SQL Server Docker Licence Lint (MSSQL_PID)
Checks the mcr.microsoft.com/mssql/server containers in your docker-compose files, Kubernetes YAML and Dockerfiles for SQL Server licence gaps, and prints the list-price exposure next to each one.
Measured on the sample compose file shipped with this extension: an 8-core production container with MSSQL_PID unset: $60,492 Enterprise or $15,780 Standard.
Web version and rule notes: https://getreadystack.com/tools/mssql-container-licence-lint
Why this exists
The official image reads its edition from one environment variable. Docker Hub documents it as MSSQL_PID (default: Developer). Leave it out, and a production database quietly runs an edition that Microsoft licenses for development and test only. Code assistants copy the docker run example from the documentation, which sets MSSQL_PID='Developer', straight into production compose files. A licence audit counts the cores that container could use.
What it checks (13 rules)
| Rule |
What it flags |
Source |
| pid_unset |
image with no MSSQL_PID, so it runs Developer |
Docker Hub: MSSQL_PID (default: Developer) |
| pid_developer_prod |
Developer, StandardDeveloper or EnterpriseDeveloper in a file that says prod / production / live |
Microsoft editions page |
| pid_evaluation |
Evaluation edition |
Evaluation edition is available for 180 days |
| pid_web |
Web edition outside a hosting (SPLA) agreement |
Microsoft pricing page: Web is hosting only |
| pid_enterprise_legacy |
legacy Enterprise (Server + CAL) PID, capped at 20 cores |
Microsoft MSSQL_PID table |
| product_key_committed |
a #####-#####-#####-#####-##### key in the repository |
Microsoft MSSQL_PID table |
| core_minimum |
fewer than 4 CPUs on a paid edition: a 2-CPU Standard container is billed 4 core licences: $7,890 |
four core licences per virtual OSE |
| no_cpu_limit |
paid edition with no CPU limit: every host core must be licensed |
Microsoft 2022 pricing page |
| standard_core_cap |
Standard above 24 cores (2022) or 32 cores (2025): 40 CPUs on Standard 2022: 16 cores that do no work, $31,560 |
Microsoft editions page |
| express_core_cap |
Express above 4 cores (1,410 MB buffer pool, 50 GB database) |
Microsoft editions page |
| eula_missing |
no ACCEPT_EULA, so the container exits on start |
Microsoft environment variables page |
| tag_unpinned |
:latest or no tag, so edition limits can change under you |
2022 vs 2025 tables |
| pid_2025_only |
StandardDeveloper / EnterpriseDeveloper on a pre-2025 image |
Microsoft MSSQL_PID table |
Yardstick used for every dollar figure: SQL Server 2022 list price, Enterprise $15,123 and Standard $3,945 per 2-core pack. Cores are rounded up to 2-core packs with the 4-core minimum applied.
Worked example
services:
orders-db:
image: mcr.microsoft.com/mssql/server:2022-latest
environment:
- ACCEPT_EULA=Y
- ASPNETCORE_ENVIRONMENT=Production
deploy:
resources:
limits:
cpus: "8"
Result: pid_unset on line 3, with an 8-core production container with MSSQL_PID unset: $60,492 Enterprise or $15,780 Standard. Add MSSQL_PID=Standard (or EnterpriseCore) and the finding goes away. Pick the edition you actually own licences for.
Free and full version
Free, no key: Every finding and the per-container list-price exposure for the open file, in the editor and in the free web page, with no key.
Full version: Workspace sweep: every compose, Kubernetes and Dockerfile in the workspace checked at once, with a written Markdown report of each SQL Server container finding and its list-price exposure, ready to hand to a licence auditor. One licence key per person or team seat, $29 once: https://buy.polar.sh/polar_cl_DzCbdny3aDGMKFdMkOdguhRSGbgiNeZeNnCSh0b7UhV
Limits
This is a lint, not legal advice. It reads the files and has no view of your Microsoft agreement, Software Assurance or licence mobility rights. Treat every dollar figure as list-price exposure. What you actually owe depends on your agreement.
