---
title: "Box Builder"
description: "The Box Builder product type lets you create \"Build-A-Box\" products where customers can choose items to fill a box of a specific size."
url: "https://docs.j2commerce.com/product-types/box-builder"
markdown_url: "https://docs.j2commerce.com/product-types/box-builder.md"
last_updated: "2026-10-23T02:33:38+00:00"
version: "J2Store 4"
breadcrumbs:
  - title: "Home"
    url: "https://docs.j2commerce.com/"
  - title: "Product Types"
    url: "https://docs.j2commerce.com/product-types"
  - title: "Box Builder"
    url: "https://docs.j2commerce.com/product-types/box-builder"
---

# Box Builder

## What is Box Builder?

The Box Builder product type lets you create "Build-A-Box" products where customers can choose items to fill a box of a specific size. Think of it like a custom gift box, snack pack, or sample set where your customer picks what goes inside!

### Example Uses

- Gift boxes (pick 6 chocolates)
- Sample packs (choose 4 skincare products)
- Party packs (pick 12 treats)

## Requirements `<a href="#requirements" id="requirements" />`

1. PHP 8.1.0 +
2. Joomla! 4.x/ Joomla! 5.x +
3. J2Commerce / J2Store 4.x +

## Purchase the Product Type

**Step 1:** Go to our [J2Commerce website](https://www.j2commerce.com/extensions) > Extensions > Apps

**Step 2:** Locate the Box Builder App > click View Details > Add to cart > Checkout.

**Step 3:** Go to your My Downloads under your profile button at the top right corner and search for the app. Click Available Versions > View Files > Download Now

## Install the Product Type

Go to System > Install > Extensions > Install the Product Type

![Joomla System Dashboard with System in the sidebar and the Extensions link under Install highlighted](https://docs.j2commerce.com/images/docs/shared/product-category-installer-1.webp)

## Enable the Product Type

Select J2Commerce > Apps > Search for Box Builder

Enable the plugin by clicking on the 'X'. It will turn into a checkmark

![J2Commerce All Apps list searched for box, with Apps highlighted and the Box Builder Products app status checkmark highlighted as enabled](https://docs.j2commerce.com/images/docs/shared/box-builder-enable.webp)

Click on "Open App" or the Title to start setting up the app

![J2Commerce All Apps list searched for box, with the Open App button highlighted on the Box Builder Products row](https://docs.j2commerce.com/images/docs/shared/box-builder-open.webp)

## Setting up the App

### Basic Settings tab

![App-Box Builder Product Type, Basic Settings tab highlighted: Inventory Handling at box builder level, Tax Based On Box Builder Product](https://docs.j2commerce.com/images/docs/shared/box-builder-config.webp)

**Inventory Handling:** Choose how you want to handle the inventory.

**Tax Based On**: Choose how you want to calculate taxes. Choose "Box Level" for simplicity

**Display Mobile Sticky Bar:** Select Yes to display a sticky 'Add-to-Cart' bar on mobile devices.

**Display Item Details**: Select Yes to display each box builder item's product description and main image on the product detail page.

## Creating a Box Builder Product

Go to Content > Articles > New

![Articles: New form, Content tab highlighted: Title Custom Gift Box - Pick 4 and Category Chocolates highlighted](https://docs.j2commerce.com/images/docs/shared/box-builder-article-new-2.webp)

### Content tab

**Title:** Give your product a name (e.g., "Custom Gift Box - Pick 4"). Leave the alias blank

**Article Text:** Add a description explaining what the box includes

**Category:** Select a category for your product

**Status:** Make sure the article is Published

### J2Store Cart tab

![Articles: New, J2Store Cart tab highlighted: Treat as a Product Yes and Product Type Box Builder, above the Save and Continue button](https://docs.j2commerce.com/images/docs/shared/box-builder-product-1.webp)

**Treat as a Product:** Set this to Yes

**Product Type**: select Box Builder

**Save and Continue**

## Setting up the Box

### App tab

![Articles: Edit after saving, J2Store Cart tab, Box Builder product: Apps sub-tab highlighted, Box Builder Product Type section](https://docs.j2commerce.com/images/docs/shared/box-builder-product-search-1.webp)

**Adding Products to the Box:**

In the **Search Products** field, start typing a product name or SKU

Select products from the dropdown that appears

Repeat until you've added all the products you want customers to choose from

![Box Builder Apps tab with four chocolate products listed with remove icons and the Search Product by SKU field, the product list highlighted](https://docs.j2commerce.com/images/docs/shared/box-builder-product-search-3-1.webp)

**Important Notes:**

- You can add more products than the box size (customers will choose from them)
- Only simple, configurable, and downloadable products work
- Products with options already attached cannot be added

**Box Settings:**

![Box Builder Apps tab with four selected products, plus Box Size 4 Pack, Product Order Article Order (ASC), Show Qty Field Yes and Product Display Grid](https://docs.j2commerce.com/images/docs/shared/box-builder-product-search-4.webp)

**Box Size**: How many items fit in the box (2-12)

**Product Order**: How products appear: Ascending, Descending (alphabetical), random, etc.

**Show Qty Field**: Set to Yes so customers can add multiple boxes at once

**Product Display**: Grid (cards) or List (vertical)

### Pricing tab

![Box Builder product, Pricing tab highlighted: Regular Price 25.00000, Advanced Pricing Set Prices button, Pricing Calculator Standard](https://docs.j2commerce.com/images/docs/shared/box-builder-pricing.webp)

**Regular Price:** Enter the box price (e.g., 30.00)

\*\*This is the TOTAL price for the filled box, regardless of what items are chosen

**Advanced Pricing:** You can set special discounted pricing for specific customers, ie: VIP, Charities, etc...

### Inventory tab

![Box Builder product, Inventory tab highlighted: Manage Stock Yes, Stock Quantity 100, Allow Backorders Do Not Allow, Stock Status In Stock](https://docs.j2commerce.com/images/docs/shared/box-builder-product-inventory-tab1.webp)

\*\*Setting up the inventory is optional

**Manage Stock:** Set to Yes if you want to manage the stock

**Stock Quantity:** Enter your quantity available

## Image tab

Upload a main image showing your box

Add additional gallery images if desired

## How Customers Use Box Builder

### On Desktop

- The customer sees a grid of available products
- Clicks "Add" to put an item in their box
- A sidebar shows their box filling up (empty slots turn filled)
- Can add the same item multiple times
- Uses +/- buttons to adjust quantities
- When box is full, "Add to Cart" button becomes active
- Clicks "Add to Cart" to proceed

### On Mobile

- Customer sees product grid (2 columns)
- Taps "Add" to select items
- A floating bar at the bottom shows progress: "4/6 Selected"
- When full, bar turns into "Add to Cart" button
- Taps to add completed box to cart

## Understanding Inventory Options

### Box Level Inventory (Simpler)

- You track stock on the box product only
- **Example:** You have 50 "Pick 6" boxes available
- When someone buys a box, your count goes from 50 to 49
- The individual products inside don't need inventory tracking

**Best for:** Fixed quantity kits, pre-packaged offerings

### Item Level Inventory (More Control)

- You track stock on each product separately
- When someone adds Product A to their box, Product A's stock decreases
- If Product A runs out, it can't be selected anymore
- Other products remain available

**Best for:** When individual products are also sold separately

## Understanding Tax Options

### Box Level Tax (Simpler)

- One tax rate applies to the entire box price
- Uses the tax profile assigned to the box product
- **Example:** 10% tax on a $30 box = $3 tax

### Item Level Tax (More Precise)

- Each product's individual tax rate applies
- Useful when products have different tax rates
- **Example:** Food items at 0% + supplements at 10%

## Common Questions

**Q: Can customers choose the same item multiple times?**

A: Yes! If you have a "Pick 6 Chocolates" box and someone loves the caramel flavor, they can add 6 caramels.

**Q: What if a product runs out of stock?**

A: Depends on your Inventory Handling setting:

\- **Box Level:** Customers can still select any product until boxes run out

\- **Item Level:** Out-of-stock products become unavailable

**Q: Can the price change based on selections?**

A: No. Box Builder uses a fixed price. All selections cost the same total amount.

**Q: Can I use variable products (like different sizes)?**

A: No. Only simple, configurable, and downloadable products work with Box Builder. Variable products with variants cannot be used.

**Q: How do I see what customers picked?**

A: In the order details, you'll see each box with a list of the items selected and their quantities.

**Q: Can I require a minimum box fill?**

A: The box must be completely filled before adding to the cart. Customers cannot add a partially filled box.

## Troubleshooting

**1: "Add to Cart" button stays disabled**

- Check that customers have filled ALL box slots
- The button only activates when the box is complete

**2: Products aren't appearing in search**

Make sure the products:

- Are published and enabled in J2Commerce > Apps
- Are simple, configurable, or downloadable type
- Don't have options already attached
- Have stock available (if tracking inventory)

**3: Stock isn't reducing correctly**

Check your **Inventory Handling** setting in the plugin configuration:

- Box Level: Only box stock reduces
- Item Level: Individual product stocks reduce

**4:Customers see wrong products**

- Review the products added in the Box Builder tab
- Check the **Product Order** setting
- Make sure unwanted products are removed

## Tips for Success

1\. **Add more products than slots** - Give customers choices! A 6-item box with 20 product options is more engaging than exactly 6 products.

2\. **Use clear product images** - Customers pick visually, so good photos help conversions.

3\. **Set sensible box sizes** - 4-8 items work well. Very large boxes (10-12) can overwhelm customers.

4\. **Price competitively** - Show value! A $30 box of 6 items feels better than 6 individual $6 items.

5\. **Enable per-item pricing display** - "$5 per item" helps customers understand the value.

6\. **Test on mobile** - Many customers shop on phones, so verify the experience works well.