Invoice Chaser

Generate professional, escalating payment reminder emails based on how overdue an invoice is. Built by a developer who ships billing automation to real businesses.

When to Use This Skill

Use this skill when the user asks to:

• - Write a payment reminder email
• Follow up on an unpaid or overdue invoice
• Chase a late payment
• Draft a collections email
• Create reminder sequences for outstanding balances
• Generate past-due notices

Information to Gather

Before generating a reminder, collect these details from the user. Ask for anything missing — do NOT guess or leave placeholders:

Required

Field	Description
INLINECODE0	Who owes the money
INLINECODE1

The invoice identifier |

| balance_due | Amount owed (include currency symbol) | | due_date | Original payment due date | | business_name | The user's company or name |

Optional (use if provided)

Field	Description
INLINECODE5	Days past due (calculate from due_date if not given)
INLINECODE6

Contact phone number |

| business_email | Contact email | | payment_link | URL where client can pay | | payment_plan_link | URL for payment plan setup | | project_name | For contractor invoices — the job or project | | contract_number | For contractor invoices — the contract ref | | matter_number | For professional services — the case/matter ref |

Vertical Detection

Determine the vertical from context:

• - contractor — mentions: project, job site, draw, lien, subcontractor, construction, renovation, trade work
• professional — mentions: firm, engagement, matter, retainer, counsel, consulting, advisory
• general — everything else (default)

Escalation Stages

Calculate days overdue from due_date relative to today. Select the appropriate stage:

Stage	Trigger	Tone
friendly	1–7 days overdue	Warm, assumes oversight. "Just a quick reminder..."
firm

8–21 days overdue | Direct but polite. States the facts, requests prompt payment. |
| urgent | 22–45 days overdue | Serious. Mentions consequences. Offers payment plan as off-ramp. |
| final | 46+ days overdue | Formal. States 7-day deadline. Mentions "additional remedies" without specifics. |

If the user explicitly requests a specific stage, use that stage regardless of days overdue.

Generation Rules

1. 1. Never fabricate information. If you don't have the client name, ask — don't write "Dear Valued Customer."
2. Never include legal threats in friendly or firm stages. No mentions of attorneys, liens, lawsuits, or collections agencies until the final stage.
3. Never use the word "debt" in friendly or firm stages. Use "balance," "invoice," or "amount due."
4. Always include paymentlink if provided. Make it easy to pay.
5. Offer paymentplan_link in urgent and final stages if the user has one.
6. Keep emails under 150 words. Short emails get read. Long emails get ignored.
7. Match the vertical's tone:

- Contractor: Direct, blue-collar professional. First names. "We know things get busy." - Professional: Formal, uses "Dear" and "Regards." References "engagement" or "matter." - General: Friendly and straightforward. Balanced formality.

Output Format

Always output in this exact structure:

CODEBLOCK0

Then ask: "Want me to adjust the tone, try a different stage, or generate the next stage in the sequence?"

Multi-Email Sequence

If the user asks for a "full sequence" or "all stages," generate all 4 stages in order with a horizontal rule (---) between each. Label each clearly.

Templates by Vertical and Stage

Contractor — Friendly

Subject: Payment Reminder — {{projectname}} (Invoice {{invoicenumber}})

Hi {{client_name}},

Just a quick reminder that Invoice {{invoicenumber}} for {{balancedue}} on {{projectname}} was due on {{duedate}}. We know things get busy — wanted to make sure this didn't slip through your AP cycle.

You can pay easily here: {{payment_link}}

If you have any questions, call us at {{business_phone}} or reply to this email.

Thanks,
{{business_name}}

Contractor — Firm

Subject: Past Due — {{balancedue}} for {{projectname}}

{{client_name}},

This is a follow-up regarding Invoice {{invoicenumber}} for {{balancedue}}, now {{days_overdue}} days past due. Per our contract terms, we kindly request prompt payment.

If you need to arrange a payment plan, we're happy to work something out — just reach out to us at {{business_phone}}.

Pay here: {{payment_link}}

{{business_name}}

Contractor — Urgent

Subject: Urgent: Outstanding Balance on {{project_name}}

{{client_name}},

Invoice {{invoicenumber}} for {{balancedue}} is now {{days_overdue}} days past due. We need to resolve this promptly. Continued delays may affect project scheduling per our contract terms.

If you're experiencing cash flow issues, we can set up a payment plan: {{paymentplanlink}}

Otherwise, please remit payment today: {{payment_link}}

Contact us immediately at {{business_phone}}.

{{business_name}}

Contractor — Final

Subject: Final Notice — Invoice {{invoicenumber}} for {{projectname}}

{{client_name}},

This is a final notice regarding the outstanding balance of {{balancedue}} on Invoice {{invoicenumber}} for {{projectname}}, now {{daysoverdue}} days past due.

Without payment or a payment arrangement within 7 business days, we will pursue all available remedies under our contract.

We would prefer to resolve this directly. Please pay at {{paymentlink}} or call {{businessphone}} to discuss options.

{{business_name}}

Professional — Friendly

Subject: Reminder — Invoice {{invoicenumber}} from {{businessname}}

Dear {{client_name}},

We wanted to bring to your attention that Invoice {{invoicenumber}} for {{balancedue}} was due on {{due_date}}.

You can view and pay the invoice here: {{payment_link}}

Please don't hesitate to contact us at {{business_phone}} if you have any questions.

Best regards,
{{business_name}}

Professional — Firm

Subject: Past Due Notice — Invoice {{invoicenumber}} ({{balancedue}})

Dear {{client_name}},

Invoice {{invoicenumber}} for {{balancedue}} is now {{days_overdue}} days past the agreed terms. We kindly request your prompt attention to this matter.

If there are any concerns regarding the invoice, please contact us at {{business_phone}} so we can resolve them.

Pay here: {{payment_link}}

Regards,
{{business_name}}

Professional — Urgent

Subject: Second Notice — Overdue Balance Requires Attention

Dear {{client_name}},

This is a second follow-up regarding Invoice {{invoicenumber}} for {{balancedue}}, now {{days_overdue}} days past due.

We value our working relationship and want to resolve this matter promptly. If you need to arrange a payment plan, please let us know: {{paymentplanlink}}

Otherwise, please remit payment at your earliest convenience: {{payment_link}}

{{business_name}}

Professional — Final

Subject: Final Notice — Invoice {{invoice_number}}

Dear {{client_name}},

This is our final communication regarding the overdue balance of {{balancedue}} on Invoice {{invoicenumber}}, now {{days_overdue}} days past due.

Without payment or a payment arrangement within 7 business days, we will be forced to pursue additional remedies to recover this amount. We would greatly prefer to resolve this directly.

Please pay at {{paymentlink}} or contact {{businessphone}} immediately.

{{business_name}}

General — Friendly

Subject: Friendly Reminder — Invoice {{invoice_number}}

Hi {{client_name}},

Just a friendly reminder that Invoice {{invoicenumber}} for {{balancedue}} was due on {{due_date}}.

You can pay easily here: {{payment_link}}

Questions? Reach us at {{businessphone}} or {{businessemail}}.

Thanks!
{{business_name}}

General — Firm

Subject: Payment Overdue — Invoice {{invoice_number}}

{{client_name}},

Invoice {{invoicenumber}} for {{balancedue}} is now {{days_overdue}} days past due. We'd appreciate prompt payment.

If you need to set up a payment plan, we can work with you — just reach out at {{business_phone}}.

Pay here: {{payment_link}}

{{business_name}}

General — Urgent

Subject: Urgent — Your Account Requires Attention

{{client_name}},

This is an important notice. Your balance of {{balancedue}} (Invoice {{invoicenumber}}) is now {{days_overdue}} days overdue. Please resolve this as soon as possible to avoid further action.

We're happy to set up a payment plan if that helps: {{paymentplanlink}}

Pay now: {{payment_link}}
Call us: {{business_phone}}

{{business_name}}

General — Final

Subject: Final Notice — Invoice {{invoice_number}}

{{client_name}},

This is a final notice. Your balance of {{balancedue}} on Invoice {{invoicenumber}} is {{days_overdue}} days past due.

If we do not receive payment or hear from you within 7 business days, we will pursue additional steps to recover this amount. We'd prefer to resolve this now.

Pay at {{paymentlink}} or call {{businessphone}} today.

{{business_name}}

Stop Conditions

• - Do NOT generate if the user hasn't provided at least: clientname, invoicenumber, balancedue, and businessname
• Do NOT generate legal advice. These are reminder emails, not legal documents.
• Do NOT claim to be an attorney or collections agency
• If the user asks for something beyond email reminders (filing liens, going to court, reporting to credit bureaus), say: "That's outside what this skill covers. You should consult with a collections attorney for legal remedies."