Get started

Substitutions keeps a sold-out variant selling and ships a backup you approved, so the order goes out instead of being lost. This page covers installing the app and what happens the first time you open it.

Install the app

1. Log in to the Shopify admin of the store where you want the app.
2. Open Substitutions on the Shopify App Store and click Install.
3. Review the permissions and approve the install.

The Free plan needs no payment details. Paid plans start with a 30-day free trial.

First-time setup

When you first open the app, it reads your products, variants and inventory. You'll see progress messages such as "Analyzing your product catalog…" while it runs.

• Setup runs on its own. You don't need to keep the page open.
• Large catalogs take longer. Check back later if it's still running.
• When it's done, you'll see "Setup complete — your store data is ready".

Your first rule

There are two ways to start:

• Use a recommendation. If the app finds sold-out variants that have sold well, it lists them under Smart recommendations with a matched backup. Click Enable substitution to turn one into a live rule. See Smart recommendations.
• Build one yourself. Click Create substitution, pick the variant that sells out, and add its backups. See Create a rule.

Before you turn a rule on

A rule only fires when Shopify reports the variant as sold out, so inventory tracking must be on for that variant. If it's off, the rule shows Needs attention with "Can't detect stockouts". Turn on Track quantity for the variant in Shopify, and the rule can fire.

Pick a variant that actually runs out. A rule on a variant with plenty of stock waits on Standing by until it sells out, which is fine, but you won't see the app work until then.

Need help?

Email support@automatethis.dev, or use Contact support in the app to email us or book a call.