LLC Formation Guide

A step-by-step guide to forming an LLC through TheCorporation, from entity creation to active status. Covers document generation, signing, state filing, and EIN confirmation.

LLC vs C-Corp

LLC formation produces different documents (ArticlesOfOrganization, OperatingAgreement, InitialWrittenConsent) and uses member-managed governance instead of a board of directors and shareholders. The formation lifecycle and CLI commands are otherwise identical to C-Corp formation.

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1. Create the LLC entity

CLI

corp form create \
  --name "My LLC" \
  --entity-type llc \
  --jurisdiction DE

The command prints the new entity_id. Use @last in subsequent commands to reference it.

API

curl -X POST http://localhost:8000/v1/entities \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $CORP_API_KEY" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "legal_name": "My LLC",
    "entity_type": "llc",
    "jurisdiction": "DE"
  }'

Save the returned entity_id as ENTITY_ID for the rest of the examples.

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2. Generate formation documents

Advance the entity from Pending to DocumentsGenerated:

CLI

corp form advance @last

API

curl -X POST http://localhost:8000/v1/formations/$ENTITY_ID/advance \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $CORP_API_KEY" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{}'

This generates three documents:

Document	Purpose
ArticlesOfOrganization	Filed with the state to legally create the LLC
OperatingAgreement	Defines member rights, profit distribution, and management structure
InitialWrittenConsent	Records the initial member actions (appointing managers, adopting the operating agreement)

List the generated documents:

corp form documents @last

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3. Sign documents

All generated documents must be signed before filing.

CLI

corp form sign <doc_id> \
  --signer-name "Jane Smith" \
  --signer-role "Member" \
  --signer-email "[email protected]" \
  --signature-text "/s/ Jane Smith" \
  --consent-text "I consent to the terms of this document."

Repeat for each document. After all documents are signed, the entity advances to DocumentsSigned.

API

curl -X POST http://localhost:8000/v1/documents/$DOCUMENT_ID/sign \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $CORP_API_KEY" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "signer_name": "Jane Smith",
    "signer_role": "Member",
    "signer_email": "[email protected]",
    "signature_text": "/s/ Jane Smith",
    "consent_text": "I consent to the terms of this document."
  }'

Signer role

For LLCs, use "Member" or "Manager" as the signer role. C-Corps use "Incorporator", "Director", or "Officer" instead.

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4. Formation lifecycle

The formation state machine applies to both LLCs and C-Corps:

Pending → DocumentsGenerated → DocumentsSigned → FilingSubmitted → Filed → EinApplied → Active

Each call to corp form advance moves the entity forward one step, provided the preconditions for that transition are met (e.g., all documents signed before advancing past DocumentsSigned).

Check current status

corp form status @last

Advance through each stage

# After documents are signed:
corp form advance @last   # → FilingSubmitted

# After confirming the state filing:
corp form advance @last   # → Filed

# After applying for EIN:
corp form advance @last   # → EinApplied

# After confirming the EIN:
corp form advance @last   # → Active

API — advance

curl -X POST http://localhost:8000/v1/formations/$ENTITY_ID/advance \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $CORP_API_KEY" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{}'

---

5. Confirm state filing

Once the state accepts the Articles of Organization:

CLI

corp form confirm-filing @last \
  --confirmation-number "LLC-2026-0042"

Then advance:

corp form advance @last   # → Filed

API

curl -X POST http://localhost:8000/v1/formations/$ENTITY_ID/filing/confirm \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $CORP_API_KEY" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "confirmation_number": "LLC-2026-0042"
  }'

---

6. Confirm EIN

After the IRS assigns an Employer Identification Number:

CLI

corp form confirm-ein @last \
  --ein "12-3456789"

Then advance to complete formation:

corp form advance @last   # → Active

API

curl -X POST http://localhost:8000/v1/formations/$ENTITY_ID/tax/confirm-ein \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $CORP_API_KEY" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "ein": "12-3456789"
  }'

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7. LLC vs C-Corp differences

Aspect	LLC	C-Corp
Formation documents	ArticlesOfOrganization, OperatingAgreement, InitialWrittenConsent	CertificateOfIncorporation, Bylaws, InitialWrittenConsent, IncorporatorAction
Governance roles	Member, Manager	Shareholder, Director, Officer
Governing document	OperatingAgreement	Bylaws
Ownership units	Membership interests / units	Shares of stock
Default taxation	Pass-through (single/multi-member)	Double taxation (corporate + dividend)
Signer roles on documents	Member, Manager	Incorporator, Director, Officer

The CLI and API commands are identical for both entity types. The system generates the correct documents and applies the appropriate governance model based on the entity_type you provide at creation.

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Summary

Stage	CLI	API
Create entity	corp form create --entity-type llc	POST /v1/entities
Generate docs	corp form advance @last	POST /v1/formations/{id}/advance
List docs	corp form documents @last	GET /v1/formations/{id}/documents
Sign doc	corp form sign <doc_id>	POST /v1/documents/{id}/sign
Advance	corp form advance @last	POST /v1/formations/{id}/advance
Confirm filing	corp form confirm-filing @last	POST /v1/formations/{id}/filing/confirm
Confirm EIN	corp form confirm-ein @last	POST /v1/formations/{id}/tax/confirm-ein