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

# Upgrading Plans

> Upgrade to Shield Pro with USDC on Base

# Upgrading Plans

SHIELD offers two plans: **Free** and **Pro**. Upgrade to Pro for higher limits and unlimited text.

## Plan Comparison

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Free">
    **Cost**: Free forever

    **Features**:

    * 5 links per day
    * 30MB max file size
    * 500 characters max for messages
    * Basic access

    **Best for**: Casual users, trying out SHIELD
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Pro">
    **Cost**: $9.99/month or $99.99/year (save \~17%)

    **Features**:

    * 50 links per day
    * 1GB max file size
    * Unlimited text length
    * All features unlocked

    **Best for**: Power users, professionals
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

## How to Upgrade

1. Connect your wallet at [app.shieldhq.xyz](https://app.shieldhq.xyz)
2. Click **Upgrade** in the navigation
3. Choose **Monthly** or **Yearly**
4. Confirm the USDC transfer in your wallet
5. Your account is upgraded immediately

## Payment Details

### USDC on Base

SHIELD only accepts **USDC on Base** for payments:

* **Network**: Base (Ethereum L2)
* **Token**: USDC only
* **Monthly**: 9.99 USDC
* **Yearly**: 99.99 USDC
* **Receipt**: On-chain transaction hash

<Warning>
  Ensure you have enough USDC on Base network and some ETH for gas fees.
</Warning>

### Wallet Requirements

* Wallet must support Base network
* Must have USDC balance
* Small amount of ETH for gas (\~\$0.01)

## Subscription Management

### Checking Your Plan

Visit [Profile](https://app.shieldhq.xyz/profile) to see:

* Current plan (Free or Pro)
* Subscription expiration date
* Usage statistics

### Subscription Expiration

Pro subscriptions are **one-time payments** (not recurring):

* **Monthly**: Valid for 30 days from payment
* **Yearly**: Valid for 365 days from payment
* **Renewal**: Manual renewal required

When Pro expires, you revert to Free plan limits.

## FAQ

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="What happens when Pro expires?">
    You revert to Free plan limits. Existing links remain accessible, but new link creation is limited to Free tier (5/day).
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Can I get a refund?">
    No. All payments are final and non-refundable due to the irreversible nature of blockchain transactions.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Can I upgrade from Monthly to Yearly?">
    Yes! You can upgrade anytime. The new Yearly subscription starts from the date of payment.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Do you accept other tokens?">
    Currently, only USDC on Base is accepted. We may add other stablecoins in the future.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Where is the payment sent?">
    USDC is transferred directly to SHIELD's upgrade wallet address. This is verified on-chain.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Is there a free trial?">
    No free trial currently. You can use the Free plan to test all basic features before upgrading.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

## Support

For upgrade questions or issues:

* **Email**: [shieldencrypted@gmail.com](mailto:shieldencrypted@gmail.com)