@cakemail-org/cakemail-cli 1.5.0 → 2.0.0

package/docs/user-manual/05-contact-management/03-custom-attributes.md

@@ -0,0 +1,788 @@
+# Custom Attributes
+
+Extend contact records with custom fields to store business-specific data beyond standard email and name fields.
+
+## Overview
+
+Custom attributes allow you to:
+- Store unlimited additional contact data
+- Track customer preferences and behavior
+- Enable advanced segmentation
+- Personalize campaigns with custom data
+- Integrate with your business systems
+- Build comprehensive customer profiles
+
+Custom attributes are the key to making Cakemail work for your specific business needs.
+
+## Quick Start
+
+### Create Your First Attribute
+
+```bash
+$ cakemail attributes create 123 -n "plan_type" -t "text"
+```
+
+**Output:**
+```
+✓ Custom attribute created: plan_type
+
+Name: plan_type
+Type: text
+List: 123
+```
+
+### Add Contact with Custom Data
+
+```bash
+$ cakemail contacts add 123 \
+  -e "customer@example.com" \
+  -f "Jane" \
+  -l "Doe" \
+  -d '{"plan_type":"premium"}'
+```
+
+### View Attributes
+
+```bash
+$ cakemail attributes list 123
+```
+
+**Output:**
+```
+┌──────────────────┬──────────┬─────────────────────┐
+│ Name             │ Type     │ Created             │
+├──────────────────┼──────────┼─────────────────────┤
+│ plan_type        │ text     │ 2024-01-15 10:30:00 │
+│ signup_date      │ date     │ 2024-02-01 14:20:00 │
+│ lifetime_value   │ number   │ 2024-02-15 09:00:00 │
+│ is_vip           │ boolean  │ 2024-03-01 11:45:00 │
+└──────────────────┴──────────┴─────────────────────┘
+```
+
+## Attribute Types
+
+### Text Attributes
+
+Store string values like names, categories, or IDs.
+
+**Create:**
+```bash
+$ cakemail attributes create 123 -n "plan_type" -t "text"
+$ cakemail attributes create 123 -n "customer_id" -t "text"
+$ cakemail attributes create 123 -n "company_name" -t "text"
+```
+
+**Use cases:**
+- Plan tiers (free, basic, premium, enterprise)
+- Customer segments (new, active, lapsed)
+- Industry categories (technology, retail, finance)
+- Product preferences (red, blue, green)
+- External system IDs
+
+**Example values:**
+```json
+{
+  "plan_type": "premium",
+  "customer_id": "CUST-12345",
+  "company_name": "Acme Corporation",
+  "industry": "Technology",
+  "preferred_color": "blue"
+}
+```
+
+### Number Attributes
+
+Store numeric values like counts, amounts, or scores.
+
+**Create:**
+```bash
+$ cakemail attributes create 123 -n "purchase_count" -t "number"
+$ cakemail attributes create 123 -n "lifetime_value" -t "number"
+$ cakemail attributes create 123 -n "engagement_score" -t "number"
+```
+
+**Use cases:**
+- Purchase counts
+- Lifetime value (dollars)
+- Engagement scores
+- Account age (days)
+- Product quantities
+
+**Example values:**
+```json
+{
+  "purchase_count": 15,
+  "lifetime_value": 2499.99,
+  "engagement_score": 87,
+  "account_age_days": 365,
+  "cart_items": 3
+}
+```
+
+### Date Attributes
+
+Store dates in ISO format (YYYY-MM-DD).
+
+**Create:**
+```bash
+$ cakemail attributes create 123 -n "signup_date" -t "date"
+$ cakemail attributes create 123 -n "last_purchase" -t "date"
+$ cakemail attributes create 123 -n "trial_ends" -t "date"
+```
+
+**Use cases:**
+- Signup/registration dates
+- Last purchase dates
+- Trial expiration dates
+- Birthday/anniversary dates
+- Renewal dates
+
+**Example values:**
+```json
+{
+  "signup_date": "2024-01-15",
+  "last_purchase": "2024-03-10",
+  "trial_ends": "2024-04-15",
+  "birthday": "1990-06-15",
+  "renewal_date": "2024-12-31"
+}
+```
+
+### Boolean Attributes
+
+Store true/false flags.
+
+**Create:**
+```bash
+$ cakemail attributes create 123 -n "is_vip" -t "boolean"
+$ cakemail attributes create 123 -n "opted_in_sms" -t "boolean"
+$ cakemail attributes create 123 -n "email_verified" -t "boolean"
+```
+
+**Use cases:**
+- VIP status
+- Feature flags
+- Opt-in preferences
+- Verification status
+- Active/inactive indicators
+
+**Example values:**
+```json
+{
+  "is_vip": true,
+  "opted_in_sms": false,
+  "email_verified": true,
+  "marketing_consent": true,
+  "account_locked": false
+}
+```
+
+## Attribute Naming
+
+### Best Naming Practices
+
+**Good names:**
+```bash
+$ cakemail attributes create 123 -n "plan_type" -t "text"          # Clear purpose
+$ cakemail attributes create 123 -n "last_login_date" -t "date"    # Descriptive
+$ cakemail attributes create 123 -n "is_premium" -t "boolean"      # Clear boolean
+$ cakemail attributes create 123 -n "total_spent" -t "number"      # Clear metric
+```
+
+**Avoid:**
+```bash
+$ cakemail attributes create 123 -n "pt" -t "text"                 # Too short
+$ cakemail attributes create 123 -n "Plan Type" -t "text"          # Spaces
+$ cakemail attributes create 123 -n "PLAN" -t "text"               # All caps
+$ cakemail attributes create 123 -n "thePlanTypeForCustomer" -t "text"  # Too verbose
+```
+
+### Naming Conventions
+
+**Use snake_case:**
+```bash
+plan_type          # ✓
+lifetime_value     # ✓
+last_purchase_date # ✓
+is_vip            # ✓
+```
+
+**Not camelCase or spaces:**
+```bash
+planType          # ✗
+lifetimeValue     # ✗
+"last purchase"   # ✗
+"Is VIP"          # ✗
+```
+
+**Boolean prefix:**
+```bash
+is_vip            # ✓ Clear it's boolean
+has_subscription  # ✓ Clear it's boolean
+email_verified    # ✓ Clear it's boolean
+
+vip               # ✗ Not obvious it's boolean
+subscription      # ✗ Not obvious it's boolean
+```
+
+## Attribute Workflows
+
+### Workflow 1: Customer Data Setup
+
+```bash
+#!/bin/bash
+# setup-customer-attributes.sh
+
+LIST_ID=123
+
+echo "=== Setting Up Customer Attributes ==="
+echo ""
+
+# Basic info
+echo "Creating basic customer attributes..."
+cakemail attributes create $LIST_ID -n "customer_id" -t "text"
+cakemail attributes create $LIST_ID -n "company_name" -t "text"
+cakemail attributes create $LIST_ID -n "industry" -t "text"
+cakemail attributes create $LIST_ID -n "company_size" -t "text"
+
+# Subscription
+echo "Creating subscription attributes..."
+cakemail attributes create $LIST_ID -n "plan_type" -t "text"
+cakemail attributes create $LIST_ID -n "signup_date" -t "date"
+cakemail attributes create $LIST_ID -n "trial_ends" -t "date"
+cakemail attributes create $LIST_ID -n "is_paying" -t "boolean"
+
+# Engagement
+echo "Creating engagement attributes..."
+cakemail attributes create $LIST_ID -n "last_login_date" -t "date"
+cakemail attributes create $LIST_ID -n "login_count" -t "number"
+cakemail attributes create $LIST_ID -n "feature_usage_score" -t "number"
+
+# Financial
+echo "Creating financial attributes..."
+cakemail attributes create $LIST_ID -n "lifetime_value" -t "number"
+cakemail attributes create $LIST_ID -n "purchase_count" -t "number"
+cakemail attributes create $LIST_ID -n "last_purchase_date" -t "date"
+cakemail attributes create $LIST_ID -n "average_order_value" -t "number"
+
+echo ""
+echo "✓ Attribute setup complete"
+echo ""
+
+# Show all attributes
+cakemail attributes list $LIST_ID
+```
+
+### Workflow 2: E-commerce Attributes
+
+```bash
+#!/bin/bash
+# setup-ecommerce-attributes.sh
+
+LIST_ID=123
+
+echo "=== E-commerce Attribute Setup ==="
+echo ""
+
+# Purchase behavior
+cakemail attributes create $LIST_ID -n "total_orders" -t "number"
+cakemail attributes create $LIST_ID -n "total_spent" -t "number"
+cakemail attributes create $LIST_ID -n "average_order_value" -t "number"
+cakemail attributes create $LIST_ID -n "last_order_date" -t "date"
+cakemail attributes create $LIST_ID -n "first_order_date" -t "date"
+
+# Preferences
+cakemail attributes create $LIST_ID -n "favorite_category" -t "text"
+cakemail attributes create $LIST_ID -n "preferred_brand" -t "text"
+cakemail attributes create $LIST_ID -n "size_preference" -t "text"
+
+# Loyalty
+cakemail attributes create $LIST_ID -n "loyalty_points" -t "number"
+cakemail attributes create $LIST_ID -n "loyalty_tier" -t "text"
+cakemail attributes create $LIST_ID -n "is_vip" -t "boolean"
+
+# Cart behavior
+cakemail attributes create $LIST_ID -n "cart_abandoned_date" -t "date"
+cakemail attributes create $LIST_ID -n "cart_value" -t "number"
+cakemail attributes create $LIST_ID -n "has_active_cart" -t "boolean"
+
+echo "✓ E-commerce attributes created"
+```
+
+### Workflow 3: SaaS Attributes
+
+```bash
+#!/bin/bash
+# setup-saas-attributes.sh
+
+LIST_ID=123
+
+echo "=== SaaS Attribute Setup ==="
+echo ""
+
+# Account
+cakemail attributes create $LIST_ID -n "account_id" -t "text"
+cakemail attributes create $LIST_ID -n "plan_name" -t "text"
+cakemail attributes create $LIST_ID -n "mrr" -t "number"
+cakemail attributes create $LIST_ID -n "arr" -t "number"
+
+# Subscription lifecycle
+cakemail attributes create $LIST_ID -n "trial_start_date" -t "date"
+cakemail attributes create $LIST_ID -n "trial_end_date" -t "date"
+cakemail attributes create $LIST_ID -n "subscription_start" -t "date"
+cakemail attributes create $LIST_ID -n "next_billing_date" -t "date"
+cakemail attributes create $LIST_ID -n "is_trial" -t "boolean"
+cakemail attributes create $LIST_ID -n "is_paying" -t "boolean"
+
+# Usage
+cakemail attributes create $LIST_ID -n "last_login" -t "date"
+cakemail attributes create $LIST_ID -n "login_count_30d" -t "number"
+cakemail attributes create $LIST_ID -n "feature_adoption_score" -t "number"
+cakemail attributes create $LIST_ID -n "active_users" -t "number"
+
+# Health
+cakemail attributes create $LIST_ID -n "health_score" -t "number"
+cakemail attributes create $LIST_ID -n "churn_risk" -t "text"
+cakemail attributes create $LIST_ID -n "support_tickets_30d" -t "number"
+
+echo "✓ SaaS attributes created"
+```
+
+### Workflow 4: Attribute Audit
+
+```bash
+#!/bin/bash
+# audit-attributes.sh
+
+LIST_ID=123
+
+echo "=== Attribute Audit ==="
+echo ""
+
+# Get all attributes
+ATTRIBUTES=$(cakemail attributes list $LIST_ID -f json | jq -r '.data[] | "\(.name):\(.type)"')
+
+echo "Attribute | Type | Usage (%)"
+echo "----------|------|----------"
+
+# Check usage for each attribute
+for ATTR in $ATTRIBUTES; do
+  NAME=$(echo "$ATTR" | cut -d: -f1)
+  TYPE=$(echo "$ATTR" | cut -d: -f2)
+
+  # Get contacts with this attribute set
+  TOTAL=$(cakemail contacts list $LIST_ID -f json | jq '.count')
+
+  # Note: This is simplified - actual implementation would need to check each contact
+  # For demonstration purposes
+  USAGE="~%"
+
+  printf "%-20s | %-8s | %s\n" "$NAME" "$TYPE" "$USAGE"
+done
+
+echo ""
+echo "Review attributes with low usage for potential removal"
+```
+
+### Workflow 5: Attribute Migration
+
+```bash
+#!/bin/bash
+# migrate-attributes.sh
+
+SOURCE_LIST=123
+TARGET_LIST=124
+
+echo "=== Migrating Attributes ==="
+echo "From: List $SOURCE_LIST"
+echo "To: List $TARGET_LIST"
+echo ""
+
+# Get source attributes
+ATTRIBUTES=$(cakemail attributes list $SOURCE_LIST -f json)
+
+echo "$ATTRIBUTES" | jq -r '.data[] | "\(.name):\(.type)"' | while IFS=: read NAME TYPE; do
+  echo "Creating: $NAME ($TYPE)"
+
+  # Create in target list
+  cakemail attributes create $TARGET_LIST -n "$NAME" -t "$TYPE" 2>/dev/null
+
+  if [ $? -eq 0 ]; then
+    echo "  ✓ Created"
+  else
+    echo "  ⚠️  Already exists or error"
+  fi
+done
+
+echo ""
+echo "✓ Attribute migration complete"
+```
+
+## Using Attributes with Contacts
+
+### Add Contact with Attributes
+
+```bash
+$ cakemail contacts add 123 \
+  -e "customer@example.com" \
+  -f "Jane" \
+  -l "Doe" \
+  -d '{
+    "plan_type": "premium",
+    "signup_date": "2024-03-15",
+    "is_vip": true,
+    "lifetime_value": 599.99,
+    "purchase_count": 8
+  }'
+```
+
+### Update Contact Attributes
+
+```bash
+# Update single attribute
+$ cakemail contacts update 123 501 -d '{"plan_type":"enterprise"}'
+
+# Update multiple attributes
+$ cakemail contacts update 123 501 -d '{
+  "plan_type": "enterprise",
+  "is_vip": true,
+  "lifetime_value": 1299.99
+}'
+```
+
+### Query by Attributes
+
+```bash
+# Find premium users
+$ cakemail contacts list 123 --filter "custom_attributes.plan_type==premium"
+
+# Find VIP customers
+$ cakemail contacts list 123 --filter "custom_attributes.is_vip==true"
+
+# Find high-value customers
+$ cakemail contacts list 123 --filter "custom_attributes.lifetime_value>=1000"
+
+# Find recent signups
+$ cakemail contacts list 123 --filter "custom_attributes.signup_date>=2024-03-01"
+```
+
+## Segmentation with Attributes
+
+### Create Segments Based on Attributes
+
+```bash
+# Premium plan segment
+$ cakemail segments create 123 -n "Premium Users" -c '{
+  "match": "all",
+  "rules": [
+    {"field": "custom_attributes.plan_type", "operator": "equals", "value": "premium"}
+  ]
+}'
+
+# High-value customers
+$ cakemail segments create 123 -n "High Value" -c '{
+  "match": "all",
+  "rules": [
+    {"field": "custom_attributes.lifetime_value", "operator": "greater_than", "value": "1000"}
+  ]
+}'
+
+# At-risk trial users
+$ cakemail segments create 123 -n "Trial Ending Soon" -c '{
+  "match": "all",
+  "rules": [
+    {"field": "custom_attributes.is_trial", "operator": "equals", "value": "true"},
+    {"field": "custom_attributes.trial_ends", "operator": "less_than", "value": "2024-04-01"}
+  ]
+}'
+
+# Engaged VIPs
+$ cakemail segments create 123 -n "Engaged VIPs" -c '{
+  "match": "all",
+  "rules": [
+    {"field": "custom_attributes.is_vip", "operator": "equals", "value": "true"},
+    {"field": "last_open_date", "operator": "greater_than", "value": "2024-03-01"}
+  ]
+}'
+```
+
+## Campaign Personalization
+
+### Use Attributes in Campaigns
+
+Campaign HTML with merge tags:
+
+```html
+<p>Hi {{first_name}},</p>
+
+<p>As a {{custom_attributes.plan_type}} member, you have access to:</p>
+
+{{#if custom_attributes.is_vip}}
+  <p><strong>VIP Benefits:</strong></p>
+  <ul>
+    <li>Priority Support</li>
+    <li>Exclusive Features</li>
+    <li>Early Access</li>
+  </ul>
+{{/if}}
+
+<p>You've been with us since {{custom_attributes.signup_date}}.</p>
+
+<p>Your lifetime savings: ${{custom_attributes.lifetime_value}}</p>
+
+<p>Thanks for {{custom_attributes.purchase_count}} purchases!</p>
+```
+
+### Conditional Content
+
+```html
+{{#if custom_attributes.plan_type == "free"}}
+  <div class="upgrade-prompt">
+    <h2>Upgrade to Premium</h2>
+    <p>Get more features for just $9.99/month</p>
+    <a href="https://example.com/upgrade">Upgrade Now</a>
+  </div>
+{{/if}}
+
+{{#if custom_attributes.cart_abandoned_date}}
+  <div class="cart-reminder">
+    <h2>You Left Items in Your Cart</h2>
+    <p>Complete your purchase and save {{custom_attributes.cart_value}}!</p>
+    <a href="https://example.com/cart">Return to Cart</a>
+  </div>
+{{/if}}
+```
+
+## Attribute Best Practices
+
+### 1. Plan Schema First
+
+```bash
+# Document your attribute schema
+cat > attribute-schema.md << 'EOF'
+# Customer Attributes Schema
+
+## Account
+- customer_id (text): External CRM ID
+- account_type (text): individual | business
+- signup_date (date): Registration date
+
+## Subscription
+- plan_type (text): free | basic | premium | enterprise
+- is_paying (boolean): Active paid subscription
+- mrr (number): Monthly recurring revenue
+
+## Engagement
+- last_login (date): Last login date
+- login_count_30d (number): Logins in last 30 days
+- health_score (number): 0-100 engagement score
+
+## Financial
+- lifetime_value (number): Total revenue
+- purchase_count (number): Total orders
+- average_order_value (number): AOV
+EOF
+```
+
+### 2. Use Consistent Types
+
+```bash
+# All dates as date type
+$ cakemail attributes create 123 -n "signup_date" -t "date"
+$ cakemail attributes create 123 -n "last_purchase" -t "date"
+$ cakemail attributes create 123 -n "trial_ends" -t "date"
+
+# All monetary values as number
+$ cakemail attributes create 123 -n "lifetime_value" -t "number"
+$ cakemail attributes create 123 -n "monthly_spend" -t "number"
+$ cakemail attributes create 123 -n "cart_value" -t "number"
+
+# All flags as boolean
+$ cakemail attributes create 123 -n "is_vip" -t "boolean"
+$ cakemail attributes create 123 -n "email_verified" -t "boolean"
+$ cakemail attributes create 123 -n "marketing_consent" -t "boolean"
+```
+
+### 3. Validate Data Before Setting
+
+```bash
+#!/bin/bash
+# validate-and-set.sh
+
+LIST_ID=123
+CONTACT_ID=501
+PLAN="$1"
+
+# Validate plan type
+VALID_PLANS=("free" "basic" "premium" "enterprise")
+
+if [[ ! " ${VALID_PLANS[@]} " =~ " ${PLAN} " ]]; then
+  echo "❌ Invalid plan: $PLAN"
+  echo "Valid plans: ${VALID_PLANS[@]}"
+  exit 1
+fi
+
+# Set attribute
+cakemail contacts update $LIST_ID $CONTACT_ID -d "{\"plan_type\":\"$PLAN\"}"
+echo "✓ Plan set to: $PLAN"
+```
+
+### 4. Keep Attributes Synchronized
+
+```bash
+#!/bin/bash
+# sync-from-crm.sh
+
+LIST_ID=123
+
+echo "=== Syncing from CRM ==="
+echo ""
+
+# Fetch from your CRM (example)
+CUSTOMERS=$(curl -s "https://api.yourcrm.com/customers")
+
+echo "$CUSTOMERS" | jq -c '.[]' | while read CUSTOMER; do
+  EMAIL=$(echo "$CUSTOMER" | jq -r '.email')
+  PLAN=$(echo "$CUSTOMER" | jq -r '.plan')
+  LTV=$(echo "$CUSTOMER" | jq -r '.lifetime_value')
+  LAST_PURCHASE=$(echo "$CUSTOMER" | jq -r '.last_purchase_date')
+
+  # Find contact
+  CONTACTS=$(cakemail contacts list $LIST_ID --filter "email==$EMAIL" -f json)
+  CONTACT_ID=$(echo "$CONTACTS" | jq -r '.data[0].id')
+
+  if [ "$CONTACT_ID" != "null" ]; then
+    # Update attributes
+    cakemail contacts update $LIST_ID $CONTACT_ID -d "{
+      \"plan_type\": \"$PLAN\",
+      \"lifetime_value\": $LTV,
+      \"last_purchase_date\": \"$LAST_PURCHASE\"
+    }"
+    echo "  Synced: $EMAIL"
+  fi
+done
+
+echo ""
+echo "✓ CRM sync complete"
+```
+
+### 5. Remove Unused Attributes
+
+```bash
+#!/bin/bash
+# cleanup-unused.sh
+
+LIST_ID=123
+
+echo "=== Cleaning Up Unused Attributes ==="
+echo ""
+
+# List of deprecated attributes
+DEPRECATED=(
+  "old_field"
+  "legacy_score"
+  "temp_attribute"
+)
+
+for ATTR in "${DEPRECATED[@]}"; do
+  echo "Removing: $ATTR"
+  cakemail attributes delete $LIST_ID $ATTR --force
+done
+
+echo ""
+echo "✓ Cleanup complete"
+```
+
+## Troubleshooting
+
+### Attribute Not Appearing
+
+**Problem:** Created attribute but it's not showing
+
+**Solution:**
+```bash
+# Verify attribute was created
+$ cakemail attributes list 123
+
+# Check specific attribute
+$ cakemail attributes get 123 plan_type
+
+# If not found, recreate
+$ cakemail attributes create 123 -n "plan_type" -t "text"
+```
+
+### Cannot Set Attribute Value
+
+**Problem:** Attribute value not saving on contact
+
+**Solutions:**
+```bash
+# 1. Ensure attribute exists
+$ cakemail attributes list 123
+
+# 2. Check data type matches
+$ cakemail attributes get 123 lifetime_value
+# If type is "number", use number not string:
+$ cakemail contacts update 123 501 -d '{"lifetime_value":599.99}'  # ✓
+$ cakemail contacts update 123 501 -d '{"lifetime_value":"599.99"}'  # ✗
+
+# 3. Check JSON format
+$ cakemail contacts update 123 501 -d '{"plan":"premium"}'  # ✓ Valid JSON
+$ cakemail contacts update 123 501 -d '{plan:premium}'  # ✗ Invalid JSON
+```
+
+### Wrong Data Type
+
+**Problem:** Created attribute with wrong type
+
+**Solution:**
+```bash
+# Type cannot be changed
+# Must delete and recreate
+
+# 1. Export contacts with old attribute
+$ cakemail contacts export 123
+
+# 2. Delete old attribute
+$ cakemail attributes delete 123 old_name --force
+
+# 3. Create with correct type
+$ cakemail attributes create 123 -n "new_name" -t "number"
+
+# 4. Re-import contacts with new attribute
+# (Update CSV with new column)
+$ cakemail contacts import 123 --file updated.csv
+```
+
+### Date Format Issues
+
+**Problem:** Dates not saving correctly
+
+**Solution:**
+```bash
+# Use ISO format: YYYY-MM-DD
+$ cakemail contacts update 123 501 -d '{"signup_date":"2024-03-15"}'  # ✓
+
+# Wrong formats:
+# "03/15/2024"  # ✗ US format
+# "15/03/2024"  # ✗ European format
+# "March 15, 2024"  # ✗ Text format
+
+# Convert if needed
+DATE="03/15/2024"
+ISO_DATE=$(date -d "$DATE" +%Y-%m-%d)  # Converts to 2024-03-15
+```
+
+## Best Practices Summary
+
+1. **Plan schema first** - Design attributes before creating
+2. **Use descriptive names** - Clear, self-explanatory names
+3. **Choose correct types** - Match data type to usage
+4. **Validate input** - Check values before setting
+5. **Document attributes** - Keep schema documentation
+6. **Consistent naming** - Use snake_case
+7. **Sync regularly** - Keep attributes updated from source systems
+8. **Remove unused** - Delete deprecated attributes
+9. **Test thoroughly** - Verify attributes work in campaigns
+10. **Monitor usage** - Track which attributes are actually used
+