Set up a clear
pre-order.

1. Install and enable

1. Download the plugin ZIP. In Joomla Administrator, open System → Install → Extensions and upload it.
2. Open System → Manage → Plugins. Search for HikaShop - PreOrder Pilot and open its settings.
3. Enable the plugin. Campaign changes use Joomla’s usual administrator permissions and save action.

2. Prepare a simple product

1. In HikaShop Products, choose a published simple product. Variants, characteristics and product options are not supported.
2. Set the product’s quantity to Unlimited. Keep its normal price, tax and shipping settings. Note the numeric product ID.
3. In the plugin’s Pre-order campaigns, add one row for this product. Enter its ID, an optional YYYY-MM-DD availability date and an optional plain-text message up to 300 characters.
4. Set the campaign to Active and save. Use one row per product.

3. Check the buyer experience

Open the product page. Confirm the pre-order notice, expected date and message. Add it to the cart and confirm the same terms are visible at checkout. The full order amount uses your normal HikaShop payment gateway and order workflow.

The saved order item retains its pre-order and expected-date marker after later campaign edits. An expected availability date is an estimate; it does not automatically release stock, fulfil orders or trigger later payment.

Pause, resume or return to regular sales

Set a row to Paused — block new orders and save to prevent new checkout for that configured product, including a product already in a buyer’s cart. Set it back to Active to resume.

To return to normal sales, set the intended stock in HikaShop and remove the campaign row. Review stock before disabling or uninstalling the plugin: that removes its pre-order notices and checkout protection, while HikaShop’s quantity remains unchanged. Existing saved order markers remain.

Reviewer test: no real payment required

1. Use your own disposable Joomla 5.4 + HikaShop Starter 6.7.1 staging store. Disable outbound email or use a mail sink.
2. Create a published simple demo product with a price, unlimited quantity and no options or variants. Configure an active campaign with a future expected date and a buyer message.
3. Use HikaShop’s offline Bank transfer method for a test checkout. Use test customer details and configure any required shipping method. Do not make a bank transfer.
4. Check the product and checkout notices, then place the order. Verify that HikaShop stores the full amount and the pre-order/date marker. An offline order awaiting payment is not evidence of a completed online payment.
5. Pause the campaign and try again, including with an existing cart. Checkout for the paused product must be blocked. Resume and verify that the product is available again.
6. Try a normal product not in the campaign. Its ordinary sales flow should be unchanged. Restore stock and remove the campaign before uninstalling.

For an online payment check, separately configure your own supported gateway’s sandbox and test it. There is no Shopify test gateway, Shopify Payments dependency or PreOrder Pilot upgrade checkout in this Joomla edition.

Limits and maintenance

Simple products only; no deposits, pay-later, automatic balance collection, stock caps, availability emails or hosted accounts. Templates that replace HikaShop’s product or checkout views must retain its display hooks; test your theme and checkout extensions before accepting orders.

The plugin declares a Joomla Update System endpoint at updates.xml. Apply updates through Joomla’s Extensions updater and back up your site first.

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