Every Shopify Hero Needs a Sidekick.

Tag: productVariantsBulkUpdate

  • Kill the Pricing Headache: Build a Bulk Variant Price Updater in 60 Seconds

    Kill the Pricing Headache: Build a Bulk Variant Price Updater in 60 Seconds

    Product Variant Pricing Manager

    PREREQUISITES:

    • Time: 60s
    • Access: Sidekick AI
    • Plan: Grow / Advanced / Plus

    The “Click-and-Wait” Fatigue

    Shopify’s native bulk editor is powerful, but it’s a chore when you need to change prices for a single product with 50+ variants. Whether you’re prepping for a flash sale or adjusting for inflation, you shouldn’t have to hunt through columns or wait for massive tables to load just to change a “Large / Red” variant from $20 to $25.

    The Solution: Sidekick It

    We are sharing a recipe for a Variant Price Updater. This app gives you a focused “Command Center.” You search for a product, see every variant on one screen, and update prices in bulk with a single click. No spreadsheets, no hunting for columns—just fast, secure pricing updates.

    The Exact Prompt

    Create a brand new Variant Price Updater app. 
    The app should: 
    - Provide BOTH a dropdown menu (loading up to 250 products alphabetically) 
      AND a search field for product selection. 
    - Display all variants for the selected product in a paginated table 
      (100 variants per page). 
    - Show columns for: Checkbox (for selection), Variant name (showing option 
      values like "Small / Red"), Current Price, New Price input field. 
    Logic:
    - Allow users to select multiple variants and enter new prices. 
    - Include an "Update Prices" button that uses the productVariantsBulkUpdate 
      mutation to update selected variants. 
    - Show success/error messages and refresh the table after updates. 
    - Include separate Help and Share buttons. 
    Keep it simple and functional.

    Triple-click the box above to copy the magic.

    Key Features of Your New Price Updater

    • Dual Selection Mode: Use the search bar for speed or the dropdown to browse alphabetically.
    • Bulk Checkboxes: Only want to change the price of the “Extra Large” sizes? Check the boxes you need and leave the rest untouched.
    • Paginated for Performance: Even if you have hundreds of variants, the app handles them in 100-per-page chunks to keep things fast.
    • Real-Time Refresh: As soon as you hit “Update,” the app confirms the change and refreshes the table so you can see your live prices immediately.

    ⚠️ Warning: This app uses the productVariantsBulkUpdate mutation to push changes directly to your live store. Always double-check your “New Price” inputs before clicking Update—especially if you are adjusting high-ticket items!

    Common Questions

    Can I undo a bulk price change?

    There is no “Undo” button; you would simply run the prompt again with the previous prices. We recommend exporting a CSV of your products before any massive pricing overhauls.

    Does this update the “Compare-at Price”?

    This specific recipe focuses on the Current Price. If you want to handle sales, ask Sidekick: “Add a ‘Compare-at Price’ column to this table and include it in the update mutation.”

    Will new prices show up on my store immediately?

    Yes! Once the mutation is successful, Shopify’s cache usually updates within seconds for your customers.

    The Sidekick Challenge: What’s the biggest “pricing oops” you’ve ever had on your store? Let us know in the comments if this command center helps you sleep better at night!

  • Master Dimensional Weight: Build a Shopify Product Dimensions Manager in Seconds

    Master Dimensional Weight: Build a Shopify Product Dimensions Manager in Seconds

    Product Dimensions Manager

    PREREQUISITES:

    • Time: 60s
    • Access: Shopify Sidekick AI
    • Plan: Grow / Advanced / Plus

    The “Dim Weight” Trap

    Have you ever been shocked by a shipping invoice that was double what you quoted a customer? Welcome to the world of Dimensional Weight. Carriers like Canada Post, UPS, and FedEx don’t just care how much a box weighs; they care how much space it takes up. If you ship a 1lb pillow in a large box, you’ll be charged for the space, not the weight. If you aren’t tracking Length, Width, and Height, you’re flying blind.

    The Solution: Sidekick It

    Today, we’re using Shopify Sidekick to build a custom Product Dimensions Manager. This app creates a central dashboard to audit your entire catalog and save dimensions as Metafields—without needing a third-party paid app. By tracking these in Shopify, you can provide accurate data to 3PLs and use advanced apps to calculate exact box fits.

    The Exact Prompt

    Create a brand new Product Dimensions Manager app. 
    The app should: 
    - Display physical products that require shipping in a table. 
    - Show columns for: Product name, Variant, SKU, Length, Width, Height, 
      Dimension Unit selector (Inches, Centimeters, Meters, Feet), 
      Last Updated, and an Update button. 
    Include filter toggles: 
    1. "Show only products with missing dimensions" 
    2. "Hide out of stock products"
    Logic:
    - Allow users to enter L, W, and H values and select units. 
    - Store dimensions as custom metafields using the productVariantsBulkUpdate mutation. 
    - Show a "Last Updated" column for tracking modifications.
    - Include a Share button with instructions in an expandable section. 
    Keep it simple and functional.

    Triple-click the box above to copy the magic.

    Key Features of Your New App

    • Metafield Integration: Automatically creates and updates Metafields in the sidekick namespace (length, width, height).
    • Smart Filtering: Instantly isolate products that are missing data or hide out-of-stock items.
    • Bulk-Ready Table: Update your L x W x H and Unit (Inches/CM) on one screen.
    • Data Validation: Prevents “fat-finger” typos by ensuring only numbers are entered for dimensions.

    ⚠️ Technical Note: The data saved by this app is stored as Variant Metafields (Key: sidekick.length, sidekick.width, etc.). Ensure your shipping or 3PL software is configured to read these specific metafield keys for automated calculations..”

    Common Questions

    Why store dimensions as Metafields?.

    Shopify’s core product fields don’t include L x W x H by default. Metafields are the standard way to store this extra data so other apps and carriers can access it

    Sidekick Challenge” question to encourage comments.

    Can I change the units later?

    Yes! The app includes a unit selector (Inches, CM, etc.). If you switch units, the app will update the sidekick.dimension_unit metafield accordingly.

    Is there a limit to how many products I can update?

    The productVariantsBulkUpdate mutation is very efficient, but if you have thousands of variants, Sidekick may process them in batches.

    The Sidekick Challenge: Check your last UPS or FedEx bill. How much did “Dimensional Weight” cost you this month? Let us know in the comments if this tool helped you bridge the gap!