License key activation should support instance ID for idempotency #2169
Description
Describe the Bug
Problem:
Pangolin EE introduces recently features beyond the CE version that I want to use in my personal setup. However, when obtaining a Pangolin EE license via app.pangolin.net, each activation generates a unique instance ID. This makes the license non-transferable between server recreations, breaking infrastructure-as-code workflows where servers are routinely destroyed and recreated as in my personal use setup (e.g., Terraform destroy/apply).
Current Behaviour:
- License activation binds to a generated instance ID
- When server is recreated, new instance ID is generated
- Error: "License key has already been activated with a different instance name"
- Manual intervention required to request a license
Desired Behaviour
- Instance ID parameter - Allow specifying a fixed instance ID during activation
- Instance ID override - Environment variable or config to set instance ID
For example
Instance ID parameter
POST /api/v1/license/activate
{
"licenseKey": "xxx",
"instanceId": "pangolin-prod-001" # Optional fixed ID
}
Instance ID override
PANGOLIN_INSTANCE_ID=pangolin-prod-001
Environment
- OS Type & Version: (e.g., Ubuntu 24.04)
- Pangolin version: ee-postgresql-1.14.1
- Gerbil version: gerbil:1.3.0
- Traefik version: 3.6.5
- Newt version: 1.8.0
To Reproduce
POST /api/v1/license/activate
Activated license key, instance ID: {"instanceId":"46c66b9e-5ecd-46c3-9825-f4c3062c9459"}
Checking license status...
POST /api/v1/license/recheck
Checking license status...
Expected Behavior
POST /api/v1/license/activate
Activated license key, instance ID: {"instanceId":"46c66b9e-5ecd-46c3-9825-f4c3062c9459","user-Instanceid¨:¨pangolin-prod-001¨}
POST /api/v1/license/recheck
Checking license status...