> ## 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.

In order for the licensing service to set the trial's expiry date, StageMic will send two activation requests. The first will tell the server, "the trial is being activated now," and the second will install the licence. This takes roughly 90 seconds. Please be patient.

## 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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