> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://themochi-app.gitbook.io/documentation/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://themochi-app.gitbook.io/documentation/module-3-inbox-and-messaging/changing-a-lead-stage.md).

# Changing a lead stage

## Change a Lead's Stage

**What it is** — Every lead sits in one stage of your funnel at a time. Some stages move automatically as a conversation progresses; others you set by hand as your team works the lead toward a close. Knowing which is which keeps your pipeline data trustworthy.

**Who can use it** — Setters and Closers change stages for their own assigned leads; Managers and Creators can change stages for any lead in the organization. Available on both Web and iOS.

### The stages

Mochi moves every lead through this sequence: **New** → **In contact** → **Qualified** / **Unqualified** → **Booked call** → **Deposit** → **Won** / **Lost** / **No show**.

**Won**, **Lost**, **Unqualified**, and **No show** are terminal — a lead sitting in one of these isn't expected to move further.

### Which stages are automatic vs. manual

| Stage       | How it's set                                                                                                                                      |
| ----------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| New         | Automatic — every new lead starts here.                                                                                                           |
| In contact  | Automatic — set once a real back-and-forth conversation is established.                                                                           |
| Qualified   | Hybrid — set manually by a setter, or automatically when a tracked Calendly link is sent to the lead.                                             |
| Unqualified | Manual, or automatic if your spam filter catches the conversation (see Module 04).                                                                |
| Booked call | Hybrid — set manually, or automatically when the lead books through a tracked Calendly link.                                                      |
| Deposit     | Manual.                                                                                                                                           |
| Won         | Manual.                                                                                                                                           |
| Lost        | Manual.                                                                                                                                           |
| No show     | Manual. (If you use iClosed, a cancelled booking can also move a lead to **Qualified** or **No show** automatically, depending on who cancelled.) |

### How to use it

**Web:**

1. Open the `Sidebar > Leads` page.
2. Change a single lead's stage directly in its row, or tick checkboxes on several leads and use the action bar's **Status** option to update stages in bulk.

**iOS:**

1. Open the **Leads** tab.
2. Long-press a lead row to change its status, or tap **Edit**, select multiple leads, and use the bottom bar's **Status** option.

You can also change a single lead's stage from within its conversation profile in the Inbox, on either platform.

### Recording an unqualify reason

When you move a lead to **Unqualified**, record why — for example, a financial objection, a time waster, or someone who ghosted. This keeps your funnel data useful: you can spot patterns in why leads drop out instead of just watching a number shrink.

### Tips

* Set a lead to **Qualified** as soon as it's genuinely earned, whether by hand or by sending a tracked booking link — dashboard and reporting numbers depend on accurate stage timing.
* Always fill in an unqualify reason. Leaving it blank across a batch of unqualified leads makes it impossible to diagnose what's going wrong upstream.
* Use bulk status updates from the Leads page when clearing a backlog rather than opening each conversation one at a time.

### Common mistakes & fixes

| Mistake                                                     | Fix                                                                                                                                                |
| ----------------------------------------------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Lead stuck below Qualified when it should have auto-updated | Check whether the booking link was actually sent as a tracked Mochi link, not pasted raw — only tracked links trigger the automatic status change. |
| Bulk status update doesn't show immediately                 | Bulk actions on large lists run in the background. Give it a moment and refresh.                                                                   |
| Unqualified leads pile up with no reason recorded           | Make recording a reason part of the habit — it's the only way to see why leads are dropping out.                                                   |

### Limits & good to know

* Bulk stage changes on large lead lists run in the background and may take a moment to reflect everywhere.
* Only Setters, Closers, Managers, Creators, and AI Setters are eligible to own a lead; stage-change visibility follows the same rules as the rest of the pipeline (Closers only see their own).
* iClosed cancellations can automatically move a lead to Qualified or No show. If Mochi can't tell who cancelled, it leaves the stage alone rather than guessing.

**Related:**

* The Inbox
* Lead profiles & timeline
* *AI tags: auto-tag leads by intent* (Module 04)
* *Connect Calendly* (Module 06)