Evaluate without signup

A fresh standalone installation can start without a supplied license key. KubeMQ obtains and saves an evaluation key automatically: 14 days, one installation, no clustering. Kubernetes and clusters require an explicit key. For repeatable automated pipelines, use a trial or paid key instead of consuming anonymous grants.

Start with persistent storage

docker run -d \  --name kubemq \  --hostname kubemq \  -p 50000:50000 \  -p 9090:9090 \  -p 8080:8080 \  -p 9092:9092 \  -p 5672:5672 \  -v kubemq-data:/kubemq/store \  europe-docker.pkg.dev/kubemq/images/kubemq-next:latest

The named volume at /kubemq/store holds messages, the installation identity, license/evaluation.key, and the signed lease. Keep it when replacing the container. No fixed hostname is needed: a standalone server automatically adopts its existing data directory. Docker and Podman use the same command (replace docker with podman); Docker Compose provides the same volume.

By running the evaluation you accept the evaluation terms. Usage reporting is enabled with no opt-out, including machine name, software version, and message and volume counters. The licensing service stores a keyed hash of your public address for up to 90 days. The installation grant is retained after that hash is cleared. See the privacy notice.

Eligibility and connectivity

Automatic evaluation requires no explicit license input, no clustering, and no Kubernetes detection. Explicit files, data, and keys retain their normal precedence.

A fresh store contains no data outside license/, except lost+found and .DS_Store. A leftover license/instance.id alone is allowed; a cached lease prevents fresh issuance. An existing saved evaluation key resumes that evaluation. A saved key without its installation identity refuses to start: keep the data and supply a real key. KubeMQ never deletes data to make an installation eligible.

The first start must reach https://license.kubemq.io. Allow outbound HTTPS and set HTTPS_PROXY, HTTP_PROXY, and NO_PROXY in the container environment when your network requires a proxy. An unavailable service is retried within the existing 30-minute first-start window. Address limits or disabled evaluation require a 30-day trial key. Networks without licensing access need an offline license file.

Timeline and expiry

The 14 days begin when the license is issued. Online evaluation leases last 24 hours and refresh hourly. Signed license claims determine the final operating deadline, reported as run_until by GET /api/v1/license. A disconnected installation can stop before the full 14 days. The final operating deadline accounts for both the lease and commercial expiry.

The dashboard shows days remaining, warns during the final three days, and shows when the commercial evaluation period expires. GET /api/v1/license and kmq license expose evaluation_days_left: rounded up, never negative, and null for other plans. When the signed evaluation operating deadline is exhausted, evaluation-expired requires a new key; connectivity alone cannot extend it.

Keep your data and continue

A restart uses the saved key and identity instead of requesting a new evaluation. To recreate the container without losing messages:

docker stop kubemq
docker rm kubemq

Run the evaluation command above again with the same named volume. To continue with a free 30-day trial or paid key, obtain the key and run this command instead:

docker run -d \  --name kubemq \  --hostname kubemq \  -p 50000:50000 \  -p 9090:9090 \  -p 8080:8080 \  -p 9092:9092 \  -p 5672:5672 \  -e KUBEMQ_LICENSE_KEY=YOUR_LICENSE_KEY \  -v kubemq-data:/kubemq/store \  europe-docker.pkg.dev/kubemq/images/kubemq-next:latest

Replace YOUR_LICENSE_KEY with your real key. A successfully activated real online key removes license/evaluation.key. The same identity and queued messages survive. Continue supplying the real key on subsequent container recreations.

Startup messages

These messages identify the required next step:

• Kubernetes: A license key is required on Kubernetes. Set KUBEMQ_LICENSE_KEY. Get a free 30-day key at https://kubemq.io/trial.
• Clustering: A license key is required for clustering. Set KUBEMQ_LICENSE_KEY. Get a free 30-day key at https://kubemq.io/trial.
• Existing store: A license key was expected. Set KUBEMQ_LICENSE_KEY. Get a free 30-day key at https://kubemq.io/trial.
• Incomplete files: The evaluation files are incomplete: the saved key has no installation identity. Get a key at https://kubemq.io/trial to keep your data, or remove the volume to start fresh.
• Expired: This evaluation has finished. Get a free 30-day key at https://kubemq.io/trial to keep your data, or remove the volume to start fresh.
• Unreachable or busy after retry: Signup-free evaluation must reach license.kubemq.io. Check your internet connection and proxy settings, get a key at https://kubemq.io/trial, or use an offline license file.
• Address limit or disabled: Signup-free evaluation is unavailable. Get a free 30-day key at https://kubemq.io/trial and set KUBEMQ_LICENSE_KEY.
• Identity used after retry: This installation has already used its evaluation. Get a free 30-day key at https://kubemq.io/trial.
• Store write failure (the actual path replaces %s): Cannot save evaluation files in store folder %s. Make the store writable, or get a key at https://kubemq.io/trial.
• Expiry warning (days remaining replace %d): Your KubeMQ evaluation expires in %d days. Get 30 more days free at https://kubemq.io/trial.