> ## 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.

# Collections Overview

> Organizing products with collections in Tether

# Collections Overview

Collections are the primary way to organize and group related SKUs in Tether. They provide shared configurations, dimensions, and settings that apply to all SKUs within the collection.

## What is a Collection?

A collection is a logical grouping of related products. Think of it as a product line or category that shares common characteristics.

**Examples:**

* "T-Shirts" - all t-shirt variants
* "Electronics" - electronic products
* "Summer 2024" - seasonal product line
* "Accessories" - bags, hats, belts

## Why Use Collections?

Collections provide several benefits:

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Shared Dimensions" icon="ruler-combined">
    Define Size, Color, and other attributes once, use across all SKUs in the collection
  </Card>

  <Card title="Bulk Operations" icon="layer-group">
    Apply settings, pricing, or updates to all SKUs in a collection at once
  </Card>

  <Card title="SKU Generation" icon="wand-magic-sparkles">
    Automatically create SKU variants from dimension combinations
  </Card>

  <Card title="Organization" icon="folder-tree">
    Keep your catalog organized and easy to navigate
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## The Collections Dashboard

Navigate to **SKUs** → **Collections** tab to access the collections dashboard.

### Dashboard Features

| Feature             | Description                          |
| ------------------- | ------------------------------------ |
| **Collection List** | All collections with key information |
| **Search**          | Find collections by name             |
| **Status Filter**   | Show Active, Archived, or All        |
| **Create Button**   | Add new collections                  |

### Collection Information

Each collection shows:

* **Name** - Collection display name
* **Description** - Optional details
* **SKU Count** - Number of SKUs in the collection
* **Status** - Draft or Active (lifecycle status)
* **Archived** - Whether the collection is archived
* **Created Date** - When the collection was created

<Note>
  Collections have two separate status indicators: **Status** (Draft/Active) indicates if the collection is still being configured or ready for use, while **Archived** indicates if the collection has been soft-deleted from active views.
</Note>

## Collection vs. Product Hierarchy

Collections and product hierarchies serve different purposes:

| Feature            | Collection                        | Product Hierarchy                   |
| ------------------ | --------------------------------- | ----------------------------------- |
| **Purpose**        | Group SKUs with shared attributes | Categorize for reporting            |
| **Dimensions**     | Yes, defines available attributes | No                                  |
| **SKU Generation** | Yes                               | No                                  |
| **Nesting**        | Flat (one level)                  | Multi-level (up to 5)               |
| **SKU Membership** | Each SKU in one collection        | Can be in multiple hierarchy levels |

<Info>
  Use collections for products that share dimensions. Use product hierarchy for reporting and categorization that spans collections.
</Info>

## Collection Structure

A collection detail page contains the following tabs:

### Overview Tab

Basic collection information including name, description, and hierarchy field values (up to 5 levels).

### Dimensions Tab

Define product attributes like Size, Color, Material. Each dimension has values that SKUs can use.

### SKUs Tab

All SKUs belonging to this collection. Add, remove, or generate SKUs here.

### Hierarchy Tab

Configure how this collection fits into your product hierarchy for reporting.

### Inventory Tab

Aggregate view of inventory for all SKUs in the collection.

### Suppliers Tab

Suppliers who provide products in this collection.

### Pricing Tab

Collection-level pricing configuration and pricing matrix.

### BOM Tab

Bill of materials for products that share components.

### Settings Tab

Collection metadata and configuration options.

## Creating Collections

<Steps>
  <Step title="Navigate to Collections">
    Go to **SKUs** → **Collections** tab
  </Step>

  <Step title="Click Create Collection">
    Click the **Create Collection** button
  </Step>

  <Step title="Enter Details">
    * **Name**: Descriptive name for the collection
    * **Description**: Optional details
  </Step>

  <Step title="Save">
    Click **Save** to create the collection
  </Step>
</Steps>

After creating, you'll want to:

1. Set up dimensions (if products have variants)
2. Add or generate SKUs
3. Configure suppliers and pricing

## Collection Status

Collections can be Active or Archived:

| Status       | Behavior                                    |
| ------------ | ------------------------------------------- |
| **Active**   | Visible in default views, SKUs can be added |
| **Archived** | Hidden from default views, no new SKUs      |

<Note>
  Archiving a collection doesn't affect its SKUs. They remain in the system but the collection is hidden from navigation.
</Note>

## Best Practices

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Group by Shared Attributes">
    Put products together when they share the same dimensions. All t-shirts might share Size and Color, so they belong in one collection.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Keep Collections Focused">
    Don't make collections too broad. "All Products" isn't useful. "Summer T-Shirts" is more manageable.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Plan Dimensions First">
    Before creating SKUs, define your dimensions. It's harder to add dimensions after SKUs exist.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Use Descriptive Names">
    Name collections clearly. Future team members should understand what's in a collection from its name.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

## Common Workflows

### Launching a New Product Line

1. Create a new collection
2. Define dimensions (Size, Color, etc.)
3. Use SKU Generator to create all variants
4. Configure suppliers and pricing
5. Enable on channels

### Managing Seasonal Products

1. Create seasonal collections ("Spring 2024")
2. Add new products to the seasonal collection
3. At end of season, archive the collection
4. Historical data is preserved

### Reorganizing Products

1. Create new collections with better structure
2. Move SKUs to appropriate collections
3. Archive old collections
4. Update any integrations referencing old collections

## Next Steps

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Managing Collections" icon="gear" href="/product-catalog/collections/managing">
    Learn to configure collection settings in detail
  </Card>

  <Card title="Dimensions" icon="ruler-combined" href="/product-catalog/dimensions">
    Set up product dimensions
  </Card>

  <Card title="Creating SKUs" icon="plus" href="/product-catalog/skus/creating-skus">
    Add products to your collections
  </Card>

  <Card title="Product Hierarchy" icon="sitemap" href="/product-catalog/hierarchy">
    Configure product categorization
  </Card>
</CardGroup>