# Pause or close out a project

> Settle a project's money first (drafts, unpaid invoices, unbilled time, retainers, client credit), then archive it.

Source: https://docs.moodiri.com/workflows/close-out-a-project

## Why this matters

A finished project with open money is a problem waiting to resurface: an unpaid invoice, a retainer still held, credit the client is owed. Closing through the review deals with each item first, so the archive is clean and nothing is forgotten.

## The steps

1. [Pause or close a project](https://docs.moodiri.com/projects/archive-a-project): Pause the project if work is on hold; choose Close when it's finished.
2. [Close a project](https://docs.moodiri.com/projects/close-a-project): Review every open money item and choose what to keep, void or delete before closing.
3. [Cancel or refund a retainer](https://docs.moodiri.com/financials/cancel-or-refund-a-retainer): Refund any retainer balance still held; closing never moves it.
4. [Record a refund to a client from client credit](https://docs.moodiri.com/invoices/record-a-client-refund): Refund leftover client credit and record it.
5. [Export a project](https://docs.moodiri.com/projects/export-a-project): Export the project's data and documents for your records.
6. [Delete, restore and permanently delete a project](https://docs.moodiri.com/projects/delete-restore-and-permanently-delete-a-project): Delete the project only if you must; you have 30 days to restore it.

## Good to know

- Closing needs the **Delete projects** permission.
- Held retainers and client credit are never moved by Close. Refund them separately.
- A project with invoices, payments, retainers, tax certificates or time records can't be permanently deleted.
- A closed project can be reopened later; voided invoices stay void.