Dynamic Values and the Function Pipeline
Field-update actions in Luminous support a template syntax that lets you calculate values at the moment the rule runs — instead of hard-coding a static value.
Basic placeholder syntax
Wrap any field name in double curly braces to insert its current value:
{{ order_number }}
{{ customer_name }}
{{ order_total }}
{{ created_at }}
Function pipeline syntax
Chain functions with a pipe (|) operator to transform a starting value:
{{ 'now'|addDays(30)|date('Y-m-d') }}
This reads as: start from right now → add 30 days → format as YYYY-MM-DD.
Available starting values
| Value | Meaning |
|---|---|
'now' | Current date and time |
'today' | Current date at midnight |
'yesterday' | Yesterday at midnight |
'tomorrow' | Tomorrow at midnight |
'value' | The field's existing value |
| Any date string | e.g. '2025-01-15' |
Date manipulation functions
| Function | Effect | Example |
|---|---|---|
addDays(N) | Add N days | 'now'|addDays(7) |
subDays(N) | Subtract N days | 'now'|subDays(14) |
date_modify(str) | PHP-style modification | 'now'|date_modify('+3 months') |
startOfDay() | Set time to 00:00:00 | 'today'|startOfDay |
endOfDay() | Set time to 23:59:59 | 'today'|endOfDay |
date(format) | Format output | |date('Y-m-d') |
Text functions
| Function | Effect |
|---|---|
upper | Convert to UPPERCASE |
lower | Convert to lowercase |
Using order field values as parameters
You can read a field's current value and use it inside a function:
{{ 'now'|addDays([custom_field_Days_to_Ship]:90)|date('Y-m-d') }}
This reads: add the value of the "Days to Ship" custom field to today; if that field is empty, null, or zero, use 90 as the fallback.
Syntax: [field_name]:fallback_value
A field is treated as empty when it is: null, an empty string, zero (0), or the string "0".
Common recipes
| Goal | Template |
|---|---|
| Ship date = today + 30 days | {{ 'now'|addDays(30)|date('Y-m-d') }} |
| Ship date from custom field, 90-day fallback | {{ 'now'|addDays([custom_field_Days_to_Ship]:90)|date('Y-m-d') }} |
| Extend existing ship date by 7 days | {{ 'value'|date_modify('+7 days')|date('Y-m-d') }} |
| Expiry = end of day, 30 days out | {{ 'today'|addDays([custom_field_Expiry_Days]:30)|endOfDay|date('Y-m-d H:i:s') }} |
| All-caps status field | {{ 'value'|upper }} |
Where to use the function pipeline
Function templates work inside Update Field action values and inside the body/subject of Enhanced Email actions. They do not apply to condition values.