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

# Invoicing

> Create, send, and track invoices with built-in Stripe Connect payments

# Invoicing

Send professional invoices and get paid directly through dronelist.io. Invoicing is powered by Stripe Connect — your clients pay you, the platform handles payment processing, and you track everything in one place.

## Stripe Connect setup

Before you can send invoices, your organization needs to connect a Stripe account. This is a one-time setup.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Go to Settings">
    Navigate to **Settings > Integrations** and find **Stripe Connect**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Start onboarding">
    Click **Connect with Stripe**. You'll be redirected to Stripe's onboarding flow.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Complete verification">
    Stripe will ask for business details, bank account information, and identity verification. This is required for regulatory compliance.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Return to dronelist">
    Once complete, you'll be redirected back. Your Stripe Connect status will show as connected in [Settings](/docs/features/settings).
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Creating an invoice

You can create invoices in two ways:

### From a project

Open any [Project](/docs/features/projects) and click **Create Invoice**. If the project has an accepted [Proposal](/docs/features/proposals), the invoice will auto-populate line items from the proposal's services — descriptions, quantities, and rates are carried over. You can still edit them before sending.

### Standalone

Navigate to **Invoices** and click **New Invoice**. You'll start with a blank draft and add line items manually.

***

## Editing a draft

Draft invoices are fully editable. Changes are autosaved as you work.

### Client information

| Field            | Description                          |
| ---------------- | ------------------------------------ |
| **Client name**  | The name that appears on the invoice |
| **Client email** | Where the invoice will be sent       |

### Line items

Each line item includes:

| Field           | Description                                         |
| --------------- | --------------------------------------------------- |
| **Description** | What the service or deliverable is                  |
| **Quantity**    | Number of units (supports decimals, e.g. 1.5 hours) |
| **Unit price**  | Price per unit in USD                               |

Add as many line items as needed. The subtotal updates automatically.

### Payment terms

Invoices default to **Net 30** (due 30 days after sending). The due date is set automatically when you send the invoice.

***

## Invoice lifecycle

Invoices move through a linear lifecycle. Only one transition is manual — the rest are handled automatically by Stripe webhooks.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Draft">
    The invoice is being prepared. Edit line items, client info, and review the total. Not yet visible to the client.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Open (Sent)">
    You've clicked **Send**. The invoice is created in Stripe, and a payment link is emailed to the client. Waiting for payment.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Paid">
    The client has paid. Stripe notifies dronelist via webhook, and the status updates automatically. Funds are deposited to your connected bank account.
  </Step>
</Steps>

### Other statuses

| Status            | Description                                                                                                                                            |
| ----------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
| **Void**          | You cancelled the invoice after sending. This is the only manual transition available — click the status badge on an open invoice and select **Void**. |
| **Uncollectible** | Stripe has marked the invoice as uncollectible (e.g. repeated failed payment attempts). This is set automatically.                                     |

### Status summary

| Status            | Meaning          | Set by            |
| ----------------- | ---------------- | ----------------- |
| **Draft**         | Being prepared   | You (on creation) |
| **Sent**          | Awaiting payment | You (on send)     |
| **Paid**          | Payment received | Stripe (webhook)  |
| **Void**          | Cancelled        | You (manual)      |
| **Uncollectible** | Payment failed   | Stripe (webhook)  |

***

## Platform fees

dronelist.io charges a small platform fee on each invoice, deducted automatically from the payment. The fee depends on your subscription plan:

| Plan         | Platform fee |
| ------------ | ------------ |
| **Starter**  | 0.5%         |
| **Pro**      | 0.25%        |
| **Business** | 0%           |

The fee percentage is recorded on each invoice at the time of creation, so upgrading your plan applies to future invoices only.

<Note>
  Standard Stripe processing fees (typically 2.9% + 30 cents) apply in addition to the platform fee. These are charged by Stripe, not dronelist.
</Note>

***

## Payment tracking

Once an invoice is sent, payment tracking is fully automatic:

1. **Client receives email** with a Stripe-hosted payment link
2. **Client pays** using credit card, bank transfer, or other Stripe-supported methods
3. **Webhook fires** — dronelist receives the payment confirmation from Stripe
4. **Invoice updates** to **Paid** status automatically
5. **Funds transfer** to your connected bank account per your Stripe payout schedule

You can view the Stripe-hosted invoice directly from the invoice detail page using the **View in Stripe** action.

***

## Invoice detail page

Click any invoice to see its full details:

* **Line items** — All items with quantities, rates, and totals
* **Client info** — Who the invoice is for
* **Status** — Current lifecycle stage with status badge
* **Stripe tab** — Direct link to the invoice on Stripe, payment status, and transaction details
* **Sidebar** — Summary with key dates, totals, and linked project

### Navigation

Use the arrow buttons to move between invoices without returning to the list. The invoice number and status are always visible in the header.

***

## Tips

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Start from proposals whenever possible">
    Creating an invoice from a [Project](/docs/features/projects) that has an accepted [Proposal](/docs/features/proposals) saves time — line items are pre-populated from the proposal's services. You can always adjust before sending.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Review the Stripe tab for payment details">
    The Stripe tab on the invoice detail page gives you direct access to the Stripe dashboard for that invoice — useful for checking payout status or handling disputes.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Track profitability alongside invoicing">
    Paid invoices feed into [Profitability](/docs/features/profitability) calculations. The more consistently you invoice through dronelist, the more accurate your profit analysis becomes.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Void instead of delete">
    Once an invoice is sent, you can't delete it — but you can void it. Voided invoices remain in your records for audit purposes.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>