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

# Manage your Sightline plan

> Choose Community, start a trial, or activate a license key.

Open **Settings → Plan** to see the plan active on this computer, activate a license, or manage billing.

## Choose the access you need

| Plan | What it includes |
| - | - |
| **Community (free)** | Observation recording, saved recording data, CSV export, templates, and the protocol library. |
| **Starter** | Community features plus student workspaces, computed results and charts, comparisons, the observation Write-Up Workspace, and PDF and Word exports. |
| **Pro** | Starter features plus local AI writing, the FBA Write-Up Workspace, Companion pairing, and **Send to Phone**. AI needs a separate model download. |

Use **See paid plans** in Settings for current purchase options.

See [Sightline Companion](/companion/overview) for iPhone requirements, setup, and nearby or away recording.

## Start a trial

If this computer has not already used a trial, select **Start trial** under **Your plan**. The trial gives you Pro for 21 calendar days, beginning when you start it. Settings shows the trial's end date and remaining time.

A trial does not require you to activate a purchased license first. If you buy a license during the trial, you can enter it at any time.

## Activate a license

Connect to the internet, then open **Settings → Plan**.

1. Find **License key → Activate this computer**.
2. Paste the key from your purchase email or the key supplied by your district.
3. Select **Activate**.

After activation, **Your plan** shows the active plan, and the License key section says **Activated on this computer**. If Pro offers AI setup, you can complete it now or return to [Set up AI](/ai-setup) later.

If activation fails, check the key for missing characters or extra text and try again. If the computer cannot reach the licensing service, reconnect before retrying.

To activate a different key when Plan says **A license key is stored on this computer**:

1. Select **Remove key** and confirm. This leaves your saved observations on the computer.
2. Enter the new key and activate it.

For renewal or verification of the same license, keep and use the existing key.

## Change your subscription or billing details

Under **Billing → Manage subscription**, select **Open**. The billing page opens in your browser, where you can change the plan or billing cycle, update a card, download invoices, or cancel.

Return to Sightline after making a change. If Settings still asks for verification or activation, follow the message shown there. After renewing an expired license, you may need to enter your key again.

## Move to another computer

Before moving, make a [backup](/backup-and-restore) of the records you want to take with you.

1. On the old computer, open **Settings → Plan**, select **Deauthorize**, and confirm. That computer returns to Community and keeps its saved observations.
2. Activate the license on the new computer.
3. Restore your backup on the new computer and check the restored records.

Deauthorizing a computer does not cancel your subscription. Use **Manage subscription** for billing changes.

## If paid features become unavailable

Check **Your plan** for the reason. An expired license, a trial that has ended, or a license that needs verification can return the app to Community. Your saved observations remain on the computer, and you can export their recording data as CSV. Paid results, writing tools, and document exports require the corresponding plan again.

Sightline can use a previously verified license while offline for a limited period. If the app cannot reach the license server, Settings may show the date through which paid features remain available. Reconnect before that date and restart Sightline if it still needs verification.

If the message says the system clock is wrong, correct your computer's date and time, then restart Sightline. For an unresolved key or verification problem, contact [support@sightlinebehavior.com](mailto:support@sightlinebehavior.com) with the message shown in the app.


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