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

# Troubleshooting

> Common licensing issues and solutions

Solutions to common problems with trial periods, license activation, and verification.

## Activation Issues

<Accordion title="Error: 'License key is invalid'">
  **Possible causes:**

  * Typo in the license key
  * Copying extra spaces or characters
  * Using a key from a different product
  * Internet connection problems preventing Gumroad verification

  **Solutions:**

  1. **Copy the key again** from your Gumroad purchase email
  2. **Paste directly** - don't type it manually
  3. **Check for spaces** - remove any leading/trailing spaces
  4. **Verify internet connection** - activation requires online access
  5. **Try the key on Gumroad** - verify it's valid at [gumroad.com/library](https://gumroad.com/library)
</Accordion>

<Accordion title="Error: 'Failed to verify license key'">
  **This usually means a network issue.**

  **Solutions:**

  1. **Check internet connection** - can you browse the web?
  2. **Disable VPN temporarily** - some VPNs block Gumroad API
  3. **Check firewall settings** - ensure Glyph can access `api.gumroad.com`
  4. **Try a different network** - mobile hotspot, different WiFi, etc.
  5. **Wait and retry** - Gumroad API might be temporarily down

  **Network requirements:**

  Glyph needs to reach:

  ```
  POST https://api.gumroad.com/v2/licenses/verify
  ```
</Accordion>

<Accordion title="Activation button does nothing">
  **Possible causes:**

  * Empty license key field
  * Already submitting (button disabled during verification)
  * JavaScript error in the app

  **Solutions:**

  1. **Ensure key is entered** - paste your license key in the input field
  2. **Wait for current attempt** - if "Verifying..." is shown, wait
  3. **Restart Glyph** - close and reopen the app
  4. **Check for app updates** - download the latest version from GitHub Releases
  5. **Open browser console** - check for JavaScript errors (Cmd/Ctrl+Shift+I)
</Accordion>

<Accordion title="License activated but trial banner still shows">
  **This shouldn't happen, but if it does:**

  **Solutions:**

  1. **Restart Glyph** - close completely and reopen
  2. **Check Settings** - go to Settings → General → License to verify status
  3. **Look for activation timestamp** - if present, you're licensed
  4. **Hard refresh the UI** - Cmd/Ctrl+R if in dev mode

  If the problem persists after restart, report it on [GitHub Issues](https://github.com/SidhuK/Glyph/issues).
</Accordion>

## Trial Issues

<Accordion title="Trial already expired on first launch">
  **Possible causes:**

  * Clock or time zone issues
  * Leftover license file from previous installation
  * System time was changed

  **Solutions:**

  1. **Check system time** - ensure your computer's clock is accurate
  2. **Check time zone** - verify it matches your location
  3. **Fresh install:**
     * Quit Glyph completely
     * Delete `app_config_dir()/license.json`
     * Restart Glyph for a fresh trial
  4. **Or skip trial** - enter your license key immediately
</Accordion>

<Accordion title="Trial shows negative time remaining">
  **This happens when:**

  * System clock was changed after trial started
  * Computer was asleep near trial expiration

  **Solutions:**

  1. **Restart Glyph** - should show lock screen if expired
  2. **Check system time** - ensure clock is accurate
  3. **Enter license key** - activate to bypass trial
</Accordion>

<Accordion title="Can't start trial offline">
  **Actually, you can!** The trial starts based on local system time and doesn't require internet.

  If you're seeing a lock screen immediately:

  1. Your trial might have already been used on this device
  2. Check `app_config_dir()/license.json` for existing trial timestamps
  3. Delete the file for a fresh trial (if legitimate)
  4. Or enter your license key to activate
</Accordion>

## License File Issues

<Accordion title="Where is the license file stored?">
  License data is stored in:

  ```
  app_config_dir()/license.json
  ```

  **Platform-specific paths:**

  * **macOS**: `~/Library/Application Support/com.glyph.app/license.json`
  * **Windows**: `%APPDATA%\com.glyph.app\license.json`
  * **Linux**: `~/.config/com.glyph.app/license.json`

  <Warning>
    Don't manually edit this file unless troubleshooting. Corruption may require reactivation.
  </Warning>
</Accordion>

<Accordion title="License file corrupted">
  **Symptoms:**

  * Can't activate even with valid key
  * Trial state is weird (negative time, wrong dates)
  * Lock screen appears incorrectly

  **Solutions:**

  1. **Delete the license file**:
     * Quit Glyph
     * Navigate to `app_config_dir()/license.json`
     * Delete the file
     * Restart Glyph
  2. **Reactivate** - enter your license key again
  3. **Fresh trial** - if you deleted the file before activating, you get a new 48-hour trial
</Accordion>

<Accordion title="Want to reset trial for testing">
  **For developers/testers:**

  1. Quit Glyph
  2. Delete `app_config_dir()/license.json`
  3. Restart Glyph
  4. New trial starts

  **Note:** This only works with official builds. Development builds skip licensing entirely.

  <Info>
    Building from source with `GLYPH_OFFICIAL_BUILD` unset gives you unlimited unlicensed access for development.
  </Info>
</Accordion>

## Gumroad Integration Issues

<Accordion title="Gumroad API is down">
  **Symptoms:**

  * Activation fails with network errors
  * "Failed to verify license key" message
  * Works on other networks

  **Solutions:**

  1. **Check Gumroad status** - visit [gumroad.com](https://gumroad.com) to see if it's accessible
  2. **Wait and retry** - API might be temporarily unavailable
  3. **Try different network** - mobile hotspot, different location
  4. **Contact support** - if Gumroad is down for extended period, report to GitHub Issues

  <Info>
    If you're already activated, Gumroad being down won't affect your usage. The app works offline after initial activation.
  </Info>
</Accordion>

<Accordion title="Firewall blocking Gumroad API">
  **Symptoms:**

  * Activation fails on corporate/school networks
  * Works on mobile hotspot
  * Other apps can access internet

  **Solutions:**

  1. **Whitelist Gumroad domains**:
     ```
     api.gumroad.com
     gumroad.com
     ```
  2. **Try different network** - activate on home/mobile network
  3. **Contact IT** - ask them to allow Gumroad API access
  4. **Activate elsewhere** - use a different network just for activation, then use offline
</Accordion>

## Multiple Devices

<Accordion title="License key not working on second device">
  **The same key should work everywhere.**

  **If it's failing:**

  1. **Check internet connection** - second device needs online access for first activation
  2. **Copy key carefully** - ensure no extra characters or spaces
  3. **Verify it's the same product** - confirm purchase is for Glyph
  4. **Check Gumroad purchase** - log into [gumroad.com/library](https://gumroad.com/library) to confirm
  5. **Contact support** - if key works on one device but not another, report it
</Accordion>

<Accordion title="Exceeded device limit?">
  **There is NO device limit!** You can use your license on:

  * Unlimited computers
  * All platforms (Mac, Windows, Linux)
  * Simultaneously

  If you're seeing errors about device limits, this is a bug. Report it on [GitHub Issues](https://github.com/SidhuK/Glyph/issues).
</Accordion>

## Community Build vs Official Build

<Accordion title="Built from source but seeing trial/license screens">
  **This means `GLYPH_OFFICIAL_BUILD=1` was set during build.**

  **Solutions:**

  1. **Don't set the official build flag** - it's only for release builds
  2. **Rebuild without the flag**:
     ```bash theme={null}
     # Don't do this for dev builds:
     # GLYPH_OFFICIAL_BUILD=1 pnpm tauri build

     # Do this instead:
     pnpm tauri dev    # for development
     pnpm tauri build  # for personal builds
     ```
  3. **Check CI configuration** - ensure you're not using the release workflow
</Accordion>

<Accordion title="How to verify build type?">
  **Check in the app:**

  1. Open **Settings → General → License**
  2. Look at the build indicator:
     * **Official Release** - requires license
     * **Community Build** - no licensing

  **Community builds:**

  * Don't show trial banner
  * Don't show lock screen
  * Don't have license settings
</Accordion>

## Getting Help

<Accordion title="None of these solutions worked">
  **Report the issue:**

  1. Go to [GitHub Issues](https://github.com/SidhuK/Glyph/issues)
  2. Open a new issue with:
     * **Error message** (exact text)
     * **Steps you tried** from this troubleshooting guide
     * **Platform** (Mac/Windows/Linux)
     * **Glyph version** (from Settings → About)
     * **Network environment** (home/corporate/VPN/etc.)
  3. **Don't include your license key** in the issue!

  The community and maintainers will help you resolve it.
</Accordion>

<Accordion title="Lost license key after purchase">
  **Check these places:**

  1. **Email** - search for "Gumroad" in your inbox
  2. **Gumroad Library** - log in at [gumroad.com/library](https://gumroad.com/library)
  3. **Gumroad account** - check your purchase history

  **Still can't find it?**

  Contact **Gumroad support** (not Glyph support) - they handle purchase records and can resend your key.
</Accordion>

## Emergency: Can't Access Notes

<Warning>
  If the trial expired and you can't activate due to technical issues, your notes are safe but temporarily inaccessible.
</Warning>

**Options:**

1. **Troubleshoot activation** - try solutions above to unlock with your license key
2. **Find a working network** - activate on mobile hotspot or different WiFi
3. **Build from source** - clone the repo and build without the official flag
4. **Export notes manually**:
   * Your notes are in your workspace folder (likely `~/Documents/Glyph` or similar)
   * They're plain markdown files - accessible with any text editor
   * Copy them to safety while troubleshooting

<Info>
  Glyph stores notes as plain markdown files in your chosen workspace directory. They're always accessible outside the app if needed.
</Info>

## Still Need Help?

* [FAQ](/licensing/faq) - Common questions about licensing
* [GitHub Issues](https://github.com/SidhuK/Glyph/issues) - Technical support
* [Gumroad Support](https://gumroad.com/help) - Purchase and key issues