---
title: Contact Settings
description: "Contact Settings let you configure relationship statuses, defaults, duplicate handling, and client-portal provisioning for the Contacts and Clients modules."
url: "https://hiveplugins.com/docs/contact-settings/"
updated: "2026-09-27"
category: HiveCRM
---

# Contact Settings

Contact Settings let you configure relationship statuses, defaults, duplicate handling, and client-portal provisioning for the Contacts and Clients modules.

## How to Open Contact Settings

Go to **Hive CRM → Settings → Contacts**. The screen has two tabs: **General & Policy** and **Relationship Statuses & Badges**.

## Relationship Statuses & Badges

Relationship Statuses are color-coded classifications shown as badges on contact and client records (for example Lead/Prospect, Active Client, Partner, Past/Inactive, Blocked).

To add a status:

1. Switch to the **Relationship Statuses & Badges** tab.
2. Enter a status name.
3. Choose a badge color from the presets, or pick a custom color.
4. Click **Add Status**.

Click the edit icon on a status row to rename it or change its color, or the trash icon to delete it.

## Contact Defaults & Operational Policy

On the **General & Policy** tab:

- **Default Relationship Status** — the status assigned to a new contact or client when none is specified.
- **Default Contact Classification** — whether the **Add Contact** form defaults to Individual Person or Company/Organization.
- **Contact Identifier Prefix** — the prefix used for each contact's unique tracking code (for example `CNT-1042`).
- **Duplicate Email Handling Policy** — what happens when a submitted email matches an existing contact:
  - **Merge & Update Existing Record (Recommended)** — updates the existing contact instead of creating a duplicate.
  - **Reject & Prevent Duplicate Submission** — blocks the new submission.
  - **Allow Multiple Records with Same Email** — creates a separate record regardless.

## Client Portal & Notification Provisions

Two toggles control what happens automatically when a new client is added:

- **Auto-Provision Client Portal Account** — automatically creates a WordPress user with the `hcrm_client` role so the client can log in to the [Client Portal](client-portal-overview.md).
- **Dispatch Welcome / Registration Notification** — sends an automated welcome email with portal access instructions.

Click **Save Contact Defaults** to apply your changes.

## Related Documentation

- [Contacts Overview](contacts-overview.md)
- [Managing Contacts](managing-contacts.md)
- [Client Portal Overview](client-portal-overview.md)