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Editions

Editions

Project Super is open-core software: a single MIT-licensed binary that runs in two modes — OSS (free, no plugins) and Licensed (same binary + commercial plugins). There is no separate “Premium daemon”, no fork, and no reinstall to upgrade.

One binary, two run modes

The core is open-source under the MIT License and ships as superd + super with no compile-time dependency on commercial code.

OSSLicensed
Binariessuperd + super (MIT)The same binaries — drop-in enable, no reinstall
What enables itinstall & runa valid [license].key in conf/super.toml, [server].auth_secret, and plugin libraries under $SUPER_ROOT/plugins/ (security required)
Plugins loadednoneauthorized ones only (verified against the key)
Feature examplesprocess management, OTA, health checks, cron, event hooks, log rotation, embedded Dashboard, single-admin API auth+ multi-user tokens / RBAC / audit (security), cgroup limits (isolation, Linux), notifications (notify), Dashboard Pro extensions (ui plugin)
LicenseMITCommercial plugin license (see Get Super Pro)

Licensed plugins are optional .so / .dylib files loaded at runtime after license verification — same binaries, no separate “Premium daemon.” If [license].key is absent (or invalid without licensed intent), superd runs in OSS mode and ignores the plugin directory.

Terminology

These terms are used consistently across the documentation:

TermMeaning
OSSThe open-source run mode: superd + super, MIT, no plugins.
LicensedThe run mode with a valid [license].key and commercial plugins loaded (also “licensed feature”, “licensed plugins”).
Super ProBrand name of the commercial plugin set (multi-user tokens / RBAC / audit, isolation, notify, Dashboard Pro UI). Used for purchasing and trials — Get Super Pro. The docs describe capabilities as Licensed.
License keyThe signed [license].key value in conf/super.toml; runtime credential that authorizes which plugins load.
PluginA signed .so / .dylib under $SUPER_ROOT/plugins/ that implements a licensed capability.

Pages mark licensed capabilities with 💎 and a “Licensed feature” callout at the top of the page.

Switching between modes

  • OSS → Licensed: add [license].key and [server].auth_secret to conf/super.toml, place the plugin libraries from your subscription into $SUPER_ROOT/plugins/ (including security), then restart superd. Same binaries, nothing to rebuild.
  • Licensed → OSS: remove the key (and plugin libraries), or use [license].strict = false behavior that degrades to OSS on an invalid key — see Authentication.

Important

When licensed intent is present (plugins on disk, auth_secret set, or a non-loopback bind), superd refuses startup instead of silently dropping licensed features — see Authentication.

Getting Super Pro

Get Super Pro: guide — free 90-day trial; optional ¥10/mo OSS sponsorship on Afdian (no Pro). Existing subscribers: Super Pro Portal.

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