Automatic Checkout

Automatic Checkout lets your users buy in just one click. When someone visits a product or subscription page with a prepared link, the system takes them straight to payment — no extra steps.

Written By Lara Macarena Sastre

Last updated About 1 month ago

🚀 What it does

Depending on the user’s situation, the system behaves as follows:

⚙️ How to use it

To enable this feature, just add parameters to your product or plan URL.

🔑 Main parameter

automatically_open_checkout=true
➡️ This is the one that activates the automatic checkout flow.

If it’s missing or set to false, the page will load normally (without auto-checkout).

💰 Optional parameters

💡 You can mix and match these depending on your use case.

🧩 URL examples

📰 For products or issues

Base URL:
https://your-domain.com/publication/{issue_slug}

• Basic automatic checkout:

  https://your-domain.com/publication/august-2024?automatically_open_checkout=true
  

• With currency:

  https://your-domain.com/publication/august-2024?automatically_open_checkout=true&currency=USD
  

• With coupon:

  https://your-domain.com/publication/august-2024?automatically_open_checkout=true&currency=EUR&coupon=SAVE20
  

💳 For subscriptions

Base URL:
https://your-domain.com/subscribe/{plan_id}

⚠️ If the plan is private, the URL must be signed.

• Basic subscription:

  https://your-domain.com/subscribe/123?automatically_open_checkout=true
  

• Annual plan in USD:

  https://your-domain.com/subscribe/123?automatically_open_checkout=true&interval=annual&currency=USD
  

• Monthly plan with coupon:

  https://your-domain.com/subscribe/123?automatically_open_checkout=true&interval=month&coupon=WELCOME50
  

👣 What the user sees (step by step)

Case 1: Logged-in user without access

1. Visits the URL with automatically_open_checkout=true.
2. The system clears the cart.
3. The product is added automatically.
4. The checkout modal opens.
5. The user pays and gains access.

Case 2: Logged-in user with access

• The system detects existing access and redirects straight to the reader.

Case 3: Not logged in

1. Visits the link.
2. Gets redirected to login.
3. Signs in.
4. Returns to checkout with the product already in the cart.

Case 4: Active subscription

• The system redirects to the library with the message:

  “You already have an active subscription.”

🧠 Technical notes (simplified)

• The cart is always cleared before adding a new product.
• Only one product or plan can be purchased at a time through this flow.
• If a currency or interval isn’t available, the default configuration is used instead.

💡 Great ways to use it

✉️ Email marketing

Get the August issue now! https://your-domain.com/publication/august-2024?automatically_open_checkout=true&coupon=NEWS20

➡️ The user clicks and goes straight to checkout.

📱 Social media campaigns

Annual subscription – 30% OFF! https://your-domain.com/subscribe/premium-plan?automatically_open_checkout=true&interval=annual&coupon=INSTA30

➡️ Perfect for one-click CTAs on Instagram or Facebook.

🤝 Affiliate or partner links

https://your-domain.com/publication/bestseller?automatically_open_checkout=true&currency=EUR&coupon=PARTNER15

➡️ Local currency, coupon tracking, and frictionless buying.

💻 Landing pages

<a href="/subscribe/123?automatically_open_checkout=true&interval=month&currency=USD"> Start your trial now </a>

➡️ A single CTA button with direct checkout.

🕒 Abandoned cart emails

Finish your purchase: https://your-domain.com/publication/july-magazine?automatically_open_checkout=true

➡️ Sends the user straight back to checkout — no searching needed.

🧾 Quick checklist

☑️ Use automatically_open_checkout=true
☑️ Add currency, coupon, or interval if needed
☑️ Sign the URL if the plan is private
☑️ Test all flows:

• Logged-in user
• Guest user
• User with access
• User with active subscription

❓ FAQ

🛍️ The checkout doesn’t open automatically
Check that the URL includes automatically_open_checkout=true.

💸 The currency doesn’t apply
That currency might not be configured. The tenant’s primary currency is used instead.

🎟️ The coupon isn’t working
If it’s invalid or expired, checkout will continue without a discount.

🔁 The cart gets cleared
Yes — the automatic checkout flow always empties the cart to ensure a single direct purchase.