Contexts

Novu lets you manage contexts through the Novu dashboard, or the Novu API. This lets you create, view, update, and delete context entities to suit your application's needs.

Context object schema

When defining contexts, Novu supports multiple formats per key-value pair that let you store and reference metadata relevant to your workflows and templates.

Each context consists of:

• A type (for example, tenant, app, or region).
• An id that uniquely identifies the specific context instance.
• An optional data object that holds additional properties available to your templates.

Supported data formats include:

await novu.trigger('welcome-email', {
  to: 'user123',
  payload: { userName: 'John' },
  context: {
    // Simple string format
    tenant: 'acme-corp', 
    
    // Rich object format (ID only)
    app: { id: 'jira' },                    
    
    // Rich object format (ID + data)
    region: {                               
      id: 'us-east',
      data: {
        name: 'US East',
        timezone: 'America/New_York',
        currency: 'USD'
      }
    }
  }
});

Create a Context

You can create a new context via the Novu dashboard or API when you want to register reusable metadata. After creation, this context becomes available to all workflows and templates within your environment.

Create a context via dashboard

Use the dashboard to manually define contexts that represent key business entities.

1. Log in to the Novu dashboard
2. Click Contexts on the sidebar.
3. Click Create context.
4. Complete the following fields:
   • Identifier: A unique identifier within that type (for example, acme-corp).
   • Context type: A category such as tenant, app, or region.
   • Custom data (JSON): An optional JSON object that contains metadata, such as branding, plan, or region details.
5. Click Create context to save the context.

Create a context via API

Novu provides an API to create a context. If a context with the same type:id combination already exists, then the request will fail.

POST /v2/contexts
{
  "type": "tenant",
  "id": "acme-corp",
  "data": {
    "name": "Acme Corporation",
    "plan": "enterprise"
  }
}

Create a context via API (Just-in-time)

Contexts can also be created automatically when you trigger a workflow that includes a new context object. If the specified type:id doesn’t exist, then Novu automatically creates it before running the workflow.

await novu.trigger('welcome-email', {
  to: 'user@example.com',
  payload: { userName: 'John' },
  context: {
    tenant: 'acme-corp',   // Created automatically if it doesn’t exist
    app: 'jira'
  }
});

If a matching context already exists, Novu reuses it as-is without modifying any stored data. This behavior ensures consistency and avoids accidental changes to shared metadata.

Update a context

You can update a context’s data payload at any time. The context type and id remain immutable. However, to change an existing context’s data, you must explicitly update it through the dashboard or API.

Update a context via dashboard

1. Log in to the Novu dashboard.
2. Click Contexts on the sidebar.
3. Click on the context you wish to edit from the context list on the Context page.
4. Modify its data object in the UI.
5. Click Save changes.

Update a context via API

Novu provides an API to update an existing context. The data object is replaced entirely during updates (not merged). Include all fields you want to retain.

PATCH /v2/contexts/tenant/acme-corp
{
  "data": {
    "plan": "premium",
    "region": "us-east"
  }
}

Retrieve a single context

You can retrieve a context to verify its data, confirm its creation, or inspect the metadata it holds.

Retrieve a context via dashboard

1. Log in to the Novu dashboard
2. Click Contexts on the sidebar to view the list of all existing contexts.
3. Click any context entry to see its details.

Retrieve a context via API

Novu provides an API to retrieve a single, specific context by providing its type and id in the URL.

GET /v2/contexts/:type/:id

Here is an example:

GET /v2/contexts/tenant/acme-corp

List or search for contexts

You can list all contexts in your environment or search for specific ones by context type or ID.

List or search for contexts via dashboard

1. Log in to the Novu dashboard
2. Click Contexts on the sidebar to view all contexts.
3. Use the search bar to filter by context type or ID.

List or search for contexts via API

Novu provides an API that lists or searches available contexts. Use pagination and search parameters to retrieve subsets efficiently.

GET /v2/contexts
GET /v2/contexts?search=acme

Delete a context

Delete a context if it’s no longer needed. This action permanently removes the context from your Novu environment.

Delete a context via dashboard

1. Log in to the Novu dashboard.
2. Click Contexts on the sidebar.
3. Click the context or the ... icon on the row you want to remove.
4. A confirmation menu will appear.
5. Select Delete context to confirm removal.

Delete a context via API

Novu provides an API that you can use to delete a context. Once deleted, the context will no longer be available for use in new workflow executions.

DELETE /v2/contexts/:type/:id

Here is an example:

DELETE /v2/contexts/tenant/acme-corp