> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.lynkacrm.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Create an invoice

> Create a customer invoice from the right sales or quote context, add lines and tax, and understand the difference between saving, posting, and payment.

An invoice records what you are billing the customer. It is downstream of the sales outcome and quote decision, but it is still separate from payment and Accounting posting.

## Create from the right source

Where the workflow allows it, create the invoice from the accepted quote or related deal so customer, product, currency, and commercial context stay connected.

If you create an invoice directly, make sure it still links to the correct customer and sales relationship when that context exists.

## Build the invoice

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open Invoices">Go to **Agreements > Invoices**.</Step>
  <Step title="Create the invoice">Start the invoice builder or use the create action from the related quote or deal.</Step>
  <Step title="Choose the customer">Confirm the company or customer being billed.</Step>
  <Step title="Add invoice lines">Add the products or services, quantities, prices, and descriptions.</Step>
  <Step title="Review discounts, tax, and currency">Confirm the commercial calculations before posting or sending.</Step>
  <Step title="Set dates and terms">Complete the invoice date, due date, terms, notes, and any other available document details.</Step>
  <Step title="Save">Save the invoice. Saving does not automatically mean the invoice has been posted to Accounting or paid.</Step>
</Steps>

## Three different states to keep separate

**Document state** describes where the invoice is in its commercial lifecycle.

**Posting state** describes whether the Accounting consequence has been created.

**Settlement state** describes whether cleared payments and refunds have settled the balance.

Keeping those separate is why an invoice can be issued but unpaid, or paid after it was already posted.

## Cost and fulfillment

For stocked products, invoicing does not by itself prove inventory cost has been recognized. Product margin can wait for posted fulfillment lines before treating stocked COGS as complete.

## Permissions and plan gates

Invoice creation requires invoice access such as `invoice.create`. Posting, management, void, refund, and all-record viewing are separate permissions. Invoice posting also depends on the workspace entitlement, so a visible create feature does not guarantee the user can post to Accounting.

## Related articles

* [Post an invoice to Accounting](/product/agreements/invoices/post-invoice)
* [Record an invoice payment](/product/agreements/invoices/record-payment)
* [Void or refund an invoice](/product/agreements/invoices/void-refund)