Managing Licenses

Create and manage PineHook licenses for MetaTrader 5 and cTrader, connect broker accounts, add secret keys, and review connection status.

Last updated: 2026-09-23

License keys route alerts to one broker destination. An MT5 license connects to one running MT5 account. A cTrader license is assigned to one authorized cTrader broker account.

License Workflow

Create → Choose platform → Connect account → Send a demo test

What is a License?#

A license key is a unique identifier that:

  • Identifies one MT5 or cTrader destination
  • Routes alerts to the correct broker account
  • Tracks alert usage and history
  • Can be named for easy identification

Creating a License#

  1. Log in to your dashboard
  2. Go to Licenses
  3. Click Create License
  4. Enter a descriptive name, such as "Home PC" or "cTrader Demo"
  5. Choose MetaTrader 5 or cTrader
  6. For cTrader, select an available broker account or connect another account
  7. Click Create

For MT5, copy the new license key into the EA Inputs. For cTrader, PineHook retains the key in the dashboard and uses the assigned broker account.

Security

Treat your license key like a password. Don't share it publicly or commit it to version control.

Secret Key for MT5#

A Secret Key is optional protection for an MT5 EA connection. cTrader uses its own authorization and does not use this field.

What It Does#

When enabled, your EA must provide both the License Key AND Secret Key to connect. This protects against:

  • Someone seeing your license key in TradingView notifications
  • Accidental exposure of your license key in screenshots
  • Shoulder-surfing attacks

How It Works#

  1. License Key: included in webhook messages (visible in TradingView alerts)
  2. Secret Key: entered only in EA configuration (never in webhooks)

Even if someone copies your license key from a notification, they can't use it without your secret key.

Generating a Secret Key#

  1. Go to Licenses in your dashboard
  2. Click the three-dot menu on the license, then Set Secret Key
  3. The generated secret is shown once; copy and save it securely
  4. Enter it in your EA configuration

One-time display

The full secret key is shown only once, in the generation dialog (with a copy button). Copy it before closing that dialog; once closed, the dashboard can never reveal it again (the server stores only a one-way hash). Only you, in your EA configuration, have the value at that point. If lost, generate a new one and update the EA.

Keep It Separate

Never include your Secret Key in webhook messages or share it. It should only exist in your EA settings.

License Limits#

Your subscription tier determines how many licenses you can have:

TierLicenses
Trial (available after beta, first 14 days)1
Standard1
Pro3
Premium10

If you need more than 10 licenses, contact us about custom needs and we can put together a plan.

Beta accounts

During the public beta, new accounts get the Pro plan free, including up to 3 licenses. Paid checkout is closed. After beta, the license limit follows the plan you subscribe to.

Managing Licenses#

Viewing Licenses#

In your dashboard under Licenses, you can see:

  • License name
  • License key (partially hidden)
  • Status (Active / Disabled / Connected / Last seen / Never connected)
  • Last connected timestamp
  • Connected MT5 account and server, or assigned cTrader broker account

Renaming a License#

  1. Click the three-dot menu on the license card
  2. Click Rename
  3. Enter the new name in the dialog
  4. Click Save

Enabling / Disabling#

A license can be temporarily disabled without deleting it (useful for pausing a strategy):

  1. Click the three-dot menu
  2. Click Disable (or Enable to re-activate)

Disabled licenses don't accept alerts, and their history is preserved, but they still count against your tier cap. Only deleting a license frees a slot.

Regenerating a Key#

If you believe your license key has been compromised:

  1. Click the three-dot menu
  2. Click Regenerate License
  3. Confirm the action
  4. Update your EA with the new key

Warning

Regenerating a key will disconnect any EA using the old key. Update your EA immediately. The previous key is permanently retired and can never be re-issued.

Deleting a License#

  1. Click the three-dot menu on the license you want to delete
  2. Click Delete
  3. Confirm the deletion

Deleting a license will:

  • Disconnect any connected EA on that license
  • Move the license into the Deprecated group (it stops accepting new alerts)
  • Preserve alert and trade history for the full 2-year retention period. Historical rows remain visible under the Deprecated filter in Signal Logs (Analytics only lists active licenses)
  • Permanently retire the license key so it can never be reissued (security guarantee)

Connection Status#

Each license shows its current connection status:

  • Connected (pulsing green dot): the MT5 EA or cTrader service is online
  • Last: <time ago> (amber dot): the MT5 EA was connected and is now offline
  • Reconnect needed (amber dot): renew cTrader access
  • Never connected or No account linked (blue dot): setup is incomplete
  • Disabled (gray dot): license has been manually disabled

License Best Practices#

Use Descriptive Names#

Name your licenses so you can identify them easily:

  • ✓ "Home PC, EURUSD Strategy"
  • ✓ "VPS, Scalping Bot"
  • ✗ "License 1"

One license per destination#

Each MT5 instance should use its own license, and PineHook belongs on one chart only in that instance. The newest connection wins if the same license connects from a second chart or terminal.

Each cTrader license can be assigned to one broker account, and one broker account can be assigned to one license. Use Manage broker account to change it. Open positions and pending orders remain on the old account after a switch.

Rotate Keys Periodically#

For security, consider regenerating your license keys periodically, especially if:

  • You shared your key accidentally
  • You're switching computers
  • You suspect unauthorized access

Next Steps#