Starting with build 1258, Understand can be used at no cost for projects whose source lives in a public git repository — no license key, account, or manual opt-in required. When active, Understand shows "Open Source" in the title bar and Help → Licensing.


Requirements

  • One public git repository per project. All of the source you're analyzing must live inside a single git repository with a public remote (e.g. a public GitHub, GitLab, Bitbucket or Codeberg). If your source is spread across multiple repos, create a separate Understand project for each one. Source that isn't in a repo at all, or is in a private repo, won't qualify.
  • Continuous internet connection. Verification isn't a one-time check — Understand contacts SciTools' license server roughly every 15 minutes to confirm the license grant. Brief network hiccups are fine, but after about 45 minutes without a successful check the session ends and the project closes.
  • No other active license. If a paid or trial license is already active on the machine, Understand uses that instead.


How to use it


If you point the project at source that isn't in a public repo, Understand will show a message explaining that the source doesn't qualify.


Per-project verification

Each project is verified independently against its own repository. Pointing a project at an unrelated public repo to analyze separate private code won't work — the grant only covers the source actually being analyzed.


Limitations

  • Internet required at all times. Unlike a normal license, there is no offline grace period. If you need a license that works offline, contact support@scitools.com.
  • Single repository per project. See requirements above.
  • Public repositories only. Private repos don't qualify.
  • Geographic restrictions. This license is not available in Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Syria, Russia, or China.