.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=VrRd9ylcA_lbpmt6&q=85&s=4eb75c6784eda09d9cdee2d5224ca0e8){kind=logo}
How Licensing Works
The license check runs completely in the background without affecting your server:BuiltByBit Account Linking
Purchases on BuiltByBit automatically sync with your account, giving you instant access to your license keys.
Fast Background Check (3s Timeout)
On server boot, the plugin checks your license key in the background. A strict 3-second timeout ensures server startup is never delayed.
Hardware ID Lock
A secure hardware ID lock binds the license to your server machine to protect your key against unauthorized sharing.
Network Support
Your license covers all servers across your BungeeCord or Velocity network (such as Hub, Survival, and Factions).
Retrieving Your License Key
Depending on whether you purchased a standalone plugin or a SentryPremades addon, license retrieval follows these straightforward methods:SentryPremades Addons (Automatic Activation)
If you purchased an addon or menu configuration from the SentryPremades catalog:- Automatic Entitlement: Your license is applied automatically upon completing your purchase.
- Fail-Safe Fallback: If your addon license does not apply automatically for any reason, simply follow the BuiltByBit retrieval steps below (Discord account linking or Email verification) to claim your key.
BuiltByBit Plugins (SentryWipe, SentrySettings, SentryLore)
For software purchases on BuiltByBit, licenses are retrieved by linking your account in our official Discord or contacting our support team:- Discord Linking (Instant)
- Email Support
The fastest way to retrieve your license key at any time is by linking your BuiltByBit account in the official Sentry Studios Discord server:
1
Join the Sentry Studios Discord
Join our official community server: discord.gg/sentrystudios.
2
Link Your BuiltByBit Account
Head to the
#link-account or #claim-license channel and run the /link command (or follow the prompt from our verification bot). Authorize your BuiltByBit profile to sync your purchases.3
Receive Your License Key
Once linked, the bot automatically verifies your transaction, grants your Customer role, and delivers your unique license key(s) directly via private message (DM).
Configuring license.yml
Upon first startup, each Sentry plugin generates a lightweight license.yml in its data folder:
plugins
SentryWipe
config.yml
license.yml
SentrySettings
config.yml
license.yml
SentryLore
config.yml
license.yml
license.yml and paste your key into the license-key field:
license.yml
Server Startup Lifecycle
When your server boots, the plugin readslicense.yml and verifies your key against our licensing API:
Server Console
license.yml automatically updates with an internal status: ACTIVE flag.
In-Game Status Verification
Administrators can verify license status, active software versions, and hardware locks in-game using dedicated subcommands:Troubleshooting & Common Pitfalls
License validation failed: Please set a valid license key in license.yml
License validation failed: Please set a valid license key in license.yml
The plugin detected that
license-key is still set to "none", "ENTER-KEY-HERE", or an empty string. Open plugins/<PluginName>/license.yml, paste your real key, save the file, and restart your server.License validation timed out after 3s
License validation timed out after 3s
The server’s outbound HTTP request exceeded the 3-second fail-safe timeout. This usually happens if your hosting provider enforces strict firewall egress rules or container isolation. Ensure your server can establish outbound connections to HTTPS (
port 443).Can I use the same license across multiple servers on my network?
Can I use the same license across multiple servers on my network?
Yes. A single license covers your server network across BungeeCord or Velocity proxy nodes (such as Hub, Survival, and Factions). For multi-owner networks or commercial hosting distribution, separate licenses must be purchased.
Need to reset or transfer your HWID binding?
Need to reset or transfer your HWID binding?
If you migrated to a new dedicated server or host machine and receive an HWID mismatch error, open a ticket in our Discord Support Portal to have your license hardware lock reset instantly.
Next Steps
Core Infrastructure
Explore Folia threading, off-thread execution, and H2/MySQL database architecture.
Configuration & Formatting
Master our Hex colors, toast notifications, and Small Caps Unicode typography.
Bukkit Materials Reference
Complete catalog of modern Minecraft 1.21.x and Paper 26.3 Material enum constants.
Quick Start Guide
Complete fast-deployment walkthrough from jar placement to live verification.