Creating a License Manually

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Creating a License Manually

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Creating a License Manually #

Most licenses are created automatically when customers purchase. But sometimes you need to create one manually.

When to Create Manual Licenses #

Common Scenarios:

  • Customer issued refund but keeps access (goodwill gesture)
  • Gift license to reviewer or beta tester
  • Free license for partner or affiliate
  • Migration from previous licensing system
  • Replacement for lost/corrupted license
  • Promotional giveaway winner
  • Testing purposes (delete after testing)

Step-by-Step Guide #

Step 1: Open the Form #

Go to DDLS > Licenses, click [Add New] button at the top.

Step 2: License Key #

Option A: Auto-Generate (Recommended)

  • Leave text field empty
  • Click blue [Generate Key] button
  • Unique key generates instantly
  • Format: DMSI-XXXX-XXXX-XXXX-XXXX (random alphanumeric)

    • Option B: Manual Entry

  • Type your own license key
  • System validates format and uniqueness when you save
  • Only use for migrations from old systems

    • Step 3: Select Customer (Required) #

  • Click “Select Customer” dropdown
  • Start typing name or email – list filters as you type
  • Click customer to select

    • If customer doesn’t exist:

  • Open new tab: WooCommerce > Customers > Add New
  • Create customer record
  • Return to license creation tab
  • Refresh page
  • Select newly created customer

    • Step 4: Select Product (Required) #

  • Click “Select Product” dropdown
  • Choose which product this license is for
  • Only products with “Enable License Management” checked appear

    • Step 5: License Type #

  • Click dropdown
  • Select a License Type from the list (configured under Settings > License Types)
  • The default License Type is pre-selected

    • What License Type controls:

    • Default activation limit for the license
    • Whether the license is lifetime or time-limited
    • Default duration if not lifetime
    • Permissions (updates, premium content, API access)

    Lifetime vs. timed: If the selected License Type has is_lifetime set, no expiration date is needed. If it is a timed type, the expiration date is calculated from the type’s duration setting.

    Step 6: Activation Limit #

  • Enter number (or use up/down arrows)
  • Default: Inherited from License Type
  • Common values: 1, 5, 10, 25, 50, 100
  • For unlimited: Enter 0

    • Step 7: Expiration Date #

  • Click field to open date picker
  • Select date OR type in YYYY-MM-DD format
  • For lifetime licenses: Leave empty (or leave as set by the License Type)

    • Step 8: Status #

  • Click dropdown
  • Select: Active or Suspended
  • Default: Active

    • When to choose Suspended:

    • License pending payment resolution
    • Preparing license for later activation
    • Testing scenarios

    Step 9: Save #

    Click blue [Create License] button at the bottom.

    System will:

  • Validate all required fields
  • Verify license key is unique
  • Save to database
  • Redirect to license list with success message
  • Send license creation email to customer (if enabled)

    • Success Message:

    “License created successfully! License key: DMSI-XXXX-XXXX-XXXX-XXXX”

    Related Topics #

    • [Understanding License Details](#)
    • [Editing an Existing License](#)
    • [License Types](#) (Part 13)

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