Two tools in the admin's side menu (on a phone, the top bar) save you time: Search (also called Search and Jump), which finds records and opens any screen from the keyboard, and the bell, which lists what has just happened that needs you.
Search and Jump
Open it in any of these ways:
- Press Ctrl K (on a Mac, ⌘ K) anywhere in the admin.
- Press / when you are not typing in a field.
- Click Search at the top of the menu ("Search or jump to"), or choose Search and Jump in your account menu. On a phone, tap the search button at the top.
A window opens with a box: "Search orders, products, customers or pages".
What It Finds
| You Type | It Finds |
|---|---|
An order number, with or without # (1042, #1042) | That order first |
Four or more digits of a phone number (98765) | Orders placed with that phone, and the customer |
| A name, an email or part of one | Customers and orders with that name or email |
| A product name or a SKU | Products, with the SKU shown when it matched |
A screen or setting's name (taxes, couriers, filters) | The screen, ready to open |
An action (add product, create discount) | Add Product, Create Discount |
Results come in groups: Recent (screens you opened lately from the palette, in this browser), Pages, Actions, Settings, Orders, Products and Customers. A customer shows their number of orders ("Orders: 3"); choosing one opens the customer's page. Up to five records of each kind are listed; for more, open the full list and use its filters.
Moving Around
- ↑ and ↓ move through the results; Enter opens the one marked.
- Esc closes the window.
- The palette only offers screens and records your role allows. If records cannot be searched for a moment, it says "Orders, products and customers could not be searched just now. Pages still work."
The Bell
The bell, at the foot of the side menu (on a phone, in the top bar), shows a count of unread items. Open it to see Notifications:
- New order #1042, with the shopper's name, the total and how they paid.
- Delivery failed for #1042, with the courier's reason and the attempt number. Marked Resolved once settled.
- Exchange asked on #1042.
- Notification credits are low or Notification credits have run out, with your balance: "Top up so order messages keep going out."
Each item says how long ago it happened ("Just now", "12 min ago", "3 h ago", "2 d ago") and opens the order, shipment, exchange or Wallet. MARK ALL READ clears the count. When there is nothing new: "You're all caught up".
Bell Settings
In Settings › Admin and Reports › Admin Bell:
| Setting | What It Does | Default |
|---|---|---|
| Show New Orders in the Bell | Each new order appears in the bell. A busy store may turn this off; failed deliveries, exchanges and low credits always appear. | On |
| How Far Back the Bell Looks | Days of orders, failed deliveries and exchanges the bell lists (1 to 60). | 14 days |
Other Shortcuts
| Where | Keys |
|---|---|
| Anywhere | Ctrl K / ⌘ K or /: search and jump |
| Theme editor | Ctrl S / ⌘ S: save |
| Help Centre (this site) | /: search the Help Centre |
| Lists and dialogs | Esc closes a dialog or side sheet |
The Light and Dark Theme
The sun or moon button beside the bell switches the admin between a light and a dark theme ("Switch to the dark theme"). Your choice is remembered in this browser.
Questions
Why can't I find an order by the customer's phone number?
Type at least four digits of the number. Fewer digits are treated as an order number.
Can I turn the bell off completely?
New orders can be left out (Show New Orders in the Bell). Failed deliveries, exchanges and low credits always appear, because they need action.
Does the bell send me emails?
No, the bell is inside the admin. Emails about new orders are set in Notifications.
Does search look inside product descriptions?
No. It matches product names and SKUs. Use the Products list filters for more.