# WooCommerce subscriptions launch checklist

Use before enabling automatic renewals on a production store.

## Strategy

- [ ] Define the model: monthly box, yearly membership, trial then monthly, or fixed-length (X cycles).
- [ ] Validate payment flow: Stripe/PayPal compatible with pending renewal orders.
- [ ] Decide who can cancel: customer only (My Account) or admin/support too.
- [ ] Write subscription terms: billing period, renewal, cancellation, free trial.

## Store setup

- [ ] Activate the plugin on staging first (WooCommerce 8.x/9.x + HPOS).
- [ ] Pick the closest preset: monthly_box, yearly_membership, trial_week, agency_demo.
- [ ] Create at least one Subscription product with period, interval, trial and length.
- [ ] Configure renewal order status (pending recommended).
- [ ] Enable or disable renewal emails per client workflow.
- [ ] Set grace days before expiration.

## Ledger and support

- [ ] Confirm My Account → Subscriptions shows status and next payment date.
- [ ] Verify local `wcs_subscriptions` table after a test order.
- [ ] Draft a support reply for "why is my renewal order pending?"
- [ ] Train the team: customer cancel vs admin cancel.

## Staging tests

- [ ] Place initial order and verify active subscription creation.
- [ ] Force renewal: `wp wcs renew` or wait for daily cron.
- [ ] Verify pending order + email if enabled.
- [ ] Test customer cancellation from My Account.
- [ ] Test agency_demo preset (3 cycles max) then switch to production preset.
- [ ] Test deleted product → subscription cancelled (edge case).

## Go-live

- [ ] Export JSON config: `wp wcs export > wcs-handoff.json`.
- [ ] Announce subscriptions on product page + FAQ.
- [ ] Monitor renewal cron for 7 days (WCS Site Health).
- [ ] Review renewal-related support tickets after week one.

Article: <https://volade.com/en/blog/wordpress-wc-subscriptions-2026>