---
url: /relyagent-whmcs/licensing.md
description: >-
  How Relyagent licensing works — Leased vs Lifetime keys, the license-gated MCP
  server, and where to enter and manage your license key.
---

# Licensing

Relyagent supports two license types with full feature parity, differing only in update eligibility and duration models.

::: info What is MCP?
The **Model Context Protocol (MCP)** is an open standard that lets AI assistants call external
tools. Relyagent turns your WHMCS into one of those tool providers.
:::

## The two license types

| Type | What you get | Updates |
| --- | --- | --- |
| **Leased** | Works while the license is active. | Updates included for as long as it stays active. |
| **Lifetime** | Perpetual use of the installed version — you own it forever. | Newer versions need an active **Support & Updates** plan. |

## The license-gated feature

The **MCP server** component is license-gated:

* **Inactive license behavior:** endpoints return **HTTP 403 Forbidden**.
* **Client impact:** AI clients cannot establish connections or execute tools until an active key is present.

License checks execute locally via background caching:

* **Outage resilience:** temporary licensing server downtime does not disrupt active client sessions.
* **Key renewal:** updating or renewing your license key instantly restores MCP endpoint access.

## Where to enter and manage your key

Go to **Addons → Relyagent → Settings → License**.

![Relyagent License panel](/relyagent-whmcs/img/relyagent-licensing-panel.png)
*Addons → Relyagent → Settings → License*

* **Status view:** displays the current license type and Support & Updates expiration date (Lifetime).
* **Key entry:** paste your license key (formatted as `Leased-XXXXXXXXXX` or `Lifetime-XXXXXXXXXX`) and save.
* **Unlicensed state:** displays a **No License Configured** alert until activated.

## Related pages

* [Updating](/relyagent-whmcs/updating) — how Support & Updates affects new versions
* [Backup and restore](/relyagent-whmcs/backup-and-restore) — what's kept when you update
* [Error reference](/relyagent-whmcs/errors) — the human-visible license and update messages