> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.wandreferrals.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.wandreferrals.com/programs-and-commissions/lifetime-and-subscription.md).

# Lifetime, subscription, and new-customer commissions

These three optional program features change *which* orders earn commission and *at what rate*. All are gated to the **Growth** plan and above.

## Lifetime commission

**What it does.** Once a customer is connected to an affiliate, that affiliate keeps earning on the customer's future orders — not just the first attributed one.

**Configure it.** Turn on **Lifetime commission** in the program and, if needed, set the disconnect window. The current merchant editor does **not** expose the runtime-owned first-order and repeat-order rate fields. Those separate rates are available only through an authorized provider-managed rollout:

* First-order rate (type + value)
* Repeat-order rate (type + value)

Unless those provider-managed fields are populated and independently verified, lifetime orders reuse the program's standard rate. Do not use legacy `firstComm*` fields as a workaround; the live commission engine does not read them.

A **lifetime disconnect window** controls how long the connection persists — past that window, older orders no longer count as lifetime evidence. Lifetime attribution is treated as connected-customer evidence with a lower confidence than a direct coupon or link (see [How attribution works](https://github.com/wand-referrals-app/wand-referrals/tree/codex/gitbook-docs-foundation/docs/manual/attribution/how-attribution-works/README.md)).

## Subscription commissions

**What it does.** Controls how recurring/subscription orders are commissioned (for stores using Shopify subscription contracts or a compatible subscription app).

**Configure it.** Turn on **Subscription order commission** in the program. Choose:

* **Same as default** — subscription renewals use the program's standard rate, or
* **Custom** — set a distinct rate for subscription orders.

Subscription orders are detected from the order's subscription source/attributes. See [Integrations](https://github.com/wand-referrals-app/wand-referrals/tree/codex/gitbook-docs-foundation/docs/manual/integrations/overview/README.md) for the Chargebee and subscription-app connections.

## New-customer commission

**What it does.** Pays an **additional** bonus on a customer's **first** eligible order with the store — a common incentive to reward affiliates for bringing genuinely new customers.

**Configure it.** Turn on **New customer commission** and set the bonus type (percent or flat) and amount. It is applied additively on top of the normal commission, only on the first eligible order for that customer email.

> **Note.** "First order" is determined by matching the customer email against prior orders. The working first-order bonus is the **New customer commission** feature described here. Some older configuration fields (`firstComm*`, `couponComm*`) exist in the data model but are not wired into the live commission engine — use *New customer commission* for first-order bonuses.

## Related

* [Commission types](https://github.com/wand-referrals-app/wand-referrals/tree/codex/gitbook-docs-foundation/docs/manual/programs/commission-types/README.md)
* [Bonuses & milestones](https://github.com/wand-referrals-app/wand-referrals/tree/codex/gitbook-docs-foundation/docs/manual/programs/bonuses-and-milestones/README.md)
* [How attribution works](https://github.com/wand-referrals-app/wand-referrals/tree/codex/gitbook-docs-foundation/docs/manual/attribution/how-attribution-works/README.md)
* [Connected customers & products](https://github.com/wand-referrals-app/wand-referrals/tree/codex/gitbook-docs-foundation/docs/manual/attribution/connected-customers-and-products/README.md)