Automatically Update Order Metafield, Based on Tag

Technical Q&A
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Topic summary

A user needs to automatically update an order metafield called “production status” when order tags change in Shopify, but discovered that Shopify Flow lacks a native trigger for order updates.

Recommended Solutions:

  • Flow Companion app: Extends Flow’s capabilities by adding triggers for:

    • Order tags added/removed
    • Order field changes
    • Order fulfillment field changes
    • Upcoming support for metafield value changes

  • Mechanic app: Offers greater flexibility for complex automation scenarios

    • Includes pre-built library tasks for Flow integration and order tag/metafield handling
    • Supports custom scripting for specific requirements
    • Provides time delay and other advanced workflow features

Both third-party apps address Flow’s native limitation. Flow Companion appears simpler for straightforward tag-to-metafield updates, while Mechanic suits more complex, customizable workflows.

Summarized with AI on October 23. AI used: claude-sonnet-4-5-20250929.
1

Hi all,

I am building a customer workflow in shopify for a rather complex product which has many more statuses than Shopify default.

I’ve created a metafield on the order for “production status” and I want to update it using flow, and triggering when a tag is updated. This seems like it should be pretty simple, but it looks like flow doesn’t have any actions which trigger when an order is updated…

Am I missing something? What do I need to do here?

Thanks,

2

Yes, unfortunately Flow has limited set of triggers.

Other apps may help here, say, Check the Flow companion App for more triggers.

Consider other Automation apps, like Mechanic, which is extremely flexible, but maybe a bit more complex…

@Mivicle

1 Like
3

As @tim_1 mentioned, the Flow Companion app can help you with your task.
It allows you to start a workflow whenever an order tag is added or removed. Simply enable this feature in the app settings and start your workflow with the Order tags added or Order tags removed trigger.

The app also lets you start a workflow when an order field changes. In the settings, add the field you want to track and start your workflow with the Order field changed or Order fulfillment field changed trigger.

CleanShot 2025-10-20 at 20.47.25
CleanShot 2025-10-20 at 20.47.251830×1230 208 KB

Soon, the app will also support starting workflows when a metafield value changes.

5

Mechanic handles stuff like this with way more flexibility.
If one it’s off the shelf library tasks doesn’t fit reach out to me to script something custom.
It has one for triggering flow https://tasks.mechanic.dev/demonstration-shopify-flow-integration or other behaviors like time delay https://tasks.mechanic.dev/?tags=Shopify%20Flow
Or others for handling entire similar processes https://tasks.mechanic.dev/?q=order%20tag%20metafield