Version 0.2.0 Beta

Released: November 14, 2025

This release introduces a comprehensive credit-based system for AI generation, replacing the BYOK-required model with a frictionless experience for all users. We’ve also shipped background job processing, real-time workflow streaming, and a complete billing UI.

The big change: you no longer need to manage your own OpenRouter API keys to use plotTree. New users get 2,500 trial credits (that never expire) and can start generating content immediately. Subscriptions include monthly credits, and BYOK remains available as an optional power-user feature if you prefer to avoid our platform margin.

Have feedback or run into issues? Visit our contact page or check out our public roadmap .

New Features

Credit-Based AI Generation

The platform now manages AI generation credits for you. No need to create OpenRouter accounts or manage API keys unless you want to.

How it works:

Trial users get 2,500 credits (never expire)
Hobby plan ($14.99/mo) includes 5,000 monthly credits
Pro plan ($24.99/mo) includes 12,500 monthly credits
Pricing is transparent: roughly 1,000 credits = $1 of direct API usage, plus a small margin

Why credits? Running plotTree has costs beyond AI usage—platform infrastructure, development, support, and maintenance. Subscriptions cover those operational costs. The included credits are a bonus that lets most users generate content without thinking about it. If you run out, you can purchase top-offs or use BYOK to pay AI providers directly.

BYOK still available: Power users can bring their own OpenRouter API keys to avoid the platform margin. Credits are used first when both are configured.

Background Job System

Long-running AI workflows now process in the background with real-time notifications. Create scenes in bulk, evolve vault objects, or run content summaries without blocking the UI.

Features:

Real-time progress updates via WebSocket
Inline error display with retry functionality
Credit usage tracking per workflow step
Job history and status monitoring

Billing & Credits UI

Complete credit management interface for tracking and managing your AI generation budget.

Features:

Credit balance display with breakdown (trial/subscription/purchased)
Transaction history with pagination
Low-credit warnings with contextual actions
BYOK configuration (optional)

UI/UX Improvements

Streaming Architecture Migration

All AI workflows migrated to real-time streaming with progress updates. You now see step-by-step reasoning as workflows execute instead of waiting for completion.

Workflows updated:

Project creation with AI specification generation
Scene creation and expansion
Content summarization
Vault object creation (characters, locations, items, magic systems)
Vault object detection and evolution

Modular WebSocket System

Complete refactor to modular architecture with dedicated AI streaming module. Better separation of concerns, comprehensive testing, and improved maintainability.

Improved Trial Experience

Extended to 7 days (from 3 days)
Unlimited projects (removed 1-project limit)
2,500 credits that never expire (use at your own pace)
All Pro-level features included

Richer Error Messages

Improved error handling across all operations with clearer, more helpful error messages.

Breaking Changes

Yearly Subscription Plans Removed

Monthly-only billing going forward. Yearly plans added complexity without clear user benefit given the early beta state.

Migration: Existing yearly subscribers will be contacted directly about transition options.

Two-Tier Access Model

Platform access now requires an active subscription or trial. BYOK alone is no longer sufficient—you need a subscription (which includes credits) or an active trial.

Why? Platform development, infrastructure, and support have real costs independent of AI usage. Subscriptions cover those operational costs. The included credits are a thank-you that lets you use AI features without additional expense.

Impact: Existing BYOK-only users (if any) will need to subscribe to continue platform access. Trial credits will be granted automatically.

What’s Next?

We’re continuing to ship weekly. Here’s what we’re currently building:

Project Import/Export System - Save and share complete story projects as portable files. Export your entire project (characters, scenes, frameworks, settings) and import them into any plotTree workspace. Perfect for backups, collaboration, and moving accounts. Target: December 30, 2025
Intelligent Scene Expansion & Compression - Dynamically adjust scene length while preserving story quality. Expand sparse scenes with rich detail or compress verbose sections into tighter prose—all while maintaining narrative coherence, character voice, and plot continuity. Target: December 30, 2025

Check out our public roadmap to see the full list and vote on what you’d like to see prioritized.

Thanks for the feedback—keep it coming! Visit our contact page to share your thoughts.

— The plotTree Team