# Create a Payment

ChaChing allows you to create one-off payments manually from the dashboard. This is useful for charging customers outside of subscriptions, collecting ad-hoc fees, or retrying payments.

## How to Create a Payment

1. In the ChaChing dashboard, locate the **Create** button in the **top-right corner**.


create.svg
1. Click **Create** and select **Create payment**.
2. The **Create a payment** form opens.


Create a payment.svg
## Create Payment Form Fields

| **Field** | **Description** | **Required / Optional** |
|  --- | --- | --- |
| **Amount** | The total amount to charge the customer. | Required |
| **Customer** | Select an existing customer from the list. | Required |
| **Description** | Optional internal note describing the payment purpose. Appears in payment details and invoices. | Optional |
| **Payment method** | Select how the payment will be collected. | Required |


## Payment Method Options

You can choose one of the following payment methods:

- **Manually enter card info**
Enter card details directly to charge the customer immediately. Alternatively, use the Link tool to select from available saved cards.
- **Use customer’s card on file**
Charges the default payment method already saved for the selected customer.
- **Email customer a payment link**
Sends a secure payment link to the customer so they can complete the payment themselves.


## Complete the Payment

1. Review the entered information.
2. Click **Create payment**.


Once created:

- The payment appears in the **Transactions** section.
- Related invoices and payment statuses are updated automatically.
- If a payment link is used, the payment remains pending until the customer completes it.