# Start Your Trial And Activate Your Plan

To begin the trial, you will be asked to add a payment method during setup. Your card is stored securely, but you will not be charged until the trial period ends.

{% hint style="info" %}
If you cancel before the end of the trial, you will not be billed.
{% endhint %}

## Start Your Trial

1. Sign in to Escape Director.
2. Follow the billing prompt to start your trial or upgrade your account.
3. Review the plan details shown during checkout.
4. Continue to the Stripe checkout flow.
5. Enter your billing details and submit the form.

After checkout is completed, trial access should be active.

## Confirm Your Plan Is Active

Once billing setup is finished:

1. Return to the app.
2. Confirm that normal access is available.
3. Sign out and back in if the account state looks stale.

## Manage Your Subscription Later

After the trial is active, use [Use Account Settings](https://docs.escapedirector.com/account/account/use-account-settings) to review subscription state or open billing management.

## What To Do Next

Once your trial is active, continue with:

* [Create And Configure Your First Room](https://docs.escapedirector.com/getting-started/create-and-configure-your-first-room)
* [Use Account Settings](https://docs.escapedirector.com/account/account/use-account-settings)

## Troubleshooting

### Why do I need a card to start the trial?

A valid payment method is required to activate the trial and prepare billing securely. You will not be charged until the trial ends.

### My card was declined

Double-check:

* Card number
* Expiration date
* CVC
* Billing ZIP or postal code

If the issue continues, try another payment method or contact your bank.

### I started checkout but did not finish

Return to the billing prompt inside the app and complete checkout there.

### My trial should be active, but I cannot access the app correctly

Sign out and sign back in, then try again. If access still looks incorrect, contact support.