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

# Managing Channels

> Configure and maintain sales channels

# Managing Channels

This guide covers channel configuration and maintenance tasks.

## Channel Detail View

Click on a channel name from the channels table to open its detail page.

### Channel Header

The detail page header shows:

| Element            | Description                                   |
| ------------------ | --------------------------------------------- |
| **Channel Name**   | Display name with a store icon                |
| **Type Badge**     | The channel type (e.g., Shopify)              |
| **Currency Badge** | The channel's currency (e.g., USD)            |
| **Status Badge**   | Shows "Inactive" if the channel is not active |

### Summary Cards

Three cards provide a quick overview:

| Card                   | Description                                |
| ---------------------- | ------------------------------------------ |
| **Total Orders**       | Count of all sales orders for this channel |
| **Manual Orders**      | Orders created manually in Tether          |
| **Integration Orders** | Orders synced from an external integration |

### Sales Orders Table

The detail page includes a full sales orders table with the following columns:

| Column          | Description                                          |
| --------------- | ---------------------------------------------------- |
| **Order #**     | Order number or truncated ID (links to order detail) |
| **Source**      | "Manual" or "Integration" badge                      |
| **Order Date**  | Date the order was placed                            |
| **Warehouse**   | Fulfillment warehouse (links to warehouse detail)    |
| **External ID** | External system identifier, if applicable            |
| **Created**     | When the order was created in Tether                 |

The table supports sorting, filtering, pagination, row grouping, and a sidebar for column management.

## Creating Manual Orders

From the channel detail page, click **Create Manual Order** to create a new sales order assigned to this channel. You will be taken to the manual order creation form with the channel pre-selected.

## Archiving Channels

To deactivate a channel without deleting its data:

<Steps>
  <Step title="Go to Channels">
    Navigate to the **Channels** dashboard
  </Step>

  <Step title="Find the Channel">
    Locate the channel in the table
  </Step>

  <Step title="Click Archive">
    Click the trash icon in the **Actions** column
  </Step>

  <Step title="Confirm">
    In the confirmation dialog, click **Archive Channel** to proceed
  </Step>
</Steps>

**Effects of archiving:**

* Channel's `is_active` status is set to false
* Channel is hidden from active channel lists
* Historical data (orders, forecasts) is preserved
* Channel can be identified in the system for future restoration

<Note>
  Archiving is a soft delete. The channel and all associated data remain in the system.
</Note>

## Channel Integration

Channels can receive orders automatically through integrations. When an integration syncs sales orders, each order is associated with a specific channel.

### Supported External Services

Integrations are configured separately and can sync data to your channels:

| External Service | Description                      |
| ---------------- | -------------------------------- |
| **Shopify**      | E-commerce platform integration  |
| **BigQuery**     | Data warehouse integration       |
| **Redshift**     | Data warehouse integration       |
| **TrackStar**    | Warehouse management integration |
| **Brewman**      | Brewery management integration   |

### Setting Up Channel Integrations

1. Go to **Integrations** in the sidebar
2. Create a new integration for the desired external service
3. Configure capabilities (e.g., sales orders, sales history)
4. Set up the sync schedule

See [Integration Setup](/integrations/setup) for detailed instructions.

## Channel Hierarchy Assignment

Hierarchy field values can be assigned to channels directly from the channels table on the dashboard. Each active hierarchy field appears as a column with a dropdown selector.

See [Channel Hierarchy](/channels/hierarchy) for configuration details.

## Multi-Channel Considerations

### Channel Overlap

When selling same products on multiple channels:

* Inventory is considered across channels for forecasting
* Forecast separately per channel
* Monitor for cannibalization

### Order Source Tracking

Each sales order tracks its source:

| Source          | Description                             |
| --------------- | --------------------------------------- |
| **Manual**      | Orders created directly in Tether       |
| **Integration** | Orders synced from an external platform |

## Troubleshooting

### Channel Not Showing in Forecasts

**Possible causes:**

* Channel is archived (inactive)
* No sales orders on the channel
* Forecast filters excluding the channel

**Solutions:**

1. Check the channel's active status
2. Verify sales orders exist for the channel
3. Clear forecast filters

### Data Not Syncing

**For integrated channels:**

* Check that the integration is enabled
* Verify credentials are valid
* Review sync execution history

See [Integration Troubleshooting](/integrations/troubleshooting).

## Next Steps

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Channel Hierarchy" icon="sitemap" href="/channels/hierarchy">
    Organize channels with hierarchy fields
  </Card>

  <Card title="Integrations" icon="plug" href="/integrations/setup">
    Set up channel integrations
  </Card>

  <Card title="Sync Sessions" icon="rotate" href="/integrations/sync-sessions">
    Monitor integration sync activity
  </Card>

  <Card title="User Access" icon="users" href="/administration/user-access">
    Control channel access
  </Card>
</CardGroup>