# Install with kmq (/deploy/install/kmq)
This page adds a license to the server you started in Try KubeMQ. When you finish, `kmq license` reports an active license and your data is unchanged. Time: about 10 minutes.
## Before you start [#before-you-start]
* A server from the kmq tab of [Try KubeMQ](/deploy/quickstart#install-kmq).
* A trial key or a license key: see [Plans compared](/licensing#which-one-fits).
## Steps [#steps]
### Add your license [#add-your-license]
`--accept-terms` records that you accept the trial terms and the [privacy notice](https://kubemq.io/privacy-policy-2/); an AI agent must ask you first.
```bash
kmq trial request --email YOUR_EMAIL --name "YOUR_NAME" --company "YOUR_COMPANY" --platform docker --accept-terms
```
Replace: `YOUR_EMAIL`, `YOUR_NAME`, `YOUR_COMPANY` — your work email, full name and company.
You should see:
```text title="Output"
HARNESS_OUTPUT_PENDING
```
Type the emailed code yourself, never in chat.
```bash
kmq trial verify --request YOUR_REQUEST_ID
```
Replace: `YOUR_REQUEST_ID` — the `request_id` printed above.
You should see:
```text title="Output"
HARNESS_OUTPUT_PENDING
```
```bash
kmq trial claim --request YOUR_REQUEST_ID
```
You should see:
```text title="Output"
HARNESS_OUTPUT_PENDING
```
`credential` is `YOUR_LICENSE_REF`.
Create a private folder, readable only by you, and work inside it:
```bash
mkdir -p -m 700 kubemq-private
```
```bash
cd kubemq-private
```
Save the license key as `license.key` in this folder. The file holds only the key, on one line, with no quotes and no `KUBEMQ_LICENSE_KEY=` prefix. Then make it readable by you alone:
```bash
chmod 600 license.key
```
This file is a secret. Do not commit it, paste it into chat, or attach it to a support ticket.
On Windows, in PowerShell:
```powershell
New-Item -ItemType Directory -Force kubemq-private
```
```powershell
Set-Location kubemq-private
```
```powershell
icacls . /inheritance:r /grant:r "${env:USERNAME}:(OI)(CI)F"
```
```powershell
icacls license.key /inheritance:r /grant:r "${env:USERNAME}:F"
```
Save `license.key` before the last command. Use a non-administrator window.
In any shell:
```bash
kmq license import --file license.key
```
You should see:
```text title="Output"
HARNESS_OUTPUT_PENDING
```
`reference` is `YOUR_LICENSE_REF`.
### Apply it to your server [#apply-it-to-your-server]
```bash
kmq deploy update --installation kubemq --credential YOUR_LICENSE_REF --deadline 10m
```
Replace: `YOUR_LICENSE_REF` — the reference from step 1.
You should see:
```text title="Output"
HARNESS_OUTPUT_PENDING
```
Data stays; the old container is kept, stopped, as `kubemq-retained-…`.
### Check the license [#check-the-license]
Check that `STATE` is `active`, `PLAN` is `trial` or your plan, and `EXPIRES` is the date you expect.
```bash
kmq license
```
You should see:
```text title="Output"
HARNESS_OUTPUT_PENDING
```
Other states: [How licensing works](/licensing/how-it-works#check-license-status).
### Replace the license later [#replace-the-license-later]
Repeat steps 1 to 3 without the folder commands. If it does not show, rerun step 2 with the previous reference; see [Troubleshooting](/licensing/troubleshooting#license-not-accepted). Never start a second installation to extend a license.
## Manage your server [#manage-your-server]
To remove the server and keep `kubemq-data`:
```bash
kmq deploy remove --installation kubemq
```
You should see:
```text title="Output"
HARNESS_OUTPUT_PENDING
```
## Update or remove kmq [#update-or-remove-kmq]
```bash
kmq update
```
You should see:
```text title="Output"
HARNESS_OUTPUT_PENDING
```
[Upgrade KubeMQ](/deploy/upgrade) then updates your server.
Open the [Release notes](/release-notes) and copy the release number exactly as shown.
If kmq is installed, switch it to that release:
```bash
kmq update --version YOUR_VERSION
```
Replace: `YOUR_VERSION` — the release number you copied, with a leading `v`.
On a machine without kmq, download the installer as [Try KubeMQ](/deploy/quickstart#install-kmq) shows, then run it with that release:
```bash
sh install-kmq.sh --version YOUR_VERSION
```
On Windows, in PowerShell:
```powershell
& .\install-kmq.ps1 -Version YOUR_VERSION
```
That kmq installs its matching server release. A pinned install does not update itself: read the release notes and move to the latest release regularly. `kmq update` with no `--version` returns kmq to the latest release.
To remove kmq, delete `kmq` from `/usr/local/bin`, `~/.local/bin` or `~/bin` (Windows: `%LOCALAPPDATA%\Programs\kmq`).
## Use kmq from an AI coding agent [#use-kmq-from-an-ai-coding-agent]
```bash
kmq skills install
```
It adds the kmq skill to `.claude/skills/kmq` and `AGENTS.md` here; `--global` installs it for your user ([kmq CLI](/operate/kmq-cli#agent-skill-distribution)). A starting prompt:
```text title="Prompt"
Use kmq to install KubeMQ on this machine. Run `kmq schema -o json` first. Ask me before creating anything. I will type passwords and email codes myself; never ask me to paste them.
```
## If something goes wrong [#if-something-goes-wrong]
* **Try KubeMQ found no evaluation left.** Get a reference in step 1 and run `kmq onboard --goal trial --name kubemq --credential YOUR_LICENSE_REF --pull --continue-volume --deadline 10m` (first `docker rm kubemq` if needed); `--goal trial` runs a Docker server on any saved license, trial or paid. Replace: `YOUR_LICENSE_REF` — as in step 2. Then do Try KubeMQ steps 3 and 4 (`kmq auth login` if an administrator exists) and step 3 here.
* **No email code, or a lost trial key.** Run `kmq trial resend-verification --request YOUR_REQUEST_ID` or `kmq trial resume --request YOUR_REQUEST_ID`, or `kmq license recover --email YOUR_EMAIL` for a lost key, then verify and claim. Replace: `YOUR_REQUEST_ID`, `YOUR_EMAIL` — as in step 1.
* **`credential_storage_unavailable`.** On Linux with no keyring, add `--credential-backend file` to every `kmq trial`, `kmq license`, `kmq deploy`, `kmq auth` and `kmq onboard` command, and check `chmod 600 license.key`.
* **`docker volume rm kubemq-data` says the volume is in use.** Remove the `kubemq-retained-…` containers with `docker rm`.
## Next steps [#next-steps]