Using the AI Prompt Box

The AI prompt box at the top of the ShipRules AI dashboard lets you create, modify, and delete shipping rules using plain English. No need to know the exact field names or navigate through forms.

How it works

1. You type a request in plain English. For example: “Add $5 surcharge for orders to Alaska and Hawaii”

2. The AI parses your request and converts it into one or more shipping rule operations. It uses your current configuration (zones, methods, groups, rules) to match entity names and figure out what you mean.

3. A confirmation card appears showing exactly what will change:

   • Each operation listed in plain English
   • Which methods, zones, or groups are affected
   • A confidence score (higher is better)
   • Whether the operation is destructive (deletes something permanently)

4. You review and apply. Click “Apply” to execute all the operations, or “Cancel” to discard. If something looks wrong, you can modify your prompt and try again.

What you can ask

Here are patterns the AI handles well:

Creating rules

• “Free shipping on orders over $100”
• “Add a $5 surcharge for Alaska and Hawaii”
• “Block express shipping for products tagged ‘oversized’”
• “Only show Ground Shipping for orders under 2kg”

Creating methods

• “Add a flat rate $9.99 shipping method to the US zone”
• “Create a free shipping option for the EU zone”

Modifying existing rules

• “Change the free shipping threshold to $150”
• “Remove the Alaska surcharge” (hides the rule — doesn’t delete it)

Deleting things

• “Delete the Ground Shipping method” (permanent — use with care)
• “Delete the old weight-based rule on Express”

Caution

“Remove” and “block” create a Hide rule (reversible). Only “delete” or “permanently remove” will actually delete something. The confirmation card always tells you if an operation is destructive.

Tips for better prompts

1. Use specific names. Instead of “the shipping method”, say “Standard Shipping” or “Express”. The AI matches against your existing method names.

2. Mention the zone if you have similar methods in multiple zones. “Free shipping on Standard for the US zone” is clearer than “Free shipping on Standard”.

3. Use dollar amounts naturally. “$9.99”, “$100”, “ten dollars” all work. The AI converts to cents automatically.

4. Combine operations. “Free shipping on orders over $100, and add a $5 surcharge for PO boxes” creates two rules in one go. They’re grouped as a batch in your version history.

5. Check the confidence score. Below 50% means the AI wasn’t sure about something. Read the clarification note — it usually tells you what’s ambiguous.

Prompt limits by plan

Plan	Prompts per month
Starter	20
Pro	200
Enterprise	Unlimited

Each prompt counts as one use, regardless of how many operations it generates. Prompts that you cancel (don’t apply) still count toward your limit.

What the prompt box can’t do

• Change your Shopify zone definitions — zones sync from Shopify. To add a country, update your Shopify shipping zones and ShipRules AI will pick up the change.
• Create product groups with variant assignments — you can ask it to create a group, but assigning specific variants must be done in the UI.
• Modify billing or account settings — plan changes, API key management, and account settings are done through the Settings page.