> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.stagemic.co.uk/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Trial Licences

A trial licence lets you evaluate StageMic before deciding whether to purchase a licence.

Trials last seven days **from first activation on a machine (not from registration)**. The Licence screen shows your trial’s expiry date and time.

## Starting a trial

1. Obtain a trial key through the current trial-request route on the [StageMic website](https://www.stagemic.co.uk/).
2. Install and open StageMic.
3. Connect the computer to the internet.
4. Enter your trial key and select **Activate this computer**.
5. Select **Open StageMic** to validate the trial and begin a session.

## Internet requirements

Trial licences require online validation whenever a new StageMic session starts, as well as a daily licence check-in.

A saved trial activation does not allow a new session to start offline. A successful check-in earlier in the day does not remove the requirement to validate the next session online.

If validation fails because the computer is offline, reconnect and try again.

## During a running session

Once a trial session has started successfully, it continues if:

* The internet connection drops.
* The daily check-in deadline passes.
* The trial expiry time is reached.

StageMic does not interrupt a running show because the trial’s allowance has ended.

After closing StageMic, starting another session requires an internet connection and an unexpired trial.

## When the trial expires

Activate a paid licence to continue starting new sessions after the trial ends.

Your show data remains stored locally. You do not need to recreate your plot when moving from a trial to a paid licence.

Use **Save** to keep a separate `.mic` copy of your work.

## Repeat trials

Trials are intended to provide one evaluation period per computer.

Uninstalling StageMic, removing the saved trial or obtaining another trial key does not create a fresh trial entitlement on the same computer.

If you have a genuine problem evaluating StageMic, [contact StageMic support](mailto:support@stagemic.co.uk).

## Switching to a paid licence

After finishing any running show session:

1. Open **Licence**.
2. Remove the saved trial using **Remove trial**.
3. Reopen StageMic.
4. Enter and activate your paid licence key.

Removing a trial quits StageMic. It does not reset the trial period or erase the licensing service’s record of that trial.


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