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

# Get Started

> This guide walks you through the fastest path to value: loading your products, creating a menu, and syncing to your sales channels with Lula Commerce.

# Getting Started with Lula Commerce

Welcome to Lula Commerce! This guide will help you set up your digital commerce platform and get your store operational across multiple sales channels quickly and efficiently.

Lula Commerce is a world-class digital commerce platform that helps retailers win online without the operational burden. Our platform integrates with major delivery services like DoorDash, Uber Eats, and Grubhub, while also providing enterprise-grade direct ordering capabilities.

<Info>
  This guide assumes you're working with both our dashboard interface and API. If you prefer to automate your setup end-to-end, browse our [API Documentation](/api-reference) and copy sample requests from each page.
</Info>

## Before You Begin

Before starting your Lula Commerce journey, ensure you have the following:

<Accordion title="Prerequisites Checklist">
  <ResponseField name="Lula Account Access" type="required">
    A Lula account with access to your company and stores

    <Note>If you don't have access, request credentials from your Lula representative</Note>
  </ResponseField>

  <ResponseField name="Product Data" type="required">
    Your product list in CSV or JSON format including:

    * Product names
    * Prices
    * UPCs/SKUs
    * Categories
    * Descriptions (optional)

    <Tip>Having high-quality product images will improve customer experience</Tip>
  </ResponseField>

  <ResponseField name="Sales Channels" type="required">
    Know which delivery channels you plan to use:

    * **DoorDash** - Popular food delivery platform
    * **Uber Eats** - Ride-sharing company's delivery service
    * **Grubhub** - Established food delivery network
    * **Lula Direct** - Your own branded ordering platform

    <Info>You can start with one channel and add others later</Info>
  </ResponseField>

  <ResponseField name="Store Information" type="required">
    Complete store details including:

    * Store name and contact information
    * Physical address
    * Operating hours
    * Tax rates for your jurisdiction
  </ResponseField>
</Accordion>

## Step 1: Create Your Company and Store

Your organization needs to be set up in Lula before you can start selling. This involves creating a company record and at least one store location.

### Company Setup

If your organization isn't in Lula yet, your Lula contact will create it for you. For developers or those with API access:

<CodeGroup>
  ```bash Create Company theme={null}
  curl -X POST "https://api.lulacommerce.com/stores/company" \
    -H "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY" \
    -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
    -d '{
      "name": "Your Company Name",
      "email": "contact@yourcompany.com",
      "phone_number": "+1234567890",
      "address": {
        "line_1": "123 Main Street",
        "city": "Your City",
        "state": "Your State",
        "zip": "12345"
      }
    }'
  ```
</CodeGroup>

📖 **Learn more:** [Create Company API](/api-reference/companies/create-company)

### Store Setup

Each physical location needs its own store record:

<CodeGroup>
  ```bash Create Store theme={null}
  curl -X POST "https://api.lulacommerce.com/stores/store/" \
    -H "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY" \
    -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
    -d '{
      "name": "Your Store Name",
      "email": "store@yourcompany.com", 
      "phone_number": "+1234567890",
      "company_id": 1000001,
      "addresses": [
        {
          "line_1": "123 Store Street",
          "city": "Store City",
          "state": "Store State", 
          "zip": "54321",
          "address_type": 0
        }
      ]
    }'
  ```
</CodeGroup>

📖 **Learn more:** [Create Store API](/api-reference/stores/create-store)

<Warning>
  Make sure your store details are accurate before proceeding. Incorrect addresses can affect delivery zones and tax calculations.
</Warning>

## Step 2: Load Your Products

Choose the import method that works best for your current data format. You can always change formats or update products later.

### CSV Import (Recommended for Spreadsheet Users)

If you manage your products in Excel or Google Sheets, CSV import is the fastest option:

<CodeGroup>
  ```bash Upload CSV theme={null}
  curl -X POST "https://api.lulacommerce.com/inventory/ingestion/" \
    -H "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY" \
    -F "file=@your-products.csv" \
    -F "store_id=YOUR_STORE_ID"
  ```
</CodeGroup>

**CSV Format Requirements:**

```csv theme={null}
name,category,size,quantity,price,external_id,upc,image_url
"Coca Cola Classic","Beverages","12 oz",99,265,"CC12OZ","049000012521","https://example.com/coke.jpg"
```

📖 **Learn more:** [Upload CSV](/api-reference/endpoint/upload-csv)

### JSON Import (Recommended for Developers)

For programmatic integration or complex product data:

<CodeGroup>
  ```bash Upload JSON theme={null}
  curl -X POST "https://api.lulacommerce.com/inventory/ingestion/" \
    -H "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY" \
    -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
    -d '{
      "items": [
        {
          "name": "Coca Cola Classic",
          "category": "Beverages", 
          "size": "12 oz",
          "quantity": 99,
          "price": 265,
          "external_id": "CC12OZ",
          "upc": "049000012521"
        }
      ]
    }'
  ```
</CodeGroup>

📖 **Learn more:** [Upload JSON](/api-reference/endpoint/upload-json)

### Update Inventory and Prices

After your initial import, you can update inventory levels and prices:

<CodeGroup>
  ```bash Update Inventory theme={null}
  curl -X POST "https://api.lulacommerce.com/catalog/upsert-inventory" \
    -H "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY" \
    -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
    -d '{
      "store_id": "YOUR_STORE_ID",
      "items": [
        {
          "external_id": "CC12OZ",
          "quantity": 75,
          "price": 275
        }
      ]
    }'
  ```
</CodeGroup>

📖 **Learn more:** [Upsert Inventory](/api-reference/catalog/upsert-inventory)

### Verify Your Import

After importing, verify your products loaded correctly:

<CodeGroup>
  ```bash Get Store Inventory theme={null}
  curl -X GET "https://api.lulacommerce.com/catalog/store-inventory/YOUR_STORE_ID" \
    -H "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY"
  ```
</CodeGroup>

📖 **Learn more:** [Get Store Inventory](/api-reference/catalog/get-store-inventory)

## Step 3: Build Your Menu

Menus organize your products for customer-facing ordering. You can create different menus for different channels or times of day.

### Create a Store Menu

<CodeGroup>
  ```bash Create Menu theme={null}
  curl -X POST "https://api.lulacommerce.com/menus/store-menu" \
    -H "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY" \
    -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
    -d '{
      "store_id": "YOUR_STORE_ID",
      "menu_name": "Main Menu",
      "description": "Our complete product selection"
    }'
  ```
</CodeGroup>

📖 **Learn more:** [Create Store Menu](/api-reference/menus/create-store-menu)

### Add Menu Items

Link your products to menu categories:

<CodeGroup>
  ```bash Create Menu Item theme={null}
  curl -X POST "https://api.lulacommerce.com/menus/menu-items" \
    -H "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY" \
    -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
    -d '{
      "menu_id": "YOUR_MENU_ID",
      "product_id": "YOUR_PRODUCT_ID", 
      "category": "Beverages",
      "display_order": 1
    }'
  ```
</CodeGroup>

📖 **Learn more:** [Create Menu Item](/api-reference/menus/menu-items/create-menu-item)

### Set Menu Schedules

Configure when your menu is available:

<CodeGroup>
  ```bash Get Menu Timings theme={null}
  curl -X GET "https://api.lulacommerce.com/menus/store-menu-timings/YOUR_STORE_ID" \
    -H "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY"
  ```
</CodeGroup>

📖 **Learn more:** [Get Store Menu Timings](/api-reference/menus/get-store-menu-timings)

## Step 4: Sync to Sales Channels

Once your menu is ready, publish it to your connected delivery channels.

### Sync All Channels

<CodeGroup>
  ```bash Sync Menus for All Stores theme={null}
  curl -X POST "https://api.lulacommerce.com/menus/sync-all-stores" \
    -H "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY" \
    -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
    -d '{
      "company_id": "YOUR_COMPANY_ID"
    }'
  ```
</CodeGroup>

📖 **Learn more:** [Sync Menu for All Stores](/api-reference/menus/sync-menu-for-all-stores)

### Verify Active Menus

Confirm your menus are live on all channels:

<CodeGroup>
  ```bash Get Active Menus theme={null}
  curl -X GET "https://api.lulacommerce.com/menus/active-menus/YOUR_STORE_ID" \
    -H "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY"
  ```
</CodeGroup>

📖 **Learn more:** [Get All Active Menu of Store](/api-reference/menus/get-all-active-menu-of-store)

## Step 5: Test Your Setup

Before going live, test the complete order flow to ensure everything works correctly.

### Monitor Incoming Orders

<CodeGroup>
  ```bash Get Incoming Orders theme={null}
  curl -X GET "https://api.lulacommerce.com/orders/incoming" \
    -H "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY" \
    -d "store_id=YOUR_STORE_ID"
  ```
</CodeGroup>

📖 **Learn more:** [Get Incoming Orders](/api-reference/orders/get-incoming-orders)

### Accept and Process Orders

<CodeGroup>
  ```bash Accept Order theme={null}
  curl -X POST "https://api.lulacommerce.com/orders/accept" \
    -H "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY" \
    -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
    -d '{
      "order_id": "ORDER_ID",
      "estimated_pickup_time": "2024-01-15T14:30:00Z"
    }'
  ```
</CodeGroup>

📖 **Learn more:** [Accept Incoming Order](/api-reference/orders/accept-incoming-order)

### View Order Details

<CodeGroup>
  ```bash Get Order Details   theme={null}
  curl -X GET "https://api.lulacommerce.com/orders/ORDER_ID" \
    -H "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY"
  ```
</CodeGroup>

📖 **Learn more:** [Get Order Details](/api-reference/orders/get-order-details)

<Tip>
  **Testing Strategy**: Use marketplace sandbox environments when available, or place a small real order to validate the complete flow from order placement to fulfillment.
</Tip>

## Environments

Lula supports both sandbox and production environments to ensure safe testing and reliable operations.

<Accordion title="Environment Information">
  <ResponseField name="Sandbox Environment" type="environment">
    Safe testing environment for development and testing

    * Test API calls without affecting real data
    * Practice order fulfillment workflows
    * Validate integrations before going live

    <Note>Ask your Lula contact for sandbox access if you don't have it yet</Note>
  </ResponseField>

  <ResponseField name="Production Environment" type="environment">
    Live environment for actual business operations

    * Real customer orders and payments
    * Live inventory management
    * Actual delivery partner integration

    <Warning>Always test thoroughly in sandbox before deploying to production</Warning>
  </ResponseField>
</Accordion>

## What's Next?

Once your basic setup is complete, you can enhance your store with advanced features:

### Fine-tune Your Operations

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Modifiers & Options" icon="sliders" href="/api-reference/catalog/modifiers">
    Add size options, toppings, and customizations to your products
  </Card>

  <Card title="Tax Configuration" icon="calculator" href="/api-reference/stores/get-store-tax-rate">
    Set up accurate tax rates for your jurisdiction
  </Card>

  <Card title="Promotions & Campaigns" icon="tags" href="/api-reference/campaigns/campaigns-overview">
    Launch marketing campaigns to drive sales
  </Card>

  <Card title="Analytics & Reporting" icon="chart-line" href="/api-reference/reporting/reporting">
    Monitor performance and gain insights
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

### Advanced Store Management

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Multi-Store Operations" icon="store" href="/api-reference/stores/create-store">
    Manage multiple locations from one platform
  </Card>

  <Card title="Employee Management" icon="users" href="/api-reference/stores/store-employees/link-user-to-store">
    Set up staff access and permissions
  </Card>

  <Card title="Inventory Automation" icon="boxes" href="/api-reference/catalog/upsert-inventory">
    Automate inventory updates and management
  </Card>

  <Card title="Order Management" icon="clipboard-list" href="/api-reference/orders/orders-overview">
    Advanced order processing and fulfillment
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## Getting Help

<CardGroup cols={3}>
  <Card title="API Documentation" icon="code" href="/api-reference">
    Complete API reference with examples
  </Card>

  <Card title="Support Center" icon="life-ring" href="https://help.lulacommerce.com/en/">
    Help articles and troubleshooting guides
  </Card>

  <Card title="Contact Support" icon="phone" href="https://www.lulacommerce.com/contact/get-started">
    Get in touch with our team
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

<Info>
  **Need personalized assistance?** Your Lula representative is available to help with setup questions, best practices, and optimization strategies. Don't hesitate to reach out!
</Info>