# Add a License Key to Redpanda Console > For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.redpanda.com/llms.txt). Component-specific: [streaming-full.txt](https://docs.redpanda.com/streaming-full.txt) --- title: Add a License Key to Redpanda Console latest-redpanda-tag: v25.2.1 latest-console-tag: v3.7.3 latest-operator-version: v26.1.4 # EOL = End-of-Life (support lifecycle status) page-is-nearing-eol: "true" page-is-past-eol: "false" page-eol-date: July 31, 2026 latest-connect-version: 4.93.0 docname: config/enterprise-license page-component-name: streaming page-version: "25.2" page-component-version: "25.2" page-component-title: Streaming page-relative-src-path: config/enterprise-license.adoc page-edit-url: https://github.com/redpanda-data/docs/edit/v/25.2/modules/console/pages/config/enterprise-license.adoc description: Learn how to apply or update a license key to Redpanda Console. page-git-created-date: "2024-12-03" page-git-modified-date: "2026-05-26" support-status: nearing end-of-life --- To enable [enterprise features for Redpanda Console](https://docs.redpanda.com/streaming/25.2/get-started/licensing/overview/#console), you must have an Enterprise Edition license to load at startup. This guide explains how to configure Redpanda Console to load the license key from its local configuration. > 💡 **TIP** > > This option is best for deployments that are not connected to a Redpanda cluster. If you plan to connect Redpanda Console to a Redpanda cluster, consider uploading the license to the Redpanda cluster. See [Add an Enterprise Edition License to Redpanda Console](https://docs.redpanda.com/streaming/25.2/get-started/licensing/add-license-console/). ## [](#prerequisites)Prerequisites You must have an Enterprise Edition license. To get a trial license key or extend your trial period, [generate a new trial license key](https://redpanda.com/try-enterprise). To purchase a license, contact [Redpanda Sales](https://redpanda.com/upgrade). If Redpanda Console has enterprise features enabled and cannot find a valid license locally or in the connected Redpanda cluster, it shuts down. See [Redpanda Licenses and Enterprise Features](https://docs.redpanda.com/streaming/25.2/get-started/licensing/overview/). ## [](#add-a-new-license-to-redpanda-console)Add a new license to Redpanda Console To add a new license to Redpanda Console, you have two options: - [Provide the path to the license file](#file). - [Provide the license key contents directly](#inline). ### [](#file)Use a license file #### Standalone Set the `licenseFilepath` property in the `/etc/redpanda/redpanda-console-config.yaml` configuration file: ```yaml licenseFilepath: ``` Or set the `REDPANDA_LICENSE_FILEPATH` environment variable: ```bash export REDPANDA_LICENSE_FILEPATH= ``` #### Kubernetes embedded By default, when deploying Redpanda Console with the Redpanda Operator or Redpanda Helm chart, Redpanda Console inherits the license provided to Redpanda in `enterprise.license` or `enterprise.licenseSecretRef`. See [Add an Enterprise Edition License to Redpanda in Kubernetes](https://docs.redpanda.com/streaming/25.2/get-started/licensing/add-license-redpanda/kubernetes/) for details. You cannot override the inherited license. #### Kubernetes standalone For production deployments, the safest and most secure way to provide your license is to store it in a Kubernetes Secret and reference it using `enterprise.licenseSecretRef` in your `values.yaml`. This keeps sensitive license data out of your Helm values and version control. Example: ```yaml enterprise: licenseSecretRef: name: key: ``` Alternatively, you can set the license directly in your Helm values using `console.config.license` or `console.config.licenseFilepath`, or with environment variables, but these methods are less secure for production environments. ```yaml console: extraEnv: - name: REDPANDA_LICENSE value: ``` Apply with: ```bash helm upgrade --install redpanda-console redpanda/console -f console-values.yaml ``` ### [](#inline)Use the license key contents directly If you don’t want to provide a path to the license file, you can use the contents of the license key directly. #### Standalone Set the `license` property in the `/etc/redpanda/redpanda-console-config.yaml` configuration file: ```yaml license: ``` Or set the `REDPANDA_LICENSE` environment variable: ```bash export REDPANDA_LICENSE= ``` #### Kubernetes embedded By default, when deploying Redpanda Console with the Redpanda Operator or Redpanda Helm chart, Redpanda Console inherits the license provided to Redpanda in `enterprise.license` or `enterprise.licenseSecretRef`. See [Add an Enterprise Edition License to Redpanda in Kubernetes](https://docs.redpanda.com/streaming/25.2/get-started/licensing/add-license-redpanda/kubernetes/) for details. You cannot override the inherited license. #### Kubernetes standalone For production deployments, the safest and most secure way to provide your license is to store it in a Kubernetes Secret and reference it using `enterprise.licenseSecretRef` in your `values.yaml`. This keeps sensitive license data out of your Helm values and version control. Example: ```yaml enterprise: licenseSecretRef: name: key: ``` Alternatively, you can set the license directly in your Helm values using `console.config.license` or `console.config.licenseFilepath`, or with environment variables, but these methods are less secure for production environments. ```yaml console: extraEnv: - name: REDPANDA_LICENSE value: ``` Apply with: ```bash helm upgrade --install redpanda-console redpanda/console -f console-values.yaml ``` ## [](#update-an-existing-license)Update an existing license To update an existing license: 1. Update your configuration file or environment variables with one of the following: - [The path to your new license file](#file) - [The contents of your new license key](#inline) 2. Restart Redpanda Console to make the changes take effect. ## [](#next-steps)Next steps [Check the Status of Licenses](https://docs.redpanda.com/streaming/25.2/get-started/licensing/check-status/). ## [](#suggested-reading)Suggested reading - [Redpanda Licensing](https://docs.redpanda.com/streaming/25.2/get-started/licensing/) - [Manage Enterprise Edition Licenses through Redpanda Console](https://docs.redpanda.com/streaming/25.2/console/ui/add-license/)