# Build a rule-based collection

> Build automated, rule-based collections in Awsm Collections for Shopify — combine conditions on type, tags, price, inventory, sales and more into include/exclude groups, choose how it sorts, pin products, and let it keep itself up to date.

Collections · 6 min read · Updated 2026-06-07

Canonical: https://awsmcollections.com/docs/build-a-managed-collection

A **managed collection** is defined by **rules**, not a hand-picked list — so it builds itself and stays correct as products are added, sell out, or change. You group conditions together, decide how the collection sorts, optionally pin a few products to the top, and the app keeps it in sync with Shopify. This guide walks the editor section by section.

## 1. Open or create a collection

From the dashboard, click **Edit** on a collection, or create a new one with **Add manually** or **Create with AI**.

![Open or create a collection](https://awsmcollections.com/docs-assets/img/build-a-managed-collection/00-editor-open.png)

## 2. Name the collection

Set the **collection name** (and handle). This is what shows in your Shopify admin and storefront.

![Name the collection](https://awsmcollections.com/docs-assets/img/build-a-managed-collection/01-details.png)

## 3. Build a product group with rules

A **product group** is a set of conditions. Click **Add rule** and pick a **property** (Type, Tags, Price, Inventory, Sales, an AI facet, and more), a **relation** (is, contains, greater than, is one of…) and a **value**. Choose whether the group matches **all** rules (AND) or **any** (OR). Add more groups to combine different sets of conditions.

![Build a product group with rules](https://awsmcollections.com/docs-assets/img/build-a-managed-collection/02-product-group.png)

## 4. Include or exclude

Each group is either an **include** group (products that match are added) or an **exclude** group (matching products are removed) — handy for "all dresses, except clearance".

![Include or exclude](https://awsmcollections.com/docs-assets/img/build-a-managed-collection/03-include-exclude.png)

## 5. Choose how it sorts

Pick a **sort property** and **direction**. Beyond the basics you can sort by **sales**, **trending momentum**, **similarity to a product**, or **Smart — revenue-optimized (auto)**, which pushes your best earners up and sold-out products down automatically.

![Choose how it sorts](https://awsmcollections.com/docs-assets/img/build-a-managed-collection/04-sorting.png)

## 6. Pin products to the top (optional)

Use **Pinned products** to force specific products into fixed positions regardless of the rules — search by title or paste a product ID, set a position, and add.

![Pin products to the top (optional)](https://awsmcollections.com/docs-assets/img/build-a-managed-collection/05-pinned.png)

## 7. Set the safety net (optional)

The **Safety net** holds a sync for review if it looks destructive — set a **minimum products** floor and a **max drop %** so a bad rule change can't accidentally empty your collection.

![Set the safety net (optional)](https://awsmcollections.com/docs-assets/img/build-a-managed-collection/06-safety-net.png)

## 8. Save

Hit **Save**. The collection syncs to Shopify and re-evaluates on a schedule from then on, so it stays current without you touching it.

![Save](https://awsmcollections.com/docs-assets/img/build-a-managed-collection/07-save.png)

## FAQ

### What's the difference between AND and OR in a group?

AND means a product must match every rule in the group; OR means matching any one rule is enough.

### How do include and exclude groups interact?

Include groups add matching products; exclude groups remove them. Excludes win, so you can carve out clearance, drafts, or specific tags.

### What can I sort by?

Title, price, inventory, dates, sales figures, trending momentum, similarity to a seed product, random, or the Smart revenue-optimized sort — ascending or descending.

### What are pinned products for?

Forcing specific products into fixed spots (e.g. a hero product up top) regardless of the rules.

### What does the safety net do?

It pauses a sync that would remove too many products (below your floor or above your max-drop %), so a mistaken rule can't wipe a collection — you review it first.

### How often does the collection update?

Automatically on a schedule, and right after you save. It re-checks your catalog so new matching products flow in and removed ones drop out.

## Related

- [Self-optimizing collections (smart sort)](https://awsmcollections.com/docs/self-optimizing-collections.md)
- [Auto-fill a collection with AI suggestions](https://awsmcollections.com/docs/auto-fill-suggestions.md)
- [AI facets & the facet review](https://awsmcollections.com/docs/ai-facets.md)