Return Processing Sla
Read-only: measures average time from return request to refund completion, surfacing SLA breaches.
shopify-admin-return-processing-sla
Purpose
Calculates the time from return request creation to refund issuance for all completed returns in a period. Surfaces the average processing time, identifies orders that breached a configurable SLA threshold, and lists the longest-pending open returns. Read-only — no mutations.
Prerequisites
shopify store auth --store --scopes read_orders,read_returns read_orders, read_returnsParameters
| Parameter | Type | Required | Default | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| store | string | yes | — | Store domain (e.g., mystore.myshopify.com) |
| days_back | integer | no | 30 | Lookback window for return requests |
| sla_days | integer | no | 5 | Maximum acceptable days from request to refund |
| format | string | no | human | Output format: human or json |
Safety
> ℹ️ Read-only skill — no mutations are executed. Safe to run at any time.
Workflow Steps
returns — query Inputs: query: "created_at:>=', first: 250, pagination cursor
Expected output: Returns with createdAt, status, refunds { createdAt }, order { name }
processing_days = refund.createdAt - return.createdAtprocessing_days > sla_daysorders — query Inputs: Filter for orders with return_status:open to find pending returns exceeding SLA
Expected output: Open return orders with request dates
GraphQL Operations
# returns:query — validated against api_version 2025-01
query ReturnProcessingTimes($query: String!, $after: String) {
returns(first: 250, after: $after, query: $query) {
edges {
node {
id
status
createdAt
order {
id
name
}
refunds(first: 3) {
id
createdAt
totalRefundedSet {
shopMoney {
amount
currencyCode
}
}
}
returnLineItems(first: 10) {
edges {
node {
quantity
returnReason
}
}
}
}
}
pageInfo {
hasNextPage
endCursor
}
}
}
# orders:query — validated against api_version 2025-01
query OrdersWithOpenReturns($query: String!, $after: String) {
orders(first: 250, after: $after, query: $query) {
edges {
node {
id
name
createdAt
returnStatus
returns(first: 5) {
edges {
node {
id
status
createdAt
}
}
}
}
}
pageInfo {
hasNextPage
endCursor
}
}
}
Session Tracking
Claude MUST emit the following output at each stage. This is mandatory.
On start, emit:
╔══════════════════════════════════════════════╗
║ SKILL: Return Processing SLA ║
║ Store: <store domain> ║
║ Started: <YYYY-MM-DD HH:MM UTC> ║
╚══════════════════════════════════════════════╝
After each step, emit:
[N/TOTAL] <QUERY|MUTATION> <OperationName>
→ Params: <brief summary of key inputs>
→ Result: <count or outcome>
On completion, emit:
For format: human (default):
══════════════════════════════════════════════
RETURN PROCESSING SLA (<days_back> days, SLA: <sla_days> days)
Returns analyzed: <n>
Avg processing time: <d> days
Within SLA (<sla_days>d): <n> (<pct>%)
SLA breaches: <n> (<pct>%)
Open returns pending: <n>
Longest open returns (no refund yet):
Order <name> — requested <n> days ago
Output: return_sla_<date>.csv
══════════════════════════════════════════════
For format: json, emit:
{
"skill": "return-processing-sla",
"store": "<domain>",
"period_days": 30,
"sla_days": 5,
"returns_analyzed": 0,
"avg_processing_days": 0,
"within_sla_count": 0,
"sla_breach_count": 0,
"open_pending_count": 0,
"output_file": "return_sla_<date>.csv"
}
Output Format
CSV file return_sla_ with columns:
return_id, order_name, return_requested_at, refunded_at, processing_days, sla_breach, return_status
Error Handling
| Error | Cause | Recovery |
|---|---|---|
THROTTLED | API rate limit exceeded | Wait 2 seconds, retry up to 3 times |
| No refund on completed return | Exchange-only resolution | Exclude from time calculation, note as exchange |
| No returns in window | No return activity | Exit with summary: 0 returns |
Best Practices
sla_days to match your published returns policy (e.g., "refunds processed within 5 business days").sla_days — reducing WISMO-style "where's my refund" tickets.return-reason-analysis to correlate slow processing with specific return reason types.processing_days measures calendar days; adjust your SLA threshold accordingly if your team only processes returns on business days.