Activation

IkaSolver requires a valid license key to run. You can purchase a license at ikasolver.com/pricing.

License Key Format

License keys follow the format:

IKA-XXXX-XXXX-XXXX-XXXX

Each group contains four alphanumeric characters. The activation screen auto-formats your input as you type - just paste or type the full key and it will be formatted correctly.

Activating in the GUI

When you launch IkaSolver for the first time (or after removing a license), the activation screen appears:

  1. Enter your license key in the text field.
  2. Click Activate License (or press Enter).
  3. The app contacts the license server to validate your key and register your device.
  4. On success, you are taken directly into the main interface.

If activation fails, an error message appears below the input field. Common errors:

ErrorMeaning
Invalid license keyThe key was mistyped. Double-check and try again.
Device limit reachedAll device slots are in use. Deactivate one from your dashboard.
Device transfer cooldownYou recently removed a device. The message shows when you can add a new one.

Activating via the CLI

The CLI prompts for your license key interactively on first run:

$ ikasolver
No license found. Enter your license key: IKA-XXXX-XXXX-XXXX-XXXX
Activating... done.

Once activated, the license is stored locally and subsequent runs proceed without prompting.

Device Limits

Each license has a maximum number of devices that can be active simultaneously. The exact limit depends on your plan. You can see how many device slots are in use on your dashboard.

Offline Use and Grace Period

IkaSolver does not require a permanent internet connection. Here is how it works:

  • On launch, the app verifies your license token locally (the token is cryptographically signed).
  • If the token is more than 24 hours old, the app tries to refresh it online. If the network is unavailable, it continues working with the cached token.
  • If the token needs refreshing and the network is unavailable, a 3-day grace period allows you to keep working offline. A banner at the top of the window shows how much time remains.
  • After the grace period, you must connect to the internet so the app can refresh your license.

In practice, this means you can use IkaSolver fully offline for up to 3 days at a time. Just connect periodically and the token refreshes silently in the background.

Deactivating a Device

To free up a device slot (for example, when moving to a new computer):

  1. Open the Settings drawer by clicking the gear icon (Config) in the toolbar.
  2. Scroll down to the License section.
  3. Click Remove License.
  4. Confirm the warning dialog.
Settings drawer with License section and Remove License button

This deactivates the current device and returns you to the activation screen. The license key can then be used on another device.

Important: There is a 30-day cooldown after removing a license from a device. During this period, you cannot register a new device on that same license slot. This prevents abuse while still allowing legitimate device transfers. The cooldown date is shown in the error message if you try too soon.

You can also deactivate via the CLI. See Flags Reference for details.

Next Steps