---
title: "Capacity Alert Emails"
description: "Get email notifications when your store approaches or reaches its order capacity."
contentType: "docs"
locale: "en"
localized: true
source: "https://orderrules.com/docs/order-limits/email-alerts"
slug: "order-limits/email-alerts"
---
## Know Before You Hit the Limit

OrderRules can send you email alerts when your order count approaches a configured threshold. This gives you time to prepare before orders are blocked.

## How to Set Up Alerts

1. Go to **Settings** from the dashboard
2. Scroll to the **Notification Settings** section
3. Enter your **email address** (or multiple addresses separated by commas)
4. Choose your **alert threshold** (for example, 85%)
5. Set a **cooldown period** (for example, 60 minutes)
6. Click **Save**

## Alert Types

### Approaching Capacity (Warning)

Sent when your order count reaches the percentage you configured.

```
Subject: OrderRules Alert: Approaching Daily Limit (85%)

You've accepted 43 out of 50 orders today.
Orders will be blocked automatically at 50.
```

### Limit Reached (100%)

Sent when your limit is fully hit and orders are now blocked.

```
Subject: OrderRules Alert: Daily Limit Reached

Your daily order limit (50) has been reached.
Orders are now blocked until midnight.
```

### The two alert types

| Alert | Fires at | What it tells you |
|---|---|---|
| Approaching capacity | Your configured threshold (e.g. 85%) | You have room left, but not much — time to prepare |
| Limit reached | 100%, always | Orders are blocked now, until the counter resets |

Both go to every address you list. The cooldown sets a minimum gap so a busy hour doesn't generate a stream of near-identical emails.

## Choosing a Threshold

- **70%** -- early warning with plenty of time to react
- **85%** -- balanced (this is the default)
- **95%** -- last-minute heads-up with fewer notifications

Pick a threshold that gives you enough time to adjust if needed, without creating unnecessary noise.

## Cooldown Period

The cooldown prevents you from getting flooded with emails during a busy rush. After an alert is sent, no new alerts will fire for the duration of the cooldown.

```
Cooldown: 60 minutes

10:00 AM: 85% alert sent
10:30 AM: 90% reached -- no alert (cooldown active)
11:01 AM: Cooldown expires
11:10 AM: 98% reached -- alert sent
```

Set the cooldown between 60 and 120 minutes for most businesses.

## Multiple Recipients

Enter multiple email addresses separated by commas:

```
owner@example.com,manager@example.com,operations@example.com
```

All recipients receive the same alerts.

## Testing Your Setup

After saving your notification settings, click **Send test email** to verify delivery. Check your inbox (and spam folder) within two minutes.

If you do not receive the test email, double-check the address for typos and add the OrderRules sender to your contacts.

## Related

- [Capacity Alerts](/docs/notifications/capacity-alerts)
- [Daily Order Limits](/docs/order-limits/daily-order-limits)
- [Daily Summary Email](/docs/notifications/daily-summary)