Archive or delete a client

Removing a client works two different ways depending on whether they have any project history. Clients with projects are archived (soft, reversible). Clients with no projects at all can be deleted outright (permanent). FirstSlate picks the right one for you automatically.

Where to find it

Dashboard → Clients, in the list or grid view, or from a client's own detail page. The trailing icon button next to Edit (an archive box, a restore icon, or a trash can, depending on the client's state) opens a confirmation dialog before anything happens.

Archive a client

If the client has one or more projects, that trailing button archives them. Confirming ("Archive") sets the client aside: they and all of their projects stay fully intact in the database, and drop off your day-to-day Clients list. Nothing about their projects, proposals, invoices, or call sheets changes, historic pages that reference the client (an old invoice, a project page) keep working exactly as before.

Delete a client

If the client has zero projects, the same trailing button deletes them instead, since there's no project history to protect. Confirming ("Delete client") removes the client record permanently. This cannot be undone.

If a client does have projects, FirstSlate refuses to delete them (you'll see the archive option instead). To delete a client with history, archive isn't reversible into a delete, you'd need to first delete or reassign every one of their projects, then delete the now-empty client record.

Restore an archived client

Archiving doesn't currently have a dedicated "view archived clients" list in the dashboard. If you land on an archived client's detail page (for example, by clicking their name from a Reports row), you'll see a restore option in place of Archive. Confirming ("Restore") returns them to your active roster immediately.

Common questions

Does archiving a client also archive their projects?

No, not in the sense of changing project status. Their projects stay exactly as they were, the client (and by extension, easy access to those projects from your day-to-day roster) is what moves out of the way.

Does archiving a client free up my Free-plan client limit?

No. The Free plan's 3-client cap counts every client on your account, including archived ones. To get back under the limit, delete a client that has no projects, or upgrade to Pro or Studio. See Plans and limits.

I deleted the wrong client. Can I get them back?

No. Deleting a client is permanent, that's why FirstSlate only allows it for clients with no projects, and always confirms first. If a client has any history at all, archive them instead so you keep the option to restore.

What happens to a client's portal if I archive them?

Archiving does not turn the portal off, but it does block it: the client's portal link shows the same "not available" message as a disabled portal until you restore the client. The PIN, link, and invite history are untouched, so the portal picks back up exactly where it left off once you restore them. See Give clients a portal with every document for how the portal's own on/off and access controls work.