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License Activation & Verification
Shop Craft uses a license system to verify that your copy is genuine. This page explains how licensing works, what to expect, and how to handle common license-related situations.
Your Purchase Code
When you purchase Shop Craft, you receive a unique purchase code. This code is your license key.
Purchase Code Format
| Format | Type | Use Case |
|---|---|---|
SC-XXXX-XXXX-XXXX-XXXX | Production | Live stores accepting real orders |
DEV-XXXX-XXXX-XXXX-XXXX | Development | Local testing and development only |
Where to Find Your Purchase Code
Your purchase code is included in the order confirmation email sent when you bought Shop Craft. Look for an email from Shop Craft with the subject line containing "order" or "purchase confirmation."
How Activation Works
License activation happens automatically during Step 2 of the installation wizard:
- You enter your purchase code and email address
- The installer contacts the Shop Craft license server to verify your purchase
- If valid, your license is activated and linked to your domain
What Gets Linked
When your license is activated, it is permanently bound to:
- Your email address — The email you entered during installation
- Your domain — The domain name where you installed Shop Craft
One License, One Domain
Each purchase code can only be activated on one domain. If you install Shop Craft on mystore.com, that license cannot be used on anotherstore.com. If you need to run multiple stores, you need separate licenses for each one.
Periodic Verification
After installation, Shop Craft periodically checks with the license server to confirm your license is still valid. This happens automatically in the background.
How Often?
License verification runs approximately every 72 hours (3 days). It happens automatically if you have set up the cron scheduler.
What It Checks
The periodic verification confirms:
- Your purchase code is still valid
- Your license has not been revoked
- Your license has not expired
- The domain matches the one registered during activation
What It Needs
- An active internet connection from your server
- The Shop Craft license server to be reachable
Grace Period
If the license server cannot be reached (for example, if there is a temporary internet outage), Shop Craft does not immediately stop working.
- Your store continues to operate normally for a 7-day grace period
- During this time, Shop Craft will keep trying to verify your license
- If verification succeeds within the 7 days, everything continues as normal
- The admin panel will show a notice during the grace period
Internet Outages Are Handled Gracefully
Temporary connectivity issues will not disrupt your store. The 7-day grace period ensures your business keeps running even during extended server or network problems.
License States
Your license can be in one of these states:
| State | Meaning | Store Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Active | License is valid and verified | Store works normally |
| Grace Period | License server unreachable, within 7-day window | Store works normally, admin shows a notice |
| Suspended | Grace period expired, verification still failing | Admin panel shows a warning |
| Revoked | License has been manually revoked | Admin panel shows a warning |
| Expired | License has passed its expiration date | Admin panel shows a warning |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I move my store to a different domain?
Your license is bound to the domain where it was first activated. To move your store to a new domain, contact Shop Craft support and request a domain transfer for your license.
What if I reinstall on the same domain?
If you reinstall Shop Craft on the same domain using the same purchase code and email, it will work without issues. The license server recognizes the same domain.
What happens if my license is revoked?
If your license is revoked (for example, due to a chargeback or terms violation), your admin panel will display a notice. Contact support to resolve the issue.
Do I need internet access for my store to work?
Your store needs internet access for:
- Payment processing (Razorpay, Stripe, PayPal)
- License verification (every 72 hours)
- Sending emails (via SMTP)
Your store does not need internet access for:
- Browsing products
- Managing the admin panel
- Processing Cash on Delivery orders
The 7-day grace period ensures that temporary connectivity issues do not affect your store's operations.
Does the license expire?
Standard licenses do not expire. However, if there is an expiration date on your license (for promotional or trial licenses), the admin panel will show a notice as the expiration date approaches.