Enable secure client login on your agency's portal so clients can view personalized information, manage their profiles, and access private resources through a one-time password verification.

### Overview

Client login allows the people your agency serves to authenticate on your web portal using a one-time password sent to their phone or email. Once logged in, clients can view personalized details such as upcoming events, case information, and assigned documents. They can also update their profile and access private portal content that is not visible to unauthenticated visitors.

This feature is ideal for agencies that want to provide a self-service experience while maintaining security. Administrators and portal managers typically configure client authentication, and the result is a streamlined login flow that requires no passwords to remember.

### Prerequisites

Before enabling client login on your portal, ensure you have the following:

- Administrator access to the eCourtDate platform with portal management permissions (`create_portals`, `update_portals`, `create_clients`, `update_clients`)
- An existing portal created under **Admin** > **Portals** (see [How to Create Web Portals](/how-to-create-web-portals))
- To send text verification codes, an **Agency Phone** configured and carrier registration completed under **Admin** > **Settings** > **Agency Phones**
- To send email verification codes, an **Agency Email** configured under **Admin** > **Settings** > **Agency Emails**
- At least one test client with a valid phone number or email address

### How-To Steps

#### Access Portal Settings

1. Log in to your eCourtDate staging or production agency.
2. Click **Admin** in the top navigation bar, then select **Portals**.
3. Locate the portal you want to configure for client login in the list.

#### Configure Client Authentication

1. Click **Edit** next to the portal you want to update.
2. Scroll to the **Tracking and Authentication** section.
3. Find the **Client Authentication** setting and set it to "one-time-password".
4. Click **Save** to apply your changes.
5. Click the **View Portal** button to preview the portal as a client would see it.

#### Create a Test Client

Skip to the next section if you already have a test client created.

1. Click **Clients** in the top navigation bar.
2. Fill in the **Create Client** form with your own phone number or email address.
3. Click the **Create** button.
4. Click the **Edit** button next to your new client profile.
5. Verify that the client has at least one valid contact listed and that you do not see an **Opted Out** badge next to the contact.
6. Note the phone number or email address you entered.

#### Log In as a Test Client

1. Open the portal by clicking the **View Portal** button.
2. Locate the login form that asks for a phone number or email address.
3. Enter the phone number or email from your test client and click the **Login** button.
4. Check your phone or email for a message containing the verification code.
5. Enter the verification code on the portal and click the **Verify** button.
6. Confirm that you are redirected to the **Client Dashboard**.

> **Tip:** If your agency is in **Simulate Mode**, you will not receive a real message. Instead, go back to the client edit screen, find the simulated message with the verification code, and copy it to complete the login test.

### What to Expect

After enabling client authentication, the portal login form appears automatically for visitors. Clients enter their phone number or email, receive a one-time verification code, and gain access to their personalized dashboard. The login session persists until the client logs out or the session expires.

Once client login is enabled, you can configure additional portal features:

- **Sidebar Navigation** - Create sidebar items marked as "private" that only authenticated clients can see.
- **Dashboard** - Customize the information displayed on the client dashboard, including merge tag support for personalized content.
- **Profile** - Choose which profile fields are editable or read-only for clients.
- **Photos** - Allow clients to upload photos through the portal.
- **Documents** - Allow clients to upload documents through the portal.
- **Calendars** - Restrict calendar access to authenticated clients only.
- **Forms** - Restrict form access to authenticated clients only.

### Best Practices

- Test the full login flow in **Simulate Mode** before switching to live mode to ensure verification codes are generated correctly.
- Keep at least one **Agency Phone** and one **Agency Email** configured so clients can choose their preferred verification method.
- Regularly review client contact records to confirm phone numbers and emails are valid and not opted out, since invalid contacts prevent login.
- Use private sidebar navigation items to separate public content from authenticated-only resources.
- Communicate the login process to clients in advance through reminders or portal instructions so they know what to expect.

### Frequently Asked Questions

**Q: What happens if a client enters a phone number or email that is not in the system?**
A: The portal will not send a verification code if the contact does not match an existing client record. The client will see an error message prompting them to check their information or contact your agency.

**Q: Can clients log in with either a phone number or an email address?**
A: Yes. The login form accepts both phone numbers and email addresses. The verification code is sent to whichever contact method the client provides, as long as it matches a valid, opted-in contact in your system.

**Q: How long is the one-time password valid?**
A: Verification codes expire after a short period. If the code expires before the client enters it, they can request a new one by clicking the **Login** button again.

**Q: Can I disable client login after enabling it?**
A: Yes. Navigate to **Admin** > **Portals**, click **Edit** on the portal, change the **Client Authentication** setting back to "disabled", and click **Save**. The login form will no longer appear on the portal.

**Q: Does the client need to create an account or set a password?**
A: No. Client login uses a one-time password sent to their phone or email. There is no account creation step or password to manage.

### Troubleshooting

**Issue:** Client does not receive the verification code.
**Symptoms:** The client clicks **Login** but no SMS or email arrives.
**Solution:**

1. Verify that the client's contact is valid and not marked as **Opted Out** or **Invalid** on the client edit screen.
2. Confirm that your **Agency Phone** (for SMS) or **Agency Email** (for email) is properly configured under **Admin** > **Settings**.
3. Check that carrier registration is completed if sending SMS verification codes.
4. If your agency is in **Simulate Mode**, the message will not be delivered. Check the client's message feed for the simulated verification code instead.

**Issue:** Client enters the verification code but login fails.
**Symptoms:** The client sees an error after submitting the code on the verification screen.
**Solution:**

1. Confirm the client is entering the most recent verification code, as older codes may have expired.
2. Ask the client to request a new code and enter it promptly.
3. Check that the portal's **Client Authentication** setting is still set to "one-time-password" and has been saved.

> **Important:** If you continue to experience issues after following these troubleshooting steps, sign in to eCourtDate and create a ticket by clicking the ticket button in the bottom right corner of the screen.

### Related Articles

- [How to Create Web Portals](/how-to-create-web-portals)
- [How to Manage Clients](/how-to-manage-clients)
- [How to Manage Contacts](/how-to-manage-contacts)
- [How to Manage Portal Check-ins](/how-to-manage-portal-check-ins)
- [How to Create Forms](/how-to-create-forms)
- [Glossary of Terms](/glossary-of-terms)