Quick Start Guide

This guide will help you get started with HotCRM quickly. You'll learn how to create your first lead, convert it to an opportunity, and track it through the sales pipeline.

Prerequisites

Make sure you have installed HotCRM and the development server is running.

Step 1: Access the Dashboard

Open your browser and navigate to:

http://localhost:3000

You should see the HotCRM Sales Dashboard with KPI cards showing:

• Monthly Revenue
• Active Opportunities
• Win Rate
• Pipeline Value

Step 2: Create Your First Lead

Using the UI

1. Navigate to Leads from the main menu

2. Click New Lead

3. Fill in the lead information:

   • Name: John Doe
   • Company: Acme Corporation
   • Email: john.doe@acme.com
   • Phone: +1-555-0123
   • Source: Website
   • Status: New

4. Click Save

Using ObjectQL (Developer Mode)

import { db } from '@hotcrm/core';

const newLead = await db.doc.create('Lead', {
  FirstName: 'John',
  LastName: 'Doe',
  Company: 'Acme Corporation',
  Email: 'john.doe@acme.com',
  Phone: '+1-555-0123',
  LeadSource: 'Website',
  Status: 'New'
});

console.log('Lead created:', newLead.Id);

Step 3: View Lead Scoring

HotCRM automatically calculates a lead score based on:

• Data completeness
• Engagement level
• Company information

View the AI-generated lead score (0-100) in the lead detail page.

Step 4: Convert Lead to Opportunity

When a lead is qualified and ready for sales:

1. Open the lead record
2. Click Convert Lead
3. This will create:
   • An Account (Acme Corporation)
   • A Contact (John Doe)
   • An Opportunity (linked to the account)

Step 5: Manage the Opportunity

Update Opportunity Stage

Track your opportunity through the 7-stage sales pipeline:

1. 🔍 Prospecting (10% probability)
2. 📞 Qualification (20%)
3. 💡 Needs Analysis (40%)
4. 📊 Proposal (60%)
5. 💰 Negotiation (80%)
6. ✅ Closed Won (100%)
7. ❌ Closed Lost (0%)

Add Activities

Log your sales activities:

await db.doc.create('Activity', {
  Type: 'Call',
  Subject: 'Discovery Call with John Doe',
  Description: 'Discussed their requirements for CRM system',
  Status: 'Completed',
  RelatedTo: opportunityId,
  DurationMinutes: 30
});

Step 6: Create a Quote

Configure a quote for your opportunity:

1. Navigate to the opportunity
2. Click New Quote
3. Add products from the catalog
4. Apply discounts if needed
5. Send the quote to the customer

Using ObjectQL:

// Create a quote
const quote = await db.doc.create('Quote', {
  Name: 'Acme Corp - CRM Implementation',
  OpportunityId: opportunityId,
  AccountId: accountId,
  Status: 'Draft',
  ValidUntil: '2026-02-28',
  PaymentTerms: 'Net 30'
});

// Add line items
await db.doc.create('QuoteLineItem', {
  QuoteId: quote.Id,
  ProductId: productId,
  Quantity: 5,
  UnitPrice: 1000.00,
  Discount: 10
});

Step 7: Use AI Features

Smart Briefing

Get AI-generated insights about your customer:

import { executeSmartBriefing } from '@hotcrm/crm';

const briefing = await executeSmartBriefing({
  accountId: accountId
});

console.log('AI Summary:', briefing.summary);
console.log('Next Steps:', briefing.nextSteps);
console.log('Sales Tips:', briefing.salesTalkingPoints);

Win Probability

HotCRM automatically calculates win probability based on:

• Current stage
• Deal size
• Customer engagement
• Historical data

View the AI prediction in the opportunity detail page.

Common Tasks

View All Leads

// Get all leads
const allLeads = await db.find('Lead', {});

// Get high-score leads (>70 points)
const hotLeads = await db.find('Lead', {
  filters: [['LeadScore', '>', 70]]
});

// Get leads from public pool
const publicPool = await db.find('Lead', {
  filters: [['OwnerId', '=', null]]
});

Search Opportunities

// Get all open opportunities
const openOpps = await db.find('Opportunity', {
  filters: [['IsClosed', '=', false]]
});

// Get opportunities in negotiation stage
const negotiating = await db.find('Opportunity', {
  filters: [['Stage', '=', 'Negotiation']]
});

// Get opportunities worth > $10,000
const bigDeals = await db.find('Opportunity', {
  filters: [['Amount', '>', 10000]]
});

Create a Campaign

const campaign = await db.doc.create('Campaign', {
  Name: 'Q1 2026 Product Launch',
  Type: 'Email',
  Status: 'Planning',
  StartDate: '2026-02-01',
  EndDate: '2026-03-31',
  BudgetedCost: 5000,
  Description: 'Email campaign for new product launch'
});

Best Practices

1. Keep Data Clean

• Always fill in required fields
• Use consistent naming conventions
• Regularly update opportunity stages
• Log all customer interactions

2. Leverage AI

• Review AI-generated lead scores
• Use smart briefing before customer calls
• Follow AI next-step recommendations
• Monitor win probability predictions

3. Track Activities

• Log every call, meeting, and email
• Use check-in for field visits
• Add detailed notes
• Set follow-up tasks

4. Use List Views

• My Leads: Leads assigned to you
• Public Pool: Unclaimed leads
• High Score Leads: Hot leads (>70 score)
• Recent Leads: Leads from last 7 days

Next Steps

Now that you've completed the quick start, explore more features:

• Marketing & Leads - Deep dive into lead management
• Sales Automation - Complete sales features
• AI Capabilities - Learn about AI enhancements
• Creating Objects - Customize your CRM

Need Help?

• Check the API Reference for detailed API documentation
• Review Architecture to understand the system design
• Open an issue on GitHub for support