> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://dodopayments-mintlify-external-integration-datafast-autosen.mintlify.site/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.
# Discounts
> Create promotional codes to drive conversions, run campaigns, and reward customers with fixed or percentage discounts across one‑time and subscription purchases.
Discount codes let you run targeted promotions and incentives. Create percentage or fixed-amount discounts, set limits and expirations, restrict to products, and apply them seamlessly in checkout.
Apply codes during hosted checkout with `discount_code` and UI controls.
Check if a code is valid and applicable before applying.
Programmatically create new discount codes.
Browse and manage existing discounts; update or delete as needed.
## What Are Discount Codes?
Discount codes are promotional tokens that reduce order totals at checkout. They’re ideal for:
* **Seasonal campaigns**: Black Friday, product launches, or anniversaries
* **Acquisition offers**: First‑purchase incentives or referral rewards
* **Retention**: Win‑back or loyalty rewards for existing customers
* **B2B deals**: Contracted or negotiated pricing via private codes
## Key Benefits
* **Flexible discounts**: Percentage or fixed amount off
* **Targeted control**: Restrict by product and subscription cycles
* **Campaign governance**: Expiration dates and usage limits
* **Seamless checkout**: UI field and API support via checkout sessions
## Creating Discount Codes
Create discount codes in your Dodo Payments dashboard, then apply them in hosted checkout or via API.
### Dashboard setup
* **Discount Name** (required): Internal and dashboard display name
* **Code** (required): The string customers enter at checkout
* **Type & Amount** (required): Set a percentage or fixed‑amount value, or generate a random code using the button provided
* **Expiration Date** (optional): Date after which the code becomes invalid
* **Usage Limit** (optional): Max total redemptions across all customers
* **Product Restriction** (optional): Limit applicability to selected products
* **Subscription Cycle Limit** (optional): Number of billing cycles the discount applies to
Use cycle limits for introductory pricing on subscriptions (e.g., "50% off for 3 months").
## Checkout Experience
1. Shoppers enter the code in the checkout field.
2. Eligible discounts are applied and totals update immediately.
In Checkout Sessions, pass `discount_code` to pre‑apply a code, and set `feature_flags.allow_discount_code` to show the input field.
## API Management
Create discount codes programmatically with type and amount.
View the create discount API.
List all discounts or retrieve details for management and auditing.
Browse listing and retrieval APIs.
Modify discount configuration such as amount, expiration, or restrictions.
Learn how to update discount details.
Check whether a discount is valid and applicable before applying.
Validate discount usage.
Deactivate or remove discounts that are no longer needed.
Delete a discount.
## Common Use Cases
* **Intro offers**: Limited‑time launch promotions for new products
* **Bulk or B2B**: Contracted discounts for select product sets
* **Retention plays**: Win‑back codes in churn‑prevention workflows
* **Seasonal campaigns**: Holiday or event‑based promotions
## Integration Examples
### Apply a discount in Checkout Sessions
Pre‑apply a discount and show the code input UI.
```typescript theme={null}
const session = await client.checkoutSessions.create({
product_cart: [
{ product_id: 'prod_abc', quantity: 1 }
],
discount_code: 'BLACKFRIDAY2024',
customer: { email: 'user@example.com', name: 'Jane Doe' },
return_url: 'https://yoursite.com/return'
});
```
### Enable discount entry without pre‑applying
Let customers enter a code at checkout without passing one upfront.
```typescript theme={null}
const session = await client.checkoutSessions.create({
product_cart: [
{ product_id: 'prod_abc', quantity: 1 }
],
feature_flags: {
allow_discount_code: true
},
return_url: 'https://yoursite.com/return'
});
```
## Best Practices
* **Name clearly**: Use recognizable codes that match campaign names
* **Time‑box**: Add expirations to drive urgency and prevent misuse
* **Scope wisely**: Limit to specific products to avoid margin leakage
* **Validate early**: Check code applicability before confirming checkout
* **Monitor impact**: Track usage and conversion by campaign
Discount codes are powerful levers for acquisition and retention. Start with simple, well‑named offers, validate thoroughly, and iterate based on performance.