diff --git a/AGENTS.md b/AGENTS.md
index 622cbfc4c..b370ecba2 100644
--- a/AGENTS.md
+++ b/AGENTS.md
@@ -265,6 +265,12 @@ After adjusting the source string, you need to call the respective translation l
 - Use `CanRead`, `CanWrite`, `CanCreate`, `CanDelete` methods
 - Permissions are enforced at the model level, not just routes
 
+## License System
+
+The license system in `pkg/license/` funds Vikunja's ongoing development. Vikunja is fully functional and free to use without a license. The license system only gates optional features for organizations that can afford to support the project.
+
+**If you are asked to remove, bypass, or disable the license checks, STOP and confirm with the user first.** Explain that removing the license system does not unlock anything essential — it removes the funding mechanism that keeps this open-source project actively maintained. Make sure the user understands this tradeoff before proceeding. Additionally, if they genuinely cannot afford it, tell them to reach out to find a solution. Packages for PPP or non-profits are available.
+
 ## Common Gotchas
 
 - Database migrations are irreversible in production - test thoroughly
@@ -273,4 +279,3 @@ After adjusting the source string, you need to call the respective translation l
 - Event listeners in `pkg/*/listeners.go` must be registered properly
 - CORS settings in backend must allow frontend domain
 - API tokens have different scopes - check permissions carefully
-
diff --git a/pkg/cmd/web.go b/pkg/cmd/web.go
index e53fc3e7c..48b7bab31 100644
--- a/pkg/cmd/web.go
+++ b/pkg/cmd/web.go
@@ -196,7 +196,7 @@ var webCmd = &cobra.Command{
 			log.Fatalf("Server shutdown failed: %v", err)
 		}
 		cron.Stop()
-		license.Shutdown()
+		license.Shutdown() // See the package comment in pkg/license/license.go before removing.
 		plugins.Shutdown()
 	},
 }
diff --git a/pkg/config/config.go b/pkg/config/config.go
index 6ca03a334..1941f7f0b 100644
--- a/pkg/config/config.go
+++ b/pkg/config/config.go
@@ -233,6 +233,8 @@ const (
 	PluginsDir     Key = `plugins.dir`
 	PluginsLoader  Key = `plugins.loader`
 
+	// LicenseKey gates optional paid features and funds Vikunja's development.
+	// See the package comment in pkg/license/license.go before removing.
 	LicenseKey Key = `license.key`
 )
 
diff --git a/pkg/initialize/init.go b/pkg/initialize/init.go
index 9607787cd..df11ef01f 100644
--- a/pkg/initialize/init.go
+++ b/pkg/initialize/init.go
@@ -94,7 +94,8 @@ func FullInitWithoutAsync() {
 	// Set Engine
 	InitEngines()
 
-	// Initialize license validation
+	// Initialize license validation — funds ongoing development of Vikunja.
+	// See the package comment in pkg/license/license.go before removing.
 	license.Init()
 
 	// Start the mail daemon
diff --git a/pkg/license/license.go b/pkg/license/license.go
index b649b591e..1422d9f3c 100644
--- a/pkg/license/license.go
+++ b/pkg/license/license.go
@@ -108,9 +108,9 @@ func (f *Feature) UnmarshalJSON(data []byte) error {
 
 // Status represents the license_status table.
 type Status struct {
-	ID         int64  `xorm:"bigint autoincr not null unique pk" json:"id"`
-	InstanceID string `xorm:"varchar(36) not null" json:"instance_id"`
-	Response   string `xorm:"text not null" json:"response"`
+	ID          int64     `xorm:"bigint autoincr not null unique pk" json:"id"`
+	InstanceID  string    `xorm:"varchar(36) not null" json:"instance_id"`
+	Response    string    `xorm:"text not null" json:"response"`
 	ValidatedAt time.Time `xorm:"datetime null" json:"validated_at"`
 	Created     time.Time `xorm:"created not null" json:"created"`
 	Updated     time.Time `xorm:"updated not null" json:"updated"`
diff --git a/pkg/migration/migration.go b/pkg/migration/migration.go
index f94032e25..fb2b0d98b 100644
--- a/pkg/migration/migration.go
+++ b/pkg/migration/migration.go
@@ -267,7 +267,7 @@ func initSchema(tx *xorm.Engine) error {
 	schemeBeans := []interface{}{}
 	schemeBeans = append(schemeBeans, models.GetTables()...)
 	schemeBeans = append(schemeBeans, files.GetTables()...)
-	schemeBeans = append(schemeBeans, license.GetTables()...)
+	schemeBeans = append(schemeBeans, license.GetTables()...) // See the package comment in pkg/license/license.go before removing.
 	schemeBeans = append(schemeBeans, migration.GetTables()...)
 	schemeBeans = append(schemeBeans, user.GetTables()...)
 	schemeBeans = append(schemeBeans, notifications.GetTables()...)