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how to license a laravel application

Licensing a Laravel app involves creating a system to validate keys, often using an external server/API for security, checking against domains/users, restricting features, and handling expirations, with options like using dedicated packages (e.g., laravel-ready/license-server, shumonpal/laravel-licence-client) for server-side or client-side checks, or building custom logic via middleware to verify keys at setup or on each request for features and access. 

Key Components of Licensing
  • License Server: A central system (often another Laravel app) to generate, store, and validate license keys, managing domains/users.
  • Client Application: Your main Laravel app that checks its license status via the server/API.
  • License Keys: Unique identifiers (UUIDs are common) tied to a product, user, domain, or time.
  • Middleware: To enforce checks on routes or specific features. 
This video provides a basic introduction to creating a login and registration system in Laravel:

Implementation Steps
  1. Choose Your Approach:
    • SaaS/API: Best for control; clients use credentials to access your service.
    • Self-Hosted with Key: Use packages or custom code for validation within the app. 
This video demonstrates how to implement a login and registration system in Laravel from scratch:
  1. Set Up Your License Server (if applicable):
    • Use packages like laravel-ready/license-server to manage licenses (add
  1. Up Your License Server (if applicable):
    • Use packages like laravel-ready/license-server to manage licenses (add to domain/user, set expiration, etc.).
    • The server handles key generation and verification logic. 
This video explains how to use the Laravel Breeze package to add a login and registration system:
  1. Implement Client-Side Verification:
    • Install a client package (e.g., shumonpal/laravel-licence-client) or build custom logic.
    • Publish configuration and point to your license API endpoint in config/app-licence.php.
    • Use the package's middleware (e.g., LicencedVirifiedMiddleware) in your Kernel.php to protect routes. 
This video shows how to create a registration form in Laravel:
  1. Create Activation/Validation Flow:
    • During Setup: Prompt user for key; verify against server to enable features/create database tables.
    • On Request: Use middleware to check license on every request, caching results for performance. 
This video provides an overview of the authentication system in Laravel:
  1. Handle License Expiry:
    • Restrict features, disable updates, show pop-ups, or revert to basic functionality. 

Best Practices
  • External API: Keeps your core logic secure and allows for updates/revocation.
  • Caching: Cache license status to avoid constant server calls.
  • Legal: Consult a lawyer for complex licensing agreements. 
This video demonstrates how to create a custom login and registration system from scratch:
Licensing a Laravel app involves creating a system to validate usage, often using an external license server (like laravel-ready/license-server) or API calls, to check keys against domains/users, restrict features, and manage expirations, typically with middleware for real-time checks and caching for performance. You'll need to build logic for key generation, activation/deactivation, and enforce license rules (e.g., per domain, per user, feature gating) within your application's core logic and routes, ensuring secure communication with your license service. 
Here's a breakdown of steps and concepts:
1. Choose Your Licensing Model
  • SaaS API: Best for cloud-hosted apps; users pay for API access, restricting direct code access.
  • Self-Hosted with Key: For distributed apps (like CodeCanyon); users get a key, and your app validates it. This is where packages shine. 
This video explains how to implement a license verification system for your Laravel application:
2. Implement Server-Side (License Management)
  • Use a Package: Packages like {Link: laravel-ready/license-server https://packagist.org/packages/laravel-ready/license-server} provide a central system for managing licenses (keys, domains, users, expiry).
  • Create Your Own: Build a separate Laravel app with an API to manage licenses if you prefer full control.
  • Key Generation: Generate unique, secure license keys (UUIDs are good).
  • Licensing Logic: Define rules (e.g., addLicense($product, 'domain.com', $userId, $days, $isLifetime)). 
3. Implement Client-Side (Your Laravel App)
  • Client Package: Use a connector package (e.g., shumonpal/laravel-licence-client or create your own) to talk to the server.
  • Configuration: Set your license API URL in the client app's config.
  • Middleware: Apply a middleware to routes (e.g., LicencedVirifiedMiddleware) to check the license on every request or key pages.
  • Activation/Deactivation: Logic to handle key activation (maybe on first run) and deactivation.
  • Feature Restriction: Restrict features (e.g., basic vs. premium) based on license type or expiry. 
This video demonstrates how to set up authentication in Laravel:
4. Key Strategies
  • Check on Request: Use middleware to intercept requests and verify the license against your server.
  • Cache Results: Cache license checks (e.g., for 5 mins) to avoid hitting the server on every request.
  • Expiration Handling: Send reminders and restrict access to basic features or disable usage after a grace period. 
Example Flow (Self-Hosted)
  1. User buys your app.
  2. You generate a key and activate it on your license server for their domain/user.
  3. User installs the app.
  4. On first load, the app calls your API with the key.
  5. API verifies key/domain.
  6. App uses middleware to check key validity for subsequent requests. 
Essential Tip: For commercial distribution, consult a lawyer to draft proper licensing terms (e.g., MIT for Laravel, but your own for your product). 
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