diff --git a/scripts/grant-nook-license.ts b/scripts/grant-nook-license.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..ad9cfc9
--- /dev/null
+++ b/scripts/grant-nook-license.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,28 @@
+import { nookSchemaBootstrap, grantLicense } from "~/server/nook";
+
+// Mint a free The Nook license (gifting / comps). Defaults to 1 device.
+//
+//   bun --env-file=.env scripts/grant-nook-license.ts \
+//     --email friend@example.com [--devices 1]
+
+const arg = (name: string) => {
+  const i = process.argv.indexOf(`--${name}`);
+  return i === -1 ? undefined : process.argv[i + 1];
+};
+
+const email = arg("email");
+const devices = Number(arg("devices") ?? "1");
+
+if (!email || !/^[^@\s]+@[^@\s]+\.[^@\s]+$/.test(email)) {
+  console.error(
+    "Usage: bun --env-file=.env scripts/grant-nook-license.ts --email you@example.com [--devices 1]"
+  );
+  process.exit(1);
+}
+
+await nookSchemaBootstrap;
+const { key } = await grantLicense(email, devices);
+
+console.log(`Granted The Nook license for ${email} (${devices} device(s)):`);
+console.log(key);
+console.log("Send it to them; they enter it in Settings > License.");
diff --git a/src/routes/api/the-nook/activate.ts b/src/routes/api/the-nook/activate.ts
index 88e9ac8..36aa2f9 100644
--- a/src/routes/api/the-nook/activate.ts
+++ b/src/routes/api/the-nook/activate.ts
@@ -39,13 +39,18 @@ export async function POST(event: APIEvent) {
   const conn = NookConnectionFactory();
 
   const licenseRes = await conn.execute({
-    sql: "SELECT id, email, revoked FROM licenses WHERE key = ?",
+    sql: "SELECT id, email, revoked, max_devices FROM licenses WHERE key = ?",
     args: [key]
   });
   if (licenseRes.rows.length === 0) {
     return error("License not found", 404);
   }
-  const license = licenseRes.rows[0] as { id: string; email: string; revoked: number };
+  const license = licenseRes.rows[0] as {
+    id: string;
+    email: string;
+    revoked: number;
+    maxDevices: number;
+  };
   if (license.revoked === 1) {
     return error("License revoked", 403);
   }
@@ -67,8 +72,8 @@ export async function POST(event: APIEvent) {
   }
 
   const count = await activeCount(conn, license.id);
-  if (count >= 3) {
-    return error("Activation limit reached (3 devices)", 409);
+  if (count >= license.maxDevices) {
+    return error(`Activation limit reached (${license.maxDevices} devices)`, 409);
   }
 
   await conn.execute({
diff --git a/src/server/nook.ts b/src/server/nook.ts
index 54ee41c..59e5fb6 100644
--- a/src/server/nook.ts
+++ b/src/server/nook.ts
@@ -37,9 +37,19 @@ export const nookSchemaBootstrap: Promise<unknown> = (async () => {
       email TEXT NOT NULL,
       stripe_session_id TEXT UNIQUE NOT NULL,
       created_at TEXT NOT NULL,
-      revoked INTEGER NOT NULL DEFAULT 0
+      revoked INTEGER NOT NULL DEFAULT 0,
+      max_devices INTEGER NOT NULL DEFAULT 3
     )
   `);
+  const licenseCols = await conn.execute(`PRAGMA table_info(licenses)`);
+  const hasMaxDevices = licenseCols.rows.some(
+    (r) => (r as { name?: string }).name === "max_devices"
+  );
+  if (!hasMaxDevices) {
+    await conn.execute(
+      `ALTER TABLE licenses ADD COLUMN max_devices INTEGER NOT NULL DEFAULT 3`
+    );
+  }
   await conn.execute(`
     CREATE TABLE IF NOT EXISTS activations (
       id TEXT PRIMARY KEY,
@@ -87,15 +97,13 @@ export function verifyLicenseKey(key: string): boolean {
 }
 
 /**
- * Issues a license key for a completed Stripe checkout session.
- *
- * Caller is responsible for the uniqueness/idempotency of `stripeSessionId`
- * (the `licenses.stripe_session_id` column is UNIQUE; the webhook catches the
- * conflict and skips re-emailing).
+ * Signs and stores a license row. Purchase licenses cap at 3 devices; gift
+ * licenses (via `grantLicense`) cap at 1 unless overridden.
  */
-export async function issueLicense(
+async function insertLicense(
   email: string,
-  stripeSessionId: string
+  stripeSessionId: string,
+  maxDevices: number
 ): Promise<IssueLicenseResult> {
   const id = crypto.randomUUID();
   const payload = JSON.stringify({
@@ -106,9 +114,36 @@ export async function issueLicense(
   });
   const key = `${payload}.${signPayload(payload)}`;
   await NookConnectionFactory().execute({
-    sql: `INSERT INTO licenses (id, key, email, stripe_session_id, created_at, revoked)
-          VALUES (?, ?, ?, ?, ?, 0)`,
-    args: [id, key, email, stripeSessionId, new Date().toISOString()]
+    sql: `INSERT INTO licenses (id, key, email, stripe_session_id, created_at, revoked, max_devices)
+          VALUES (?, ?, ?, ?, ?, 0, ?)`,
+    args: [id, key, email, stripeSessionId, new Date().toISOString(), maxDevices]
   });
   return { key, id };
 }
+
+/**
+ * Issues a license key for a completed Stripe checkout session (3 devices).
+ *
+ * Caller is responsible for the uniqueness/idempotency of `stripeSessionId`
+ * (the `licenses.stripe_session_id` column is UNIQUE; the webhook catches the
+ * conflict and skips re-emailing).
+ */
+export async function issueLicense(
+  email: string,
+  stripeSessionId: string
+): Promise<IssueLicenseResult> {
+  return insertLicense(email, stripeSessionId, 3);
+}
+
+/**
+ * Mints a free license outside the Stripe flow (gifting / comps).
+ *
+ * `stripe_session_id` holds a `gift:<uuid>` sentinel so the UNIQUE NOT NULL
+ * constraint is satisfied. Defaults to a 1-device cap.
+ */
+export async function grantLicense(
+  email: string,
+  maxDevices = 1
+): Promise<IssueLicenseResult> {
+  return insertLicense(email, `gift:${crypto.randomUUID()}`, maxDevices);
+}