Getting Started with Rulebase

Get Rulebase up and running in your Shopify store in minutes. This guide walks you through installation, setup, and creating your first rule.

Before You Begin

Requirements

• A Shopify store (any plan works)
• Admin access to your store
• Basic familiarity with Shopify customer tags

What You’ll Need

To make the most of Rulebase, you should have:

• Customer tags already set up (e.g., “Wholesale,” “VIP,” “Retail”)
• A clear idea of which products you want to show/hide to different customers
• 15-20 minutes to complete this guide

Step 1: Install Rulebase

Installation

1. Visit the Shopify App Store
2. Click Add app
3. Review the permissions Rulebase needs:
   • Read products and collections
   • Read customer data (tags, metafields)
   • Customize payment and delivery options
4. Click Install app

You’ll be redirected to the Rulebase dashboard in your Shopify admin.

Choose Your Plan

Start with the Validation (Free) plan to test Rulebase risk-free:

• Design unlimited rules
• Test in the simulator
• No credit card required

You can upgrade to Core ($29/month) when you’re ready to enforce rules in your live store.

Step 2: Enable the App Embed

For Rulebase to control what customers see, you need to enable the theme app embed.

Enable in Your Theme

1. In Shopify admin, go to Online Store → Themes
2. Click Customize on your active theme
3. In the theme editor sidebar, click the App embeds section (usually at the bottom)
4. Find Rulebase Visibility Control
5. Toggle it ON
6. Click Save in the top right

The app embed is now active and ready to enforce your rules.

Step 3: Create Your First Rule

Let’s create a simple rule to hide wholesale products from retail customers.

Access the Rule Builder

1. In Shopify admin, go to Apps → Rulebase
2. Click Create Rule button
3. Choose Product Visibility scope

Configure the Rule

Step 1: Name Your Rule

Give it a clear name like “Hide Wholesale Products from Retail Customers”

Step 2: Set Conditions (WHEN)

Define when the rule should run:

1. Click Add Condition
2. Select Customer Tags
3. Choose does not contain
4. Enter Wholesale

This targets customers who DON’T have the “Wholesale” tag.

Step 3: Choose Targets (TARGET)

Select what the rule affects:

1. Click Add Target
2. Select Product Tag
3. Enter Wholesale

This targets all products tagged with “Wholesale.”

Step 4: Set Action (THEN)

Decide what happens:

1. Select Hide from the action dropdown

This hides wholesale products from non-wholesale customers.

Save as Draft

Click Save Draft (don’t publish yet - we’ll test first).

Step 4: Test Your Rule

Never deploy without testing. The simulator shows you exactly what customers will see.

Run the Simulation

1. Click Simulator in the top navigation
2. Select your rule from the dropdown
3. Configure customer context:
   • Customer tags: Leave empty (simulating retail customer)
   • Login status: Logged in
   • Location: United States
4. Click Run Simulation

Review Results

The simulator shows:

• Products Hidden: List of wholesale products that will be hidden
• Products Visible: List of products that remain visible
• Execution Graph: Visual diagram of how the rule evaluated

If the results look correct, you’re ready to publish.

Troubleshooting Simulation

Problem: No products hidden

• Check: Are products properly tagged with “Wholesale”?
• Check: Is the condition logic correct (does NOT contain)?

Problem: Wrong products hidden

• Adjust: Refine your target criteria (specific products vs. product tags)

Step 5: Publish Your Rule

Once you’ve tested and verified:

1. Return to the Rules page
2. Find your draft rule
3. Click Publish

Your rule is now live. Customers without the “Wholesale” tag will no longer see wholesale products.

Verify in Your Storefront

Test in a real browser:

1. Open your store in an incognito/private window (to simulate a logged-out customer)
2. Browse products
3. Verify wholesale products are hidden

Step 6: Monitor and Adjust

Check Rule Performance

In the Rulebase dashboard:

• Active Rules: See all live rules
• Execution Logs: Review recent rule evaluations
• Insights: Understand which rules are running most often

Make Changes

To update a rule:

1. Click the rule name
2. Make your changes
3. Test in simulator
4. Click Update to save

Changes take effect immediately.

Next Steps

Explore Advanced Features

• Create complex multi-condition rules
• Set up payment method restrictions
• Export rules for backup

Use Case Guides

See how other merchants use Rulebase:

• B2B Wholesale Setup
• VIP Customer Experience
• Regional Payment Options

Upgrade to Core Plan

Ready to enforce rules in production?

1. Go to Settings in Rulebase
2. Click Upgrade to Core
3. Enter payment details ($29/month)
4. Your rules will start enforcing immediately

Common Questions

Do I need to modify my theme?

No. Rulebase works with any Online Store 2.0 theme through the app embed. No code changes required.

What happens if I uninstall the app?

All rules stop enforcing immediately. Customers will see all products and payment options again.

Can I test rules on specific customers?

Yes! Use the simulator and enter exact customer tags, location, or metafields to preview their experience.

How many rules can I create?

Unlimited on all plans. Design and test as many rules as you need.

Will rules slow down my store?

No. Rulebase is optimized for performance with caching and efficient evaluation. Most stores see no noticeable impact.

Get Help

Need assistance?

• Features Documentation - Detailed feature guides
• Product Overview - Learn more about Rulebase
• Support Resources - Contact our team

Ready to create more rules? Head to the Use Case Guides for inspiration.