> ## 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.

# Creating SKUs

> How to add new products to your Tether catalog

# Creating SKUs

There are multiple ways to create SKUs in Tether, from adding individual products to generating hundreds of variants at once. This guide covers all creation methods.

<Note>
  Creating SKUs requires Admin access. Sales Rep users can only view existing SKUs.
</Note>

## Creating a Single SKU

The most straightforward way to add a product:

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open the Create SKU Dialog">
    1. Navigate to **SKUs** in the sidebar
    2. Click the **Create SKU** button in the top-right
  </Step>

  <Step title="Enter Basic Information">
    Fill in the required fields:

    | Field                   | Required | Description                                                     |
    | ----------------------- | -------- | --------------------------------------------------------------- |
    | **Name**                | Yes      | Display name for the SKU                                        |
    | **SKU Code**            | Yes      | Unique identifier (must be unique)                              |
    | **Type**                | Yes      | Select the appropriate SKU type                                 |
    | **Collection**          | Yes      | Parent collection for the SKU                                   |
    | **Unit of Measurement** | Yes      | Default unit for tracking this SKU (e.g., "Each", "Yard", "Kg") |
    | **UPC**                 | No       | Universal Product Code                                          |
    | **Amazon ID**           | No       | Amazon ASIN identifier                                          |
  </Step>

  <Step title="Add Dimension Values (if applicable)">
    If you selected a collection with dimensions:

    * Select the appropriate value for each dimension
    * Example: Size = "Medium", Color = "Blue"
  </Step>

  <Step title="Save the SKU">
    Click **Save** to create the SKU. It will appear in your SKU list immediately.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Using the SKU Generator

For products with multiple variants (size/color combinations, etc.), the SKU Generator can create all combinations automatically.

### Prerequisites

Before using the SKU Generator:

1. Create a collection for your products
2. Set up dimensions with values (Size: S, M, L, XL; Color: Red, Blue, Black)

### Generating SKUs

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open the Collection">
    Navigate to your collection and go to the **SKUs** tab
  </Step>

  <Step title="Launch the SKU Generator">
    Click the **SKU Generator** button
  </Step>

  <Step title="Configure the Generator">
    **Naming Template**
    Define how SKU names will be generated:

    * Use placeholders: `{collection} - {Size} - {Color}`
    * Example result: "T-Shirts - Medium - Blue"

    **SKU Code Template**
    Define the code format:

    * Example: `{collection_code}-{Size}-{Color}`
    * Result: "TSH-M-BLU"
  </Step>

  <Step title="Select Dimension Values">
    Check which dimension values to include:

    ```
    Size:
    ☑ Small
    ☑ Medium
    ☑ Large
    ☐ XL (excluded)

    Color:
    ☑ Red
    ☑ Blue
    ☑ Black
    ```

    This would generate 9 SKUs (3 sizes × 3 colors)
  </Step>

  <Step title="Preview and Generate">
    * Review the preview of SKUs to be created
    * Click **Generate** to create all SKUs
    * SKUs are created immediately
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Tip>
  The SKU Generator is ideal when launching new product lines with many variants. It ensures consistent naming and coding across all variants.
</Tip>

## Batch Creation from Import

For large-scale SKU creation, you can import from a spreadsheet:

<Steps>
  <Step title="Prepare Your Data">
    Create a CSV or Excel file with columns:

    * `name` (required)
    * `sku_code` (required)
    * `type` (required)
    * `collection_id` or `collection_name`
    * `upc`
    * Dimension columns as needed
  </Step>

  <Step title="Navigate to Import">
    Go to **Integrations** → **Create Integration** → **SKU Import**
  </Step>

  <Step title="Upload and Map Fields">
    * Upload your file
    * Map columns to Tether fields
    * Review the preview
  </Step>

  <Step title="Execute Import">
    Click **Import** to create all SKUs
  </Step>
</Steps>

## SKU Type Selection Guide

Choosing the right SKU type is important for accurate inventory and forecasting:

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Finished Good">
    **Use when**: The product is sold directly to customers

    **Examples**:

    * Apparel items
    * Consumer electronics
    * Any retail product

    **Characteristics**:

    * Has demand forecasts
    * Tracked in sellable inventory
    * Available on channels
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Variant">
    **Use when**: The product is a variation of a base product based on dimensions

    **Examples**:

    * "T-Shirt - Blue - Medium" (variant of base T-Shirt)
    * "Running Shoe - Size 10 - Black"

    **Characteristics**:

    * Generated from dimension combinations (Size, Color, etc.)
    * Inherits properties from parent collection
    * Each variant is a distinct sellable product
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Component">
    **Use when**: The item is purchased and used in other products

    **Examples**:

    * Raw materials (fabric, ingredients)
    * Packaging materials (boxes, bags, labels)
    * Parts (buttons, screws, straps)

    **Characteristics**:

    * Always purchased, never produced
    * Used in Bills of Materials (BOM)
    * Ordered from suppliers
    * Consumed during production or assembly
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Bundle">
    **Use when**: Multiple products are physically packaged together

    **Examples**:

    * Gift sets
    * Starter kits
    * Multi-packs

    **Characteristics**:

    * Contains other SKUs
    * Inventory is assembled
    * Component inventory is consumed
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Kit">
    **Use when**: Products are assembled on-demand at fulfillment time

    **Examples**:

    * Build-your-own kits
    * Made-to-order bundles

    **Characteristics**:

    * Components are picked at order time
    * No pre-assembled inventory
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Virtual Bundle">
    **Use when**: Products are sold together but not physically assembled

    **Examples**:

    * "Buy 2 Get 1 Free" promotions
    * Logical product groupings

    **Characteristics**:

    * No physical inventory
    * Components shipped separately
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

## Required vs. Optional Fields

### Required Fields

| Field                   | Description                                                             |
| ----------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Name**                | Display name shown throughout Tether                                    |
| **SKU Code**            | Must be unique across your organization                                 |
| **Type**                | Determines how the SKU behaves                                          |
| **Collection**          | Parent collection that defines available dimensions and shared settings |
| **Unit of Measurement** | Default unit used for tracking inventory and transactions               |

### Recommended Fields

| Field          | Why It's Useful                                   |
| -------------- | ------------------------------------------------- |
| **UPC**        | Required for retail channels and barcode scanning |
| **Dimensions** | Powers filtering and reporting                    |

### Optional Fields

| Field             | Use Case                        |
| ----------------- | ------------------------------- |
| **Amazon ID**     | Required for Amazon integration |
| **Description**   | Internal notes and details      |
| **Custom Fields** | Organization-specific data      |

## Validation Rules

When creating SKUs, Tether validates:

* **SKU Code uniqueness**: No duplicates allowed
* **Required fields**: Name, code, type, collection, and unit of measurement must be provided
* **Dimension consistency**: Values must exist in the collection's dimensions
* **Format requirements**: Codes cannot contain certain special characters

<Warning>
  If a SKU code already exists, you'll see an error. Each SKU code must be unique across your entire organization.
</Warning>

## After Creating SKUs

Once SKUs are created, you'll typically want to:

1. **Set up inventory** - Configure initial inventory levels
2. **Add suppliers** - Link suppliers who provide the product
3. **Configure pricing** - Set up channel-specific pricing
4. **Enable on channels** - Make SKUs available for sale

## Next Steps

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Editing SKUs" icon="pen" href="/product-catalog/skus/editing-skus">
    Learn how to modify SKU information
  </Card>

  <Card title="Collections" icon="folder" href="/product-catalog/collections/overview">
    Organize SKUs into collections
  </Card>

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

  <Card title="Suppliers" icon="truck" href="/inventory/suppliers">
    Add supplier information for SKUs
  </Card>
</CardGroup>