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

# Customers

> Add the customers you bill.

## What you'll do

Add every company you invoice. Default to the Connected Customer model so they can confirm tickets directly with access to the platform.

## Before you start

* An export of customers from your accounting system: name, billing address, email.
* Decide which customers will use a Connected Customer login (a customer-side Tread account that lets them view tickets and approve invoices).
* A dummy email is fine for customers who won't log in — Tread won't send invites until you turn them on.

## Walkthrough

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open Settings → Customers">
    Click **Add Customer**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Enter company details">
    Fill in legal name, billing address, and billing email. The address prints on PDF invoices.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Add the primary contact">
    Enter the AP contact's name, email, phone number.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Set the Ext. ID">
    Paste the customer ID from QuickBooks, Sage, Vista, Foundation, or Spectrum so invoices export back cleanly. See [Integrations](/onboarding/integrations).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Decide on Connected Customer access">
    Toggle **Connected Customer** off only if you don't want them to confirm tickets and view invoices in their own portal. It is on by default.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Verify

Settings → Customers lists every account. Spot-check a row: the Ext. ID matches your accounting export. See [Connected Ecosystem](/concepts/connected-ecosystem) for how customers, your company, vendors, and drivers connect.

## Common mistakes

<Warning>
  **Skipping the billing address.** PDF invoices use the address on the customer record. A blank field prints a blank line. Fix it before the first billing run, not after.
</Warning>