---
name: create-discount-code
description: Create discount codes for promotions, launches, beta readers, or giveaways. Supports percentage/fixed discounts, usage limits, expiry dates, and product restrictions. Triggers on "create discount", "promo code", "coupon", "launch code", or similar queries.
allowed-tools: Bash, Read
---

# Create Discount Code Skill

**Purpose:** Fast discount code creation for marketing and promotions

## What This Skill Does

Creates discount codes in Lemon Squeezy with:
1. Code name (e.g., LAUNCH50, BETA2026)
2. Discount type (percentage or fixed amount)
3. Discount amount (e.g., 50% off or $5 off)
4. Usage limits (total redemptions, per-customer limit)
5. Expiry date (optional)
6. Product restrictions (all products or specific ones)

## When to Use This Skill

**Common use cases:**
- Launch promotions: "Create LAUNCH50 for 50% off"
- Beta reader rewards: "Create BETA100 for 100% off, limit 20"
- Podcast appearances: "Create PODCAST30 for 30% off"
- Social media giveaways: "Create GIVEAWAY for free access"
- Seasonal sales: "Create HOLIDAY25 for 25% off"
- Affiliate codes: "Create PARTNER20 for 20% off"

## API Authentication

Uses `LEMON_SQUEEZY_API_KEY` and `LEMON_SQUEEZY_STORE_ID` environment variables.

## Usage Examples

**Example 1: Launch promotion**
```
User: Create a 50% off code called LAUNCH50, limit 100 uses, expires in 7 days
Assistant: [Uses create-discount-code skill]
```

**Example 2: Beta reader reward**
```
User: Create BETA2026 for 100% off, limit to 20 people
Assistant: [Creates free code with redemption limit]
```

**Example 3: Podcast appearance**
```
User: I'm on a podcast next week. Create a 30% discount code
Assistant: [Creates PODCAST30 code, suggests expiry date]
```

## Implementation

### Create Discount Code API

**Endpoint:** `POST https://api.lemonsqueezy.com/v1/discounts`

**Required fields:**
- `store_id` - Your store ID
- `name` - Internal name (e.g., "Launch 50% Off")
- `code` - The actual code users type (e.g., "LAUNCH50")
- `amount` - Discount amount (percentage: 1-100, or cents for fixed)
- `amount_type` - "percent" or "fixed"

**Optional fields:**
- `duration` - "once", "repeating", or "forever"
- `duration_in_months` - How many months (for repeating)
- `starts_at` - When code becomes active (ISO 8601)
- `expires_at` - When code expires (ISO 8601)
- `max_redemptions` - Total usage limit (null = unlimited)
- `limit_redemptions_per_customer` - Per-customer limit
- `is_limited_to_products` - true/false
- `product_ids` - Array of product IDs (if limited)

**Example request (50% off, 7 days, 100 uses):**
```bash
curl -X POST "https://api.lemonsqueezy.com/v1/discounts" \
  -H "Accept: application/vnd.api+json" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/vnd.api+json" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $LEMON_SQUEEZY_API_KEY" \
  -d '{
    "data": {
      "type": "discounts",
      "attributes": {
        "store_id": YOUR_STORE_ID,
        "name": "Launch Week Promotion",
        "code": "LAUNCH50",
        "amount": 50,
        "amount_type": "percent",
        "duration": "once",
        "max_redemptions": 100,
        "expires_at": "2026-01-12T23:59:59Z"
      }
    }
  }'
```

**Example request (100% off, beta readers):**
```bash
curl -X POST "https://api.lemonsqueezy.com/v1/discounts" \
  -H "Accept: application/vnd.api+json" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/vnd.api+json" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $LEMON_SQUEEZY_API_KEY" \
  -d '{
    "data": {
      "type": "discounts",
      "attributes": {
        "store_id": YOUR_STORE_ID,
        "name": "Beta Reader Reward",
        "code": "BETA2026",
        "amount": 100,
        "amount_type": "percent",
        "duration": "once",
        "max_redemptions": 20
      }
    }
  }'
```

**Example request ($5 off, fixed amount):**
```bash
curl -X POST "https://api.lemonsqueezy.com/v1/discounts" \
  -H "Accept: application/vnd.api+json" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/vnd.api+json" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $LEMON_SQUEEZY_API_KEY" \
  -d '{
    "data": {
      "type": "discounts",
      "attributes": {
        "store_id": YOUR_STORE_ID,
        "name": "Five Dollar Discount",
        "code": "SAVE5",
        "amount": 500,
        "amount_type": "fixed",
        "duration": "once"
      }
    }
  }'
```

**Response structure:**
```json
{
  "data": {
    "type": "discounts",
    "id": "12345",
    "attributes": {
      "store_id": 12345,
      "name": "Launch Week Promotion",
      "code": "LAUNCH50",
      "amount": 50,
      "amount_type": "percent",
      "status": "published",
      "status_formatted": "Published",
      "duration": "once",
      "duration_in_months": null,
      "is_limited_redemptions": true,
      "max_redemptions": 100,
      "redemptions_count": 0,
      "is_limited_to_products": false,
      "starts_at": null,
      "expires_at": "2026-01-12T23:59:59.000000Z",
      "test_mode": false,
      "created_at": "2026-01-05T10:00:00.000000Z",
      "updated_at": "2026-01-05T10:00:00.000000Z"
    }
  }
}
```

## Discount Code Templates

### Template 1: Launch Promotion
```json
{
  "name": "Launch Week - 50% Off",
  "code": "LAUNCH50",
  "amount": 50,
  "amount_type": "percent",
  "duration": "once",
  "max_redemptions": 100,
  "expires_at": "+7 days"
}
```

**Use case:** Product launch, podcast appearance, press coverage

### Template 2: Beta Reader / Reviewer
```json
{
  "name": "Beta Reader Reward",
  "code": "BETA100",
  "amount": 100,
  "amount_type": "percent",
  "duration": "once",
  "max_redemptions": 20,
  "expires_at": null
}
```

**Use case:** Beta readers, reviewers, influencers
**Cost:** $0 (100% discount codes are free)

### Template 3: Early Bird
```json
{
  "name": "Early Bird Special",
  "code": "EARLYBIRD",
  "amount": 30,
  "amount_type": "percent",
  "duration": "once",
  "max_redemptions": 500,
  "expires_at": "+30 days"
}
```

**Use case:** Pre-launch list, early supporters

### Template 4: Seasonal Sale
```json
{
  "name": "End of Financial Year Sale",
  "code": "EOFY25",
  "amount": 25,
  "amount_type": "percent",
  "duration": "once",
  "max_redemptions": null,
  "starts_at": "2026-06-01T00:00:00Z",
  "expires_at": "2026-06-30T23:59:59Z"
}
```

**Use case:** Holiday sales, seasonal promotions

### Template 5: Affiliate / Partner
```json
{
  "name": "Partner Discount",
  "code": "PARTNER20",
  "amount": 20,
  "amount_type": "percent",
  "duration": "once",
  "max_redemptions": null,
  "expires_at": null
}
```

**Use case:** Ongoing affiliate codes (track with unique codes per partner)

### Template 6: First-Time Customer
```json
{
  "name": "Welcome Discount",
  "code": "WELCOME10",
  "amount": 10,
  "amount_type": "percent",
  "duration": "once",
  "limit_redemptions_per_customer": 1
}
```

**Use case:** Email capture, welcome series

### Template 7: Fixed Amount Off
```json
{
  "name": "Five Dollar Discount",
  "code": "SAVE5",
  "amount": 500,
  "amount_type": "fixed",
  "duration": "once"
}
```

**Note:** Amount is in cents (500 = $5.00)

## Output Format

After creating a discount code, present results like this:

```markdown
# ✅ Discount Code Created

## Code Details

**Code:** `LAUNCH50`
**Type:** 50% off
**Status:** Active ✅

## Usage

**Share this with customers:**
> Use code **LAUNCH50** at checkout for 50% off!
> Valid until January 12, 2026
> Limited to first 100 customers

**Checkout URL with code:**
https://your-store.lemonsqueezy.com/checkout/buy/PRODUCT_ID?checkout[discount_code]=LAUNCH50

## Limits

- **Max uses:** 100
- **Uses so far:** 0
- **Expires:** January 12, 2026 at 11:59 PM
- **Per-customer limit:** Unlimited

## Tracking

View redemptions: https://app.lemonsqueezy.com/discounts/12345

## Update/Delete

- Edit code: Use Lemon Squeezy dashboard
- Delete code: `DELETE /v1/discounts/12345`
- Disable code: Change status to "draft"

---

## 🎯 Marketing Copy (Ready to Use)

**Social media:**
```
🎉 Launch Week Special! Get 50% off with code LAUNCH50
Limited to first 100 customers. Ends Jan 12.
[Your checkout link]
```

**Email:**
```
Subject: [Launch Week] 50% Off Inside 🚀

Hi there,

To celebrate our launch, I'm offering 50% off to the first 100 customers.

Use code LAUNCH50 at checkout.

This offer expires January 12, so don't miss out!

[CTA Button: Get 50% Off]
```

**Podcast/Video mention:**
```
"If you want to grab a copy, I've created a special code for listeners:
LAUNCH50 - that's L-A-U-N-C-H-5-0 for 50% off.
It's good for the first 100 people and expires next week."
```
```

## Date/Time Helpers

**Common expiry patterns:**

```bash
# 7 days from now
expires_at=$(date -u -d "+7 days" +"%Y-%m-%dT23:59:59Z")

# End of month
expires_at=$(date -u -d "$(date +%Y-%m-01) +1 month -1 day" +"%Y-%m-%dT23:59:59Z")

# Specific date
expires_at="2026-06-30T23:59:59Z"

# No expiry
expires_at=null
```

**Common start dates:**

```bash
# Start immediately
starts_at=null

# Start tomorrow
starts_at=$(date -u -d "+1 day" +"%Y-%m-%dT00:00:00Z")

# Start specific date
starts_at="2026-06-01T00:00:00Z"
```

## Validation Rules

**Code format:**
- 2-256 characters
- Letters, numbers, hyphens, underscores
- Case-insensitive (LAUNCH50 = launch50)
- No spaces

**Amount limits:**
- Percentage: 1-100
- Fixed: Any positive integer (in cents)

**Redemption limits:**
- `null` = unlimited
- Must be positive integer

**Product restrictions:**
```json
{
  "is_limited_to_products": true,
  "product_ids": [123, 456]
}
```

## Error Handling

**Code already exists:**
```markdown
❌ Error: Code "LAUNCH50" already exists

Existing code details:
- Created: January 1, 2026
- Uses: 45/100
- Status: Active

Options:
1. Choose different code (e.g., LAUNCH50B)
2. Delete old code and recreate
3. Edit existing code in dashboard
```

**Invalid amount:**
```markdown
❌ Error: Invalid discount amount

For percentage: Must be 1-100
For fixed: Must be positive integer in cents (e.g., 500 = $5)

You provided: 150% (invalid)
Did you mean: 50% off?
```

**Store ID missing:**
```markdown
❌ Error: LEMON_SQUEEZY_STORE_ID not configured

Set in Cloudflare:
npx wrangler pages secret put LEMON_SQUEEZY_STORE_ID
```

## Security Considerations

**Don't create codes that:**
- Give >90% off publicly (reserve 100% for targeted use)
- Have no expiry and no limit (cost control)
- Are too generic (CODE, DISCOUNT, SALE)

**Do:**
- Set reasonable limits (100-500 uses)
- Use expiry dates for time-bound promos
- Track usage regularly
- Use unique codes per channel (track which works)

## Bulk Creation

**Create multiple codes at once:**

```bash
# Example: Create 10 unique affiliate codes
for i in {1..10}; do
  curl -X POST "https://api.lemonsqueezy.com/v1/discounts" \
    -H "Authorization: Bearer $API_KEY" \
    -d '{
      "data": {
        "type": "discounts",
        "attributes": {
          "store_id": STORE_ID,
          "name": "Affiliate Code '$i'",
          "code": "AFFILIATE'$i'",
          "amount": 20,
          "amount_type": "percent"
        }
      }
    }'
done
```

## Analytics Integration

**Track code performance:**

1. Create unique codes per channel:
   - PODCAST30 (podcast)
   - TWITTER30 (Twitter)
   - EMAIL30 (email list)

2. Compare redemptions:
```markdown
Channel Performance (30% off codes):
- PODCAST30: 45 uses
- TWITTER30: 23 uses
- EMAIL30: 67 uses

Winner: Email (67 conversions)
```

## Related Skills

- `/sales-dashboard` - See discount usage in revenue reports
- `/customer-lookup` - Check if customer used discount
- List all discounts: `GET /v1/discounts?filter[store_id]=STORE_ID`

## API Documentation

Full Lemon Squeezy Discounts API:
- Create: https://docs.lemonsqueezy.com/api/discounts#create-a-discount
- Update: https://docs.lemonsqueezy.com/api/discounts#update-a-discount
- Delete: https://docs.lemonsqueezy.com/api/discounts#delete-a-discount
- List: https://docs.lemonsqueezy.com/api/discounts#list-all-discounts

## Testing

**Test discount codes:**

1. Create code in test mode:
```json
{
  "test_mode": true,
  "code": "TEST50",
  "amount": 50,
  "amount_type": "percent"
}
```

2. Use in checkout with test card:
   - Card: 4242 4242 4242 4242
   - Expiry: Any future date
   - CVC: Any 3 digits

3. Verify discount applied correctly

4. Check redemption count increased


---
Source attribution: adrianwedd
Original project: https://github.com/adrianwedd/lemonsqueezy-claude-skills/blob/b58939fc06f0e33fd023a62ba99d7e5ae254d4f1/skills/create-discount-code/skill.md
License: MIT
License information: https://opensource.org/license/mit
Original upstream instructions; downloaded from Dave AI.

## Upstream license notice

MIT License

Copyright (c) 2026 Adrian Wedd

Permission is hereby granted, free of charge, to any person obtaining a copy
of this software and associated documentation files (the "Software"), to deal
in the Software without restriction, including without limitation the rights
to use, copy, modify, merge, publish, distribute, sublicense, and/or sell
copies of the Software, and to permit persons to whom the Software is
furnished to do so, subject to the following conditions:

The above copyright notice and this permission notice shall be included in all
copies or substantial portions of the Software.

THE SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED "AS IS", WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR
IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY,
FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE AND NONINFRINGEMENT. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE
AUTHORS OR COPYRIGHT HOLDERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY CLAIM, DAMAGES OR OTHER
LIABILITY, WHETHER IN AN ACTION OF CONTRACT, TORT OR OTHERWISE, ARISING FROM,
OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH THE SOFTWARE OR THE USE OR OTHER DEALINGS IN THE
SOFTWARE.



# Dave AI resource metadata

Creator / publisher: adrianwedd
Original project: https://github.com/adrianwedd/lemonsqueezy-claude-skills/blob/b58939fc06f0e33fd023a62ba99d7e5ae254d4f1/skills/create-discount-code/skill.md
Attribution basis: Recovered original package and original project license at a pinned revision

Fields of work: Marketing
Roles: Advertising Specialist, Content Marketer, Email Marketer, Growth Marketer, Product Marketer
Specialties: API
Tools: Lemon Squeezy
Country applicability: Country not specified
Classification basis: Source catalog labels
Instruction SHA-256: 3a6116149fe0228a56b1f5a87c7467a0245be52cce9367acca01bad7692e1031
Metadata reviewed: 2026-10-27
This metadata supersedes earlier Dave AI catalog attribution. Original instruction and supporting files are preserved.