Status: Closed beta behavior for 0.9.0-beta.4
The current closed beta does not require an account, trial, purchase, license key, or device registration. ThinkForge checks a small online beta-status file so a defective beta can be paused or replaced.
The Access Model
Every approved tester receives the same application build. You can use local projects, editing, search, Power Strip, and a locally configured AI provider without signing in. The Account section remains available for separate ThinkForge services, but an account does not control access to this beta.
ThinkForge can disable every beta copy using this mechanism or only an identified version. This is an operational safety switch for a trusted beta, not copy protection.
What the Check Does
At startup ThinkForge requests https://www.thinkforge.app/desktop/beta-status.json. The request sends no account, device identifier, email address, or project data and times out after five seconds.
This check happens before ThinkForge starts its local servers, agents, clipboard monitor, global hotkeys, or main window. The released app checks again every four hours while it remains open.
Offline Behavior
If the beta-status file is absent, unreachable, or invalid and ThinkForge has not previously received a disabled result, the app starts normally. A received disabled result is remembered until the online status file returns to enabled. This keeps an intentional pause in effect through a temporary outage while allowing a new installation to run if the status file has not been published yet.
Your Data Is Never Held Hostage
If this beta is disabled, the dialog shows the reason, current version, and beta download route. It provides Open My Files, Retry, and Exit.
Project documents are ordinary files on disk. The beta switch never deletes, encrypts, moves, or edits them. Open My Files opens the projects folder even while the app itself is paused.
Signing In
Sign-in uses the Account section in Settings and is optional during the closed beta. It can provide access to connected ThinkForge services, but it does not unlock the desktop application. See Settings and Preferences.
Chrome Extension
The Chrome extension is a separate optional surface with its own sign-in state. Signing into the extension does not determine desktop beta access.
The extension is optional. See Chrome Extension Overview.
Beta Notes
The beta installer is distributed privately rather than through a store, and the extension is loaded unpacked. The splash screen identifies the app as a closed beta and displays the exact version. See Installation and Updates.
The future trial and paid-licensing design is not enforced by 0.9.0-beta.4.