> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://nobraintools.gitbook.io/maya-groomers-tool/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://nobraintools.gitbook.io/maya-groomers-tool/getting-started/installation-studio/xgt-refresher.md).

# XGT Refresher

## What is it?

Maya Groomer’s Tool requires periodic online license re-validation. Depending on your subscription period, it will connect to Groomer's Tool's server and do that automatically. With the basic Studio Installation, it assumes artists working in a studio can access the internet from their Maya and have read/"**write"** permission to the `license.json` in the `xgtc` folder you installed).

In stricter environments, that isn’t always the case. Artists may have limited internet access and studios may prefer centralized control of licensing to keep files organized. This guide outlines an alternative to accommodate those policies.

{% hint style="info" %}
**Let Artist Machine Validate On Re-Check Days:**

* If artist machines have internet access and the central `license.json` is **writable**, no extra steps are needed. The first artist who opens the tool when a re-check is due will auto-validate and update the shared file. You can skip this page.
  {% endhint %}

<figure><img src="/files/heRPL6FLWAVJ10DNanVQ" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

***XGT Refresher is only avaliable for "Studio License Tier 1 and Tier 2"***

## Do We Need the XGT Refresher?

You will ***need*** the XGT Refresher if:

* Studio is an **Offline** environment - artists do not have access to external internet, or
* **Prefer central license** diployment - if you like to have the `xgtc` folder be stored in a central location where artist can connect, and keeping  `xgtc` folder is 'read-only'.

***

You will need:&#x20;

1. **XGT Refresher files** - Py3.7, Py3.9, Py3.10, Py3.11 , Py3.13 versions of the `XGT_Refresher` are available from your download page.&#x20;
2. **A Refresher machine** - an IT controlled machine, that allows external internet access.&#x20;

Using the `XGT_Refresher`, the "refresher machine" can run a different OS than the artists’ machines; it simply rewrites the central shared `license.json` in the xgtc folder on activation, and on re-check days.

***

## Setting Up the XGT Refresher

* Know the **Python** version your refresher machine can run with.&#x20;
* **Download** the refresher bundle (with the same **Python** version and **OS** build that matches your refresher machine). The files are located under a folder called "XGT Refresher" in your download page.

{% hint style="info" %}
For the XGT Refresher, you do not need to use the same Python version as the Groomer's Tool package (xgtc). You can download any XGT Refresher Py version as long as your refresher machine has that Python version installed.
{% endhint %}

* Unzip/Unpack, you will see a  `xgt_refresher` folder
* If you put Groomer's Tool's `xgtc` folder in:

```
D:/Studio/share/2025/xgtc/
```

* Create another folder and put the `xgt_refresher` folder in there. ***Do not put the xgt\_refresher folder inside the xgtc folder.***

```
D:/Studio/xgt_refresher/
```

* Example Folder Structure with two different Groomer's Tool versions (2023/2025), and the XGT Refresher:

{% code expandable="true" %}

```
D:/Studio/share/
    --2023/xgtc/ #### <Groomer's Tool for Maya 2023>
    --2025/xgtc/ #### <Groomer's Tool for Maya 2025>
D:/Studio/
    --xgt_refresher/
        --pyarmor_runtime_009008/
        --xgt_license_refresh.pyc
        --xgt_license_core.pyc
        --xgt_refresher.pyc
        --xgt_refresher_targets.json *
        (* Appears when a json file is added to the refresher, see below)
```

{% endcode %}

* Make sure your *refresher machine* has **internet** access and **read**/**write** access to `.../xgtc/license.json`&#x20;

***