Using API Manager with WooCommerce Subscriptions or Constellation

If you’re selling licensed software on a subscription model, the API Manager works seamlessly with both WooCommerce Subscriptions and Constellation.

How software licensing works with subscriptions

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• When a customer buys a subscription product, API access is automatically granted.
• All license keys (API Keys) and activation slots are managed under the parent order.
• If a customer switches subscription plans, API access moves to the new switched order.
• Licenses only stay active when the subscription is in Active or Pending Cancellation status.

What happens when a subscription changes?

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Event	Result
Subscription is cancelled, expired, or set to on-hold	API Keys stop working, and activations are deleted
Subscription returns to Active	API Keys are restored, but activations must be re-added manually
Customer switches plans	The product ID is modified. Activations remain if you’re using the parent product ID for variable subscriptions, but need to be reset by the customer if you are not.

If the customer is using a Product license key, they’ll need to:

• Use the new Product ID
• Use the new API Key

If the customer is using a Master license key, they only need to:

• Use the new Product ID

We recommend always using the Master API Key for subscription-based products. It’s easier for customers and more flexible for you.

What happens when a customer switches subscription plans?

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If you’re selling variable subscription products, each variation has its own unique Product ID. When a customer switches from one variation to another (like changing plans), here’s what happens:

• Master license keys stay the same – they work across all products.
• Product license keys change – they’re tied to the original variation.
  • The system removes old activations tied to the original product license key to avoid errors.
  • The customer will need to reactivate their software using the new Product ID.

Why does this happen?

Each variation has its own internal ID, which is how the system tracks licensing when using Product-level software keys. If a customer switches to a new plan, they’re technically using a different product. That’s why the API Manager:

• Deletes activations for the old product
• Requires a fresh activation on the new one

This prevents:

• Licensing conflicts
• Errors in software updates
• Confusion in the customer dashboard

Best practices

Encourage your customers to use their Master license key especially for subscriptions. It saves them from needing to juggle different keys and makes switching plans much easier.

What about Constellation?

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If you’re using Constellation by Kestrel to manage access instead of WooCommerce Subscriptions:

• Licenses behave the same way – access is granted or revoked based on membership status
• Activations expire when the membership ends
• You can still use the Master or Product license key approach depending on your needs

Wrapping up

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You’re all set to start using Kestrel API Manager to deliver updates and manage licenses like a pro.

• Need a refresher? Return to the main documentation for setup, use cases, and troubleshooting.
• Still evaluating? Visit the sales page to explore features, pricing, and compatibility.
• Questions? Contact Kestrel support – we’re happy to help you get it working your way.