MATLAB Batch Licensing Executable

June 29, 2026 · View on GitHub

MATLAB® batch licensing executable (matlab-batch) is a command line tool that starts MATLAB non-interactively using a batch licensing token and any MATLAB startup options. Specify a MATLAB statement to run as the final argument. matlab-batch requires a valid MATLAB executable.

The MATLAB batch licensing project is still in the pilot phase. To inquire about eligibility requirements, fill out this form on the MathWorks® website: Batch Licensing Pilot Eligibility.

Install MATLAB Batch Licensing Executable

You can install the MATLAB batch licensing executable either by using the installer script or by downloading it and setting it up manually.

The installer script sets up the MATLAB Batch Licensing Executable in a default location and adds it to your system path for easy command line access. It also allows you to install the executable in a preferred location.

Install MATLAB Batch Licensing Executable Using the Installer Script

On macOS, Linux®, and emulated Linux environments (Cygwin™, MinGW®, MSYS2) on Windows®, use the following commands to install matlab-batch:

curl -s 'https://raw.githubusercontent.com/mathworks-ref-arch/matlab-dockerfile/main/alternates/non-interactive/install/install-matlab-batch.sh' -o 'install-matlab-batch.sh'
sudo bash ./install-matlab-batch.sh

To install it in a custom location, such as /opt/my-custom-installs/, use this command:

sudo bash ./install-matlab-batch.sh -i '/opt/my-custom-location'

Note: the -i option accepts both absolute and relative paths.

On Windows, use the following commands to install matlab-batch in a PowerShell session with elevated permissions (you must start PowerShell with the "Run as Administrator" option):

Invoke-WebRequest -Uri 'https://raw.githubusercontent.com/mathworks-ref-arch/matlab-dockerfile/main/alternates/non-interactive/install/install-matlab-batch.ps1' -OutFile 'install-matlab-batch.ps1'
.\install-matlab-batch.ps1

To install it in a custom location, such as C:\Program Files\my-custom-location, use this command:

.\install-matlab-batch.ps1 -InstallLocation 'C:\Program Files\my-custom-location'

Note: the -InstallLocation option accepts both absolute and relative paths.

Download MATLAB Batch Licensing Executable and Install Manually

Linux

From a Linux terminal, use wget to download the latest version of matlab-batch.

wget https://ssd.mathworks.com/supportfiles/ci/matlab-batch/v1/glnxa64/matlab-batch

Grant the downloaded file executable permissions so that you can run matlab-batch.

chmod +x matlab-batch

Windows

From a Windows PowerShell command prompt, use Invoke-WebRequest to download the latest version of matlab-batch.

Invoke-WebRequest https://ssd.mathworks.com/supportfiles/ci/matlab-batch/v1/win64/matlab-batch.exe -OutFile matlab-batch.exe

macOS

From a macOS terminal, use curl to download the latest version of matlab-batch for your macOS architecture.

  • macOS (Intel processor)

    curl -L -o ~/Downloads/matlab-batch https://ssd.mathworks.com/supportfiles/ci/matlab-batch/v1/maci64/matlab-batch

  • macOS (Apple silicon processor)

    curl -L -o ~/Downloads/matlab-batch https://ssd.mathworks.com/supportfiles/ci/matlab-batch/v1/maca64/matlab-batch

matlab-batch is downloaded to your Downloads folder. Navigate to that folder.

cd ~/Downloads

Give the downloaded file executable permissions so that you can run matlab-batch.

chmod +x matlab-batch

Syntax

  • matlab-batch -licenseToken <token> <statement> starts MATLAB using the batch licensing token <token> and then runs the MATLAB statement <statement>. You can omit the -licenseToken argument if you specify the batch licensing token in the MLM_LICENSE_TOKEN environment variable. Example

  • matlab-batch -licenseToken <token> <option1> ... <optionN> <statement> specifies MATLAB start-up options using one or more option flags <optionX>. Example

  • matlab-batch <globalOption> specifies a global option <globalOption>, ignoring other input arguments. For example, you can show the help or the installed version of matlab-batch.

Note: Selecting the MATLAB executable to start

If the matlab-batch executable is in a folder containing a matlab (case-sensitive) executable, it starts that MATLAB. Otherwise, it starts the first MATLAB on your PATH environment variable.

Examples

Hello, World.

To execute a MATLAB statement, navigate to the folder containing the matlab-batch binary file and run the following command.

./matlab-batch -licenseToken "user@email.com::encodedToken" "disp('Hello, World.')"

You can also provide your MATLAB batch licensing token with the MLM_LICENSE_TOKEN environment variable.

export MLM_LICENSE_TOKEN="user@email.com::encodedToken"
./matlab-batch "disp('Hello, World.')"

Run MATLAB with Startup Options

To run MATLAB with any set of arguments, such as -logfile, execute:

./matlab-batch -licenseToken "user@email.com::encodedToken" -logfile "logfilename.log" "myscript"

To learn more, see the documentation: Commonly Used Startup Options.

Global Options

OptionDescriptionExample
-help or -hFlag for showing help.matlab-batch -help
-version or -vFlag for showing matlab-batch version.matlab-batch -version
-displayLicenseAgreementFlag for showing the software license.matlab-batch -displayLicenseAgreement
-display3pLicenseAgreementsFlag for showing the third-party software licenses.matlab-batch -display3pLicenseAgreements

Batch Options

OptionDescriptionExample
-licenseTokenMATLAB batch licensing token. Related environment variable: MLM_LICENSE_TOKEN.user@email.com::label::encodedToken, user@email.com::encodedToken

MATLAB Batch Licensing Token

MATLAB batch licensing tokens are strings that enable MATLAB to start in non-interactive environments. A token is a unique identifier that grants access to your MATLAB products.

MATLAB batch licensing tokens come in two formats:

  • user@email.com::encodedToken
  • user@email.com::label::encodedToken

These tokens can be used instead of, or in addition to, other types of licensing.

If your batch licensing token expires in less than 30 days, matlab-batch prints a warning message. To suppress this message, you can set the environment variable MW_DISABLE_TOKEN_EXPIRY_WARNING to 1. To continue using the token beyond the offline expiration date, you must connect to MathWorks online services when you use matlab-batch. MATLAB connects to these services automatically when online.

Limitations

  • R2020b is the oldest release that matlab-batch supports on Linux and macOS with Intel®.
  • R2021a is the oldest release that matlab-batch supports on Windows.
  • R2023b is the oldest release that matlab-batch supports on macOS with Apple silicon.
  • matlab-batch does not support MATLAB Engine APIs for Python®, Java®, .NET, COM, C, C++, and Fortran.
  • matlab-batch does not support startup scripts matlabrc.m or startup.m. To use a startup script, rename startup.m to, for example, startup_batch.m, and then run this command.
matlab-batch "startup_batch; custom_code"

Feedback and Support

To inquire about eligibility requirements for the MATLAB batch licensing pilot, fill out this form on the MathWorks website: Batch Licensing Pilot Eligibility.

For support, contact MathWorks Technical Support.

Changelog

v2026.06.1

  • Added: Support for MATLAB R2026b Prerelease.

v2026.05.0

  • Fixed: Unintended printing of "Sponsored Third Party" license text in the terminal.

v2026.04.0

  • Fixed: Unintended printing of "Sponsored Third Party" license text in generated code.

v2026.02.1

  • Added: Internal changes to support new token formats.

v2026.02.0

  • Fixed: Issues with invalid folder names.

v2025.11.1

  • Fixed: Compatibility with MATLAB R2026a Prerelease after recent updates.

v2025.11.0

  • Added: Support for MATLAB R2026a.

v2025.10.0

  • Added: Support for using tokens beyond their offline expiration date. Requires connection to MathWorks online services. MATLAB connects to these services automatically when online.

v2025.09.1

  • Added: Internal changes to support new token formats.

v2025.09.0

  • Added: Support for MATLAB R2025b.

v2025.08.0

  • Fixed: Error messaging and logging.

v2025.03.1

  • Added: Internal changes to support new token formats.

v2025.03.0

  • Added: Internal changes to support upcoming features.

v2025.01.0

  • Added: Support for MATLAB R2025a.

v2024.10.0

  • Fixed: Robustness of error reporting.

v2024.09.0

  • Fixed: Error reporting related to MATLAB shutdown.

v2024.07.0

  • Added: Internal changes to support upcoming features.

v2024.06.1

  • Added: Support for MATLAB R2024b.

v2024.06.0

  • Fixed: Error message on finding an unsupported old MATLAB release.
  • Added: Warning messages when matlab-batch will soon expire.

v2024.05.0

  • Added: Notification when matlab-batch requires redownloading.
  • Added: Trimming of whitespace from front and back of tokens.
  • Fixed: Robustness against poor network conditions.

v2024.02.1

  • Added: Support for macOS with Apple silicon.

v2024.02.0

  • Added: Support for MATLAB R2024a.
  • Added: Notifications when tokens are close to expiring.
  • Added: File details (including application version) integrated with Windows Explorer.
  • Fixed: matlab-batch supports Parallel Computing workflows.
  • Fixed: Improved ability to detect valid MATLAB installations.

v2023.10.1

  • Added: Support for MATLAB R2023b.

v2023.10.0

  • Added: Initial release.
  • Added: Support for MATLAB R2020b to R2023a.

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