---
title: "Custom Closed Messages"
description: "Customize the message customers see when your store is closed or at capacity."
contentType: "docs"
locale: "en"
localized: true
source: "https://orderrules.com/docs/store-hours/custom-closed-messages"
slug: "store-hours/custom-closed-messages"
---
## Make Your Closed Message Work for You

When your store is closed or at capacity, customers see a message on both the storefront banner and at checkout. Customizing these messages helps set expectations and encourages customers to come back.

## Where to Customize Messages

Go to **Settings > Storefront Messages** from the OrderRules dashboard.

## Available Message Types

### Store Closed Message

Shown on the banner and product pages when your store is outside business hours.

```
Default:  "We're currently closed."
Custom:   "We're closed right now. Check back at 9 AM tomorrow!"
```

### Remaining Capacity Message

Shown when your store is open and approaching its order limit. Use the `{REM_QTY}` placeholder to display the actual number of remaining orders.

```
Default:  "Only {REM_QTY} orders remaining today!"
Custom:   "Hurry! Just {REM_QTY} spots left for today's orders."
```

### Limit Reached Message

Shown when your daily, weekly, or monthly limit has been hit.

```
Daily:    "Daily order limit reached. Check back tomorrow!"
Weekly:   "Weekly capacity is full. Try again Monday."
Monthly:  "Monthly limit reached. New spots open on the 1st."
```

### Special Date Messages

When you add a closure or custom capacity day via the Calendar, you can set a unique message for that specific date.

```
"We're closed for Christmas. Happy holidays! We reopen December 26 at 9 AM."
```

### Message types at a glance

| Message | When it shows | Placeholders |
|---|---|---|
| Store closed | Outside your business hours | — |
| Remaining capacity | Open, and approaching the cap | `{REM_QTY}` |
| Limit reached | A daily, weekly or monthly cap is hit | — |
| Special date | A calendar closure or custom-capacity day | — |
| Checkout error | A rule blocks the order at checkout | `{period_display}` `{value}` `{remaining}` `{product}` `{past}` |

## Checkout Error Messages

Customize what customers see if they attempt to place an order that violates a rule. These appear at the checkout step.

Available placeholders:

- `{period_display}` -- daily, weekly, or monthly
- `{value}` -- the limit number
- `{remaining}` -- units or orders still available
- `{product}` -- the product name
- `{past}` -- how many the customer has already used

**Example:**
```
"You can only add {remaining} more {type} of {product} (limit: {value} per {period})."
```

### Placeholder reference

| Placeholder | What it renders | Example output |
|---|---|---|
| `{REM_QTY}` | Orders still available today | 5 |
| `{period_display}` | daily, weekly, or monthly | daily |
| `{value}` | The configured limit | 3 |
| `{remaining}` | Units this customer can still add | 1 |
| `{product}` | The product name | Sourdough Loaf |
| `{past}` | How many the customer already used | 2 |

Placeholders are written verbatim, braces included, and are substituted when the message renders.

## Tips for Writing Good Messages

- **Be specific** -- tell customers when they can order again ("Opens tomorrow at 9 AM" is better than "We're closed")
- **Be friendly** -- a warm tone reduces frustration
- **Keep it short** -- banners have limited space, especially on mobile
- **Use urgency wisely** -- "Only 5 spots left!" creates natural urgency without being pushy
- **Match your brand voice** -- a bakery might say "We can only bake {REM_QTY} more cakes today" while a tech company keeps it straightforward

## Related

- [Daily Schedules](/docs/store-hours/daily-schedules)
- [Holiday Calendar](/docs/store-hours/holiday-calendar)
- [Dynamic Storefront Messaging](/docs/guides/storefront-messaging)
- [Languages & Translations](/docs/languages)