Files & gates
Deal files, stage rules, and required fields
Attach versioned files to a deal and share them with a secure, expiring link — and set the stage rules and required fields that stop a deal advancing before it truly qualifies.
Updated June 2026
Two things keep a pipeline trustworthy: the documents that back each deal are where the deal is, and deals only advance when they genuinely qualify. KudosCRM handles both — versioned deal files with secure sharing, and stage gates that require the right fields before a move.
This guide covers attaching and sharing files on a deal, and configuring the required fields and rules that govern how deals move through your stages.
Who this is for
Reps attaching contracts and proposals to a deal, and admins who set the rules that keep stage data clean.
Before you start
- A KudosCRM account with access to deals (and pipeline-admin rights to set rules).
- A pipeline with stages already set up.
Good to know
Deal files are auto-categorized (contracts, proposals, docs, and so on) and versioned — re-uploading a file keeps the history and lets you revert. Share links are unguessable, expire after a set window (7 days by default), and can be revoked. Required fields and rules are set per stage in the pipeline configurator.
Attach files and set the gates
Attach a file to the deal
On the deal's Files tab, drag a document in or upload it. It's auto-categorized (contract, proposal, doc, spreadsheet, image) and attached to the deal, visible to the deal's followers and owner.
Keep versions, revert when needed
Upload a new copy of the same file and KudosCRM keeps it as a new version rather than overwriting — the full history stays, and you can download or revert to any prior version.
Share with a secure link
Generate a share link to send a document outside the team. The link is unguessable, expires after a set window (7 days by default), and you can revoke it at any time — no email attachments flying around.
Set required fields on a stage
In Settings → Pipelines, open a stage and mark the fields that must be filled before a deal can enter or leave it — for example a budget field before Proposal, or a lost reason on the Lost stage.
Turn on the movement rules
On the pipeline, enable the rules that fit your process: restrict stage-skipping, prevent backward moves, lock specific stages to admins, or force new deals into the first stage.
Watch the gates work on the board
When a rep drags a deal, the board shows a verdict before the drop — OK, warning, or blocked — and prompts for any required fields. Deals only advance when they qualify, so the forecast stays honest.
What you get
- Every deal's documents attached to the deal, versioned, and shareable securely.
- Required fields that enforce data quality at the stages that matter.
- Movement rules that keep stage reporting and the forecast trustworthy.
- A clear verdict on the board before any stage move, with prompts to complete what's missing.
Related articles
Build your pipeline & stages
Set up the stages, probabilities, and terminal won/lost stages first.
Read articleMove deals & read the forecast
Work the board through the gates and read the weighted forecast.
Read articleDeals (feature)
Managing each opportunity, files, win/loss, and close reasons.
Read articleSales & Pipeline overview
The full journey stage — see the customer, move the deal, trust the number.
Read articleSales & Pipeline is the third stop in the KudosCRM journey — moving deals across a visual pipeline on one 360° customer record. See the full picture on the Sales & Pipeline platform overview.
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