How to create a deal from an email

Creating a deal from an email is the fastest way to get a lead into your pipeline — it takes one click and automatically links the conversation so you never lose track of the thread. This article covers both ways to create deals and explains how email linking works, because getting this right saves a lot of confusion later.

Two ways to create a deal

Both methods create the same kind of deal. The difference is only how the lead arrived.

Method 1 — From an email (recommended)

This is the core Teamopipe workflow. When a lead emails you — or you email someone you want to track — you turn that thread into a deal in one click.

1. Open the email in Gmail
2. Click the Teamopipe icon (T) in Gmail's top toolbar
3. A dropdown appears showing all your pipelines — select the one this deal belongs to
4. The deal is created and lands in the first stage of that pipeline

The deal name is automatically filled from the email subject line. You can rename it at any time by clicking the deal name in the detail view.

Method 2 — From the pipeline board (no email needed)

Use this when a lead came in through a phone call, referral, event, or any channel other than email. You create the deal manually and can link emails to it later.

1. Open a pipeline from the left sidebar
2. Click + New Deal in the top right
3. Fill in the deal name and any fields you want to track
4. Save — the deal appears in the first stage of your Kanban board

Understanding email linking — the most important setting

When you create a deal from an email, Teamopipe asks how to associate emails with that deal. There are two modes, and choosing the right one up front avoids a lot of confusion:

Thread-level linking (default)

Only the specific email thread you used when creating the deal is linked. Replies to that thread will appear in the deal. Other emails from the same person will not.

Use this when you email the same person about multiple separate topics. For example, a web designer working with one client on three different projects — each project should be a separate deal, and you don't want emails from one showing up in another.

Contact-level linking

All emails from the contact's email address are automatically associated with the deal — past and future. You don't have to do anything; every email they send appears in the deal.

Use this when one person = one deal, and you want everything from them visible automatically. A good example: a consultant working a single proposal with a specific client — you want every email they send to appear in that deal without lifting a finger.

The toggle between these two modes appears in the Teamopipe popup when you create a deal from an email. Teamopipe remembers whichever you chose last, so if you use thread-level linking most of the time you only have to set it once.

What happens after the deal is created

Once created, the deal appears on your Kanban board in the first stage. In your Gmail email list, you'll see a coloured stage label on the linked thread — this is Teamopipe tagging the email so you can see deal status at a glance without opening the sidebar.

Click the deal card on the Kanban board to open the full detail view, where you'll find:

• Activity log — every change in order
• Comments — internal notes for you or your team
• Tasks — follow-ups with due dates
• Custom fields — whatever you've configured for that pipeline
• Linked contacts — with an arrow icon to jump straight to the email thread in Gmail

How to link additional emails to an existing deal

If you created a deal without an email (Method 2), or you want to add another thread to an existing deal:

1. Open the email thread in Gmail you want to add
2. Click the Teamopipe icon (T) in Gmail's top bar
3. Search for or select the existing deal from the list
4. Make sure the toggle is set to "link to thread" if you only want this specific email linked (not all emails from that address)

Common gotchas

"All emails from this person are appearing in my deal." This happens when contact-level linking is active. If you only wanted the thread, open the deal and switch the link type in the Linked Contacts section.

"Emails from a deleted deal are still showing a tag in Gmail." This is a known edge case where contact-level tags can persist after deal deletion. Contact support@teamopipe.com with the email addresses and we'll clear it manually.

"I don't see the Teamopipe icon in the Gmail toolbar." Make sure the extension is active — look for the Teamopipe activation control in the top bar (it should show "Active"). If the icon is missing entirely, try reloading Gmail or reinstalling the extension.

If you run into issues, email support@teamopipe.com — we typically respond within 4 hours on business days.