Quick Start
This guide takes you from a new account to a contract out for signature. It takes about five minutes.
Step 1: Create Your Account
- Sign up with your name, email and a password. No credit card is needed.
- You'll be asked to create an organization. Click New Organization, enter a name and click Create.
Every new organization starts with a $5.00 credit, enough for 20 contracts at $0.25 each. You're only charged when you send a contract. Templates, drafts and test sends are free.
Step 2: Create Your First Template
Templates are reusable documents you create contracts from.
- Go to Templates and click Create Template
- Choose Blank Template. You can also start from the template library or import a Word document; see Creating Templates.
- Type a name in the title field at the top of the editor
- Write your document in Markdown on the Text tab. The preview on the right updates as you type.
Use {{variable_name}} placeholders for anything that changes per contract and for where the signer signs:
# Service Agreement
This agreement is between {{client_name}} and {{provider_name}}.
Services run from {{start_date}} to {{end_date}}.
Total fee: {{total_amount}}
**Client signature:** {{client_signature}}- Open the Variables tab to check each placeholder. Settings are guessed from the name:
{{client_signature}}becomes a Signature completed by the Signer, and the rest are filled in by you (the Creator) when you create a contract. - Click Save Changes
A template can't be saved until it has at least one signature field completed by the signer.
Step 3: Create a Contract
- Go to Contracts and click Create Contract
- Details: select your template, name the contract and set how many days signers have to sign (30 by default). Tick Send as a test to try the whole flow free: the signing email comes to you instead of the signer and the document is stamped TEST.
- Signers: enter each signer's name and email. Use Add Another Signer for more.
- Variables: fill in the values under Fill in now. Fields the signer completes are listed under Assign to signers. With one signer they're assigned automatically.
- Review: check the details and click Create Contract
The contract is saved as a Draft and its page opens.
Step 4: Send for Signature
- On the contract page, click Send for Signature
- Confirm with Send Contract. $0.25 is taken from your balance (nothing for a test contract).
Every signer is emailed their own signing link at the same time. They don't need an account.
Step 5: Track Progress
The contract page updates live as signers open and sign. The Activity list shows each event with its time, IP address and device.
| Status | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Draft | Created but not sent |
| Sent | Out for signature |
| Signed | Every signer has signed |
| Cancelled | You cancelled it |
When the last signer signs, the final PDF is generated and emailed to every signer and to your organization. You can also get it from Download PDF on the contract page.
Next Steps
- Template Variables - Field types and who fills in what
- Signing Process - What your signers see
- API Integration - Create and send contracts from your own code
- Webhooks - Get notified when contract status changes
Common Issues
Contract Won't Create or Send
- "Insufficient balance": add funds under Account → Billing
- "Document must contain at least one signature field": add a placeholder such as
{{client_signature}}and make sure it's set to Signature, completed by Signer, on the template's Variables tab - More than one signer: each signer needs their own signature field, assigned to them in the Variables step
Signers Can't Access the Contract
- Check spam/junk folders
- Confirm the email address on the contract
- Links stop working after the signing deadline. The deadline can't be extended, so create and send a new contract.
- Links also stop working once that signer has signed or the contract is cancelled
Need help? Contact support.