---
title: "Record a deal"
description: "How to create a new deal write-up and save it into Autopilot."
source: "https://docs.aplt.ai/docs/record-a-deal"
updated: "2026-06-25T08:53:54.569+00:00"
product: Autopilot
content_type: documentation
---

# Record a deal

How to create a new deal write-up and save it into Autopilot.

Record a deal when a customer agrees to buy a vehicle. The write-up creates the deal record, then Autopilot keeps it in Drafts until the customer signature, deposit, and manager approval checks are complete.

## Where to find it

Use **Sales Log -> Sales log**, then choose **Add Deal**.

You can also open the full write-up from **Sales Log -> Drafts** when there are no drafts, or go directly to **/deals/new**.

## How it works

### 1. Choose the write-up mode

Autopilot has three write-up modes:

- **Quick**: capture the minimum details for a draft.
- **Customer write-up**: use the customer-safe version while the customer is with you.
- **Full**: use the full internal version with dealer-only fields your role can access.

You can switch modes while writing the deal.

### 2. Fill the required details

To save a new deal, Autopilot needs:

- **Customer name**
- **Vehicle make and model**

The form shows these required details near the top. Other fields depend on the dealership's form setup, your permissions, and the write-up mode.

### 3. Check the deal details

Add the details your team needs before review, such as:

- sales channel, department, vehicle condition, and draft date
- salesperson and business manager, if you can assign them
- customer and vehicle details
- pricing, deposit, promotions, add-ons, finance, trade-in, and delivery details
- special conditions and internal notes

Model catalogue, promotions, add-ons, lead sources, finance companies, and vehicle conditions feed into the write-up where they are configured.

### 4. Save the deal

Choose **Save deal** to create the deal.

Choose **Save & print** if you also need the printable write-up sheet.

After saving, Autopilot opens the deal page. From there, finish the checks that move the deal out of Drafts.

## Important details

### New deals usually start in Drafts

A saved write-up stays in Drafts until these checks are complete:

- **Customer signed**
- **Deposit paid**
- **Manager approved**

When all three checks are complete, the deal moves into the sales log and pipeline.

### Managers may save straight through

If your permissions allow manager sign-off and the required approval-rule details are already complete, a deal can save straight into the sold workflow.

### The form keeps a local draft while you type

When you start entering details, Autopilot keeps a local draft copy in the browser. Use **Save deal** to create the real deal record.

### Editing can reset approval

If a pending deal is edited under the dealership's approval settings, Autopilot warns that saving changes will send it back to Drafts and it will need to be submitted again.

## Troubleshooting

### The deal will not save

Check that the customer name and vehicle make and model are filled in.

### A field is missing

The available fields depend on the selected mode, dealership form setup, and your permissions. Switch to **Full** if you need internal fields and your role is allowed to see them.

### The deal saved but is not in the sales log

Open **Sales Log -> Drafts**. The deal is waiting for customer signed, deposit paid, or manager approved.