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GHL MCP Guide
IVS

Invoice Schedules

Invoices & Estimates · Intermediate · Updated March 2026

Create and manage recurring invoice schedules with auto-pay configuration for automated invoice generation at set intervals.

Invoice Schedules automate recurring billing by generating invoices on a defined cadence. Monthly retainers, quarterly service fees, annual renewals — set the schedule once and invoices create themselves.

What This MCP Tool Does

This tool manages recurring invoice schedules. Create schedules that auto-generate invoices at set intervals, configure auto-pay so invoices are charged automatically, activate or cancel schedules, and list all schedules in the sub-account.

Endpoint Reference

Create a schedule: POST /invoices/schedules Define a new recurring schedule with frequency, amount, and contact.

List all schedules: GET /invoices/schedules Retrieve all invoice schedules in the sub-account.

Activate a schedule: POST /invoices/schedules/{scheduleId}/schedule Start the schedule, beginning the auto-generation cycle.

Configure auto-pay: POST /invoices/schedules/{scheduleId}/auto-payment Enable automatic payment collection when invoices are generated.

Cancel a schedule: POST /invoices/schedules/{scheduleId}/cancel Stop the schedule from generating future invoices.

Authentication

Requires a Private Integration Token (PIT) with the invoices scope enabled.

Key Parameters

When creating a schedule:

  • contactId — customer to bill
  • items — line items for the recurring invoice
  • interval — billing frequency (monthly, quarterly, yearly)
  • startDate — when the first invoice generates
  • Template association for formatting and terms

Important Notes

Invoice schedules and subscriptions are different mechanisms in GHL. Subscriptions are tied to the payment processor (Stripe) and handle recurring charges directly. Invoice schedules generate invoice documents that may or may not have auto-pay enabled.

For agencies, invoice schedules are often the preferred approach for service retainers because they produce visible invoice documents that clients can review, whereas subscriptions are more opaque.

The auto-pay feature requires the customer to have a payment method on file. Without auto-pay, the generated invoice is sent to the customer for manual payment.

Common Questions

What is the difference between an invoice schedule and a subscription? Subscriptions handle payment processing directly through Stripe. Invoice schedules generate invoice documents on a recurring basis. Schedules give you more control over the invoice content and allow the customer to review before payment.

Can I modify a schedule after creation? Check the API for update capabilities. Modifying schedule parameters may require cancelling and recreating the schedule.

What happens if auto-pay fails? The invoice is generated but marked as unpaid. The customer receives the invoice with a payment link. Follow up manually or through an automation.

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