Automate Your Workflow with Custom Scripts
What Are Shipwell API Scripts?
Think of API scripts as smart assistants that can automatically handle repetitive tasks in your Shipwell account. Just like you might set up email rules to automatically sort your inbox, you can create scripts to automatically process shipments, update data, and respond to shipping events without manual intervention.
Built-in Visibility: Scripts can write status information directly back into Shipwell, so you always know if automation is working correctly. You'll see clear indicators in your shipment records showing whether a script ran successfully, what actions it took, or if any issues occurred that need attention.
When Should You Consider Custom Scripts?
Scripts are perfect for solving problems that fall outside Shipwell's standard features. Here are common scenarios where custom scripts shine:
Bulk Operations & Data Management
Mass shipment updates: Update hundreds of shipments at once based on specific criteria
Automated data imports: Pull shipment data from your warehouse system into Shipwell daily
Custom reporting: Generate weekly reports that combine Shipwell data with your internal systems
Data synchronization: Keep your ERP system and Shipwell perfectly in sync
Event-Driven Automation
Smart notifications: Send custom alerts to different teams based on shipment status
Automatic responses: Update your inventory system when deliveries are confirmed
Exception handling: Flag unusual shipping patterns or delays for immediate attention
Customer updates: Automatically send personalized delivery updates to your customers
Workflow Enhancement
Custom routing logic: Apply complex business rules when selecting carriers
Dynamic pricing: Adjust shipping costs based on your internal calculations
Compliance automation: Ensure all shipments meet regulatory requirements automatically
Performance monitoring: Track and alert on carrier performance metrics
Real-World Examples
Example 1: Smart Date Estimation for Orders
The Challenge: When creating new shipments, your team manually estimates pickup and delivery dates based on drive times between states, leading to inconsistent scheduling and customer expectations.
The Script Solution: An automated system that:
Uses state-to-state drive time data to calculate realistic transit times
Automatically sets pickup dates based on your warehouse scheduling
Calculates delivery dates accounting for weekends and holidays
Updates orders with accurate dates before they're dispatched to carriers
Example 2: Smart Shipment Routing
The Challenge: You have complex business rules for carrier selection based on destination, weight, and seasonal factors that change throughout the year.
The Script Solution: A webhook script that automatically:
Receives notification when new shipments are created
Applies your custom logic to recommend the best carrier
Updates the shipment with the recommended routing
Alerts your team if manual review is needed
Example 3: Customer Service Automation
The Challenge: Your customer service team spends hours manually updating customers about delivery status changes.
The Script Solution: An automated system that:
Monitors shipment status changes in real-time
Sends personalized notifications to customers
Updates your CRM system with delivery confirmations
Creates follow-up tasks for your sales team
Example 4: Automated GL Code Assignment
The Challenge: Your accounting team requires specific General Ledger codes on every shipment for proper cost allocation, but manual entry is time-consuming and error-prone, especially when codes vary by product type, destination, or customer.
The Script Solution: A smart coding system that:
References your master GL code table to automatically assign codes
Applies codes at the shipment, stop, or line item level based on your business rules
Uses logic like "Electronics to West Coast = GL Code 4200" or "Hazmat shipments = GL Code 7500"
Validates codes against your accounting system before finalizing shipments
Types of Scripts You Can Create
Google Sheets Integration Scripts
Perfect for teams already using Google Sheets for data management. These scripts can:
Import shipment data directly into your spreadsheets
Upload bulk shipment information from sheets to Shipwell
Create automated dashboards with live data
Generate custom reports and analytics
Write execution status back to Shipwell showing successful data updates or any errors
Best For: Teams comfortable with spreadsheets who want to enhance their existing workflows.
Webhook Processing Scripts
Ideal for real-time automation that responds to shipping events. These scripts can:
React instantly when shipments change status
Process delivery confirmations automatically
Trigger actions in other business systems
Send immediate notifications to relevant parties
Log processing results directly in Shipwell for audit trails
Best For: Businesses needing immediate responses to shipping events.
Scheduled Automation Scripts
Great for regular, recurring tasks that happen on a schedule. These scripts can:
Run daily data synchronization between systems
Generate weekly performance reports
Perform monthly billing reconciliation
Clean up old or duplicate shipment data
Record completion status and timestamps in Shipwell for monitoring
Best For: Operations teams managing regular, predictable processes.
Getting Started: What You Need
For Your Team
A clear problem definition: What manual task do you want to automate?
Business process documentation: How do you currently handle this task?
Success criteria: How will you know the script is working correctly?
For Implementation
API access: Your Shipwell API credentials (we'll help you set these up)
Basic tool access: Usually just a Google account for Google Sheets/Apps Script
Testing environment: A safe space to test before going live
Technical Support
Implementation partner: Many customers work with technical consultants for initial setup
Shipwell support: Our team helps with API questions and best practices
Documentation: Step-by-step guides for common script patterns
Implementation Approach
Phase 1: Planning
Document your current manual process
Identify which parts can be automated
Define success metrics and testing criteria
Set up necessary accounts and permissions
Phase 2: Development
Create a simple version of your script
Test with sample data in a safe environment
Refine the logic based on test results
Add error handling and monitoring
Phase 3: Deployment
Run final tests with real data
Deploy to your production environment
Train your team on the new automated process
Monitor closely for the first few days
Phase 4: Optimization
Gather feedback from your team
Make improvements based on real usage
Add new features as needs evolve
Scale to additional use cases
Monitor script execution logs in Shipwell to identify optimization opportunities
Script Monitoring and Transparency
One of the key advantages of Shipwell's API integration is full visibility into script execution through the built-in Script Log feature. When scripts run, they write detailed status information directly back into your Shipwell account, providing:
Script Log Interface: A dedicated "Script Log" button appears on shipment records where you can view detailed execution information in an easy-to-read JSON format
Execution Details: See exactly what data the script processed, including:
Level information (TRACE, INFO, ERROR)
Specific messages about actions taken
Timestamps showing when operations occurred
Data values that were updated or processed
Success and Error Tracking: Clear indicators showing successful completion or detailed error information when issues occur
Real-Time Updates: Status information appears immediately after script execution, so you always know the current state
This built-in monitoring means you never have to wonder if your automation is working. The Script Log provides complete transparency into every automated process, making it easy for your team to verify results, troubleshoot issues, and maintain confidence in your automated workflows.
Success Stories
Mid-Size Logistics Company
"We were spending 8 hours every week manually updating shipment statuses across three different systems. Now our script handles it automatically in minutes, and our team can focus on customer service instead of data entry."
E-commerce Retailer
"Our custom notification script has improved customer satisfaction scores by 15% because customers get personalized updates exactly when they want them, not generic status emails."
Manufacturing Company
"The automated reporting script saves us 2 full days of work every month and gives us insights we never had before by combining Shipwell data with our production schedules."
Next Steps
Ready to Explore Scripts?
Identify your use case: Start with your biggest manual task or most frequent pain point
Review the technical documentation: Check out our detailed integration guides
Connect with support: Our team can help assess if scripts are right for your situation
Consider a pilot project: Start small with one simple automation to prove the concept
Need Help Getting Started?
Shipwell Customer Success: We can help identify good script opportunities in your workflow
Implementation Partners: We can recommend technical partners who specialize in Shipwell integrations if your technical team doesn’t have the time or we can discuss a potential Statement of Work if we performed this work on your behalf
Community Resources: Join our user community to learn from other customers' automation successes
Custom scripts transform Shipwell from a great shipping platform into a perfectly tailored solution for your unique business needs. The investment in automation pays dividends through reduced manual work, fewer errors, and insights that drive better business decisions.