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Overview

License activation binds your license key to your specific ArgentOS installation. This is a one-time process per machine.

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Activation Flow

1

Enter Your License Key

argent license activate ARGENT-XXXX-XXXX-XXXX-XXXX
Or through the dashboard: Settings > License > Activate.
2

Hardware Fingerprint

ArgentOS generates a hardware fingerprint based on:
  • Machine ID
  • OS type
  • CPU identifier
  • Network interface MAC address
This fingerprint uniquely identifies your installation without collecting personal information.
3

Server Verification

The license key and fingerprint are sent to the activation server:
POST https://api.argentos.ai/v1/licenses/activate
{
  "key": "ARGENT-XXXX-XXXX-XXXX-XXXX",
  "fingerprint": "sha256:abc123...",
  "hostname": "my-server"
}
The server verifies the key is valid and not already activated on another machine, then returns an activation token.
4

Local Storage

The activation token is stored locally:
~/.argentos/license.json
This token is used for periodic verification without needing to re-activate.

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Verification Schedule

ArgentOS verifies the license periodically:
  • On startup: Checks the local token validity
  • Daily: Contacts the server to verify the license is still active
  • On feature use: Some features check license tier before executing
If verification fails (network issues), a grace period allows continued use.

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Transferring a License

To move your license to a different machine: 
# On the old machine
argent license deactivate

# On the new machine
argent license activate ARGENT-XXXX-XXXX-XXXX-XXXX
Deactivation releases the hardware fingerprint, allowing activation on new hardware.

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Troubleshooting

The key is bound to another machine. Deactivate it there first, or contact support.
Verify the key format: ARGENT-XXXX-XXXX-XXXX-XXXX. Check for typos or extra whitespace.
Check your internet connection. If persistent, the activation server may be temporarily unavailable. ArgentOS will use the grace period until connectivity is restored.