License & Activation

A 7-day free trial, then a one-time license that works on up to three of your computers.

The free trial

• Starts automatically the first time Ravenburst opens with an internet connection. No account, no card.
• Lasts 7 days on that computer. Every feature is available.
• A bar at the top of the window shows the days left, with Enter License Code and Buy Now buttons.
• A trial belongs to the computer, so reinstalling Ravenburst doesn't start a new one.

When the trial ends

You keep your work and can keep writing. Writing, editing, saving, opening projects and File → Print all keep working. These need a license:

• Compile / Export, including the Print format in the Compile dialog
• Git Backup

Restoring a backup you already made always works, licensed or not: your work is yours. Everything you write is in your own project file on your own computer. See Your Files & Privacy.

Activating

When you buy Ravenburst you receive an activation code by email. It starts with RAVENBURST- and is tied to the email address you bought with.

1. Choose Help → Enter Activation Code…, or click Enter License Code in the trial bar.
2. Enter the email address you bought with.
3. Paste the activation code.
4. Click Activate.

Activation registers the computer as one of your devices, so connect to the internet if you can. If you can't, the code is still checked and accepted on the computer itself, and the device is registered the next time Ravenburst checks in.

After three wrong attempts in a row, the dialog waits five minutes before letting you try again.

Your devices

One license covers up to 3 computers. To move it to a new computer, free up a slot on the old one first:

1. On the old computer, choose Help → Deactivate License on This Device and confirm.
2. On the new computer, enter your email and code as above.

Ravenburst recognizes a computer by the ID its operating system gives it, so renaming the computer, adding memory or reinstalling Ravenburst doesn't use up a slot. Reinstalling the operating system itself can; if that leaves you short of slots, email us and we'll reset them.

Working offline

Once activated, Ravenburst works without the internet. About every 30 days it quietly checks in to confirm the license is still valid. If you're offline, nothing happens: the check simply waits until next time.

If a license is canceled (for example after a refund), the next check-in shows a banner, and export and Git Backup stop working three days later, with the message Your license is no longer active. If you see that banner and think it's a mistake, email [email protected].

Checking your license

Help → License Status opens Preferences → License, which shows whether you're licensed or on a trial (and how many days are left), the email the license belongs to, and the versions it covers.

Problems

• Lost your code? Email [email protected] from the address you bought with and we'll send it again.
• “Already activated on 3 devices”: deactivate an old computer, or email us if you no longer have it.
• The trial bar says to connect to the internet: Ravenburst hasn't been able to start your trial yet. Connect once and reopen it.

Pricing, upgrades and refunds are on the Pricing page.