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

# Create an Invoice

> Step-by-step guide to creating and sending invoices to your customers on Bila.

Create invoices from the Product Store, add customer details and line items, then save as draft or send immediately.

***

## Prerequisites

Before you begin, make sure you have:

* An active Bila business account with the **Product Store** enabled
* Your customer's name, email, and phone number
* At least one product in your catalogue (or a custom line item ready)

***

## Step 1: Open the Invoices Page

1. Click **Product Store** in the left sidebar.
2. Select the **Invoices** tab at the top.

You will see a summary card showing today's outstanding balance and a table of all your invoices. Use the search bar to find invoices by number, customer name, email, or phone. Toggle **Due only** to show invoices with an outstanding balance.

***

## Step 2: Start a New Invoice

Click **New invoice**. The next invoice number is assigned automatically (e.g. `INV-2026-0001`).

### Customer details

Fill in the required fields:

| Field       | Required | Notes                                                        |
| ----------- | -------- | ------------------------------------------------------------ |
| **Name**    | Yes      | Customer's full name                                         |
| **Email**   | Yes      | Used to send the invoice                                     |
| **Phone**   | Yes      | Used for the mobile money payment prompt (e.g. `0976731006`) |
| **Address** | No       | Street address for the billing record                        |
| **City**    | No       | Customer's city (e.g. `Lusaka`)                              |
| **Country** | No       | Select from dropdown (e.g. `Zambia`)                         |

***

## Step 3: Add Line Items

Add what you are billing for:

* **+ Add product** pulls in a product from your catalogue with its image, name, description, and price
* **+ Custom line** adds a one-off item with a custom name and amount

Each line item has **Qty**, **Unit price**, and an optional **Discount %** applied per item.

***

## Step 4: Review Totals

The totals section calculates automatically:

| Field                | Notes                                              |
| -------------------- | -------------------------------------------------- |
| **Subtotal**         | Sum of all line items after per-item discounts     |
| **Invoice discount** | Flat discount on the entire invoice (default: `0`) |
| **Tax (16%)**        | Default tax rate of 16%, configurable in settings  |
| **Shipping**         | Shipping charge if applicable (default: `0`)       |
| **Total**            | Final amount due in ZMW                            |

<Tip>
  Per-item discounts are applied before the subtotal. The invoice-level discount is then applied on top.
</Tip>

***

## Step 5: Set Invoice Details

| Field          | Notes                                    |
| -------------- | ---------------------------------------- |
| **Issue date** | Auto-filled with today's date            |
| **Due date**   | Defaults to 30 days from issue. Editable |
| **Currency**   | ZMW (set by default)                     |
| **Notes**      | Optional customer-facing notes           |
| **Terms**      | Optional payment terms                   |

***

## Step 6: Save or Send

| Action            | What it does                                        |
| ----------------- | --------------------------------------------------- |
| **Save as draft** | Saves without sending. Edit and send later          |
| **Save & Send**   | Saves and sends the invoice to the customer's email |
| **Cancel**        | Discards changes and returns to the list            |

<Info>
  You can always open a draft invoice later to edit and send it.
</Info>

***

## Next Steps

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="View and Manage" icon="file-lines" href="/docs/guide/invoices/view-and-manage">
    Open invoices, edit, duplicate, download PDF, or cancel.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Invoice Settings" icon="gear" href="/docs/guide/invoices/settings">
    Configure numbering, branding, defaults, and notifications.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>