# Activate a License (/self-host/enterprise-edition/activate)

> Switch to the Enterprise Edition image and activate a license key



Use these steps after you have a license key from [personal use](/self-host/enterprise-edition/personal-use) or [commercial use](/self-host/enterprise-edition/commercial-use). A new install and an existing Community Edition server follow the same path.

If you install with the [quick installer](/self-host/quick-install), it asks whether you want Enterprise Edition and writes the image for you. You still add the license key once the stack is up.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Get a license key">
    [Apply for a free license](/self-host/enterprise-edition/personal-use) or [purchase a commercial license](/self-host/enterprise-edition/purchase-license-key), depending on your organization's revenue.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Use the Enterprise image">
    In Docker Compose, the default SQLite image is:

    ```yaml
    services:
      pangolin:
        image: fosrl/pangolin:ee-latest  # Enterprise Edition (SQLite)
        # ... rest of configuration
    ```

    If you run PostgreSQL, use the Enterprise PostgreSQL image instead:

    ```yaml
    services:
      pangolin:
        image: fosrl/pangolin:ee-postgresql-latest  # Enterprise Edition (PostgreSQL)
        # ... rest of configuration
    ```

    <Warning>
      The Enterprise tags are `ee-latest` for SQLite and `ee-postgresql-latest` for PostgreSQL. They are different images from Community Edition (`fosrl/pangolin:latest` and `fosrl/pangolin:postgresql-latest`).
    </Warning>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Restart the stack">
    ```bash
    sudo docker compose down && sudo docker compose up -d
    ```
  </Step>

  <Step title="Activate your license key">
    Log in with server admin credentials, open the Server Admin panel, and go to the License section at `/admin/license`. Enter the key exactly as you received it. That binds the key to this server's [host ID](#host-id).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Verify activation">
    Confirm the host shows as licensed. If it shows **Unlicensed** while the key itself is valid, check [License limits](/self-host/enterprise-edition/limits).
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Host ID [#host-id]

Activating a key binds it to this server. The License page shows the host ID that binding uses, and a key can only be active on one host at a time.

If you rebuild the server, it often comes back with a new host ID. The key is still bound to the old one, so it will not register again until you clear that binding. In your [Pangolin account](https://app.pangolin.net), open the license table, click the three dots on that license, and reset the associated server. Then activate the key on the new host.

## Troubleshooting [#troubleshooting]

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Admin panel still shows Community Edition">
    You're likely running the Community Edition Docker image. Confirm your `docker-compose.yml` uses an Enterprise tag: `fosrl/pangolin:ee-latest` for SQLite, or `fosrl/pangolin:ee-postgresql-latest` if you run PostgreSQL. You can pin a version the same way, for example `fosrl/pangolin:ee-1.14.1` or `fosrl/pangolin:ee-postgresql-1.14.1`. Restart the stack after changing the image:

    ```bash
    sudo docker compose down && sudo docker compose up -d
    ```

    Check container logs if the issue persists:

    ```bash
    sudo docker compose logs pangolin
    ```
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="No License section in the admin panel">
    The License section only appears when the Enterprise Edition image is running. Switch to the `ee` image and restart the stack. See the accordion above.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Enterprise settings are missing after activation">
    Some features require a valid activated license and additional configuration. Branding and certain identity provider settings need a [`privateConfig.yml`](/self-host/advanced/private-config-file) file mounted in your container. Verify the host license is valid, then check the docs for the feature you are enabling.

    If the key is valid and the host still shows **Unlicensed**, you are over a [user or site limit](/self-host/enterprise-edition/limits).
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>