# Sync events in Inventory Sync Groups

This guide explains what **Sync Events** are and how they keep your **Inventory Sync Groups** updated automatically.

## ℹ️  What are Sync Events?

A **Sync Event** is an action that changes inventory in Shopify—and triggers Tipo to update other products in the same Inventory Sync Group.

In simple terms:

> **Something changes stock → Tipo detects it → Tipo syncs the group.**

***

## 🔄 How sync happens (Sync events)

Each time one of the events below occurs, Tipo creates a **Sync Event** and updates inventory for products inside the related **Inventory Sync Group**.\
Here are the main events that can trigger synchronization:

### 🧩 1) Group created or updated

Whenever a group is created or updated, the app automatically syncs inventory according to the configuration in that group.&#x20;

**When it triggers**

**a) Group created/edited:** You create a new group or update group settings/variants

**b) Bulk update:** You update multiple groups using the bulk editor

**c) Import:** You import groups via CSV

**What happens**

Tipo recalculates the group inventory based on the new settings, then updates all linked items.

**Example:**\
You create a group that links T-shirt Red and T-shirt Blue because they share the same stock.\
After you click **Save**, Tipo Sync triggers a Group created/updated sync event and recalculates the group inventory.\
For example, if the inventory is 100 units, Tipo Sync sets:

* T-shirt Red = 100
* T-shirt Blue = 100

***

### 🛒 2) Order created

**When it triggers**

This event happens when a customer places an order for a product in a sync group.

**What happens**

Shopify reduces inventory → Tipo updates the rest of the group to keep inventory consistent.

**Example:**

Your group links T-shirt Red and T-shirt Blue, and both show 100 units.\
A customer buys 3 of T-shirt Blue.\
Tipo Sync detects the inventory change and updates the group:

* T-shirt Blue = 97
* T-shirt Red = 97

### &#x20;↩️ 3) Order refunded or canceled

**When it triggers**

This event happens when an order is refunded/canceled and inventory is returned to stock (based on Shopify settings).

**What happens**

Inventory increases in Shopify → Tipo syncs the new quantity to other items in the group.

**Note**: Only items with “Restock” checked in Shopify will be synced back to available inventory.

<figure><img src="https://2618001169-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FQFJLe0hkcyiradJOCgpx%2Fuploads%2FLvQe9rLAnsHFfTDbx9Zl%2F2025-10-24_11-24-32.png?alt=media&#x26;token=2f56be56-6b0d-4d83-9373-469540ac400f" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

**Example:**<br>

After the sale, both shirts show **97 units**.\
You refund **2** items and return inventory to stock.\
Tipo Sync syncs the group:

* T-shirt Red = 99
* T-shirt Blue = 99

***

### 📍4)  Order location changed

**When it triggers**

This event happens when the fulfillment/inventory location for an order item changes (for stores using multiple locations).

**What happens**

Tipo recalculates inventory based on the updated location and updates group items accordingly.

<figure><img src="https://2618001169-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FQFJLe0hkcyiradJOCgpx%2Fuploads%2FlWcFlzlnq2tjwaZVw2p3%2F2025-10-24_11-25-34.png?alt=media&#x26;token=258243de-0b45-4e63-ac6a-c9fb92842bab" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

**Example:**\
A sale was originally deducted from **Warehouse A**, then the order location is changed to **Warehouse B**.\
Tipo app recalculates inventory based on the new location and updates group items using that location’s available stock.

***

### ✏️ 5) Order edited

**When it triggers**

This event happens when order line items are changed after the order is created.&#x20;

Includes:

**a. Add New Product:** The newly added product is synced and its stock reduced.

**b. Update Quantity:** The app adjusts inventory to reflect the updated product quantity in the order.

**What happens**

Shopify adjusts inventory again → Tipo applies the updated inventory across the group.

**Example:**\
A customer originally ordered **1** unit, then you edit the order to **3** units.\
Shopify adjusts inventory again, and Tipo Sync updates the group so all linked items match the new inventory level.

***

### Summary

| Event Type                    | Trigger                                             | Action Taken                                                        | Example                                                    |
| ----------------------------- | --------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Group Created / Updated**   | Group created, edited, bulk updated, or imported    | Recalculates and syncs inventory for all variants in the group      | You link T-shirt Red and Blue → both updated to same stock |
| **Order Created**             | New order placed                                    | Deducts ordered quantity across all linked variants                 | 1 Red sold → 1 Blue also deducted                          |
| **Order Refunded / Canceled** | Refund or cancellation with “Restock items” checked | Restocks product quantity in the group                              | 1 Red refunded → 1 Blue also restocked                     |
| **Order Location Changed**    | Order moved to another fulfillment location         | Adjusts stock in both old and new locations                         | Move from Warehouse A → B → stock adjusted                 |
| **Order Edited**              | Order modified                                      | Updates inventory when new products are added or quantities changed | Added 1 more Red → 1 Blue also reduced                     |

**🙋 Still need support?**

If you still need help, please feel free to contact us at <hi@tipo.io>. We’ll be happy to assist you further.
