# Creating a contract

> Write a photography contract in CoreHue from scratch or a template, link it to a client, booking or invoice, and get it ready for your client to sign.

Source: https://help.corehue.co/docs/contracts/creating-a-contract/

Create a contract for a contact, add your agreement and use variables to fill in available client, booking and invoice details. CoreHue checks for missing details before you send it.

## Start a new contract

1. Go to **Documents → Contracts** and choose **New contract**, or use the plus beside **Contracts** in the sidebar.
2. Under **Related to**, pick the contact, booking or inquiry this contract is for.
3. Optionally pick an **Invoice (optional)** to link, and set an **Expiry Date** if you want a deadline for signing.
4. Write the contract, or load a template (see below).
5. Choose **Save Draft** to keep working later, or **Save & Send** to move on to sending.

You can also start a contract from a contact, a booking or an inquiry. That way the **Related to** field is already filled.

### What the details card does

- **Related to** decides who the contract goes to and where the client variables get their values.
- **Invoice (optional)** is where the invoice variables (total, deposit, balance) get their values. **New invoice** at the bottom of the picker takes you off to create one, so save your draft first.
- **Expiry Date** is the last day your client can sign. Leave it empty for no deadline.

## Start from a template

1. Open **Actions** in the toolbar and choose **Start from template**.
2. Pick a template and choose **Use template**.

Loading a template replaces whatever is in the body and fields, so do it before you start writing. Your account comes with templates matched to your specialism, and **Templates → Contracts** has a library of more. See [Contract templates](/docs/templates/contract-templates).

Once loaded, the contract is its own document. Editing the template later won't change it.

## Write and format

The editor works like a simple word processor. Pick **Body**, **Heading 1**, **Heading 2** or **Heading 3** from the block menu, then use bold, italic, underline, highlight, lists, dividers, alignment and links as you need them.

Headings make a real difference. A client who can find the cancellation clause in five seconds is a client who actually reads it. Not sure what to include? [Writing a photography contract](/docs/guides/writing-a-photography-contract) has a section-by-section checklist.

## Add variables and blanks

Two buttons in the toolbar do the clever part:

- **Insert Variable** adds a variable that CoreHue fills in for you, like **Client Name**, **Booking Date** or **Invoice Total**.
- **Client Field** adds a blank your client fills in while signing, like the name of their day-of coordinator.

The blanks you add are listed under the contract body as **Client fields**, so you can see exactly what you're asking for. [Variables and blanks](/docs/contracts/smart-fields-and-blanks) has the full list and how each one is filled.

## Signing first (optional)

Some clients expect to see your signature on the contract before they add theirs. Once the contract is sent, open it and choose **Pre-sign** from its menu, then draw or type your signature. Your client sees it when they open the link, and the moment they sign, the contract is Completed with no counter-signing step. See [Counter-signing and completing a contract](/docs/contracts/counter-signing).

## Save it as a template

When you've written a contract you're happy with, open **Actions** and choose **Save as template**. Give it a title and a short description so you can find it later.

If you started from a template and improved it as you went, **Update source template** pushes your changes back to that template. It's only offered while you're writing a new contract.

## Numbering

CoreHue numbers contracts automatically, in order, as soon as you save the draft. Numbers are never reused.

## Before you send, read it as your client

Open the draft and read it top to bottom as if you were the client. Check that every variable makes sense for this job. If a variable has nothing to fill it, CoreHue stops the send and tells you which one and why, so nothing goes out with a gap. Then head to [Sending a contract for signature](/docs/contracts/sending-a-contract).

## Frequently asked questions

### Can I edit a contract after I've sent it?

Yes. You can edit a sent contract as long as nobody has signed it and it hasn't expired. CoreHue asks you to confirm first, keeps the earlier version as a private record, and only notifies your client if you choose **Save & send**. See [Sending a contract for signature](/docs/contracts/sending-a-contract).

### Can I make a copy of a contract for another client?

Yes. Open the contract and choose **Duplicate contract** from its menu to make a copy, then change **Related to**. For a contract you'll reuse often, save it as a template instead.

### Can I upload a PDF or Word contract?

No. CoreHue contracts are written in the contract editor so variables, blanks and signatures work. Paste your existing wording in, then add headings and variables.

### Can I delete a draft?

Yes. Open the draft contract and choose **Delete draft** from its menu. Sent contracts can't be deleted, but you can void one you no longer need.