Why can't I create a one-off invoice in draft state?

Lago does not support creating one-off (add-on) invoices directly in draft state. One-off invoices are finalized immediately upon creation, which means there is no native way to preview or edit them before they are sent. A workaround using a temporary subscription with a grace period can approximate this behavior.

How invoice drafts work

Lago's draft invoice lifecycle applies only to subscription-based invoices during the grace period window. Add-on and one-off invoices bypass this step and are finalized immediately, regardless of any grace period settings on the organization.

Workaround

To achieve a draft-like workflow for a one-off charge:

1. Ensure a grace period is enabled for the billing entity or customer.

2. Then, create a generic billable metric and a plan in Lago.

3. Assign the customer to that plan as a new subscription and then cancel the subscription to generate the invoice.

During the grace period, the resulting subscription invoice will be held in draft state. You can review the draft and terminate the subscription before the grace period ends if needed, preventing the invoice from being finalized.

This article reflects guidance drawn from customer case resolutions. It is not officially supported documentation and may not apply to all situations.