> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://learn.withessential.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://learn.withessential.com/administration/what-your-customers-see-in-the-customer-portal/how-your-customers-sign-in-to-the-customer-portal.md).

# How your customers sign in to the Customer Portal

The Customer Portal has no passwords. A customer signs in with a one-time email link instead. On the login page they enter the email address you have on file for them and click Send Sign-In Link.

If that email matches a contact with portal access, they see a Check your email message and we send a sign-in link to that address. They click the link in the email and they are signed in.

The link is single use and expires 24 hours after it is sent, so once it has been used or a day has passed they simply request a fresh one from the same page. If the email is not on file, or that contact does not have portal access turned on, the portal cannot send a link.

The customer sees a We couldn't sign you in message naming the email they tried, along with your business email and phone number so they can reach out and ask to be added. Tell customers to check their spam folder if the email does not arrive within a minute, and to use the exact address you have for them.

To get someone access, add them as a contact with portal access, or have an existing portal user invite them. A successful sign-in lands them on their portal dashboard.

> **Where to find it:** The portal login page your customer reaches at their portal URL, then the email link that signs them in.

## Related guides

* [Managing portal users (inviting, access scope, and editing)](/administration/what-your-customers-see-in-the-customer-portal/managing-portal-users-inviting-access-scope-and-editing.md)
* [Roles and permissions: how access works](/administration/basics/roles-and-permissions-how-access-works.md)
* [What your customers see in the Customer Portal](/administration/what-your-customers-see-in-the-customer-portal.md)


---

# Agent Instructions
This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com.

## Querying This Documentation
If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter, and the optional `goal` query parameter:

```
GET https://learn.withessential.com/administration/what-your-customers-see-in-the-customer-portal/how-your-customers-sign-in-to-the-customer-portal.md?ask=<question>&goal=<endgoal>
```

`ask` is the immediate question: it should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
`goal` is optional and describes the broader end goal you are ultimately trying to accomplish on behalf of the user. GitBook uses it to tailor the answer towards what is most useful for that goal.

The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.