diff --git a/src/js/checkout-stripe.el b/src/js/checkout-stripe.el
index d7d2213..cb1751a 100644
--- a/src/js/checkout-stripe.el
+++ b/src/js/checkout-stripe.el
@@ -31,8 +31,8 @@ fn main() -> Void {
     if (spinner) spinner.style.display = loading ? ''     : 'none';
   }
 
-  // Free plan has no payment form — bail out entirely.
-  if (str_eq(PLAN, 'free')) return;
+  // Free plan: Stripe SetupIntent for age verification (card saved, never charged).
+  // Falls through to the same Stripe init path — server returns setup_mode=true for free.
 
   window._neuronMode = 'payment';
   var paymentEl = null;
diff --git a/src/main.el b/src/main.el
index 0287238..3b2a4f1 100644
--- a/src/main.el
+++ b/src/main.el
@@ -637,7 +637,7 @@ fn handle_request_inner(method: String, path: String, headers: Map, body: String
             "Secure your Founding Member spot. Pay once, $199 lifetime — Neuron inference included at launch, priced below the major APIs. First 1,000 only."
         } else {
             if str_eq(plan, "free") {
-                "Create your free Neuron account. No credit card required. Your AI that remembers you — runs on your machine, never resets."
+                "Create your free Neuron account. A card verifies you're 18+ — you won't be charged. Your AI that remembers you, runs on your machine, never resets."
             } else {
                 "Subscribe to Neuron Professional for $19/month. The AI that remembers you — persistent memory, runs locally, bring your own API keys."
             }
diff --git a/src/pricing.el b/src/pricing.el
index c965593..f1b0599 100644
--- a/src/pricing.el
+++ b/src/pricing.el
@@ -91,7 +91,7 @@ fn pricing(sold: Int, total: Int) -> String {
             el_span("class=\"pricing-price\"", "$0") +
             el_span("class=\"pricing-cadence\"", "forever")
         ) +
-        el_p("class=\"pricing-tagline\"", "Start building your memory. No card required.") +
+        el_p("class=\"pricing-tagline\"", "Start building your memory. Card required for age verification — you won't be charged.") +
         el_ul("class=\"pricing-features\"", pricing_free_features()) +
         el_div("style=\"flex:1\"", "") +
         el_div(
diff --git a/src/styles.el b/src/styles.el
index c54cfe8..d56643f 100644
--- a/src/styles.el
+++ b/src/styles.el
@@ -78,7 +78,7 @@ fn page_head() -> String {
     return page_head_base()
         + page_seo_block(
             "Neuron — The AI That Remembers You",
-            "Every AI resets when you close the tab. Neuron doesn't. Runs on your machine. Remembers everything. Start free — no credit card required.",
+            "Every AI resets when you close the tab. Neuron doesn't. Runs on your machine. Remembers everything. Start free.",
             "/",
             "Every other AI forgets you. Neuron doesn't. Runs on your machine, builds a persistent memory over time, and gets sharper the longer you use it. Free tier available."
         )