# Conditions, groups and blocks

> How rule sets, rule blocks, rule groups and All or Any logic decide when a checkout rule acts.

Source: https://backtrackhq.com/docs/building-rules/conditions-and-groups/

Every checkout rule is built from conditions. You put conditions in rule
groups, put groups in rule blocks, and give each block an action. This page
explains how the pieces fit together.

> **Note:** The same builder is used for payment, shipping, validation and
> discount rules. Only the conditions and actions change.

## The parts of a rule

From the outside in:

- **Rule set**: picks which group of conditions the rule can use.
- **Rule block**: a set of conditions plus one action. A rule can have
  several blocks.
- **Rule group**: a list of conditions inside a block. A block can have
  several groups.
- **Condition**: one check, for example **Order total amount** **is greater
  than or equals** 100.

(Screenshot: A rule block with one rule group and an Order total amount condition)

## Rule sets

The **Rule sets** card sits above the rule blocks. Each rule set
(**Rule set one**, **Rule set two**, and so on) offers a different group of
conditions. This split exists because Shopify limits how much data a
checkout function can read.

- Hover a rule set to preview its conditions.
- Use **Search for a condition...** to find which set has the condition you
  need.
- Each set shows how many of all conditions it offers, as
  "conditions available".

Pick the rule set first. The condition list in every block depends on it.
See the [Condition reference](https://backtrackhq.com/docs/building-rules/condition-reference/).

## Rule groups and All or Any

Inside a rule group, you choose how its conditions combine:

- **All rule passes**: every condition in the group must be true (AND).
- **Any rule passes**: at least one condition must be true (OR).

Click **Add another rule** to add a condition to the group.

When a block has more than one group, you also choose how the groups
combine:

- **All rule group passes**: every group must pass.
- **Any rule group passes**: at least one group must pass.

Click **Add another rule group** to add a group. Each group is labelled
**Rule group 1**, **Rule group 2**, and so on.

## The action

Below the groups, the heading **If all the above rules are matched then**
introduces the action. The action depends on the rule type. For example:

- Hide payment methods: **Hide the payment methods added below**.
- Hide shipping methods: **Only show the delivery methods added below**.
- Checkout validation: **Block customer from completing checkout**.

## Rule blocks and Or

Click **Add another rule block** to add a second block. Blocks are joined by
an **Or** badge. Each block has its own conditions and its own action. A
block's action runs when that block's conditions match.

Use blocks when two different situations need two different actions. Use
groups when one action has a more complex condition.

**View in flow editor** on a block opens the same rule as a diagram. See [Flow visual editor](https://backtrackhq.com/docs/building-rules/flow-visual-editor/).

## Worked example

Goal: hide Cash on Delivery for a new customer with a big order, or for any
VIP customer. The use case **Hide COD: new high-spend OR VIP** builds this
rule for you.

1. **Create a Hide payment methods rule and pick a rule set.**

   Pick a rule set that has **New customer**, **Order total amount** and
   **Customer tags**.

   (Screenshot: The Rule sets card with a set selected)

2. **Build Rule group 1 for new customers with big orders.**

   Set it to **All rule passes**. Add **New customer**. Add **Order total
   amount** **is greater than or equals** 100.

   (Screenshot: Rule group 1 with New customer and Order total amount conditions)

3. **Add Rule group 2 and join the groups with Any.**

   Click **Add another rule group**, then add **Customer tags** with the
   tag `VIP`. Set the block to **Any rule group passes**. Now the block
   matches if group 1 OR group 2 passes.

   (Screenshot: A rule block with two rule groups joined by Any rule group passes)

4. **Choose the action.**

   Pick **Hide the payment methods added below** and add Cash on Delivery.

   (Screenshot: The hide action with Cash on Delivery added)

In plain English: "When a new customer spends 100 or more, or when the
customer is tagged VIP, hide Cash on Delivery."

Need two different actions? Add a second rule block. The use case **Hide COD
international, hide PayPal low-value** shows this: block one hides Cash on
Delivery, block two hides PayPal.

## Limits

- The number of rule blocks per rule depends on your plan: 2 on Free,
  5 on Starter, 8 on Growth, 10 on Pro and 15 on Scale. When you reach it, you
  see "You've reached the limit of ... rule blocks on your current
  plan." See [Plans and billing](https://backtrackhq.com/docs/get-started/plans-and-billing/).
- Every condition and value adds to the rule's size. See
  [Rule size](https://backtrackhq.com/docs/building-rules/rule-size/).