> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://terminal.incrypto.ru/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Licensing

> Understand license types, trials, activation, and device management.

Cluster Terminal uses a server-validated licensing system to manage access,
device registration, and feature entitlements. This page covers everything
from the initial free trial through activation, device management, and
renewal.

## Free Trial

Every new installation of Cluster Terminal includes a **free trial period**
that starts automatically on first launch. No account creation, email
address, or credit card is required.

| Detail                | Value                                                                          |
| --------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
| **Default duration**  | 7 days                                                                         |
| **Features included** | All core features (charts, clusters, heatmap, TPO, indicators, drawings)       |
| **Features excluded** | Cloud Workspace Sync                                                           |
| **Extensions**        | Contact your server administrator — trial duration is configurable server-side |

During the trial, a **banner** at the top of the window displays the number
of days remaining. You can use all chart types, all indicators, and all
drawing tools without restriction.

<Note>
  The trial is tied to your device, not to an account. Reinstalling the
  application on the same machine does not reset the trial period because the
  device fingerprint remains the same.
</Note>

### What Happens When the Trial Expires

When the 7-day trial ends and no license key has been activated:

* The application displays the **License Activation** screen on startup.
* You cannot access charts, indicators, or any analysis features.
* Any workspaces you created during the trial are **preserved locally** and
  will become accessible again once you activate a license.
* No data is deleted. Your drawings, indicator configurations, and
  workspace layouts are all retained.

<Tip>
  If you need more time to evaluate Cluster Terminal, contact your
  administrator or reach out on Telegram. The trial duration is configurable
  on the server side and can be extended for individual evaluations.
</Tip>

## License Key Format

License keys for Cluster Terminal follow a standardized format:

```
CT-XXXX-XXXX-XXXX-XXXX
```

Where each `XXXX` is a group of alphanumeric characters. For example:

```
CT-A1B2-C3D4-E5F6-G7H8
```

<Warning>
  Treat your license key like a password. Do not share it publicly or post it
  in open forums. Each key is tracked server-side and unauthorized
  distribution may result in revocation.
</Warning>

## Activating a License

Activation connects your license key to your device and unlocks full access
to Cluster Terminal. The process requires an active internet connection to
reach the licensing server.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Navigate to the activation screen">
    The activation screen appears automatically when the trial expires. You
    can also access it at any time during or after the trial from **Settings**
    in the application menu.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Enter the server URL">
    If not already configured, enter the **Server URL** for your Cluster
    Terminal data server. This is the same URL used for market data and is
    typically pre-filled if you configured it during initial setup.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Enter your license key">
    Paste your license key (in the `CT-XXXX-XXXX-XXXX-XXXX` format) into the
    **License Key** input field.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Click Activate">
    Press the **Activate** button. The application sends your key and a
    unique device fingerprint to the licensing server for validation.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Activation confirmed">
    If the key is valid and you have not exceeded your device limit, a
    success message appears. Your device is now registered against the
    license, and you are redirected to the main application.
  </Step>
</Steps>

### Activation Errors

If activation fails, the screen displays an error message. Common causes:

| Error                    | Cause                                         | Solution                                        |
| ------------------------ | --------------------------------------------- | ----------------------------------------------- |
| **Invalid key**          | The key is mistyped or does not exist         | Double-check the key, ensure no extra spaces    |
| **Key expired**          | The license has passed its expiration date    | Contact your administrator to renew             |
| **Device limit reached** | All device slots for this key are occupied    | Deactivate an old device (via admin) or upgrade |
| **Server unreachable**   | No network connection to the licensing server | Check your internet and server URL              |
| **Key disabled**         | The administrator has deactivated the key     | Contact your administrator                      |

<Note>
  Activation requires a one-time connection to the licensing server. After
  initial activation, the license is cached locally and validated
  periodically in the background (approximately every 24 hours).
</Note>

## Device Management

Each license key supports a limited number of **simultaneous device
activations**. The default is typically 2 devices, but this is configurable
by the license administrator.

### How Device Fingerprinting Works

When you activate a license, Cluster Terminal generates a unique
**device fingerprint** based on your hardware characteristics. This
fingerprint identifies your machine on the licensing server without
collecting personal information.

* The fingerprint is deterministic — reinstalling the application on the
  same hardware produces the same fingerprint.
* Significant hardware changes (such as replacing the motherboard) may
  generate a new fingerprint, which would consume an additional device slot.

### Device Slot Scenarios

| Scenario                      | What Happens                                                  |
| ----------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **First activation**          | Device is registered, one slot consumed                       |
| **Second device**             | New device registered if a slot is available                  |
| **Device limit reached**      | Activation fails with "device limit" error                    |
| **Reinstalling same machine** | Same fingerprint reused, no new slot consumed                 |
| **Major hardware change**     | New fingerprint generated, may need admin assistance          |
| **Deactivating a device**     | Admin removes the device from the license via the admin panel |

<Warning>
  You cannot deactivate devices yourself from within the application. Device
  management is handled server-side by the license administrator. If you need
  to free up a device slot, contact your admin or support.
</Warning>

### Checking Your Active Devices

Currently, active device information is managed through the server admin
panel. If you need to know how many devices are registered on your license,
contact your administrator. A future update will add device visibility
directly within the application settings.

## License Features

Not all licenses are equal. Each key can have specific **features** enabled,
which unlock additional capabilities beyond the core analysis tools.

### Base Access

Every valid license (or active trial) includes:

* All chart types: Candles, Clusters, Heatmap, TPO
* Full indicator library (Classic, Order Flow, Metrics, Profiles, SMC)
* Drawing tools
* Multiple workspaces and split-pane layouts
* Real-time WebSocket data feed
* Historical data access
* Depth of Market (DOM) widget
* Auto-updates

### Cloud Sync (`cloud_sync` feature)

The **Cloud Sync** feature enables workspace synchronization across
multiple devices. When enabled on your license:

* Workspaces are **uploaded to the server** periodically (every 5 minutes)
  and when the application closes.
* Opening Cluster Terminal on another device with the same license
  **downloads** your latest workspaces automatically.
* An **offline queue** stores changes made without connectivity and
  synchronizes them when the connection is restored.
* A **"Sync Now" button** in the Workspace Dialog lets you trigger an
  immediate sync at any time.

<Note>
  Cloud Sync is not included in the free trial. It is a premium feature that
  requires a license with the `cloud_sync` entitlement. Contact your
  administrator to check if your license includes this feature.
</Note>

For full details on how Cloud Sync works, see
[Cloud Sync](/en/workspace/cloud-sync).

### Priority Support (`priority_support` feature)

Licenses with the **Priority Support** feature receive faster response
times and dedicated assistance through the support channel. This is
typically included in higher-tier license plans.

## License Validation and Offline Behavior

After initial activation, Cluster Terminal periodically validates your
license with the server in the background. This ensures the license is
still active and has not been revoked.

### Validation Schedule

| Event                  | Frequency                                             |
| ---------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------- |
| **Application launch** | Validation check on every startup                     |
| **Background check**   | Approximately every 24 hours while the app is running |
| **Server URL change**  | Re-validation triggered immediately                   |

### Offline Grace Period

If the licensing server becomes unreachable (due to network issues,
server maintenance, or other causes):

* The application continues to function normally using the **cached
  license** stored locally on your device.
* A **grace period** of up to 7 days begins during which all features
  remain fully accessible.
* After 7 days without a successful validation, the application prompts
  you to reconnect to the licensing server.
* **Local data (charts, drawings, workspaces) remains accessible** even
  if the grace period expires. Only server-dependent features (real-time
  data feed, cloud sync) require connectivity.

<Tip>
  If you know you will be offline for an extended period, launch the
  application while connected at least once within 7 days to reset the
  grace period timer.
</Tip>

## What Happens When a License Expires

When a license reaches its expiration date:

1. The application displays a **notification** indicating the license has
   expired.
2. On the next launch, the **License Activation** screen appears.
3. You cannot create new workspaces or access charts until the license is
   renewed or a new key is activated.
4. All existing workspaces, drawings, and configurations are **preserved
   locally** and will be available again after reactivation.
5. Cloud Sync stops functioning — no uploads or downloads occur.

<Note>
  License expiration does not delete any data. Everything you created is
  stored locally and will be accessible again once a valid license is
  restored.
</Note>

## Renewing or Upgrading

To renew an expired license or upgrade to a higher tier:

<Steps>
  <Step title="Contact your administrator or support">
    Reach out through the official support channel (Telegram:
    [t.me/alexboo86](https://t.me/alexboo86)) or contact the
    person who provided your original license.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Receive a new or renewed key">
    Depending on the arrangement, you may receive:

    * An **extension** on your existing key (the same key with a new
      expiration date — no action needed in the app).
    * A **new license key** with upgraded features (activate it in Settings
      to replace the old key).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Verify in the application">
    After renewal, the application validates the updated license on its next
    background check (or immediately if you relaunch). The expiration
    banner disappears and full functionality is restored.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Tip>
  If your administrator extends your existing key server-side, you do not
  need to re-enter anything in the application. The next validation cycle
  picks up the new expiration automatically.
</Tip>

## Frequently Asked Questions

### Can I transfer my license to a different machine?

Yes. Ask your administrator to deactivate your old device from the admin
panel, which frees up a device slot. Then activate on your new machine
using the same license key.

### What happens if I format my computer?

A fresh Windows installation may change the device fingerprint depending on
hardware. If the fingerprint changes, the system treats it as a new device.
Contact your administrator to deactivate the old fingerprint if you have
reached your device limit.

### Can I use the same license on a desktop and a laptop?

Yes, as long as you have available device slots. The default is 2
simultaneous devices per license, so activating on both a desktop and a
laptop is the most common use case.

### Is an internet connection required at all times?

No. After initial activation, the application caches the license locally
and can operate offline for up to 7 days. Real-time data features naturally
require connectivity, but the license itself does not need constant
validation.

### How do I change my server URL after activation?

Open **Settings** from the application menu and update the **Server URL**
field. The application will re-validate your license against the new server.
Note that your license must exist on the target server for validation to
succeed.

## Getting Help

If you encounter licensing issues that you cannot resolve:

* **Telegram:** [t.me/alexboo86](https://t.me/alexboo86) —
  the primary support channel for licensing questions, renewals, and
  device management.
* **Administrator:** If you received your license from a specific person
  or organization, contact them directly for server-side assistance such
  as device deactivation or key renewal.

When reaching out, include:

* Your license key (or the first and last 4 characters if you prefer not
  to share the full key).
* The error message you are seeing.
* Your operating system version.