Create a case

To create a case, open Cases and press New case (Today has the same button). Add each client's name and email, name the case, pick a template, and press Create case. BetterDocket creates the client records, builds the case shell, and queues a portal invite to every client who doesn't have access yet.

Add the clients

A case starts with at least one client — a Client name and Client email. Press Add client to put several people on the same case; each gets their own portal access, and their messages and unread state stay private from one another.

Get the email right: portal access links by email match, and a client record's email can't be changed later (names can). If a client already exists in your firm's directory with that email, BetterDocket reuses the record instead of creating a duplicate.

Name it and pick a template

The Case name shows everywhere the case appears, including the client portal — "Ellis v. Acme" beats an internal file number. The Case template select offers Blank case (no template) plus every published template as name (v#). If the list is empty, build a template first in settings — or start blank and add phases as you go.

A template only seeds the case: the case takes its own copy of the phases and tasks at creation. Editing the template later never reaches into cases that already exist.

What happens when you press Create case

• The case shell appears with its phases and tasks in place.
• Every client without a portal account is queued an invite email — no separate "send invite" step. See Get a client into their portal for what they receive and how to resend.
• The case joins your Today queue and the Cases list.

Creating a case requires a connection — it's one of the few things that won't queue offline.

After creation

Open the case and work the tabs: post the first status update, add document requests, and set the primary phase on the Overview so the client's tracker starts in the right place.