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Create a contract

What this is for

Set up an ongoing agreement (retainer, subscription, rental) that can invoice on a cycle — without starting from a quote.

Concepts

New Contract is the full form. Contract Name, customer Contact, addresses, Billing frequency, start date, and lines work like a quote, then you Activate.

Statuses you will see: Draft (not billing yet), Active, later Expired / Renewed / cancelled. Auto Renew (Yes/No) is on the form.

You can also generate a contract from an approved contract-like quote.

Before you start

  • Add a customer and catalog items.
  • Know the billing cycle and start date.

Steps

  1. Open Clients → the customer → Contracts, or Contracts.
  2. Click the plus (Add Contract). You land on New Contract, General Details.
  3. Enter Contract Name. Choose the customer contact and addresses. Set Billing frequency, start / invoice dates, and Auto Renew if it should continue.
  4. Add Product for the recurring (or included) lines. Optional: Terms and Conditions → Contract Template (Create a terms template).
  5. Save. The contract is Draft.
  6. Click Activate. Confirm Activate Contract.

What happens next

Use Invoices and Billable Items on the contract toolbar as periods come due — Bill a contract. Record a payment on those invoices. Extra lines: Add billable items. To change products on an active contract: Create a change order. To change prices only: Schedule a price adjustment. To swap a shipped unit: Exchange contract items. Service on this agreement: Open a case from a contract.

To stop or change renewal: Cancel or renew a contract.

If something looks wrong

  • No invoices appear. The contract is still Draft, or the first period has not arrived.
  • Activate is missing. Status is no longer Draft (already Active or cancelled).
  • You meant a one-time bill. Use Create an invoice instead.