> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.heyy.io/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# What is a contact?

> The foundational customer record in Heyy.

A **contact** is Heyy's primary customer record. It stores identity and data (name, phone, email, [labels](/help/contacts/mini-crm/labels), [attributes](/help/contacts/mini-crm/custom-attributes-as-columns)) and is referenced everywhere else in the product.

## One record, many touchpoints

* **Chats** — Each conversation is that contact on a specific channel ([Contacts and channels](/help/contacts/the-contact/contacts-and-channels)).
* **Automations** — Runs are tied to the **contact**, not an individual chat thread.
* **Journeys** — Timed paths (for example from [subscription](/help/contacts/the-contact/contact-subscription)) operate on the contact.
* **Campaigns** — Recipients are contacts.
* **API** — Create and update via [`/contacts`](/api-reference/overview) endpoints.

## How contacts are created

Contacts are created when someone messages you on a connected channel, when you add them manually on [**Contacts**](https://app.heyy.io/contacts), via automations/API, or through other flows your workspace uses.

Manage the table on the [Contacts tour](/help/contacts/mini-crm/contacts-tour); message them in [**Inbox**](https://app.heyy.io/inbox).