As of March 3, 2025, the Telerik and Kendo UI 2025 Q1 release is officially here, bringing a host of exciting updates—new components like the Chart Wizard and OTP Input, enhanced design tools, and much more. But alongside these features comes an important change: an updated licensing mechanism that applies to all Telerik and Kendo UI products, including Kendo UI for jQuery. If you're planning to use this powerful jQuery-based UI library in your projects, understanding how to implement the licensing for the 2025 Q1 release is essential. Don't worry—I've got you covered with this step-by-step guide!
In this post, we'll walk through everything you need to know to set up your Kendo UI for jQuery license, whether you're starting fresh with a trial or upgrading an existing project. Let's dive in!
Why Licensing Matters for Kendo UI for jQuery
Kendo UI for jQuery is a professional-grade UI library packed with over 110 components to help you build modern, responsive, and high-performance web applications. While there's a free, open-source version (Kendo UI Core) under the Apache 2.0 License, the full commercial version—updated with the latest features in the 2025 Q1 release—requires a valid license. Starting with this release (version 2025.1.211, launched February 12, 2025), Telerik has streamlined its licensing process across all products, requiring a license key file for both trial and commercial users.
Without a properly implemented license, you'll encounter watermarks, banners, or console warnings in your application. So, let's ensure you're set up correctly to unlock the full potential of Kendo UI for jQuery without any hiccups.
Step-by-Step Guide to Implementing the License
Here's how to implement the Kendo UI for jQuery licensing for the 2025 Q1 release. Whether you're using the CDN, NPM, or a local installation, the process is straightforward.
Step 1: Obtain Your License Key
The first step is getting your hands on a license key file. Here's how:
- Trial Users: If you're new to Kendo UI for jQuery, sign up for a free 30-day trial on the Telerik website. Once registered, log in to your Telerik account.
- Existing Customers: If you've purchased a license or renewed your subscription, head to the "Your Account" dashboard.
From there:
- Navigate to the License Keys page.
- Click the Download License Key button in the License Key banner.
- Save the file, now named
telerik-license.txt(note: prior to 2025 Q1, it waskendo-ui-license.txt—this change reflects the unified licensing across Telerik products).
This file is unique to your account and tied to your trial or commercial license. Keep it secure, but don't worry about it being a secret—it's meant to be included in your project.
Step 2: Add the License Key to Your Project
Next, you'll need to place the license key file in your application. The exact location depends on your project structure, but here are the most common spots:
- Root Directory: Place
telerik-license.txtin the root of your project (e.g., alongsideindex.htmlor your mainpackage.json). - Scripts Folder: If you organize scripts in a subdirectory (e.g.,
/scriptsor/assets), put it there.
For example:
/my-kendo-project
├── index.html
├── scripts/
│ ├── kendo.all.min.js
│ └── telerik-license.txt
└── package.jsonThe Kendo UI scripts will automatically detect and validate this file as long as it's in a recognizable location (root or a scripts folder).
Step 3: Reference the License in Your Application
How you reference the license depends on how you're including Kendo UI for jQuery in your project. Here are the main methods:
Using the Kendo UI CDN
If you're pulling Kendo UI from the CDN, add a <script> tag for the license file after the Kendo UI script reference. For example:
<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
<head>
<title>My Kendo UI App</title>
</head>
<body>
<!-- Kendo UI CDN script -->
<script src="https://kendo.cdn.telerik.com/2025.1.211/js/kendo.all.min.js"></script>
<!-- License file reference -->
<script src="./telerik-license.txt"></script>
<!-- Your app code -->
<script>
$(document).ready(function() {
$("#grid").kendoGrid({
dataSource: {
data: [{ name: "Jane", age: 30 }, { name: "John", age: 25 }],
schema: {
model: {
fields: {
name: { type: "string" },
age: { type: "number" }
}
}
}
},
columns: ["name", "age"]
});
});
</script>
<div id="grid"></div>
</body>
</html>Using NPM
If you've installed Kendo UI via NPM (npm install @progress/kendo-ui), you'll need to import the license file in your JavaScript code. Place telerik-license.txt in your project (e.g., /src), then reference it like this:
import '@progress/kendo-ui'; // Import Kendo UI
import './telerik-license.txt'; // Import the license file
$(document).ready(function() {
$("#grid").kendoGrid({
dataSource: {
data: [{ name: "Jane", age: 30 }, { name: "John", age: 25 }],
schema: {
model: {
fields: {
name: { type: "string" },
age: { type: "number" }
}
}
}
},
columns: ["name", "age"]
});
});For ECMAScript modules, add type="module" to your script tags if referencing via HTML:
<script src="https://kendo.cdn.telerik.com/2025.1.211/js/kendo.all.min.js" type="module"></script>
<script src="./telerik-license.txt" type="module"></script>Local Installation
If you downloaded the commercial bundle from Telerik and are hosting the scripts locally, simply include the license file after your Kendo UI script reference, similar to the CDN approach.
Step 4: Activate the License (NPM Only)
For NPM installations, there's an additional step to activate the license. Run this command in your terminal from your project directory:
npx kendo-ui-license activateThis command ensures the license is registered with your @progress/kendo-ui package. You only need to run it once per project, though you'll need to update the license file (and possibly re-run this command) when adopting newer releases.
Step 5: Verify It Works
Load your application in a browser. Open the developer console (F12) and check for any licensing-related warnings. If everything's set up correctly, you won't see watermarks, banners, or messages like "No license found." Instead, your Kendo UI components—like the Grid, Chart Wizard, or new OTP Input—will render smoothly.
Automating Licensing (Optional)
If you're installing or upgrading via Telerik's tools (e.g., the Control Panel, Visual Studio extensions, or VS Code Productivity Tools), the licensing process can be even easier. These tools automatically download your license key and store it in your home directory (e.g., ~/.telerik-license.txt on Unix-based systems or %USERPROFILE%\.telerik-license.txt on Windows). Once stored, it's available for all projects on your machine—no need to manually add it each time.
Troubleshooting Tips
- Watermark or Warning Appears: Double-check that
telerik-license.txtis in the right location and referenced correctly. For NPM, ensure you've run the activation command. - File Name Confusion: If you're upgrading from a pre-2025 Q1 project, replace any old
kendo-ui-license.txtwith the newtelerik-license.txt. - Need Help?: Telerik offers support for trialists and license holders via their support system. You can also check the official documentation for more details.
What's New in 2025 Q1?
Now that your license is set up, you can explore the latest goodies in the 2025 Q1 release. Highlights for Kendo UI for jQuery include:
- Chart Wizard: Easily create charts from grids or external data sources.
- OTP Input: Add secure one-time password fields to your forms.
- Responsive UI Updates: Enhanced adaptability in components like Toolbar and TabStrip.
These features, paired with the robust licensing system, make this release a powerhouse for modern web development.
Final Thoughts
Implementing the Kendo UI for jQuery licensing for the 2025 Q1 release is a breeze once you know the steps. Whether you're a trial user experimenting with the library or a seasoned developer upgrading your project, this unified licensing approach ensures compliance while keeping your focus on building awesome applications. So, grab your license key, follow the steps above, and start leveraging the full power of Kendo UI for jQuery today!
Have questions or run into issues? Drop a comment below or reach out to Telerik's support team. Happy coding!