Intro
Some orders come with instructions — a delivery request, a gift message, a "no substitutions, please." Butter gives you two components that write cart-level attributes carried through checkout to the order: Cart Attribute Input, a free-text field the customer types into, and Cart Attribute Toggle, a one-tap toggle that writes preset copy — like marking an order as a gift. Each writes under its own key by default, so you can place both on the same drawer without one clearing the other.
The attribute is visible to you on the order at fulfillment, which makes this the supported path for anything that applies to the whole order.
Order note or per-item text?
A cart attribute is cart-wide — one value tied to the whole order, not to a single item. For text tied to one specific item, like an engraving, use the product page's Attribute Input at add-to-cart time instead: that writes a line attribute on the item rather than an attribute on the order.
When the note reaches Shopify
Cart attributes are committed to the Shopify cart when the customer clicks the Checkout Button — all pending attributes at once, not the moment the customer finishes typing or toggles. If you're checking whether a note or gift flag made it onto an order, always test the full flow through checkout. See Add a checkout button to your cart.
Using both on the same drawer
Cart Attribute Input and Cart Attribute Toggle each write to their own Attribute Key by default — a free-text note and a gift flag can sit on the same drawer independently, and turning the toggle off won't clear whatever the customer typed into the note. Give both components the same Attribute Key only if you want them to act as alternate UIs for one shared value, where only one is meant to be active at a time.
FAQ
Can I use Cart Note Input and Cart Note Toggle together?
Yes — they share the same order-note pipeline, so keep the Attribute Key identical on both. Keep in mind the note is one shared value for the whole cart: whichever component the customer changed last is what's saved.
Is there a length limit on the note?
Yes — the field stops accepting input at 40 characters. Keep your Placeholder copy realistic about how much a customer can write; anything longer belongs in a contact form or post-purchase email.
Where do I see the note a customer left?
On the order in your Shopify admin — the cart-wide note is carried through to the order and is visible at fulfillment.