> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.autheo.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# License gating

> How x/licensedstaking enforces NFT license preconditions on all staking operations, including pre-checks and post-call hooks.

License gating is enforced by the `x/licensedstaking` module, which wraps the standard staking `MsgServer`. Every staking operation runs through a two-phase check: a pre-check that validates license state before the operation executes, and a post-call hook that updates license status afterward.

## Operation requirements

### MsgCreateValidator

Requires a Sovereign license in `BOUND` status on the validator address being created.

```bash theme={null}
autheod query license licenses-by-owner <cosmos-address>
```

### MsgEditValidator

Only the validator operator can edit. Requires a non-revoked Sovereign license on the operator address.

### MsgDelegate (self-delegation)

Requires an `ACTIVE` or `BOUND` Sovereign license on the delegator's own validator address.

### MsgDelegate (external delegation)

Requires a `BOUND` or `ACTIVE` Prime or Core license owned by the delegator, bound to the target validator.

### MsgUndelegate

No license pre-checks. Post-call logic handles delegation removal, implicit jails, and dust shares.

### MsgBeginRedelegate

<Warning>
  Redelegation is permanently disabled. Submitting `MsgBeginRedelegate` returns `ErrRedelegateDisabled`. Use undelegate followed by delegate instead.
</Warning>

### MsgCancelUnbondingDelegation

Restores `BOUND` licenses to `ACTIVE` if the delegation criteria are met after the post-call hook fires.

## License binding

To bind a license, the following conditions must all be true:

* License status is `ISSUED`
* The category policy permits the binding operation
* Any cooldown period from a prior unbind has elapsed

Sovereign licenses can only bind to the owner's own validator address.

```bash theme={null}
# Bind a Sovereign license
autheod tx license bind <license-id> \
  --from <owner-key> \
  --chain-id autheo_2127-1 \
  --keyring-backend file

# Bind a Prime or Core license to a specific validator
autheod tx license bind <license-id> \
  --validator-address <autheovaloper-address> \
  --from <owner-key> \
  --chain-id autheo_2127-1 \
  --keyring-backend file
```

## License transfers

Transfers are permitted only for `ISSUED` licenses when the category policy has `Transferable = true`. BOUND and ACTIVE licenses cannot be transferred directly — you must undelegate and unbind first.

## Governance operations

* **RevokeLicense** — Transitions the license to `REVOKED`, auto-undelegates the owner's stake (best-effort), jails the validator (for Sovereign revocations), and deletes the binding.
* **ReinstateLicense** — Restores a `REVOKED` license to `ISSUED`. Does not rebind, unjail, or restore delegation.

## Common errors

| Error                           | Cause                                      | Resolution                                            |
| ------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------ | ----------------------------------------------------- |
| `ErrLicenseAlreadyBound`        | License already bound                      | Unbind first, wait for cooldown                       |
| `ErrPolicyNotFound`             | No category policy configured              | Governance must submit `MsgUpsertLicensePolicy`       |
| `ErrNotInActiveValidatorSet`    | Target validator is jailed or unbonded     | Wait for unjail or choose a bonded validator          |
| `ErrDelegationStillActive`      | Active delegation blocks unbind            | Fully undelegate first                                |
| `ErrRedelegateDisabled`         | Redelegation blocked                       | Use undelegate then delegate                          |
| `ErrCannotBindToOtherValidator` | Sovereign license bound to wrong validator | Sovereign licenses bind only to owner's own validator |
| `ErrCooldownNotElapsed`         | Cooldown after unbind still active         | Wait until cooldown duration elapses                  |