I don't understand why people think it's some nefarious dark pattern. It's perfectly clear, the old 1Password app is winding down, the future is their hosted version.
The only way to even download the app is if you already knew about it's existence before. It's not a dark pattern, it's just directing people who sign up for 1Password today into their actually supported product instead of the end-of-lifed one. Your app will continue to work for some reasonable amount of time until some version of macOS breaks it, then you can either pick another one from numerous competitors or go with their hosted version. Sounds to me like you'll need look into the alternatives given your requirements. It is what it is, no need to attribute it to malice.
It is a dark pattern for those who put in massive time investments with the understanding that they could have the control at time went on.
Some of it is not 1Password’s fault (macOS shoves everyone to new versions with new application APIs), but not only do I now pay more for 1Password by having to use the subscription instead of a one-time purchase that could last years, but I’m now nervous about having all my eggs in one cloud basket, so to speak, and more nervous the more the cracks I see in the 1Password UI.
The only way to even download the app is if you already knew about it's existence before. It's not a dark pattern, it's just directing people who sign up for 1Password today into their actually supported product instead of the end-of-lifed one. Your app will continue to work for some reasonable amount of time until some version of macOS breaks it, then you can either pick another one from numerous competitors or go with their hosted version. Sounds to me like you'll need look into the alternatives given your requirements. It is what it is, no need to attribute it to malice.