> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.atomcommerce.io/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Coupon Batches Overview

> Coupon batches create many unique discount codes in your Shopify store at once. Learn how they work, how they connect to offers, and what each status means.

A coupon batch is a set of discount codes that Atom Commerce creates in your
Shopify store for you. Use one when you want to hand out many different codes,
for example one per email recipient, one per influencer, or one per printed
card.

A batch holds the codes only. The discount itself comes from the
[offers](/offers/creating-offers) you link to the batch.

## When to use a coupon batch

| You want | Use |
| - | - |
| The discount to apply automatically | An offer with the **Automatic** method |
| One shared code that everyone types | An offer with the **Discount Code** method |
| Many unique codes, each tied to the same offers | A coupon batch, and an offer with the **Coupon Batch** method |

## How it works

1. You [create a batch](/coupons/creating) and either generate the codes or
   provide your own.
2. Atom Commerce creates the codes as discount codes in Shopify. The batch
   shows **Preparing Codes** until this finishes.
3. When the batch is **Ready**, you [link an offer to it](/coupons/using-with-offers)
   or create one from the batch page. The offer decides what the customer gets.
4. You [download the codes](/coupons/managing#download-codes) and
   [share them](/coupons/distribution). Customers enter a code at checkout, or
   use a redemption link that applies the code for them.

Several offers can use the same batch. A customer's code works for every active
offer on the batch whose conditions the cart meets. Each offer follows its own
dates.

## Batch statuses

| Status | What it means |
| - | - |
| **Preparing Codes** | Codes are being generated or created in Shopify. A percentage and a count show the progress. |
| **Ready** | All codes are in Shopify and no offer uses the batch yet. It shows "Available for an offer". |
| **In Use** | At least one offer uses the batch. It shows the offer's name, or the number of offers. |
| **Error** | Something stopped the batch from finishing. See [Troubleshooting](/coupons/troubleshooting). |

Closing a dialog never stops the work. The batch keeps preparing in the
background, and you can follow it on the batch page and in the batch list.

## Good to know

* A batch has no start or end date of its own. Its dates in Shopify follow the
  offers linked to it, and each offer applies only within its own dates. See
  [Using coupon batches with offers](/coupons/using-with-offers#dates).
* Customers can enter a code in Shopify's discount code field at checkout or in
  the [Cart Coupon](/getting-started/theme-extensions) field on your cart.
* Recurring offers cannot use a coupon batch.
* A batch that an offer uses cannot be deleted.
* You can add more codes to a batch later. See [Adding codes](/coupons/adding-codes).

## Next steps

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Create a batch" icon="ticket" href="/coupons/creating">
    Generate codes or bring your own.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Use a batch in an offer" icon="percent" href="/coupons/using-with-offers">
    Link offers to a batch.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>


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