Guide
Account, subscription, trial
Account state controls what you can do in Watchlist.top. Demo mode, trial, and paid access are three distinct states, and understanding how each one is obtained and what it enables prevents confusion when a feature is unexpectedly blocked. This section also clarifies the difference between signing in with Telegram, verifying an email, and binding a Telegram account to an existing email login — three operations that sound similar but serve different purposes.
What this section covers
- What the three account states mean: demo (no subscription, limited to one active server-side price notification and cannot create working lists), trial (2-day full access obtained through Telegram), and subscribed (paid access, paidTo date in the future).
- How Telegram sign-in works: the user opens the @WatchlistTopBot, presses Start, requests the sign-in link, and opens it in the browser. On first sign-in the account is created; new Telegram users receive 2 days of trial access automatically.
- How email sign-in works: existing users sign in immediately; new users receive a confirmation link by email and start in demo mode until the link is opened.
- What Telegram bind means: an existing email account can be linked to a Telegram account by generating a bind link in Account settings. The user opens the link in Telegram and presses Start. After a successful bind, the trial becomes available if the account is eligible.
- Why email verification matters for the bind flow: binding Telegram requires a confirmed email address. An unconfirmed email blocks the bind option.
- How the alert delivery channel is separate from account identity: having a bound Telegram does not automatically mean Telegram is used for alert delivery. The delivery channel is set independently in Account settings.
- What happens to active notifications when trial expires: server-side price notifications move from active to inactive. They remain in history and can be reactivated when the subscription is restored.
Key screens and controls
- Sign-in dialog with Telegram and Email tabs.
- Account settings showing email status (confirmed or not), the send confirmation button, and the email field.
- Account settings showing the Telegram bind section: generate link button, the link itself, and the status indicator.
- Account settings showing the delivery channel selector with Telegram and Email options.
- Account settings showing current trial status and subscription expiry date.
Step-by-step flow
- To get trial access as a new user: sign in via Telegram using @WatchlistTopBot. Trial starts automatically on first sign-in.
- To get trial access as an existing email user: confirm your email first, then open Account settings and generate the Telegram bind link. Open the link in Telegram and press Start. After the bind is confirmed, the trial becomes available.
- To confirm email: go to Account settings, enter your email if it is not set, and click “Send confirmation”. Open the link from the email that arrives.
- To change the alert delivery channel: open Account settings (via Settings → Account tab or the account area in the header). Find the delivery channel selector and choose Telegram or Email.
- To change your password: open Account settings, enter your current password and the new password twice, and save.
- To check your current access state: open Account settings. The trial status and subscription expiry date are shown there.
- To reactivate notifications after trial expires: restore the subscription first. Previously inactive server-side price notifications can be returned to active monitoring once the subscription is active.
Screenshots
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Account settings — email confirmation flow
Show the email field, its confirmation status, and the button to send a confirmation email.
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Account settings — Telegram bind in progress
Show the generated bind link, the expiry indicator, and the status polling state after the user has opened the link.
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Account settings — delivery channel selector
Show the two channel options (Telegram and Email) and the currently selected one.
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Account settings — trial and subscription status
Show the trial status block or subscription expiry date so users know their current access state.
Operational notes
- Telegram sign-in and Telegram bind are two different operations. Sign-in creates or resumes an account via the Telegram identity. Bind links an existing email account to Telegram without changing the sign-in method.
- ”Has Telegram bound” does not mean alerts are delivered to Telegram. The delivery channel is a separate setting.
- Trial is available once per eligible account. If the trial has already been used, binding Telegram again will not start a new trial.
- Email sign-in for new users starts in demo mode. Demo mode allows exploring the interface but blocks creating working lists and limits server-side notifications to one active.
- The Telegram bind link expires in 5 minutes. If the user does not open it in time, generate a new one.
- When the subscription expires, active server-side price notifications move to inactive but are not deleted. They can be reactivated after renewing the subscription.
When to use it
- When you need to understand your current access level, trial status, or why a feature is locked.
- When you want to check which alert channels are available with your account type.
- When you are troubleshooting login issues or want to link Telegram or verify your email.
When not to rely on it
- If you are looking for how to configure a chart tool or a specific metric column.
- If your problem is about list layout rather than account permissions.
Typical interpretation mistakes
- Assuming email sign-up automatically grants the same access as a Telegram-based trial.
- Forgetting to check whether your email is verified or Telegram is actually connected when alerts are not arriving.
- Thinking a past payment means you have active access right now.
Algorithms and formulas to understand
- Why Telegram sign-in creates a separate account identity from email sign-in rather than merging them automatically
- Why trial eligibility is checked against the account history rather than just the current bound Telegram state
- Why server-side notifications move to inactive rather than being deleted when the subscription ends