License Keys

License keys activate your HELIX plan and unlock features based on your subscription tier.

License Key Format

HLX-XXXX-XXXX-XXXX-XXXX

License keys are 20 characters in four groups, prefixed with HLX-.

Activating a License

During Installation

The installer prompts for a license key. You can skip this to start with the free trial.

After Installation

1. Log in as an admin
2. Go to Settings > Billing
3. Enter your license key in the License Key field
4. Click Activate

Via Environment Variable

# In your .env file
LICENSE_KEY=HLX-XXXX-XXXX-XXXX-XXXX

Restart services after changing:

docker compose restart backend

License Validation

HELIX validates your license at two points:

On Startup

When the backend starts, it contacts the license server at https://api.helixnode.tech to verify your key. The result is cached locally.

Daily Check

Once per day, HELIX re-validates the license in the background. This ensures your plan is current and picks up any upgrades.

Offline / Network Issues

HELIX handles network issues gracefully:

Scenario	Behavior
License server unreachable	Uses cached validation (up to 72 hours)
Cache expired	Enters 7-day grace period
Grace period expired	Reverts to Starter plan limits
License invalid	Reverts to Starter plan limits

Your data is never deleted or locked out. The only change is feature limits reverting to the Starter tier.

Cache Duration

• 72 hours — the cached license validation remains valid
• 7 days — grace period after cache expiration
• Total: up to ~10 days of offline operation before limits apply

Transferring a License

To move your license to a different server:

1. Deactivate on the current server: go to Settings > Billing > Deactivate
2. Install HELIX on the new server
3. Activate with the same license key

Each license key can be active on one server at a time.

License Key in the API

The license status is available via the backend:

# Check license status (admin only)
curl -H "Authorization: Bearer $TOKEN" \
  https://helix.example.com/api/org/settings

The response includes the current plan tier and feature limits.

Troubleshooting

"License key invalid"

• Verify you entered the key correctly (including the HLX- prefix)
• Check that the key hasn't been deactivated from another server
• Contact support@helixnode.tech if the issue persists

"Cannot reach license server"

• Check your server's internet connectivity
• Verify DNS resolution: dig api.helixnode.tech
• Check if a firewall is blocking outbound HTTPS
• The system will use cached validation — this is not immediately critical

Limits applied unexpectedly

• Check Settings > Billing for your current plan status
• Ensure the license key is in your .env file
• Restart the backend: docker compose restart backend
• If the license server was unreachable for more than 10 days, re-enter your license key