License & Plugin Compatibility
How Licenses Work
When you purchase a Kirby Tools plugin, you receive a license key that covers specific plugin versions. Your license generation determines which versions you can use:
- Generation 1 (before December 2024): Kirby 4 plugin versions
- Generation 2 (from December 2024): adds Kirby 5 support
- Generation 3 (from August 2026): adds Kirby 6 support once released
Generations align with major Kirby CMS releases. When Kirby ships a new major version, plugins often require significant rewrites – the generation system funds continued development while giving existing customers upgrade discounts.
Updates vs Upgrades
Updates (Free)
Bug fixes, security patches, and minor improvements within your licensed versions. These are always free and automatic via Composer.
Upgrades (Paid/Discounted)
Moving to a new major plugin version that adds significant features or Kirby compatibility. Upgrades typically coincide with new Kirby releases.
Why the distinction? Major Kirby releases often require significant plugin rewrites. The upgrade model lets us continue development while offering existing customers generous discounts.
Current Status
All Kirby Tools plugins support both Kirby 4 and Kirby 5:
| Plugin | Kirby 4 Version | Kirby 5 Version |
|---|---|---|
| Kirby Copilot | v1 | v2, v3 |
| Kirby SEO Audit | v1, v2 | v2, v3 |
| Kirby Content Translator | v2 | v3 |
| Kirby Live Preview | v1 | v2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Not necessarily. If you have a Generation 2 license (purchased December 2024+), it already covers Kirby 5 versions. Check your license at hub.kirby.tools.
Kirby 6 support is included with Generation 3 licenses (purchased from August 2026) once the Kirby 6 compatible plugin versions are released – at no additional cost. Once that happens, Gen 1 and Gen 2 holders will be able to upgrade to Generation 3 at 50% off. Check your license at hub.kirby.tools.
License generation (Gen 1, Gen 2, Gen 3) determines which plugin versions your license covers. Plugin version (v1, v2, v3) is the actual version you install.
If you have a Gen 2 license, yes – Copilot v3, SEO Audit v3, and Content Translator v3 are all included.
Yes. Licenses are backward compatible – you can always use older versions.
Only if your license generation covers it. Check the version compatibility matrix below for exact constraints per plugin. If your version isn't covered, you can upgrade – see the options for your license at hub.kirby.tools.
Technical Reference
This section covers implementation details for developers.
License Key Format
License keys follow the format: KT{generation}-{hash}-{hash}. The digit after KT is your generation number.
KT1-xxxxx-xxxxx: Generation 1 (before December 2024)KT2-xxxxx-xxxxx: Generation 2 (December 2024 onwards)KT3-xxxxx-xxxxx: Generation 3 (August 2026 onwards)
Version Compatibility Matrix
| Plugin | Gen 1 Constraint | Gen 2 Constraint | Gen 3 Constraint |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kirby Content Translator | ^2 | ^2 || ^3 | ^2 || ^3 |
| Kirby Copilot | ^1 | ^1 || ^2 || ^3 | ^1 || ^2 || ^3 |
| Kirby SEO Audit | ^1 | ^1 || ^2 || ^3 | ^1 || ^2 || ^3 |
| Kirby Live Preview | ^1 | ^1 || ^2 | ^1 || ^2 |
Gen 3 currently mirrors Gen 2 – until Kirby 6 ships, both cover the same plugin versions. When each plugin's Kirby 6 compatible major is released, its Gen 3 constraint gains that major (e.g. … || ^4) while Gen 2 stays capped at the current one.
Generation Timeline
| Generation | Purchase Date | Kirby Compatibility |
|---|---|---|
| Gen 1 | Before Dec 1, 2024 | Kirby 4 |
| Gen 2 | Dec 1, 2024 – Jul 31, 2026 | Kirby 4 & 5 |
| Gen 3 | Aug 1, 2026+ | Kirby 4 & 5 (Kirby 6 on release) |