diff --git a/LAUNCH.md b/LAUNCH.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..cb9a2e1
--- /dev/null
+++ b/LAUNCH.md
@@ -0,0 +1,82 @@
+# Launch checklist — closed beta
+
+The path from this repo to 20–50 test users. Everything below is
+configuration and store work; the code is done (see Definition of Done in
+the README).
+
+## 1. AWS
+
+- [ ] `cd infra && npx cdk bootstrap` (once per account/region).
+- [ ] `npx cdk deploy` — note the outputs: `ApiUrl`, `UserPoolId`,
+      `UserPoolClientId`, `CognitoDomain`.
+- [ ] Fill the `semantika/app` secret in Secrets Manager:
+      `OPENAI_API_KEY` (required for chat), `APPLE_SHARED_SECRET` and
+      `GOOGLE_SERVICE_ACCOUNT_JSON` (required before purchases work).
+- [ ] Run `db/migrations/001_init.sql` against the Aurora cluster
+      (credentials in the RDS-managed secret; connect via a bastion or the
+      RDS query editor).
+- [ ] Smoke test: `curl <ApiUrl>/suggestions` returns the starter list.
+
+## 2. Sign-in
+
+- [ ] Email sign-in works out of the box (Cognito hosted UI).
+- [ ] Apple: create a Services ID + key in the Apple Developer portal, then
+      redeploy with CDK context `appleTeamId`, `appleKeyId`,
+      `applePrivateKeySecretName`.
+- [ ] Google: create an OAuth client in Google Cloud, then redeploy with
+      `googleClientId`, `googleClientSecret`.
+- [ ] For the beta, email-only is acceptable — Apple/Google can land in a
+      later build. Note: Apple's review requires Sign in with Apple if
+      other third-party logins are offered, so enable it before public
+      App Store release.
+
+## 3. App configuration
+
+- [ ] Put the CDK outputs into `apps/mobile/app.json` → `extra`
+      (`apiUrl`, `cognitoDomain`, `cognitoClientId`).
+- [ ] Keep product ids as `semantika_monthly` / `semantika_yearly`.
+
+## 4. Stores
+
+- [ ] App Store Connect: create the app (bundle id `com.semantika.app`),
+      add auto-renewable subscriptions `semantika_monthly` ($5.99/month)
+      and `semantika_yearly` ($49.99/year) in one subscription group.
+      Generate the App-Specific Shared Secret → `APPLE_SHARED_SECRET`.
+- [ ] Play Console: create the app (package `com.semantika.app`), add the
+      two subscriptions with the same ids and prices. Create a service
+      account with Play Developer API access → its JSON key becomes
+      `GOOGLE_SERVICE_ACCOUNT_JSON`.
+- [ ] Store copy follows the honest-claims rule: inspiration, not proven
+      effects. Positioning: reflection partner — not therapy.
+
+## 5. Builds
+
+- [ ] `cd apps/mobile && npx eas build --profile preview --platform all`
+      (in-app purchases require a real build, not Expo Go).
+- [ ] iOS: distribute via TestFlight (internal, then external testers).
+- [ ] Android: distribute via Play Console internal testing track.
+- [ ] Purchases in test: use TestFlight sandbox accounts / Play license
+      testers — no real charges.
+
+## 6. CI/CD
+
+- [ ] Create the GitHub OIDC deploy role in AWS; set repo secret
+      `AWS_DEPLOY_ROLE_ARN` (and optionally the `AWS_REGION` variable).
+- [ ] Merge this branch to `main` — CI runs lint/typecheck/tests,
+      `deploy.yml` deploys the stack automatically.
+
+## 7. The beta itself (20–50 users)
+
+Measure before building anything new:
+
+- **Do they come back?** — active users over time (`usage` activity).
+- **How deep do dialogues go?** — `messages_used` distribution.
+- **When do they upgrade?** — `subscription` transitions relative to
+  `created_at`.
+- **Which starter questions create value?** — conversations are never
+  stored, so ask the testers directly (short interviews or a 3-question
+  survey beats analytics here).
+
+Exit criteria for V1 → V2 decisions: a clear picture of retention, dialogue
+depth, upgrade timing, and which conversation types resonate. Only then
+open the Version 2 list.
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index ad9d637..4df9a73 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -172,7 +172,10 @@ After the first deploy:
 GitHub Actions: `ci.yml` lints, type-checks and tests every PR;
 `deploy.yml` deploys the CDK stack on every push to `main` (set the
 `AWS_DEPLOY_ROLE_ARN` secret for OIDC). Store builds ship via EAS
-(`eas build`) when you choose to release.
+(`eas build`, profiles in `apps/mobile/eas.json`).
+
+The full path to the closed beta — AWS, stores, builds, testers — is in
+[LAUNCH.md](LAUNCH.md).
 
 ## Security
 
diff --git a/apps/mobile/eas.json b/apps/mobile/eas.json
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..65a3367
--- /dev/null
+++ b/apps/mobile/eas.json
@@ -0,0 +1,21 @@
+{
+  "cli": {
+    "version": ">= 12.0.0",
+    "appVersionSource": "remote"
+  },
+  "build": {
+    "development": {
+      "developmentClient": true,
+      "distribution": "internal"
+    },
+    "preview": {
+      "distribution": "internal"
+    },
+    "production": {
+      "autoIncrement": true
+    }
+  },
+  "submit": {
+    "production": {}
+  }
+}
diff --git a/services/api/test/chat.test.ts b/services/api/test/chat.test.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..a1548b7
--- /dev/null
+++ b/services/api/test/chat.test.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,73 @@
+import { beforeEach, describe, expect, it, vi } from 'vitest';
+
+vi.mock('../src/secrets.js', () => ({
+  getSecret: vi.fn(async () => ({ OPENAI_API_KEY: 'test-key' })),
+}));
+
+import { generateReply } from '../src/chat.js';
+
+function openAiResponse(reply: string, analysisReady: boolean) {
+  return {
+    ok: true,
+    json: async () => ({
+      output: [
+        {
+          type: 'message',
+          content: [
+            {
+              type: 'output_text',
+              text: JSON.stringify({ reply, analysis_ready: analysisReady }),
+            },
+          ],
+        },
+      ],
+    }),
+    text: async () => '',
+  };
+}
+
+const fetchMock = vi.fn();
+
+beforeEach(() => {
+  process.env.KNOWLEDGE_DIR = 'knowledge';
+  vi.stubGlobal('fetch', fetchMock);
+  fetchMock.mockReset();
+});
+
+describe('generateReply', () => {
+  it('parses structured output and surfaces analysis_ready in free mode', async () => {
+    fetchMock.mockResolvedValue(openAiResponse('A transition.', true));
+    const result = await generateReply([{ role: 'user', content: 'Hi' }], 'free');
+    expect(result).toEqual({ reply: 'A transition.', analysisReady: true });
+  });
+
+  it('never reports analysis_ready in premium mode', async () => {
+    fetchMock.mockResolvedValue(openAiResponse('Full analysis.', true));
+    const result = await generateReply([{ role: 'user', content: 'Hi' }], 'premium');
+    expect(result).toEqual({ reply: 'Full analysis.', analysisReady: false });
+  });
+
+  it('sends the knowledge base and a strict JSON schema to the Responses API', async () => {
+    fetchMock.mockResolvedValue(openAiResponse('Ok.', false));
+    await generateReply([{ role: 'user', content: 'Hi' }], 'free');
+
+    const [url, init] = fetchMock.mock.calls[0] as [string, { body: string }];
+    expect(url).toBe('https://api.openai.com/v1/responses');
+    const payload = JSON.parse(init.body) as {
+      instructions: string;
+      text: { format: { type: string; strict: boolean } };
+    };
+    expect(payload.instructions).toContain('Semantika');
+    expect(payload.instructions).toContain('Never manufacture suspense');
+    expect(payload.instructions).toContain('# Neurosemantics');
+    expect(payload.text.format.type).toBe('json_schema');
+    expect(payload.text.format.strict).toBe(true);
+  });
+
+  it('throws on a non-ok response', async () => {
+    fetchMock.mockResolvedValue({ ok: false, status: 500, text: async () => 'boom' });
+    await expect(generateReply([{ role: 'user', content: 'Hi' }], 'free')).rejects.toThrow(
+      'OpenAI request failed',
+    );
+  });
+});
diff --git a/services/api/test/handler.test.ts b/services/api/test/handler.test.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..173dfc7
--- /dev/null
+++ b/services/api/test/handler.test.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,176 @@
+import { beforeEach, describe, expect, it, vi } from 'vitest';
+
+vi.mock('../src/db.js', () => ({
+  getOrCreateUser: vi.fn(),
+  getUsage: vi.fn(),
+  incrementUsage: vi.fn(),
+  resetUsage: vi.fn(),
+}));
+vi.mock('../src/chat.js', () => ({
+  generateReply: vi.fn(),
+}));
+vi.mock('../src/subscription/index.js', () => ({
+  verifyAndApplyPurchase: vi.fn(),
+}));
+
+import { generateReply } from '../src/chat.js';
+import { getOrCreateUser, getUsage, incrementUsage } from '../src/db.js';
+import { handler } from '../src/handler.js';
+import { verifyAndApplyPurchase } from '../src/subscription/index.js';
+
+interface EventOptions {
+  body?: unknown;
+  claims?: Record<string, unknown>;
+  headers?: Record<string, string>;
+}
+
+function makeEvent(method: string, path: string, opts: EventOptions = {}) {
+  return {
+    rawPath: path,
+    headers: opts.headers ?? {},
+    body: opts.body === undefined ? undefined : JSON.stringify(opts.body),
+    requestContext: {
+      http: { method },
+      ...(opts.claims ? { authorizer: { jwt: { claims: opts.claims } } } : {}),
+    },
+    // The handler only reads the fields above.
+  } as never;
+}
+
+async function call(method: string, path: string, opts: EventOptions = {}) {
+  const result = (await handler(makeEvent(method, path, opts))) as {
+    statusCode: number;
+    body: string;
+  };
+  return { status: result.statusCode, body: JSON.parse(result.body) as Record<string, unknown> };
+}
+
+const freeUser = {
+  id: 'user-1',
+  email: 'a@b.se',
+  auth_provider: 'email',
+  subscription: 'free' as const,
+  created_at: new Date(),
+};
+const premiumUser = { ...freeUser, subscription: 'active' as const };
+const freshUsage = { user_id: 'user-1', messages_used: 0, last_reset: new Date() };
+
+beforeEach(() => {
+  vi.clearAllMocks();
+  vi.mocked(getOrCreateUser).mockResolvedValue(freeUser);
+  vi.mocked(getUsage).mockResolvedValue(freshUsage);
+  vi.mocked(generateReply).mockResolvedValue({ reply: 'A reply.', analysisReady: false });
+});
+
+describe('public routes', () => {
+  it('serves suggestions without authentication', async () => {
+    const { status, body } = await call('GET', '/suggestions');
+    expect(status).toBe(200);
+    expect(Array.isArray(body.suggestions)).toBe(true);
+    expect((body.suggestions as string[]).length).toBeGreaterThan(0);
+  });
+
+  it('rejects guest chat without a device id', async () => {
+    const { status } = await call('POST', '/guest/chat', {
+      body: { messages: [{ role: 'user', content: 'Hi' }] },
+    });
+    expect(status).toBe(400);
+  });
+
+  it('creates a guest user from the device id and chats', async () => {
+    const { status, body } = await call('POST', '/guest/chat', {
+      headers: { 'x-device-id': 'aaaa-bbbb-cccc' },
+      body: { messages: [{ role: 'user', content: 'Hi' }] },
+    });
+    expect(status).toBe(200);
+    expect(body.reply).toBe('A reply.');
+    expect(getOrCreateUser).toHaveBeenCalledWith('guest:aaaa-bbbb-cccc', '', 'guest');
+    expect(incrementUsage).toHaveBeenCalledWith('user-1');
+  });
+});
+
+describe('authorization', () => {
+  it('returns 401 on account routes without JWT claims', async () => {
+    const { status } = await call('GET', '/me');
+    expect(status).toBe(401);
+  });
+
+  it('derives the auth provider from the identities claim', async () => {
+    await call('GET', '/me', {
+      claims: { sub: 'sub-1', email: 'a@b.se', identities: '[{"providerName":"SignInWithApple"}]' },
+    });
+    expect(getOrCreateUser).toHaveBeenCalledWith('sub-1', 'a@b.se', 'apple');
+  });
+});
+
+describe('chat and the intelligent paywall', () => {
+  const claims = { sub: 'sub-1', email: 'a@b.se' };
+  const userMessages = { messages: [{ role: 'user', content: 'Hi' }] };
+
+  it('passes the paywall flag through when the analysis is ready', async () => {
+    vi.mocked(generateReply).mockResolvedValue({ reply: 'Transition.', analysisReady: true });
+    const { status, body } = await call('POST', '/chat', { claims, body: userMessages });
+    expect(status).toBe(200);
+    expect(body).toEqual({ reply: 'Transition.', paywall: true });
+    expect(generateReply).toHaveBeenCalledWith(userMessages.messages, 'free');
+  });
+
+  it('runs premium chats in premium mode', async () => {
+    vi.mocked(getOrCreateUser).mockResolvedValue(premiumUser);
+    await call('POST', '/chat', { claims, body: userMessages });
+    expect(generateReply).toHaveBeenCalledWith(userMessages.messages, 'premium');
+  });
+
+  it('rejects a transcript ending with an assistant message for free users', async () => {
+    const { status } = await call('POST', '/chat', {
+      claims,
+      body: { messages: [{ role: 'assistant', content: 'Transition.' }] },
+    });
+    expect(status).toBe(400);
+  });
+
+  it('accepts an assistant-final transcript for premium users (post-unlock delivery)', async () => {
+    vi.mocked(getOrCreateUser).mockResolvedValue(premiumUser);
+    const { status } = await call('POST', '/chat', {
+      claims,
+      body: { messages: [{ role: 'assistant', content: 'Transition.' }] },
+    });
+    expect(status).toBe(200);
+  });
+
+  it('enforces the abuse cap for free users with 402', async () => {
+    vi.mocked(getUsage).mockResolvedValue({ ...freshUsage, messages_used: 100000 });
+    const { status, body } = await call('POST', '/chat', { claims, body: userMessages });
+    expect(status).toBe(402);
+    expect(body.error).toBe('message_cap_reached');
+  });
+
+  it('never blocks premium users on the cap', async () => {
+    vi.mocked(getOrCreateUser).mockResolvedValue(premiumUser);
+    vi.mocked(getUsage).mockResolvedValue({ ...freshUsage, messages_used: 100000 });
+    const { status } = await call('POST', '/chat', { claims, body: userMessages });
+    expect(status).toBe(200);
+  });
+});
+
+describe('purchase verification', () => {
+  const claims = { sub: 'sub-1', email: 'a@b.se' };
+
+  it('validates the request body', async () => {
+    const { status } = await call('POST', '/subscription/verify', {
+      claims,
+      body: { platform: 'windows', productId: 'x' },
+    });
+    expect(status).toBe(400);
+  });
+
+  it('returns the resulting subscription status', async () => {
+    vi.mocked(verifyAndApplyPurchase).mockResolvedValue('active');
+    const { status, body } = await call('POST', '/subscription/verify', {
+      claims,
+      body: { platform: 'ios', productId: 'semantika_monthly', receipt: 'abc' },
+    });
+    expect(status).toBe(200);
+    expect(body.subscriptionStatus).toBe('active');
+  });
+});
diff --git a/services/api/test/subscription.test.ts b/services/api/test/subscription.test.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..9b3981a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/services/api/test/subscription.test.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,124 @@
+import { generateKeyPairSync } from 'node:crypto';
+import { beforeEach, describe, expect, it, vi } from 'vitest';
+
+const { privateKey } = generateKeyPairSync('rsa', {
+  modulusLength: 2048,
+  privateKeyEncoding: { type: 'pkcs8', format: 'pem' },
+  publicKeyEncoding: { type: 'spki', format: 'pem' },
+});
+
+vi.mock('../src/secrets.js', () => ({
+  getSecret: vi.fn(async () => ({
+    APPLE_SHARED_SECRET: 'apple-secret',
+    GOOGLE_SERVICE_ACCOUNT_JSON: JSON.stringify({
+      client_email: 'svc@project.iam.gserviceaccount.com',
+      private_key: privateKey,
+    }),
+  })),
+}));
+
+import { appleProvider } from '../src/subscription/apple.js';
+import { googleProvider } from '../src/subscription/google.js';
+
+const fetchMock = vi.fn();
+
+beforeEach(() => {
+  vi.stubGlobal('fetch', fetchMock);
+  fetchMock.mockReset();
+});
+
+function jsonResponse(payload: unknown, status = 200) {
+  return { ok: status >= 200 && status < 300, status, json: async () => payload };
+}
+
+describe('appleProvider', () => {
+  const request = { platform: 'ios' as const, productId: 'semantika_monthly', receipt: 'r' };
+
+  it('marks an unexpired subscription active', async () => {
+    fetchMock.mockResolvedValue(
+      jsonResponse({
+        status: 0,
+        latest_receipt_info: [
+          { product_id: 'semantika_monthly', expires_date_ms: String(Date.now() + 60_000) },
+        ],
+      }),
+    );
+    const result = await appleProvider.verify(request);
+    expect(result.active).toBe(true);
+  });
+
+  it('retries against the sandbox on status 21007', async () => {
+    fetchMock.mockResolvedValueOnce(jsonResponse({ status: 21007 })).mockResolvedValueOnce(
+      jsonResponse({
+        status: 0,
+        latest_receipt_info: [
+          { product_id: 'semantika_monthly', expires_date_ms: String(Date.now() + 60_000) },
+        ],
+      }),
+    );
+    const result = await appleProvider.verify(request);
+    expect(result.active).toBe(true);
+    expect(fetchMock.mock.calls[0]?.[0]).toContain('buy.itunes.apple.com');
+    expect(fetchMock.mock.calls[1]?.[0]).toContain('sandbox.itunes.apple.com');
+  });
+
+  it('marks an expired subscription inactive', async () => {
+    fetchMock.mockResolvedValue(
+      jsonResponse({
+        status: 0,
+        latest_receipt_info: [
+          { product_id: 'semantika_monthly', expires_date_ms: String(Date.now() - 60_000) },
+        ],
+      }),
+    );
+    const result = await appleProvider.verify(request);
+    expect(result.active).toBe(false);
+  });
+
+  it('ignores receipts for other products', async () => {
+    fetchMock.mockResolvedValue(
+      jsonResponse({
+        status: 0,
+        latest_receipt_info: [
+          { product_id: 'something_else', expires_date_ms: String(Date.now() + 60_000) },
+        ],
+      }),
+    );
+    const result = await appleProvider.verify(request);
+    expect(result.active).toBe(false);
+  });
+});
+
+describe('googleProvider', () => {
+  const request = { platform: 'android' as const, productId: 'semantika_yearly', receipt: 'token' };
+
+  it('exchanges a signed JWT for a token and checks expiry', async () => {
+    fetchMock
+      .mockResolvedValueOnce(jsonResponse({ access_token: 'oauth-token' }))
+      .mockResolvedValueOnce(jsonResponse({ expiryTimeMillis: String(Date.now() + 60_000) }));
+
+    const result = await googleProvider.verify(request);
+    expect(result.active).toBe(true);
+    expect(fetchMock.mock.calls[0]?.[0]).toBe('https://oauth2.googleapis.com/token');
+    expect(fetchMock.mock.calls[1]?.[0]).toContain(
+      '/purchases/subscriptions/semantika_yearly/tokens/token',
+    );
+    expect(fetchMock.mock.calls[1]?.[1]?.headers?.Authorization).toBe('Bearer oauth-token');
+  });
+
+  it('treats a gone purchase (410) as inactive', async () => {
+    fetchMock
+      .mockResolvedValueOnce(jsonResponse({ access_token: 'oauth-token' }))
+      .mockResolvedValueOnce(jsonResponse({}, 410));
+    const result = await googleProvider.verify(request);
+    expect(result.active).toBe(false);
+  });
+
+  it('marks an expired purchase inactive', async () => {
+    fetchMock
+      .mockResolvedValueOnce(jsonResponse({ access_token: 'oauth-token' }))
+      .mockResolvedValueOnce(jsonResponse({ expiryTimeMillis: String(Date.now() - 60_000) }));
+    const result = await googleProvider.verify(request);
+    expect(result.active).toBe(false);
+  });
+});