).
 
-By submitting a contribution, you agree to license your contribution under the AGPL-3.0-or-later license and grant the
-project owner the right to use your contribution under both the AGPL and any commercial license offered for this
-project.
+By submitting a contribution, you agree to license your contribution under the same terms as the project (BSL 1.1,
+converting to AGPL-3.0) and grant the project owner the right to use your contribution under any commercial license
+offered for this project.
 
 Happy browsing!
 

README.md

@@ -103,15 +103,16 @@ Then open http://localhost:3333 and click "Buy Cmdr".
 
 ## Endpoints
 
-| Method | Path              | Description                                      |
-| ------ | ----------------- | ------------------------------------------------ |
-| `GET`  | `/`               | Health check                                     |
-| `POST` | `/webhook/paddle` | Paddle webhook (generates and emails license)    |
-| `POST` | `/admin/generate` | Manual license generation (requires auth header) |
+| Method | Path              | Description                                       |
+| ------ | ----------------- | ------------------------------------------------- |
+| `GET`  | `/`               | Health check                                      |
+| `POST` | `/webhook/paddle` | Paddle webhook (generates and emails license)     |
+| `POST` | `/validate`       | Validate license key (returns subscription status)|
+| `POST` | `/admin/generate` | Manual license generation (requires auth header)  |
 
 
 ## Architecture decisions
 
 - See [ADR 014: Payment provider choice](../../docs/adr/014-payment-provider-paddle.md) for why Paddle
-- See [ADR 015: License model](../../docs/adr/015-license-model-agpl-trial.md) for the AGPL + trial approach
+- See [ADR 016: License model](../../docs/adr/016-license-model-bsl.md) for the BSL license approach
 - See [Licensing feature docs](../../docs/features/licensing.md) for the full feature overview

apps/license-server/LICENSE

@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
 import { Resend } from 'resend'
+import type { LicenseType } from './license'
 
 interface EmailParams {
     to: string
@@ -7,10 +8,32 @@ interface EmailParams {
     productName: string
     supportEmail: string
     resendApiKey: string
+    organizationName?: string
+    licenseType?: LicenseType
+}
+
+function getLicenseDescription(type: LicenseType | undefined, orgName?: string): string {
+    switch (type) {
+        case 'supporter':
+            return 'Your supporter license is valid forever for personal use. Love you! ❤️'
+        case 'commercial_subscription':
+            return orgName
+                ? `Your commercial license for ${orgName} is valid for one year and will auto-renew.`
+                : 'Your commercial license is valid for one year and will auto-renew.'
+        case 'commercial_perpetual':
+            return orgName
+                ? `Your perpetual commercial license for ${orgName} is valid forever.`
+                : 'Your perpetual commercial license is valid forever.'
+        default:
+            return 'This is an unknown license type. This is weird. Please contact support.'
+    }
 }
 
 export async function sendLicenseEmail(params: EmailParams): Promise<void> {
     const resend = new Resend(params.resendApiKey)
+    const licenseDescription = getLicenseDescription(params.licenseType, params.organizationName)
+    const orgLine = params.organizationName ? `<p><strong>Licensed to:</strong> ${params.organizationName}</p>` : ''
+    const orgLineText = params.organizationName ? `Licensed to: ${params.organizationName}\n` : ''
 
     await resend.emails.send({
         from: `${params.productName} <noreply@getcmdr.com>`,
@@ -25,6 +48,7 @@ export async function sendLicenseEmail(params: EmailParams): Promise<void> {
         body { font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, sans-serif; line-height: 1.6; color: #333; max-width: 600px; margin: 0 auto; padding: 20px; }
         .license-box { background: #f5f5f5; border-radius: 8px; padding: 20px; margin: 20px 0; font-family: monospace; font-size: 18px; text-align: center; letter-spacing: 2px; }
         .footer { margin-top: 40px; padding-top: 20px; border-top: 1px solid #eee; font-size: 14px; color: #666; }
+        .note { background: #e8f4f8; border-left: 4px solid #0ea5e9; padding: 12px 16px; margin: 20px 0; }
     </style>
 </head>
 <body>
@@ -38,14 +62,20 @@ export async function sendLicenseEmail(params: EmailParams): Promise<void> {
         ${params.licenseKey}
     </div>
     
+    ${orgLine}
+    
     <h3>How to activate:</h3>
     <ol>
         <li>Open ${params.productName}</li>
         <li>Go to <strong>Menu → Enter License Key</strong></li>
         <li>Paste the key above and click Activate</li>
     </ol>
     
-    <p>That's it! Your license is valid forever on up to 2 machines.</p>
+    <p>${licenseDescription}</p>
+    
+    <div class="note">
+        <strong>Multiple machines?</strong> Your license lets you run ${params.productName} on multiple machines — like a laptop and desktop for remote debugging — as long as you're the only one using it.
+    </div>
     
     <div class="footer">
         <p>Questions? Just reply to this email or contact <a href="mailto:${params.supportEmail}">${params.supportEmail}</a></p>
@@ -63,12 +93,15 @@ Thanks for purchasing ${params.productName}! Here's your license key:
 
 ${params.licenseKey}
 
+${orgLineText}
 How to activate:
 1. Open ${params.productName}
 2. Go to Menu → Enter License Key
 3. Paste the key above and click Activate
 
-That's it! Your license is valid forever on up to 2 machines.
+${licenseDescription}
+
+Multiple machines? Your license lets you run ${params.productName} on multiple machines — like a laptop and desktop for remote debugging — as long as you're the one using it.
 
 Questions? Contact ${params.supportEmail}