Order Processing Pipeline

Overview

Every ecommerce order follows a lifecycle: placed → payment confirmed → fulfillment started → shipped → delivered. Shopify, WooCommerce, and BigCommerce each implement this as a built-in order status system with webhook events at each transition. The goal is to configure these transitions correctly, wire your 3PL or fulfillment system to the right webhooks, and automate side effects (confirmation emails, inventory deduction, tracking notifications) at each stage.

Custom state machine code is only needed for headless storefronts or complex multi-step B2B workflows that platforms cannot handle natively.

When to Use This Skill

• When order statuses become inconsistent (e.g., fulfilled orders showing as pending)
• When implementing automated order routing to a 3PL or fulfillment provider
• When adding order status webhooks for ERP, shipping, or returns integrations
• When building a custom headless order management system

Core Instructions

Step 1: Understand your platform's order statuses and transitions