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

# Leads Overview

> Manage your campaign contacts with primary leads, secondary contacts, and custom variables

Leads are the contacts that your campaigns will call. Each lead can have multiple phone numbers (secondary contacts) and custom variables that your AI assistant can use during conversations.

## What are Leads?

Leads represent the people or businesses you want to contact through your campaigns. The lead system supports:

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Primary Contacts" icon="user">
    **Main contact** for each lead

    The primary phone number and contact information
  </Card>

  <Card title="Secondary Contacts" icon="users">
    **Additional phone numbers** for the same lead

    Backup contacts, decision makers, or alternative numbers
  </Card>

  <Card title="Custom Variables" icon="code">
    **Personalized information** for AI conversations

    Names, preferences, history, or any data your assistant needs
  </Card>

  <Card title="Status Tracking" icon="chart-line">
    **Progress monitoring** through campaign lifecycle

    Track call attempts, completions, and retry status
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## Lead Status System

Every lead moves through different statuses during campaign execution:

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Created" icon="plus">
    **Ready to call** - Lead is queued for first contact attempt
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Scheduled" icon="calendar">
    **Queued for retry** - Scheduled for next call attempt based on campaign settings
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Processing" icon="phone">
    **Currently being called** - Call is in progress
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Rescheduled" icon="clock">
    **Waiting for retry** - Will be called again after retry interval
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Max Retries" icon="ban">
    **Retry limit reached** - Maximum call attempts exceeded
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Completed" icon="check">
    **Successfully contacted** - Call completed or goal achieved
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

## Primary vs Secondary Contacts

### Primary Contacts

* **Main lead record** with complete information
* **First to be called** in campaign sequence
* **Inherits campaign variables** from assistant settings
* **Controls overall lead status** and completion

### Secondary Contacts

* **Additional phone numbers** for the same person/business
* **Called if primary doesn't answer** (based on campaign retry settings)
* **Independent status tracking** from primary contact
* **Can have unique variables** different from primary

<Tip>
  **Use case example:** A business lead might have the main office number as primary contact, with the decision maker's direct line and mobile as secondary contacts.
</Tip>

## Variables System

Variables personalize AI conversations with lead-specific information. They are inherited from [assistant configuration](/ai-assistants/settings/prompt-and-tools#call-variables) and can be customized per lead.

**Usage in conversations:** Assistant uses variables like `{customer_name}` and `{company}` for personalized responses.

## Key Features

### Lead Management

* **Manual creation** or **CSV/Excel import** with validation
* **Status tracking** through campaign lifecycle
* **Export capabilities** with filtering options

### Campaign Integration

* **Single campaign** assignment per lead
* **Automatic status updates** based on call outcomes
* **Manual status control** for campaign management

### Best Practices

* **Phone format:** International format without spaces (+1234567890)
* **Clean data:** Accurate, current contact information
* **Logical organization:** Prioritize secondary contacts appropriately

<Note>
  For troubleshooting lead management issues, see [Leads Troubleshooting](/troubleshooting/leads).
</Note>

<Note>
  For detailed setup instructions, see [Managing Leads](/leads/managing-leads) and [Importing Leads](/leads/importing-leads).
</Note>