commit c19b20afcfc45320f970a2ae18696fe8705543b7
Author: Krystie <krystie@openclaw.local>
Date:   Fri Apr 17 17:58:50 2026 -0700

    Initialize DashCaddy license server

diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
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+# DashCaddy License Server
+
+Stripe-driven license automation for DashCaddy.
+
+## Purpose
+
+This service is the billing and license orchestration layer for DashCaddy.
+It receives Stripe webhooks, maps purchases/subscriptions to license entitlements,
+and exposes license validation/deactivation endpoints for DashCaddy instances.
+
+## Planned responsibilities
+
+- Verify Stripe webhook signatures
+- Track customers, subscriptions, invoices, and purchases
+- Generate or extend DashCaddy licenses
+- Expose `/api/license/validate` for DashCaddy activation
+- Expose `/api/license/deactivate` for DashCaddy deactivation
+- Support renewals, expirations, cancellations, and grace periods
+
+## Architecture
+
+- **Stripe** is billing truth
+- **License server database** is entitlement truth
+- **DashCaddy app** remains the consumer of license validation
+- Existing DashCaddy license logic should be reused, not reinvented
+
+## Next steps
+
+1. Extract/reuse the current DashCaddy license key generation and verification logic
+2. Define DB schema for customers, licenses, activations, and Stripe mapping
+3. Implement webhook ingestion and event processing
+4. Implement validate/deactivate endpoints
+5. Add admin tooling for manual recovery and support workflows