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

# Build your pipeline

> Create a simple sales pipeline with stages your team can use immediately.

Create a pipeline that reflects decisions in your sales process, not every small activity your team performs.

**Time:** 5 minutes

**Before you begin:** Write down the major states a deal moves through from first conversation to closed.

## Create the pipeline

**1. Open pipeline settings**

Go to **Settings → Pipelines** and create a new pipeline.

**2. Name the sales motion**

Use a name your team already understands, such as **New business**, **Partnerships**, or **Expansion**.

**3. Add five to seven stages**

Start with a small set such as **Discovery**, **Qualified**, **Evaluation**, **Proposal**, **Closed won**, and **Closed lost**.

**4. Set probabilities and criteria**

Give each open stage a probability and describe what must be true for a deal to enter or leave it.

**5. Create the pipeline and add one opportunity**

Move a real or test opportunity through the stages to confirm the flow is clear.

> [!TIP]
>
> If two stages do not change what your team does next, combine them. A shorter pipeline is easier to maintain and forecast.

## Check your work

Every stage should answer two questions: **Why is this deal here?** and **What must happen next?**

## Up next

Set up [the meeting recorder](https://octolane.com/docs/course/meeting-recorder.md) so calls update the same opportunity context.


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