---
title: >-
  Add actor field to subscription contract and billing attempt mutations -
  Shopify developer changelog
description: >-
  Shopify’s developer changelog documents all changes to Shopify’s platform.
  Find the latest news and learn about new platform opportunities.
source_url:
  html: >-
    https://shopify.dev/changelog/add-actor-field-to-subscription-contract-and-billing-attempt-mutations
  md: >-
    https://shopify.dev/changelog/add-actor-field-to-subscription-contract-and-billing-attempt-mutations.md
metadata:
  effectiveApiVersion: 2026-07
  affectedApi:
    - displayName: Admin GraphQL API
      handle: admin-graphql
  primaryTag:
    displayName: API
    handle: api
  secondaryTag:
    displayName: New
    handle: new
  indicatesActionRequired: false
  createdAt: '2026-04-30T10:52:38-04:00'
  postedAt: '2026-05-04T12:00:00-04:00'
  updatedAt: '2026-05-06T11:40:44-04:00'
  effectiveAt: '2026-05-01T12:00:00-04:00'
---

May 4, 2026

Tags:

* Admin GraphQL API
* 2026-07

# Add actor field to subscription contract and billing attempt mutations

We have introduced a new `actor` field in subscription mutations to help you track who initiated an action - whether it was the customer, the merchant, or the partner app's automated system.

You can now include an `actor` argument when creating billing attempts or editing subscription contracts. This field accepts the following values:

* `customer`: The buyer initiated the action (e.g., clicking "pay now" in a customer portal).
* `merchant`: A merchant or their staff manually initiated the action.
* `partner`: The partner app's automated system initiated the action (e.g., scheduled billing or retry logic).

This field is available in the following Admin API mutations:

**Billing Attempts:**

* `subscriptionBillingAttemptCreate` (via `subscriptionBillingAttemptInput.actor`)
* `subscriptionBillingCycleCharge`
* `subscriptionBillingCycleBulkCharge`

**Contract Edits:**

* `subscriptionContractCreate`
* `subscriptionContractUpdate`
* `subscriptionContractAtomicCreate`
* `subscriptionContractProductChange`
* `subscriptionBillingCycleContractEdit`

**Status Updates:**

* `subscriptionContractActivate`
* `subscriptionContractPause`
* `subscriptionContractCancel`
* `subscriptionContractFail`
* `subscriptionContractExpire`