E-commerce Order Lifecycle

E-commerce platforms need a complete audit trail of every order action — from the moment a customer clicks “Place Order” through shipping, delivery, and potential returns. Immutable tracks the full lifecycle with multi-resource targets, supports batch ingestion for bulk status updates from fulfillment systems, and provides CSV exports for monthly financial reconciliation.

Tracking the Order Lifecycle

Order Placed

JavaScript
Python
cURL

import { ImmutableClient } from "getimmutable";

const client = new ImmutableClient({
  apiKey: "imk_sk_a1b2c3d4e5f6g7h8i9j0",
  baseUrl: "https://getimmutable.dev",
});

await client
  .actor("cust_2f8a3b", { name: "Rachel Kim", type: "customer" })
  .session("sess_d4e5f6a7")
  .track("order.placed", "order", {
    order_id: "ord_9c3f2a1d",
    subtotal: 8997,
    tax: 742,
    shipping: 599,
    total: 10338,
    currency: "USD",
    item_count: 3,
    targets: [
      { type: "order", id: "ord_9c3f2a1d" },
      { type: "item", id: "sku_wireless_earbuds", name: "Wireless Earbuds Pro" },
      { type: "item", id: "sku_phone_case", name: "Titanium Phone Case" },
      { type: "item", id: "sku_charging_cable", name: "USB-C Fast Charge Cable" },
      { type: "customer", id: "cust_2f8a3b", name: "Rachel Kim" },
    ],
  });

from getimmutable import ImmutableClient

client = ImmutableClient(
    api_key="imk_sk_a1b2c3d4e5f6g7h8i9j0",
    base_url="https://getimmutable.dev"
)

client.actor("cust_2f8a3b", name="Rachel Kim", type="customer") \
    .session("sess_d4e5f6a7") \
    .track("order.placed", "order", {
        "order_id": "ord_9c3f2a1d",
        "subtotal": 8997,
        "tax": 742,
        "shipping": 599,
        "total": 10338,
        "currency": "USD",
        "item_count": 3,
        "targets": [
            {"type": "order", "id": "ord_9c3f2a1d"},
            {"type": "item", "id": "sku_wireless_earbuds", "name": "Wireless Earbuds Pro"},
            {"type": "item", "id": "sku_phone_case", "name": "Titanium Phone Case"},
            {"type": "item", "id": "sku_charging_cable", "name": "USB-C Fast Charge Cable"},
            {"type": "customer", "id": "cust_2f8a3b", "name": "Rachel Kim"},
        ],
    })

curl -X POST https://getimmutable.dev/api/v1/events \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer imk_sk_a1b2c3d4e5f6g7h8i9j0" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "actor_id": "cust_2f8a3b",
    "actor_name": "Rachel Kim",
    "actor_type": "customer",
    "session_id": "sess_d4e5f6a7",
    "action": "order.placed",
    "resource": "order",
    "resource_id": "ord_9c3f2a1d",
    "metadata": {
      "subtotal": 8997,
      "tax": 742,
      "shipping": 599,
      "total": 10338,
      "currency": "USD",
      "item_count": 3
    },
    "targets": [
      {"type": "order", "id": "ord_9c3f2a1d"},
      {"type": "item", "id": "sku_wireless_earbuds", "name": "Wireless Earbuds Pro"},
      {"type": "item", "id": "sku_phone_case", "name": "Titanium Phone Case"},
      {"type": "item", "id": "sku_charging_cable", "name": "USB-C Fast Charge Cable"},
      {"type": "customer", "id": "cust_2f8a3b", "name": "Rachel Kim"}
    ]
  }'

Payment Captured

JavaScript
Python
cURL

await client
  .actor("system_checkout", { name: "Checkout Service", type: "system" })
  .track("payment.captured", "order", {
    order_id: "ord_9c3f2a1d",
    amount: 10338,
    currency: "USD",
    payment_method: "card_visa_8821",
    processor_ref: "pi_3Nk8sFAIC9x1y2z3",
    fraud_score: 8,
  });

client.actor("system_checkout", name="Checkout Service", type="system") \
    .track("payment.captured", "order", {
        "order_id": "ord_9c3f2a1d",
        "amount": 10338,
        "currency": "USD",
        "payment_method": "card_visa_8821",
        "processor_ref": "pi_3Nk8sFAIC9x1y2z3",
        "fraud_score": 8,
    })

curl -X POST https://getimmutable.dev/api/v1/events \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer imk_sk_a1b2c3d4e5f6g7h8i9j0" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "actor_id": "system_checkout",
    "actor_name": "Checkout Service",
    "actor_type": "system",
    "action": "payment.captured",
    "resource": "order",
    "resource_id": "ord_9c3f2a1d",
    "metadata": {
      "amount": 10338,
      "currency": "USD",
      "payment_method": "card_visa_8821",
      "processor_ref": "pi_3Nk8sFAIC9x1y2z3",
      "fraud_score": 8
    }
  }'

Items Shipped and Delivery Confirmed

JavaScript
Python
cURL

// Items shipped from warehouse
await client
  .actor("system_fulfillment", { name: "Fulfillment Center", type: "system" })
  .track("order.shipped", "order", {
    order_id: "ord_9c3f2a1d",
    carrier: "UPS",
    tracking_number: "1Z999AA10123456784",
    warehouse: "warehouse_east_01",
    estimated_delivery: "2026-03-30",
  });

// Delivery confirmed
await client
  .actor("system_logistics", { name: "Logistics Tracker", type: "system" })
  .track("order.delivered", "order", {
    order_id: "ord_9c3f2a1d",
    carrier: "UPS",
    tracking_number: "1Z999AA10123456784",
    delivered_to: "front_door",
    signature_required: false,
    delivery_photo_url: "https://cdn.example.com/deliveries/ord_9c3f2a1d.jpg",
  });

# Items shipped
client.actor("system_fulfillment", name="Fulfillment Center", type="system") \
    .track("order.shipped", "order", {
        "order_id": "ord_9c3f2a1d",
        "carrier": "UPS",
        "tracking_number": "1Z999AA10123456784",
        "warehouse": "warehouse_east_01",
        "estimated_delivery": "2026-03-30",
    })

# Delivery confirmed
client.actor("system_logistics", name="Logistics Tracker", type="system") \
    .track("order.delivered", "order", {
        "order_id": "ord_9c3f2a1d",
        "carrier": "UPS",
        "tracking_number": "1Z999AA10123456784",
        "delivered_to": "front_door",
        "signature_required": False,
        "delivery_photo_url": "https://cdn.example.com/deliveries/ord_9c3f2a1d.jpg",
    })

# Items shipped
curl -X POST https://getimmutable.dev/api/v1/events \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer imk_sk_a1b2c3d4e5f6g7h8i9j0" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "actor_id": "system_fulfillment",
    "actor_name": "Fulfillment Center",
    "actor_type": "system",
    "action": "order.shipped",
    "resource": "order",
    "resource_id": "ord_9c3f2a1d",
    "metadata": {
      "carrier": "UPS",
      "tracking_number": "1Z999AA10123456784",
      "warehouse": "warehouse_east_01",
      "estimated_delivery": "2026-03-30"
    }
  }'

# Delivery confirmed
curl -X POST https://getimmutable.dev/api/v1/events \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer imk_sk_a1b2c3d4e5f6g7h8i9j0" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "actor_id": "system_logistics",
    "actor_name": "Logistics Tracker",
    "actor_type": "system",
    "action": "order.delivered",
    "resource": "order",
    "resource_id": "ord_9c3f2a1d",
    "metadata": {
      "carrier": "UPS",
      "tracking_number": "1Z999AA10123456784",
      "delivered_to": "front_door",
      "signature_required": false
    }
  }'

Return Requested and Refund Issued

JavaScript
Python
cURL

// Customer requests return
await client
  .actor("cust_2f8a3b", { name: "Rachel Kim", type: "customer" })
  .session("sess_f7a8b9c0")
  .track("return.requested", "order", {
    order_id: "ord_9c3f2a1d",
    return_id: "ret_5d7e8f9a",
    items: [{ sku: "sku_phone_case", reason: "wrong_color", quantity: 1 }],
    refund_amount: 2999,
    currency: "USD",
  });

// Support issues refund
await client
  .actor("agent_p4r7s2", { name: "David Chen", type: "support_agent" })
  .session("sess_c1d2e3f4")
  .track("refund.issued", "order", {
    order_id: "ord_9c3f2a1d",
    return_id: "ret_5d7e8f9a",
    refund_amount: 2999,
    currency: "USD",
    refund_method: "original_payment",
    processor_ref: "re_3Nk8sFAIC9a1b2c3",
  });

# Customer requests return
client.actor("cust_2f8a3b", name="Rachel Kim", type="customer") \
    .session("sess_f7a8b9c0") \
    .track("return.requested", "order", {
        "order_id": "ord_9c3f2a1d",
        "return_id": "ret_5d7e8f9a",
        "items": [{"sku": "sku_phone_case", "reason": "wrong_color", "quantity": 1}],
        "refund_amount": 2999,
        "currency": "USD",
    })

# Support issues refund
client.actor("agent_p4r7s2", name="David Chen", type="support_agent") \
    .session("sess_c1d2e3f4") \
    .track("refund.issued", "order", {
        "order_id": "ord_9c3f2a1d",
        "return_id": "ret_5d7e8f9a",
        "refund_amount": 2999,
        "currency": "USD",
        "refund_method": "original_payment",
        "processor_ref": "re_3Nk8sFAIC9a1b2c3",
    })

# Return requested
curl -X POST https://getimmutable.dev/api/v1/events \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer imk_sk_a1b2c3d4e5f6g7h8i9j0" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "actor_id": "cust_2f8a3b",
    "actor_name": "Rachel Kim",
    "actor_type": "customer",
    "session_id": "sess_f7a8b9c0",
    "action": "return.requested",
    "resource": "order",
    "resource_id": "ord_9c3f2a1d",
    "metadata": {
      "return_id": "ret_5d7e8f9a",
      "items": [{"sku": "sku_phone_case", "reason": "wrong_color", "quantity": 1}],
      "refund_amount": 2999,
      "currency": "USD"
    }
  }'

# Refund issued
curl -X POST https://getimmutable.dev/api/v1/events \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer imk_sk_a1b2c3d4e5f6g7h8i9j0" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "actor_id": "agent_p4r7s2",
    "actor_name": "David Chen",
    "actor_type": "support_agent",
    "session_id": "sess_c1d2e3f4",
    "action": "refund.issued",
    "resource": "order",
    "resource_id": "ord_9c3f2a1d",
    "metadata": {
      "return_id": "ret_5d7e8f9a",
      "refund_amount": 2999,
      "currency": "USD",
      "refund_method": "original_payment",
      "processor_ref": "re_3Nk8sFAIC9a1b2c3"
    }
  }'

Batch Ingestion for Bulk Fulfillment Updates

When your warehouse management system processes hundreds of orders at once, use batch ingestion to send up to 100 events in a single request:

JavaScript
Python
cURL

await client.trackBatch([
  {
    actor_id: "system_fulfillment",
    actor_name: "Fulfillment Center",
    actor_type: "system",
    action: "order.shipped",
    resource: "order",
    resource_id: "ord_a1b2c3d4",
    metadata: { carrier: "FedEx", tracking_number: "794644790132" },
  },
  {
    actor_id: "system_fulfillment",
    actor_name: "Fulfillment Center",
    actor_type: "system",
    action: "order.shipped",
    resource: "order",
    resource_id: "ord_e5f6g7h8",
    metadata: { carrier: "USPS", tracking_number: "9400111899223100047529" },
  },
  {
    actor_id: "system_fulfillment",
    actor_name: "Fulfillment Center",
    actor_type: "system",
    action: "order.shipped",
    resource: "order",
    resource_id: "ord_i9j0k1l2",
    metadata: { carrier: "UPS", tracking_number: "1Z999AA10123456785" },
  },
]);

client.track_batch([
    {
        "actor_id": "system_fulfillment",
        "actor_name": "Fulfillment Center",
        "actor_type": "system",
        "action": "order.shipped",
        "resource": "order",
        "resource_id": "ord_a1b2c3d4",
        "metadata": {"carrier": "FedEx", "tracking_number": "794644790132"},
    },
    {
        "actor_id": "system_fulfillment",
        "actor_name": "Fulfillment Center",
        "actor_type": "system",
        "action": "order.shipped",
        "resource": "order",
        "resource_id": "ord_e5f6g7h8",
        "metadata": {"carrier": "USPS", "tracking_number": "9400111899223100047529"},
    },
    {
        "actor_id": "system_fulfillment",
        "actor_name": "Fulfillment Center",
        "actor_type": "system",
        "action": "order.shipped",
        "resource": "order",
        "resource_id": "ord_i9j0k1l2",
        "metadata": {"carrier": "UPS", "tracking_number": "1Z999AA10123456785"},
    },
])

curl -X POST https://getimmutable.dev/api/v1/events/batch \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer imk_sk_a1b2c3d4e5f6g7h8i9j0" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "events": [
      {
        "actor_id": "system_fulfillment",
        "actor_name": "Fulfillment Center",
        "actor_type": "system",
        "action": "order.shipped",
        "resource": "order",
        "resource_id": "ord_a1b2c3d4",
        "metadata": {"carrier": "FedEx", "tracking_number": "794644790132"}
      },
      {
        "actor_id": "system_fulfillment",
        "actor_name": "Fulfillment Center",
        "actor_type": "system",
        "action": "order.shipped",
        "resource": "order",
        "resource_id": "ord_e5f6g7h8",
        "metadata": {"carrier": "USPS", "tracking_number": "9400111899223100047529"}
      },
      {
        "actor_id": "system_fulfillment",
        "actor_name": "Fulfillment Center",
        "actor_type": "system",
        "action": "order.shipped",
        "resource": "order",
        "resource_id": "ord_i9j0k1l2",
        "metadata": {"carrier": "UPS", "tracking_number": "1Z999AA10123456785"}
      }
    ]
  }'

The batch endpoint accepts up to 100 events per request. For large fulfillment runs, chunk your updates into batches of 100 and send them sequentially.

CSV Export for Monthly Reconciliation

Export all order-related events for a specific month to reconcile with your accounting system:

JavaScript
cURL

const exportJob = await client.track({
  action: "export.requested",
  resource: "export",
  metadata: {
    filters: {
      action: "order.*",
      after: "2026-03-01T00:00:00Z",
      before: "2026-04-01T00:00:00Z",
    },
  },
});

# Create the export
curl -X POST https://getimmutable.dev/api/v1/exports \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer imk_sk_a1b2c3d4e5f6g7h8i9j0" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "filters": {
      "action": "order.*",
      "after": "2026-03-01T00:00:00Z",
      "before": "2026-04-01T00:00:00Z"
    }
  }'

# Check export status (returns download URL when ready)
curl https://getimmutable.dev/api/v1/exports/exp_8f3a2c1d \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer imk_sk_a1b2c3d4e5f6g7h8i9j0"

Export download URLs are signed and expire after 7 days. Schedule monthly exports via a cron job and store the CSV files in your accounting system for permanent records.

What’s Next

Batch Events

API reference for the batch ingestion endpoint.

Exports

Full guide to creating and downloading CSV exports.

Financial Audit Trail

Deeper dive into financial compliance and hash verification.

Targets

Learn how targets link events to multiple resources.

Industry

Patterns

E-commerce Order Lifecycle

Tracking the Order Lifecycle

Order Placed

Payment Captured

Items Shipped and Delivery Confirmed

Return Requested and Refund Issued

Batch Ingestion for Bulk Fulfillment Updates

CSV Export for Monthly Reconciliation

What’s Next

Batch Events

Exports

Financial Audit Trail

Targets

​Tracking the Order Lifecycle

​Order Placed

​Payment Captured

​Items Shipped and Delivery Confirmed

​Return Requested and Refund Issued

​Batch Ingestion for Bulk Fulfillment Updates

​CSV Export for Monthly Reconciliation

​What’s Next

Batch Events

Exports

Financial Audit Trail

Targets

Tracking the Order Lifecycle

Order Placed

Payment Captured

Items Shipped and Delivery Confirmed

Return Requested and Refund Issued

Batch Ingestion for Bulk Fulfillment Updates

CSV Export for Monthly Reconciliation

What’s Next