diff --git a/ViewModels/MainViewModel.License.cs b/ViewModels/MainViewModel.License.cs
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..fcf764a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/ViewModels/MainViewModel.License.cs
@@ -0,0 +1,162 @@
+using ytLive.Helpers;
+using ytLive.Services;
+
+namespace ytLive.ViewModels;
+
+public partial class MainViewModel
+{
+    // TASK 10 — Polar license validation
+    private string _licenseKey = string.Empty;
+    private string _licenseMessage = string.Empty;
+    private bool _isLicenseValidating;
+    private bool _isLicenseEntryOpen;
+    private static readonly TimeSpan OfflineGracePeriod = TimeSpan.FromDays(14);
+
+    /// <summary>True when the user holds a valid LlamaCasty license (Polar). When
+    /// false, the branding flash runs on every live stream.</summary>
+    private bool _isPremium;
+    public bool IsPremium
+    {
+        get => _isPremium;
+        private set
+        {
+            if (!SetProperty(ref _isPremium, value)) return;
+            // Flip the branding flash when premium state changes.
+            BrandFlashEnabled = !value;
+        }
+    }
+
+    // TASK 10 — license key entry
+    public string LicenseKey
+    {
+        get => _licenseKey;
+        set => SetProperty(ref _licenseKey, value);
+    }
+
+    public string LicenseMessage
+    {
+        get => _licenseMessage;
+        private set => SetProperty(ref _licenseMessage, value);
+    }
+
+    public bool IsLicenseValidating
+    {
+        get => _isLicenseValidating;
+        private set => SetProperty(ref _isLicenseValidating, value);
+    }
+
+    public bool IsLicenseEntryOpen
+    {
+        get => _isLicenseEntryOpen;
+        set
+        {
+            if (SetProperty(ref _isLicenseEntryOpen, value))
+                OnPropertyChanged(nameof(IsHubVisible));
+        }
+    }
+
+    /// <summary>The About hub is visible only when neither the licenses panel
+    /// nor the license entry panel is open.</summary>
+    public bool IsHubVisible => !IsLicensesOpen && !IsLicenseEntryOpen;
+
+    // ─── TASK 10 — Polar license validation ───
+
+    /// <summary>At startup, load the cached license state and re-validate online
+    /// if a key exists. If offline and within the 14-day grace period, the cached
+    /// premium state is trusted. If the grace period is exceeded, premium lapses.</summary>
+    private async Task ValidateLicenseAtStartupAsync()
+    {
+        var savedKey = _layoutStore.LoadLicenseKey();
+        if (string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(savedKey))
+        {
+            IsPremium = false;
+            return;
+        }
+
+        LicenseKey = savedKey;
+        var validatedAt = _layoutStore.LoadLicenseValidatedAt();
+        var cachedPremium = _layoutStore.LoadIsPremium();
+
+        // If the last validation was within the grace period, trust the cache
+        // while we attempt an online re-validation in the background.
+        if (validatedAt.HasValue && DateTime.UtcNow - validatedAt.Value < OfflineGracePeriod)
+        {
+            IsPremium = cachedPremium;
+        }
+
+        // Try an online check — if it succeeds, it overrides the cache.
+        try
+        {
+            var service = new PolarLicenseService();
+            var result = await service.ValidateAsync(savedKey);
+            if (result.IsValid)
+            {
+                IsPremium = true;
+                _layoutStore.SaveIsPremium(true);
+                _layoutStore.SaveLicenseValidatedAt(DateTime.UtcNow);
+            }
+            else
+            {
+                // Key revoked or expired — clear premium.
+                IsPremium = false;
+                _layoutStore.SaveIsPremium(false);
+                _layoutStore.SaveLicenseValidatedAt(DateTime.UtcNow);
+                AppLog.Write($"License validation failed: {result.Error}");
+                _notifications.Warning("Premium is no longer active",
+                    $"{result.Error} — watermark branding returns until the license is renewed.");
+            }
+        }
+        catch (Exception ex)
+        {
+            // Offline or network error — keep the cached state, log it.
+            AppLog.Write($"License re-validation skipped (offline?): {ex.Message}");
+            if (!validatedAt.HasValue || DateTime.UtcNow - validatedAt.Value >= OfflineGracePeriod)
+            {
+                IsPremium = false;
+                _layoutStore.SaveIsPremium(false);
+            }
+        }
+    }
+
+    /// <summary>Called from the Activate button in the About overlay. Validates
+    /// the entered key, persists it, and flips premium state.</summary>
+    private async Task ActivateLicenseAsync()
+    {
+        if (string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(LicenseKey)) return;
+
+        IsLicenseValidating = true;
+        LicenseMessage = "Validating\u2026";
+
+        try
+        {
+            var service = new PolarLicenseService();
+            var result = await service.ValidateAsync(LicenseKey);
+            if (result.IsValid)
+            {
+                IsPremium = true;
+                _layoutStore.SaveLicenseKey(LicenseKey.Trim());
+                _layoutStore.SaveIsPremium(true);
+                _layoutStore.SaveLicenseValidatedAt(DateTime.UtcNow);
+                LicenseMessage = "Premium activated! The watermark has been removed.";
+                AppLog.Write("License activated successfully");
+            }
+            else
+            {
+                IsPremium = false;
+                _layoutStore.SaveLicenseKey(null);
+                _layoutStore.SaveIsPremium(false);
+                LicenseMessage = result.Error ?? "Invalid license key.";
+                AppLog.Write($"License activation failed: {result.Error}");
+            }
+        }
+        catch (Exception ex)
+        {
+            LicenseMessage = $"Activation error: {ex.Message}";
+            AppLog.Write($"License activation error: {ex}");
+        }
+        finally
+        {
+            IsLicenseValidating = false;
+        }
+    }
+}
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/ViewModels/MainViewModel.cs b/ViewModels/MainViewModel.cs
index cd0ba3c..fdac296 100644
--- a/ViewModels/MainViewModel.cs
+++ b/ViewModels/MainViewModel.cs
@@ -173,13 +173,6 @@ public partial class MainViewModel : ViewModelBase
     // TASK 20 step 2 — hotkey bindings (custom chord per action)
     private Dictionary<HotkeyId, HotkeyChord> _hotkeyBindings = new();
 
-    // TASK 10 — Polar license validation
-    private string _licenseKey = string.Empty;
-    private string _licenseMessage = string.Empty;
-    private bool _isLicenseValidating;
-    private bool _isLicenseEntryOpen;
-    private static readonly TimeSpan OfflineGracePeriod = TimeSpan.FromDays(14);
-
     private const string SupportEmail = "gramps@llamachile.shop";
     // The creator-hub link targets (About overlay) — public so the hub's
     // integration test can assert they point at real destinations.
@@ -467,20 +460,6 @@ public partial class MainViewModel : ViewModelBase
     /// <summary>The global socials config (entries + bar settings), or null.</summary>
     public SocialsConfig? Socials => _socials;
 
-    /// <summary>True when the user holds a valid LlamaCasty license (Polar). When
-    /// false, the branding flash runs on every live stream.</summary>
-    private bool _isPremium;
-    public bool IsPremium
-    {
-        get => _isPremium;
-        private set
-        {
-            if (!SetProperty(ref _isPremium, value)) return;
-            // Flip the branding flash when premium state changes.
-            BrandFlashEnabled = !value;
-        }
-    }
-
     /// <summary>Canvas.Top for the social bar: 0 = top, 1040 = bottom (40px from the 1080 edge).</summary>
     public double SocialBarTop => _socials?.BarPosition == SocialBarPosition.Top ? 0 : 1040;
 
@@ -1511,39 +1490,6 @@ public partial class MainViewModel : ViewModelBase
         set => SetProperty(ref _featureRequestEmail, value);
     }
 
-    // TASK 10 — license key entry
-    public string LicenseKey
-    {
-        get => _licenseKey;
-        set => SetProperty(ref _licenseKey, value);
-    }
-
-    public string LicenseMessage
-    {
-        get => _licenseMessage;
-        private set => SetProperty(ref _licenseMessage, value);
-    }
-
-    public bool IsLicenseValidating
-    {
-        get => _isLicenseValidating;
-        private set => SetProperty(ref _isLicenseValidating, value);
-    }
-
-    public bool IsLicenseEntryOpen
-    {
-        get => _isLicenseEntryOpen;
-        set
-        {
-            if (SetProperty(ref _isLicenseEntryOpen, value))
-                OnPropertyChanged(nameof(IsHubVisible));
-        }
-    }
-
-    /// <summary>The About hub is visible only when neither the licenses panel
-    /// nor the license entry panel is open.</summary>
-    public bool IsHubVisible => !IsLicensesOpen && !IsLicenseEntryOpen;
-
     // Commands
     public ICommand AddSceneCommand { get; }
     public ICommand AddSourceCommand { get; }
@@ -1750,107 +1696,6 @@ public partial class MainViewModel : ViewModelBase
         AppLog.Write("MainViewModel ctor end");
     }
 
-    // ─── TASK 10 — Polar license validation ───
-
-    /// <summary>At startup, load the cached license state and re-validate online
-    /// if a key exists. If offline and within the 14-day grace period, the cached
-    /// premium state is trusted. If the grace period is exceeded, premium lapses.</summary>
-    private async Task ValidateLicenseAtStartupAsync()
-    {
-        var savedKey = _layoutStore.LoadLicenseKey();
-        if (string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(savedKey))
-        {
-            IsPremium = false;
-            return;
-        }
-
-        LicenseKey = savedKey;
-        var validatedAt = _layoutStore.LoadLicenseValidatedAt();
-        var cachedPremium = _layoutStore.LoadIsPremium();
-
-        // If the last validation was within the grace period, trust the cache
-        // while we attempt an online re-validation in the background.
-        if (validatedAt.HasValue && DateTime.UtcNow - validatedAt.Value < OfflineGracePeriod)
-        {
-            IsPremium = cachedPremium;
-        }
-
-        // Try an online check — if it succeeds, it overrides the cache.
-        try
-        {
-            var service = new PolarLicenseService();
-            var result = await service.ValidateAsync(savedKey);
-            if (result.IsValid)
-            {
-                IsPremium = true;
-                _layoutStore.SaveIsPremium(true);
-                _layoutStore.SaveLicenseValidatedAt(DateTime.UtcNow);
-            }
-            else
-            {
-                // Key revoked or expired — clear premium.
-                IsPremium = false;
-                _layoutStore.SaveIsPremium(false);
-                _layoutStore.SaveLicenseValidatedAt(DateTime.UtcNow);
-                AppLog.Write($"License validation failed: {result.Error}");
-                _notifications.Warning("Premium is no longer active",
-                    $"{result.Error} — watermark branding returns until the license is renewed.");
-            }
-        }
-        catch (Exception ex)
-        {
-            // Offline or network error — keep the cached state, log it.
-            AppLog.Write($"License re-validation skipped (offline?): {ex.Message}");
-            if (!validatedAt.HasValue || DateTime.UtcNow - validatedAt.Value >= OfflineGracePeriod)
-            {
-                IsPremium = false;
-                _layoutStore.SaveIsPremium(false);
-            }
-        }
-    }
-
-    /// <summary>Called from the Activate button in the About overlay. Validates
-    /// the entered key, persists it, and flips premium state.</summary>
-    private async Task ActivateLicenseAsync()
-    {
-        if (string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(LicenseKey)) return;
-
-        IsLicenseValidating = true;
-        LicenseMessage = "Validating\u2026";
-
-        try
-        {
-            var service = new PolarLicenseService();
-            var result = await service.ValidateAsync(LicenseKey);
-            if (result.IsValid)
-            {
-                IsPremium = true;
-                _layoutStore.SaveLicenseKey(LicenseKey.Trim());
-                _layoutStore.SaveIsPremium(true);
-                _layoutStore.SaveLicenseValidatedAt(DateTime.UtcNow);
-                LicenseMessage = "Premium activated! The watermark has been removed.";
-                AppLog.Write("License activated successfully");
-            }
-            else
-            {
-                IsPremium = false;
-                _layoutStore.SaveLicenseKey(null);
-                _layoutStore.SaveIsPremium(false);
-                LicenseMessage = result.Error ?? "Invalid license key.";
-                AppLog.Write($"License activation failed: {result.Error}");
-            }
-        }
-        catch (Exception ex)
-        {
-            LicenseMessage = $"Activation error: {ex.Message}";
-            AppLog.Write($"License activation error: {ex}");
-        }
-        finally
-        {
-            IsLicenseValidating = false;
-        }
-    }
-
     private static string DefaultLayoutPath => Path.Combine(
         Environment.GetFolderPath(Environment.SpecialFolder.ApplicationData),
         "ytLlive",
diff --git a/ViewModels/index.md b/ViewModels/index.md
index 5f9408e..08a6ebb 100644
--- a/ViewModels/index.md
+++ b/ViewModels/index.md
@@ -27,12 +27,15 @@ Progress (Commit N/12 · tag):
 - **Commit 1/12 · `refactor-commit-1`: Account landed** → `MainViewModel.Account.cs`
   (session restore `LoadSavedSessionAsync`, sign-in/out/change account,
   `IsConnected`/`AccountAvatarUrl`/`AccountDisplayName`/`AccountStatusLightToolTip`).
+- **Commit 2/12 · `refactor-commit-2`: License landed** → `MainViewModel.License.cs`
+  (Polar license state: `LicenseKey`/`LicenseMessage`/`IsLicenseValidating`/
+  `IsLicenseEntryOpen`/`IsHubVisible`/`IsPremium`, `OfflineGracePeriod`,
+  `ValidateLicenseAtStartupAsync`, `ActivateLicenseAsync`).
 
 - Core file keeps: fields, ctor, `Shutdown`/`SaveLayoutNow`/`ScheduleSave`/`LoadLayout`,
   `SetPanel`/`ShowOverlay`/`ShowLicenses`, `CreateBrush`, `OpenUrl`/`ComposeEmail`,
   `SubmitBug`/`SubmitFeature`, window-geometry pass-through.
-- Partials: `Account` ✔ (Commit 1), `License` (Polar key validation + `IsPremium`),
-  `Scenes` (scene catalog + hotkeys + transitions), `Background` (background model + screen
+- Partials: `Account` ✔ (Commit 1), `License` ✔ (Commit 2), `Scenes` (scene catalog + hotkeys + transitions), `Background` (background model + screen
   capture + display picker), `Webcam` (webcam identity + per-scene configs + captures),
   `Audio` (mic + game bars + TRAX), `Trax` (music player), `Socials` (social bar + dialog),
   `Streaming` (go-live/record + health + quality tiers + media source pipeline),