🛒 HCL Commerce Order Flow Explained: Controller & Task Commands in Detail
HCL Commerce (previously WebSphere Commerce) is one of the most powerful enterprise eCommerce platforms. At its core lies a command framework that orchestrates the entire order lifecycle — from adding an item to the cart, all the way to payment and fulfillment.
For developers, mastering the Order Subsystem is essential — whether you’re customizing checkout, debugging pricing issues, or extending payment flows. In this blog, we’ll take a deep dive into order flows, breaking down Controller Commands, their Task Commands, and even the nested Controller Commands invoked behind the scenes.
🔹 Understanding the Command Framework
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Controller Commands → The main entry points invoked via REST APIs, JSPs, or schedulers. They orchestrate the higher-level business process.
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Task Commands → Smaller, reusable commands called within controller commands. They perform specific business logic (pricing, tax, inventory checks, etc).
👉 One key detail: Controller Commands often trigger other Controller Commands, creating a layered flow.
🔹 Key Controller Commands in Order Lifecycle
Here’s the list of primary controller commands in the order subsystem:
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OrderCreateCmd– Creates a new order (cart). -
OrderItemAddCmd– Adds items to the cart. -
OrderItemUpdateCmd– Updates quantity/configuration. -
OrderItemDeleteCmd– Removes items. -
OrderCalculateCmd– Calculates prices, promotions, taxes, shipping. -
OrderPrepareCmd– Prepares order for checkout. -
OrderSubmitCmd– Submits order for payment & fulfillment. -
OrderCancelCmd– Cancels orders.
🔹 Detailed Command Flow (Controller + Task + Related Controllers)
1. OrderCreateCmd (Create Cart)
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Task Commands: Initializes a new order object, default shipping mode, currency, and store settings.
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Related Controllers: None at this stage.
2. OrderItemAddCmd (Add Items to Cart)
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Task Commands:
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CheckInventoryAvailabilityCmd -
OrderCalculateDiscountCmd -
OrderCalculateTaxCmd
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Related Controllers:
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OrderCalculateCmd(to update totals) -
OrderUpdateCmd(to persist order updates)
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3. OrderItemUpdateCmd (Update Cart Items)
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Task Commands:
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CheckInventoryAvailabilityCmd -
OrderCalculateDiscountCmd -
OrderCalculateTaxCmd
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Related Controllers:
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OrderCalculateCmd(to recalc totals) -
OrderPrepareCmd(if checkout is in progress)
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4. OrderItemDeleteCmd (Remove Item)
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Task Commands:
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OrderCalculateDiscountCmd -
OrderCalculateTaxCmd
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Related Controllers:
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OrderCalculateCmd(refresh totals after removal)
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5. OrderCalculateCmd (Recalculate Totals)
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Task Commands:
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OrderCalculateShippingCmd -
OrderCalculateTaxCmd -
OrderCalculateDiscountCmd
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Related Controllers:
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Called by
OrderItemAddCmd,OrderItemUpdateCmd,OrderItemDeleteCmd,OrderPrepareCmd.
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6. OrderPrepareCmd (Prepare for Checkout)
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Task Commands:
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PrepareOrderTaskCmd -
CheckInventoryAvailabilityCmd
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Related Controllers:
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OrderCalculateCmd(final pricing)
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7. OrderSubmitCmd (Submit Order)
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Task Commands:
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CheckPaymentAuthorizationCmd -
ProcessOrderTaskCmd
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Related Controllers:
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OrderPrepareCmd(ensures readiness) -
OrderCalculateCmd(final consistency check)
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8. OrderCancelCmd (Cancel Order)
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Task Commands:
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ProcessOrderTaskCmd(to rollback state and reverse payments)
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Related Controllers:
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OrderUpdateCmd(persists cancellation info)
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🔹 End-to-End Order Flow (Cart → Checkout → Submit → Cancel)
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Create Order:
OrderCreateCmd -
Add Items:
OrderItemAddCmd→ triggersOrderCalculateCmd -
Update/Delete Items:
OrderItemUpdateCmd/OrderItemDeleteCmd→ triggers recalculation -
Prepare Checkout:
OrderPrepareCmd→ validates inventory & totals -
Payment:
OrderChangePaymentCmd→ updates & authorizes payments -
Submit:
OrderSubmitCmd→ finalizes order for fulfillment -
Cancel (if needed):
OrderCancelCmd→ reverses/rolls back order
🔹 Why Developers Should Know This
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Customization → Override specific Task Commands instead of rewriting full flows.
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Debugging → Knowing which commands fire in sequence helps pinpoint issues faster.
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Performance → Identify heavy command chains & optimize them.
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Interviews → Order flow is one of the most frequently asked topics for senior HCL Commerce developers.
🔹 Final Thoughts
HCL Commerce’s order subsystem may look complex, but once you understand the hierarchy of Controller Commands, their Task Commands, and nested Controller calls, the system becomes highly predictable. This knowledge is the key to effective customization, troubleshooting, and scaling your commerce solution.
🔹 Hashtags
#HCLCommerce #WebSphereCommerce #OrderFlow #EcommerceDevelopment #ControllerCommands #TaskCommands #JavaCommerce #HeadlessCommerce #OrderManagement #CommerceDeveloper #IBMWebSphereCommerce
