# Set up Subbly
URL: https://support.starshipit.com/articles/90200000000526-set-up-subbly
Canonical: https://support.starshipit.com/articles/90200000000526-set-up-subbly
Markdown: https://support.starshipit.com/articles/90200000000526-set-up-subbly.md
Updated: 2026-10-14

> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://support.starshipit.com/llms.txt).

> Connect Subbly to Starshipit, import subscription and one-time orders, and understand shipped-status updates.

Connect Subbly to Starshipit to import subscription and one-time orders when they are ready to ship. This guide explains how to connect your store, verify an import, and check how shipped-status updates work.

## Before you begin

You need:

- Access to **Settings > Integrations** in Starshipit's UI 2.5 interface.
- Access to **Settings > API keys** in your Subbly account to create a private API key.
- Inventory SKUs assigned to every physical product you want to ship from Subbly.
- An eligible Subbly order to verify the import: paid, unfulfilled, awaiting delivery, and with a shipping address and a shipment date that is due. An order without a shipment date can also import. Orders marked as test orders in Subbly are excluded.

You can connect one Subbly store per Starshipit account.

## Create a private API key in Subbly

1. Sign in to the Subbly store you want to connect.
2. Go to **Settings > API keys**.
3. Create a private API key for Starshipit.
4. Copy the key to use in the next section.

Use a private API key rather than a Storefront API key. Keep the private key secure.

## Connect Subbly to Starshipit

1. In Starshipit, go to **Settings > Integrations**.
2. Select **Add a new integration**.
3. Select **Subbly**.
4. Enter the key you copied into **Private API key**.
5. Select **Enable Subbly**.
6. Click **Save**.
7. Click **Test Connection** and check that the connection succeeds.

Save any changes before testing. The connection test uses the saved key, and the button is unavailable while you have unsaved changes.

## Verify your first import

Subbly imports all eligible orders that are due, including older recurring orders. The **Number of days to import** setting does not limit the Subbly import. Review any outstanding orders in Subbly before running your first import.

1. Go to **Settings > Integrations** in Starshipit.
2. Find **Manual import**.
3. Select **Subbly** from the integrations list.
4. Click **Import**.
5. Open **Orders** and find the imported order in the **New** tab.
6. Check the recipient, shipping address, SKUs, and item quantities against the order in Subbly.

Starshipit imports physical shipment items. Future shipments stay in Subbly until they are due. Unpaid, archived, test, disputed, refunded, local-pickup, cancelled, already shipped, and partially fulfilled orders are excluded.

## Enable automatic imports

After verifying the first import:

1. Go to **Settings > Integrations**.
2. Select **Automatically import orders from all integrations (typically every 20 minutes)**.
3. Click **Save**.

This setting applies to all your enabled integrations. Subbly orders are checked on the automatic import schedule rather than arriving through webhooks. Connecting Subbly does not automatically purchase shipping labels.

## Check shipped-status updates

Starshipit marks an imported Subbly order as shipped when its order update runs. By default, this happens when labels are printed. If you select **Write back order updates on manifest (otherwise it occurs on printing of labels)** in **Settings > Integrations**, the update happens on manifest instead.

The update requires the complete, unsplit Subbly order to be shipped, with all original item quantities. If you split an order in Starshipit, complete fulfilment of the source order manually in Subbly after all parts have shipped. Partial fulfilment updates are not sent.

:::important
Marking an order as shipped in Subbly sends Subbly's shipped-order email and advances the subscription shipment count. Starshipit does not send tracking numbers, tracking links, or carrier details to Subbly.
:::

For your first complete shipment, check that the order changes to **Shipped** in Subbly after the label is printed or the order is manifested, depending on your setting. Manage customer tracking notifications separately from Subbly's shipped-order email.

## Troubleshooting

| Problem | What to check |
| --- | --- |
| Subbly is missing from the integrations list | Open Starshipit's UI 2.5 interface. If Subbly is still unavailable, contact Starshipit Support. |
| The connection test is unavailable | Enter the private API key and save your changes before testing. |
| The connection test fails | Check that the saved key is a private key for the correct Subbly store. Save and test again. If it still fails, contact Starshipit Support with the error message and the time of the test. Do not include your API key. |
| An order does not import | Check that it is paid, unfulfilled, awaiting delivery, due, and has a shipping address. Check the exclusions listed above and that **Enable Subbly** is selected. |
| Import reports a missing SKU or shipping item | Correct the physical products' inventory and SKU setup in Subbly, then import again. |
| Older orders import despite the selected date range | Subbly imports all eligible due orders, including older recurring orders. The date range does not restrict this integration. |
| A shipped order is not updated in Subbly | Check your label-printing or manifest update setting, the connection, and that the original order and quantities are complete. Fulfil split orders manually in Subbly after all parts have shipped. |
| Tracking details or stock levels do not change in Subbly | The integration updates the shipped status only. Tracking details and stock quantities are not synced back to Subbly. |

## Related articles

- [Import orders](/articles/206705193-import-orders)
- [Process an order from import to manifest](/articles/115000487123-process-an-order-from-import-to-manifest)