Activating Your Base Panel License Print

Cockpit uses a base panel license before the rest of the platform can be used normally. If the license has not been activated yet, the panel will guide you to the license page first.

When to Use This

• You are setting up Cockpit for the first time.
• You moved the panel to a different server and need to re-check activation.
• The panel is redirecting you to the license screen instead of the dashboard.
• You want to confirm what the base activation screen is asking for.

What the License Screen Contains

The base license page is intentionally simple. It includes:

• a single text field for your base panel license
• a Submit button
• a link to get your license if you have not collected it yet

Steps

1. Open the Cockpit panel URL.
2. If the base panel is not activated yet, the license page will appear automatically.
3. Paste your base panel license key into the license field.
4. Click Submit.
5. Wait for the activation request to complete.
6. If activation succeeds, continue into the normal panel workflow.

Expected Result

Once the key is accepted, the panel should stop redirecting you to the license screen and allow normal access to Cockpit.

Before You Submit the Key

• Make sure you are entering the base panel license, not a module license.
• Make sure the panel is running on the server you intend to license.
• Make sure the domain and hosting setup are the final ones you plan to use.

Common Mistakes

• Using the wrong license type: A base panel key and a module key are not interchangeable.
• Adding extra spaces: When copying the key, make sure no leading or trailing spaces are included.
• Activating too early during migration: If the server setup is still changing, fix that first to avoid confusion during license checks.
• Ignoring server IP issues: If your host sends loopback or internal addresses instead of the real public IP, licensing may fail even with the correct key.

Example Use Cases

• Brand new install: You uploaded Cockpit to a clean VPS and need to activate the base panel before exploring the admin area.
• Recovery after migration: You restored the panel on a replacement server and need to verify the license state before handing access back to staff.
• Pre-launch check: You want to finish activation before importing modules, storefront data, or branding changes.

If Activation Fails

• Recheck the key for typing or copy-and-paste mistakes.
• Confirm you are using the correct base panel license.
• Confirm the server is exposing the correct public IP to licensing.
• Confirm the hosting stack is not feeding 127.0.0.1, localhost, or ::1 into the license check.

Related Articles

• Fixing Licensing When Your Server Sends 127.0.0.1, localhost, or ::1 Instead of the Real Server IP
• Common Licensing Errors
• First Login After Installing Cockpit