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Should the Kinetic Scenes Studio stay free, and where should projects be saved?

· 2 min read
Jon-Michael Lastimosa
Jon-Michael Lastimosa
Senior Web Developer

The question: the Kinetic Scenes overview left two things open: does the Studio stay free (with AI as an optional extra), and do projects get cloud saving and accounts?

Context​

Outside reviews rated the concept highly but asked what is free, what needs AI, and where work is kept. The Studio runs entirely in the browser with no server or account; AI assist runs on the user's own AI through the AI Dev Kit (their Claude subscription or a local model), not on a service we pay for. Projects are kept in the browser's storage, as project files, and (with the kit) in a projects folder an AI agent can share.

Options considered​

  • Free, AI optional. Everything needed to make and publish works with no AI; AI runs on the user's own AI. Nothing to bill, nothing to host; the trade-off is that AI needs the kit installed.
  • Free core, paid extras later. The same today, with a promise of paid cloud or team features. Sets expectations early, but promises something not yet designed.
  • Paid Studio. Revenue from the tool itself, but a much higher barrier to trying it, against a free-by-default market.

For saving: local and files only (simplest, private), local and files now with cloud later (keeps the door open), or cloud soon (needs accounts, servers and support now).

Decision​

The Studio stays free and AI stays optional, running on the user's own AI. Projects are saved in the browser and as files now; cloud saving and accounts may come later as an option, without breaking files made before.

Why​

Free and local is what the Studio already is, and it removes every barrier to trying it: no account, no upload, no bill. AI on the user's own subscription or computer means there is nothing to resell and nothing of theirs on our servers. Keeping cloud saving as a later option (roadmap phase 7) answers "where is my work?" honestly today without building accounts before they are needed. The overview, What works without AI and Known limitations pages state this.