# Licensing

## Licensing Methodology

Trilio for Kubernetes must be presented with a valid license to operate. A license is issued as valid for a specified duration of time. The license becomes invalid once its duration expires

## Licensing Trilio for Kubernetes

To generate and apply the Trilio license, perform the following steps:

1\. Obtain a license by getting in touch with us [here](https://trilio.io/request-demo/). The license file will contain the license key.

2\. Apply the license file to a Trilio instance using the command line or UI:

{% tabs %}
{% tab title="Command line" %}

1. Execute the following command:

```
kubectl apply -f <licensefile> -n <install_namespace>
```

2\. If the previous step is successful, check that the output generated is similar to the following:

```
NAMESPACE   NAME             STATUS   MESSAGE                                   CURRENT CPU COUNT   GRACE PERIOD END TIME   EDITION     CAPACITY   EXPIRATION TIME        MAX CPUS
tvk         license-sample   Active   Cluster License Activated successfully.   4                                           FreeTrial   10         2025-07-08T00:00:00Z   8
```

{% hint style="info" %}
Additional license details can be obtained using the following: `kubectl get license -o json`&#x20;
{% endhint %}
{% endtab %}

{% tab title="Management Console (UI)" %}
{% hint style="info" %}
Prerequisites:

1. Authenticate access to the Management Console (UI). Refer to [UI Authentication](/kubernetes/5.0.x/advanced-configuration/management-console/ui-authentication-intro.md).
2. Configure access to the Management Console (UI). Refer to [Configuring the UI](/kubernetes/5.0.x/advanced-configuration/management-console/accessing-the-ui.md).
   {% endhint %}

If you have already executed the above prerequisites, then refer to the guide for applying a license in the UI: [Cluster Management (Home)](/kubernetes/5.0.x/getting-started/using-trilio/getting-started-with-management-console/navigating-intro/cluster-management-home.md#actions-license-update)
{% endtab %}
{% endtabs %}

3. Here is the sample of license YAML file which can be saved as \<licensefile.yaml>.

   ```
   apiVersion: triliovault.trilio.io/v1
   kind: License
   metadata:
     name: trilio-license
     namespace: tvk
   spec:
     key: <generated-key-required-for-license>
   ```

### Upgrading a license

A license upgrade is required when moving from one license type to another (Trial -> Enterprise and vice-versa). Trilio maintains only one instance of a license for every installation of Trilio for Kubernetes.

To upgrade a license, run `kubectl apply -f <licensefile> -n <install-namespace>` against a new license file to activate it. The previous license will be replaced automatically.


---

# Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation

If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter:

```
GET https://docs.trilio.io/kubernetes/5.0.x/getting-started/licensing.md?ask=<question>
```

The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.