> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.roadmap.so/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.roadmap.so/subscriptions/managing-subscriptions/create-a-subscription-for-a-customer.md).

# Create a subscription for a customer

Create a subscription contract from the Roadmap admin, including products, customer details, shipping, payment requirements, and the start date.

Create subscription contracts from the Roadmap admin when you need to place one for an existing customer.

The customer needs a Shopify payment method that supports subscriptions. If they do not have one, create the contract with a future start date. Roadmap emails them a $1 checkout link to collect their payment details. [Learn more about the $1 checkout payment method.](/subscriptions/managing-subscriptions/updating-a-customers-payment-method.md)

<figure><img src="https://393112916-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FJ8asLD4FVCFagK40xEr4%2Fuploads%2FHfyr1T5CBUrYxuitPz1O%2FScreenshot%202026-08-04%20at%2011.00.59%E2%80%AFAM.png?alt=media&amp;token=83d7af90-191c-4744-9333-ec1ab874681c" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

### Create the subscription

<figure><img src="https://393112916-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FJ8asLD4FVCFagK40xEr4%2Fuploads%2FHcQevv8IZdDvTUsmEWT1%2FScreenshot%202026-08-04%20at%2011.03.39%E2%80%AFAM.png?alt=media&amp;token=1fbd9887-0aa5-4c4c-a58b-12c517024b54" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

1. Open **Subscriptions** in the Roadmap admin.
2. Click **Create subscription**.
3. Choose a **Delivery frequency**. Roadmap loads these options from your subscription plans.
4. Search for or browse to the product variant. Add the required quantity.
5. Search for and select an existing customer.
6. Select the customer's shipping address. Add a new address if needed.
7. Select a shipping rate. Roadmap shows rates from Shopify shipping profiles that match the address and selected products. You can also add a custom rate.
8. Choose the contract's **Start date**.
9. Add an optional internal note for your team.
10. Review the total per cycle, then click **Create subscription order**.

Roadmap creates the contract and assigns it a subscription number. You can then manage it like any other subscription contract.

<figure><img src="https://393112916-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FJ8asLD4FVCFagK40xEr4%2Fuploads%2F96EUFCa7YUDotIT5ysI2%2FScreenshot%202026-08-04%20at%2011.04.16%E2%80%AFAM.png?alt=media&amp;token=445068ad-5430-4c36-851b-43ad9aed07a6" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

### Choose the right start date

Customers with an active saved payment method can start today or on a future date.

If the customer has no saved payment method, the subscription cannot start today. Choose a future date instead. After you create the contract, Roadmap emails the customer a $1 checkout link. Completing that checkout captures their payment details for the subscription.

<figure><img src="https://393112916-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FJ8asLD4FVCFagK40xEr4%2Fuploads%2FrfNggF4X8ON5OCq9r5Iv%2FScreenshot%202026-08-04%20at%2011.03.01%E2%80%AFAM.png?alt=media&amp;token=a5ed5e0c-bb56-4fea-b344-f4196c7af642" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

{% hint style="warning" %}
Choose a start date that gives the customer time to complete the payment update. The contract cannot commence until a usable payment method is saved.
{% endhint %}

### Shipping address, market, and currency

The shipping address determines the contract's market and currency. Confirm the address before creating the subscription, especially for customers who ship internationally.

Shipping rates come from the Shopify shipping profiles for the selected address and products. Use a custom rate only when the available Shopify rates do not fit the order.

<figure><img src="https://393112916-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FJ8asLD4FVCFagK40xEr4%2Fuploads%2Fve18u56JGMiQCmpOqKBr%2FScreenshot%202026-08-04%20at%2011.02.18%E2%80%AFAM.png?alt=media&amp;token=ab3a1c74-4fa3-4bd6-a5d8-4a8784c71415" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

### Related guides

* [The Manage Subscriptions admin: a tour](broken://spaces/J8asLD4FVCFagK40xEr4/pages/MG8UYsDOXhRIobSF0JhE)
* [Updating a customer's payment method](/subscriptions/managing-subscriptions/updating-a-customers-payment-method.md)
* [Editing a customer's subscription](/subscriptions/managing-subscriptions/changing-shipping-on-a-subscription-contract.md)


---

# Agent Instructions
This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com.

## Querying This Documentation
If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter, and the optional `goal` query parameter:

```
GET https://docs.roadmap.so/subscriptions/managing-subscriptions/create-a-subscription-for-a-customer.md?ask=<question>&goal=<endgoal>
```

`ask` is the immediate question: it should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
`goal` is optional and describes the broader end goal you are ultimately trying to accomplish on behalf of the user. GitBook uses it to tailor the answer towards what is most useful for that goal.

The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.