Licensing¶

There are two ways to license Astute Systems LDM packages:

• Online key — a license key string, validated against the Astute Systems license server. The application keeps a heartbeat connection running for the lifetime of the session.
• Air-gapped licence file — a .lic file, validated entirely offline. Use this on machines with no network access to the license server.

Obtaining a Licence¶

Contact Astute Systems to obtain your licence key or air-gapped .lic file:

• 📧 Email: sales@astutesys.com
• 🌐 Website: https://astutesys.com

When requesting a licence, please provide:

1. Your organisation name
2. Contact email address
3. Intended use (evaluation, development, production)
4. Number of installations required
5. Whether you need an air-gapped (offline) licence file

Supplying the Licence¶

Both tools resolve the licence in the same order of precedence:

1. A previously saved value (stored in QSettings after the first successful activation — Linux: ~/.config/AstuteSystems/)
2. The --license/-l command-line option
3. The ASTUTE_LICENSE_KEY environment variable

Command Line¶

Pass an online key directly:

ldmx --license <your-license-key>
bohemian --license <your-license-key>

Or set it once for the session:

export ASTUTE_LICENSE_KEY=<your-license-key>
ldmx

Air-Gapped Licence File¶

bohemian also accepts a path to an air-gapped .lic file in place of a key, on the command line or via the environment variable:

bohemian --license /path/to/license.lic

bohemian detects whether the supplied value is an online key or a .lic file path automatically.

Interactive Setup (bohemian only)¶

If bohemian is launched with no stored, CLI, or environment-supplied licence, it opens a License Setup dialog with two tabs — enter an online key, or browse to an air-gapped .lic file. Once activated, the value is saved to QSettings so you won't be prompted again on that machine.

ldmx does not show a setup dialog — if no licence is found via the resolution order above, it reports an error and exits. Supply the licence via --license or ASTUTE_LICENSE_KEY before launching.

Licence Terms¶

Both licence types may be time-limited or perpetual, and may be restricted to a maximum number of concurrently activated machines — these details are set when the licence is issued and are not user-configurable.

Troubleshooting¶

"License error: No license key provided" (ldmx)¶

Supply a licence via --license <key> or ASTUTE_LICENSE_KEY before launching ldmx.

"Activation failed" / "License validation failed"¶

The key has expired, been revoked, or the machine is not authorised. Contact support with the exact error detail shown.

"License file invalid" (air-gapped)¶

The .lic file may be corrupted, expired, or issued for a different product/machine. Request a replacement file from support.

Stored licence stopped working¶

If a previously saved licence becomes invalid (e.g. expired), bohemian automatically clears it from QSettings and re-prompts via the License Setup dialog on next launch — no manual cleanup is required.

Licence Support¶

For any licence-related issues, questions, or requests, please email:

📧 support@astutesys.com

Our support team can help with:

• Activation and setup issues
• Licence renewals and upgrades
• Machine/seat transfers
• Air-gapped licence file re-issuance
• General licence enquiries