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

# Stages

> Configure and use deal stages to track pipeline progress

# Stages

Stages define the steps a deal goes through from first contact to close. They give your team a shared language for where opportunities stand.

## Default stages

Operate comes with a default set of stages that work for most teams:

1. **Qualified** — the opportunity has been validated
2. **Discovery** — learning about the prospect's needs
3. **Proposal** — a proposal or pricing has been shared
4. **Negotiation** — terms are being discussed
5. **Closed Won** — the deal was won
6. **Closed Lost** — the deal was lost

## Moving deals between stages

* **Drag and drop** in the pipeline view
* **Update the stage field** on the deal detail page
* Deals can also advance automatically based on Next Steps completion

## Customizing stages

You can customize stages to match your sales process:

1. Go to **Settings > Pipeline**
2. Add, rename, reorder, or remove stages
3. Set win probability percentages per stage for forecasting

## Tips

* Keep it simple — 4 to 7 stages is ideal for most teams
* Each stage should represent a meaningful milestone, not just a time period
* Define clear exit criteria for each stage so your team knows when to advance a deal