> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.incredibuild.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Activating Licenses

Last updated on Nov 05, 2024

In order to use Incredibuild Linux to accelerate your builds, a valid license file needs be loaded to the Coordinator Manager. The license file includes all the licenses you purchased to assign to machines in your Incredibuild environment.

If you want to renew or change your license and you are using the procedures in the user interface below, you need to deactivate your license before loading the new one that you receive from [sales@incredibuild.com](mailto:sales@incredibuild.com). Alternatively, you can perform these actions using the [command line](/linux/4.26.1/cli#Coordina) to load a new license without unloading the existing one and without downtime.

## Generating and Uploading a License

If this is your first Incredibuild license, or if you are using a new Coordinator, you need to generate a PK file and send it to Customer Support. The PK file lets us uniquely identify a particular machine, and is used to generate a license file that can only be used on that machine. You can use the [command line options](/linux/4.26.1/cli#Coordina), or continue with this procedure in the user interface.

1. Go to your **Coordinator Manager** (https\://\<IP address of the Coordinator machine>:8000).

2. If you do not have a valid license loaded, you will be asked to generate a license key. Click **Generate Key File** to download the **ib\_key.pk** file.

   <img src="https://mintcdn.com/incredibuild-docs-migrated/RiX-5Ccdjoyn4Ouf/images/linux/4.26.1/linux/linux_4/generate_license_key1.jpg?fit=max&auto=format&n=RiX-5Ccdjoyn4Ouf&q=85&s=dd52537b255eca6724606705756b55e4" alt="" width="1900" height="917" data-path="images/linux/4.26.1/linux/linux_4/generate_license_key1.jpg" />

3. Send the **ib\_key.pk** file to [support@incredibuild.com](mailto:support@incredibuild.com) and they will use it to create your license file.

4. Browse to the license file and click **Upload**.

   <img src="https://mintcdn.com/incredibuild-docs-migrated/RiX-5Ccdjoyn4Ouf/images/linux/4.26.1/linux/linux_4/upload_license2.jpg?fit=max&auto=format&n=RiX-5Ccdjoyn4Ouf&q=85&s=bf33c6eade549c67a8e5b055110b12d1" alt="" width="1861" height="904" data-path="images/linux/4.26.1/linux/linux_4/upload_license2.jpg" />

## Unloading an Incredibuild License

If you have received an updated license file, you need to unload the original license before you can load the new one. You can use the [command line options](/linux/4.26.1/cli#Coordina), or continue with this procedure in the user interface.

In the **Coordinator Manager > License** area, click **Unload**.

<img src="https://mintcdn.com/incredibuild-docs-migrated/RiX-5Ccdjoyn4Ouf/images/linux/4.26.1/linux/linux_4/deactivate_license.jpg?fit=max&auto=format&n=RiX-5Ccdjoyn4Ouf&q=85&s=a849b312993ef4e644f3139f4d0cac90" alt="" width="1811" height="899" data-path="images/linux/4.26.1/linux/linux_4/deactivate_license.jpg" />