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License, login & this device
Free license requires an account
- Claiming a free license needs email + password before the key is issued.
- We never show your license key to someone who only knows your email.
License does not expire
- Your HVAC Lens license does not expire — keep using your key on up to 5 devices.
- If the app asks you to refresh access (new device, cleared cache, or re-check online), use free renew:
License cache (this device stays unlocked)
- After a successful unlock, the app saves a durable unlocked flag on this device (browser storage + cookies).
- You should not be asked for your license key every time you open the app — including the installed home-icon PWA on the same browser profile.
- Periodic online checks run in the background. They do not re-prompt unless the license is revoked or you choose Remove Key in Settings.
- Clearing all site data (including cookies), a new browser profile, or a private window removes this flag — unlock again (key or email + password).
Login session & cookies
- Login session — email + password via Supabase (not a separate username).
- Remember this device (cookie) — optional; helps restore your account session after cache clear.
- License unlock storage is separate from the login session; both use cookies so the browser tab and installed app stay aligned on the same origin.
Registered devices
- Up to 5 devices per license. This browser gets a stable device ID (stored in localStorage + cookie) when you unlock online.
- Settings shows This device when the server list matches that ID. If you are unlocked locally but not listed, use Register this device while online.
- Browser tab and installed PWA on the same profile normally share one device ID. A different browser, phone, or profile counts as another device.
New device email
- The first time a new device is registered on your license, you get a security email (once per device — not every time you open the app).
- If that was not you, use the email link to reset your password, then remove unknown devices in Settings on a trusted device.
When you must unlock again
- New browser, private window, or another device
- Site data cleared (including cookies), or Remove Key in Settings
- License revoked
- All 5 device slots full when registering a brand-new device
Key vs password
- Unlock with the license key from email, or use email + password to recover safely (email is your account id — not a separate username).
How unlock works (for troubleshooting)
- On every app page load, the gate checks a durable unlock: license cache + stable device id (localStorage and cookies).
- If already unlocked, the app opens immediately; online re-check runs in the background and only hard-locks if the license is revoked.
- If not unlocked: try cached key online → or recover via signed-in account → or show the key form and email/password form (scroll if needed on a small screen).
- Online unlock always calls the server with your device id. First time that id is registered on your license → one security email. Same device again → no email.
- Full decision trees (storage keys, server RPC, email rules): see the August 8, 2026 app development log.
Quick checks if something fails
- Home icon wants the key again — same site and browser profile? Site data/cookies cleared? Different browser counts as another device (up to 5).
- Password sign-in — use the email you licensed with; scroll to the form and read the error under it; need network for sign-in.
- All 5 devices full — open Settings on a registered device and remove one you no longer use.
- Unexpected “new device” email — if it was not you, reset password from the email link, then remove unknown devices in Settings.