Understanding the Add a subscription node for Automate flows

The Add a subscription node lets you add a subscription product directly to a customer's upcoming order within an Automate flow. 

This guide explains how to use the Add a subscription node, how to configure it, and key use cases for it in Automate flows.

Before you start

Consider the following before using the Add a subscription node:

• This article only applies to Automate flows.
• The Add a subscription node works independently and does not require a Smart loop, though both can coexist in the same flow.
• Use the correct node based on your use case:
  • Add a subscription node: Use for simple, direct adds where you know exactly which subscription to add. For example, add a specific product after a set number of orders.
  • Subscription node within the Smart loop: Use for complex scenarios where you need to add a subscription based on the attributes of another subscription. 

How it works

With the Add a subscription node, you select the specific subscription variant you want to add to a customer's upcoming order. 

When the flow runs, the node identifies and adds that subscription directly, without needing to loop through a customer's existing subscriptions first.

Configure the Add a subscription node

Add the Add a subscription node when building or editing an Automate flow. In your Recharge merchant portal:

1. Click Products and select Automate.
2. Create a new flow from a template, or open an existing, unpublished flow.
3. Open the Add a node menu.
4. Select the Add a subscription node.
5. Select the product you want to add.
6. Optional: Apply any overrides.
   • Order frequency: Select a plan or set a custom frequency.
   • Quantity: Set a custom quantity.
7. Click Apply to save your changes.

Use cases

Refer to the examples below to see how you can use the Add a subscription node when building Automate flows: