How to Set Up Soply Virtual Inventory for the First Time

Start with one product and complete the full path: choose a mode, create an inventory relationship, check availability, enable validation, and test a purchase. This makes it easier to spot an incorrect usage quantity or location before applying rules across your catalog.

Before you begin

• Make sure the Shopify product and variant you will test already exist.
• Have a real stock quantity and the amount of material used per sale. For a bundle, list its components and the quantity needed for one kit.
• Choose a test product or a test period that will not disrupt real customers. Checkout validation can affect whether a customer completes a purchase.

1. Choose an inventory mode

Open Inventory rules in Soply. Select Raw material mode, Bundle mode, or Mixed mode, then save the page. Choose Raw material mode when finished products share materials; Bundle mode when you sell kits made from existing items; and Mixed mode when you need both.

The same page controls when orders affect inventory. For online payments only, the default On payment option may be a starting point. If you accept both cash on delivery (COD) and online payments, review how Auto holds stock for pending COD orders before changing the setting. The order timing guide explains each option in detail.

2. Create your first inventory relationship

Raw material path: Open Raw Materials and add an app-managed material. Enter its name, unit, and Opening stock. Under Product Usage, select the test Shopify variant and enter Consumption Per Unit. Save, then confirm that the material and variant relationship appears.

Bundle path: Open Bundles / Kits and add a bundle. Select the Shopify variant customers will buy, add its component variants, and enter the quantity needed per bundle. Save and check the bundle's status.

3. Check calculated availability

Review the available quantity shown for the product or bundle and calculate a simple example yourself. If you have 10 meters of fabric and each product uses 0.5 meter, that material supports up to 20 products when no other limits apply.

If Soply shows a different result, check the material's Available to use quantity, the selected variant, usage per unit, bundle components, and locations before enabling validation.

4. Check and enable validation

Return to Inventory rules and find Cart & checkout validation. Once your material or bundle rule is ready, use Enable and confirm the status becomes Active. This change applies immediately; it is separate from the page's save bar. If the page says your plan cannot affect checkout, follow the plan prompt first.

You can also review App status on Home. It shows checkout validation and the optional Storefront cart quantity controls theme app embed as separate statuses.

5. Test two quantities

In your storefront, test the same variant twice:

1. Try a quantity within the calculated availability. Confirm you can continue the purchase.
2. Try a quantity above the calculated availability. Confirm checkout applies the inventory limit.

If both attempts are blocked, check whether the material or component is active, whether its available quantity is zero, and whether the correct variant is connected. If an excessive quantity still passes checkout, check that validation is Active and that the tested variant is covered by the rule.

Once this first product behaves as expected, expand the setup to more products.