---
url: /gst-manager-whmcs/licensing.md
description: >-
  How GST Manager licensing works — Leased vs Lifetime keys, the license-gated
  client-area bank-details display, and where to enter and manage your license
  key.
---

# Licensing

GST Manager ships with one of two license types. Both unlock the full product; they differ in how
updates and long-term use work. This page covers the two license types, the one license-gated
feature, and where to enter and manage your key.

## 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

Most of GST Manager runs regardless of license state. The one part that is **license-gated** is
the **client-area invoice bank-details display** — the remittance details a customer sees on their
invoice view.

The license check runs **locally in the background**, so a brief outage of the licensing server
never affects your storefront. If the license is genuinely inactive, the bank-details block simply
stops showing on client invoices; everything else — invoicing, tax rules, PDFs, and Tax Reports —
keeps working, and **checkout is never blocked**. Renewing or re-entering your key restores the
display.

## Where to enter and manage your key

Go to **Addons → GST Manager → Global Settings → License Information**.

![License Information panel in Global Settings](/gst-manager-whmcs/img/gst-licensing-panel.png)
*Addons → GST Manager → Global Settings → License Information*

* The **License Information** panel shows your detected license type and — for Lifetime keys —
  whether Support & Updates is active and until when.
* Enter your key in the **License Key** field (the placeholder looks like `Leased-XXXXXXXXXX`)
  and save to activate.
* If no key is set yet, GST Manager shows a **No License Configured** state prompting you to
  enter one.

## Related pages

* [Installation](/gst-manager-whmcs/installation) — where entering your key fits in setup
* [Updating](/gst-manager-whmcs/updating) — how updates depend on license type
* [Backup and restore](/gst-manager-whmcs/backup-and-restore) — what's kept when you update
* [Error reference](/gst-manager-whmcs/errors) — licensing and update messages explained