> For clean Markdown of any page, append .md to the page URL.
> For a complete documentation index, see https://help.close.com/feature-guide/playbooks/llms.txt.
> For AI client integration (Claude Code, Cursor, etc.), connect to the MCP server at https://help.close.com/_mcp/server.

# Playbooks

> Create Playbooks in Close to standardize discovery calls, demos, and follow-ups. Link Outcomes and custom fields, and archive or delete Playbooks.

Playbooks give your team a shared framework for how to run specific types of conversations, whether that's a discovery call, a demo, a follow-up, or an onboarding check-in. Pair them with Outcomes to track what happened on each call, and use them with Close AI to generate structured summaries and automatically capture key data points.

### What is a Playbook?

A Playbook is a reusable conversation template that defines the structure and goals of a specific type of call or meeting. It brings together:

* **Outcomes:** the possible results of the conversation (e.g. Demo Scheduled, Not Interested, Callback Requested)
* **Custom fields:** structured data points to capture during the call (e.g. Team Size, Budget Range, Use Case)
* **Note template:** an auto-generated call note structure that populates after the conversation
* **Summary guidance:** instructions that tell Close AI how to summarize the call

Playbooks live in your org's settings and are available to use on any call or meeting in Close.

### Setting Up Playbooks

Playbooks are created and managed in your Close settings. You'll need the **Manage Customizations** permission to create, edit, archive, or delete them. To get started, go to **Settings > Playbooks and Outcomes > Playbooks.** Click **Add New Playbook.**

Edit a Playbook by clicking the Playbook you want to edit, making your changes, and **Save.** Changes take effect immediately on any call or meeting where the Playbook is applied.

![Settings page listing Playbooks with names, descriptions, and usage stats plus a New Playbook button.](https://close-prd-help-docs.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/feature-guide/playbooks/playbooks/playbooks_and_outcomes_2329cd.gif)

### Delete or Archive a Playbook

Archiving removes a Playbook from the active list and stops it from appearing as an option on new calls. Archived Playbooks are not deleted — their history is preserved. Deleting a Playbook is permanent. Call records that used the Playbook will retain their Outcome and note history, but the Playbook will no longer be selectable.

### Linking Outcomes to a Playbook

Outcomes define what can happen at the end of a conversation. You can link Outcomes to a Playbook when creating or editing it.

* Select from existing Outcomes in your org, or
* Create a new Outcome directly from the Playbook form

For full details on creating and managing Outcomes, see [Outcomes](/feature-guide/outcomes).

### Linking Custom Fields to a Playbook

Custom fields let you capture structured data on the call record when a Playbook is used. For example, a Discovery Call Playbook might capture **Team Size**, **Budget Range**, and **Primary Use Case**.

1. In the Playbook, scroll to **Custom fields**
2. Select the fields you want to attach
3. Save the Playbook

After a call where this Playbook is used, the linked fields will appear on the call record for reps to fill in.

![Settings page listing Playbooks with names, descriptions, and stats and a New Playbook button.](https://close-prd-help-docs.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/feature-guide/playbooks/playbooks/playbooks_and_outcomes_c7f6d9.gif)

> **Note**
>
> Custom fields must already exist and be a Shared Field in your Close organization before they can be linked to a Playbook. Create them in **Settings > Custom Fields** first.

> Create Playbooks in Close to standardize discovery calls, demos, and follow-ups. Link Outcomes and custom fields, and archive or delete Playbooks.

## Docs

- [Note Templates and Summary Guidance](https://help.close.com/feature-guide/playbooks/note-templates-and-summary-guidance.md): Use Playbook note templates to auto-generate structured call notes in Close, and summary guidance to shape how Close AI writes call summaries.
- [Using Playbooks on Calls](https://help.close.com/feature-guide/playbooks/using-playbooks-on-calls.md): Apply a Playbook to a call in Close before, during, or after it. Select an Outcome, fill in custom fields, and review the call note and AI summary.
- [Playbooks and Chloe](https://help.close.com/feature-guide/playbooks/playbooks-and-chloe.md): How Chloe uses Playbooks in Close to decide what she captures on each call, how she writes summaries, and which Outcomes and fields she fills in.