Creating Rules

Creating automation rules

Quick Summary: Create, test, and activate an automation rule. For: Clients Level: Beginner

Overview

An automation rule applies one Action when its conditions match. A new rule starts inactive. Test it with Matching Orders, then select Activate when the result is correct.

The + control and editing controls appear when your account can change rules. Read-only access still allows Matching Orders and History on saved rules.

Before you start

Decide these points before you open the form:

Which order change should occur.
Which orders should match.
Which return items should match.
Which location, courier, address, packaging, or other value the action needs.

Naming

Use a name that states the trigger and result, such as "US Express to West Coast courier". Consistent names make similar rules easier to compare.

Quick start

Open Automation Rules from the top navigation.

Select + on the Automation Rules page.
Enter a clear Rule Name.
Select an Action, then complete its required fields.
Add the conditions that identify matching records.
Open Timing and priority only if the rule needs a date window or priority.
Select Add. The saved rule opens in the inactive state.

Execute at fills from the selected action. If the action supports one event, the form selects that event automatically.

Test and activate

Select Matching Orders on a saved rule. The preview shows effective status, the bounded number evaluated, and overlapping rules for the same action.

Return actions use Matching Return Items instead.

Use the preview to check both missed records and unintended matches. It tests current records; it cannot prove that a future order will accept the action.

Select Activate when the preview is correct. If you set Starts or Ends, the rule runs only inside that window. Deactivate it before making a substantial change, then test it again.

Action details

Available actions depend on your account and selected options. Each action also limits the conditions it accepts.

Action	Fields to configure
Set Courier and Location	Select a ship-from location and Courier.
Assign Packaging	Select Packaging.
Override Approval type	Select Approval Type.
Assign Importer Address	Select Importer Address.
Assign Exporter Address	Select Exporter Address.
Assign Customs Broker Address	Select Customs Broker Address.
Insure Order	Select Insurance Status.
Add tag to Order	Enter Tag.
Set Reason of Export	Select Reason of export.
Add on document attachment and printing	Upload a PDF in Attachment file.

Additional actions

Action	Fields to configure
Change Warehouse And Courier When Out Of Stock	Select a fallback location and Courier.
Set Courier and Location for return RMA	Select a location, Source countries, and Courier.
Override Return Order Approval type	Select Approval Type.
Set Fastest Courier	Select a location and one or more Couriers.
Restock Return Items	No action-specific field.
Quarantine Return Items	No action-specific field.
Dispose Return Items	No action-specific field.

Most actions require at least one condition. Set Courier and Location for return RMA also permits no conditions.

Conditions

Conditions identify the records to change. The condition list depends on the selected action.

Choosing a condition type

Available condition types depend on the action and can include:

Condition	Typical use
Shipping Option	Match the selected shipping method.
SKU List	Match products in the order.
TAGs List	Match order tags.
Single SKU	Match one SKU and its quantity.
Destination Country	Match the delivery country.
Source Country	Match the origin country.
Destination State	Match a delivery state or region.
Order Value	Match a value threshold.
Order Weight	Match a weight threshold.
Package Dimension	Match package size data.
Batteries and Battery type	Match battery content or type.
Liquids	Match liquid content.
Shopify Location List	Match integration location data.
Days since delivery	Match elapsed days after delivery.
Order content	Match order line content.

Some actions also offer Warehouses List when their configuration supports it.

Choosing an operator

The operator choices depend on the condition field. Use the labels shown in the form.

Field type	Operators
Text	Equals, Not equals, Contains, Starts with, Ends with
Number	Less, Less or equal, Equal, Not equal, Greater or equal, Greater
Country list	For next entries, Except next entries
Item set	Order and list have exactly same items, Order has at least one item from the list, Order should include all items from the list, Order contains only items from the list, Order does not include items form the list

Entering the value

Enter text, a number, a country, or a list as the selected condition requests. Courier choices follow the selected ship-from location and your available services.

Combining multiple conditions

Use + Add Condition to add a condition at the current level. Use + Condition inside a group or + Group to create a nested group.

Select the group operator to switch between All (AND) and Any (OR). At the top level, the OR choice appears as Match any (OR).

All (AND) requires every condition in the group to match.
Any (OR) requires at least one condition in the group to match.

For example, use All (AND) to require an Express shipping option and the United States. Use Any (OR) to accept orders for either the United States or Canada.

Timing and priority

Priority orders competing rules for the same action. Higher explicit values run first; a blank value follows explicit values. The Matching Orders preview shows the current winning outcome.

Starts is inclusive and Ends is exclusive in your current timezone. The end must be later than the start. A rule outside its window does not run.

Edit, copy, or delete

Editing a rule

Open a saved rule, change its fields, and select Save Changes. Test an active rule again after changing its action or conditions.

Copying a rule

Select Copy to open a pre-filled new rule. The form appends Copy to the name and creates the new rule as inactive. Select Add to save it.

Deactivating or deleting a rule

Select Deactivate to stop a rule while keeping it available. Delete appears only for an inactive rule. Delete asks for confirmation and removes the rule permanently.

Competing rules

An active rule can overlap another rule for the same action. Use Matching Orders to compare matching and winning counts before you activate the rule. Adjust conditions when the overlap is unintended.

Form actions

Button	What it does
Add or Save Changes	Saves a new rule or an edited rule.
Activate or Deactivate	Changes whether the saved rule is active.
Copy	Opens a new inactive rule from the current settings.
Matching Orders	Previews records that match the rule.
Delete	Permanently removes an inactive rule.
History	Opens the saved rule's change history.

Best practices

Give each rule one clear purpose.
Start with the narrow conditions you need.
Review Matching Orders before activation and after significant changes.
Deactivate a rule you may need again instead of deleting it.

Troubleshooting

Issue	Cause	Solution
Rule does not run	Rule is inactive or outside its timing window	Select Activate or review Timing and priority.
Wrong records match	Conditions are too broad or use the wrong operator	Compare results in Matching Orders, then tighten the conditions.
No records match	Conditions are too narrow or a value does not match	Review country, option, SKU, tag, and threshold values.
A condition or action is missing	The selected action or your account does not offer it	Choose a supported action or contact your Account Manager.
Courier is missing	No available service matches the selected location	Check the ship-from location and your courier setup or contact your Account Manager.
Add stays disabled	A required field, condition, or valid timing value is missing	Complete the required values and set Ends after Starts.
Another rule appears to win	Multiple rules target the same action	Review matching and winning counts, then narrow or adjust the rules.
Cannot delete a rule	Rule is active	Select Deactivate, then use Delete if removal is intended.

Automation Rules Overview: concepts and rule management
Examples: example rule configurations
Orders Overview: order data used by rules