Analytics Tracking Automation

Analytics Tracking Automation

Skill by ara.so — Data Skills collection.

This skill enables AI agents to plan, implement, and deploy GA4 + GTM tracking setups. It automates site analysis, page grouping, event schema design, GTM container synchronization, preview verification, and publishing—supporting both generic websites and Shopify storefronts.

What This Skill Does

The analytics-tracking-automation project provides a local-first workflow that:

1. Analyzes a website by crawling pages and identifying business intent
2. Groups pages by purpose (e.g., product, pricing, contact)
3. Designs event schemas (GA4 events, parameters, triggers) based on site structure
4. Syncs to GTM by creating/​updating tags, triggers, variables via Google Tag Manager API
5. Verifies in preview using automated Playwright-based checks
6. Publishes the GTM container version when verification passes
7. Supports Shopify with specialized tracking for cart, checkout, and purchase flows
8. Maintains artifacts for resumable, reviewable tracking work

Installation

For Use in AI Agent Environments

The recommended installation is to clone the repository and install the skill bundle:

git clone https://github.com/​jtrackingai/​analytics-tracking-automation.git
cd analytics-tracking-automation
npm install
npm run install:skills

This installs the umbrella skill into your agent's skills directory and makes the event-tracking CLI available.

No-Clone Alternative

npx skills add jtrackingai/​analytics-tracking-automation

Verify Installation

npx event-tracking --version

The CLI requires Node.js 18+ and will auto-install Playwright Chromium on first npm install.

Core CLI Commands

The event-tracking CLI is the primary interface. All commands accept --help for detailed options.

Start a New Tracking Setup

npx event-tracking init \
  --url https://www.example.com \
  --output ./​output \
  --ga4-measurement-id G-XXXXXXXXXX

This creates a site artifact directory under ./​output/ (e.g., ./​output/​www_example_com/) and runs:

• Site crawl and page classification
• Business intent page grouping
• Event schema generation
• Schema review checkpoint

Resume an Existing Run

npx event-tracking resume \
  --artifact-dir ./​output/​www_example_com \
  --continue-through sync

Resumes from the last checkpoint and continues through the specified stage (schema, sync, preview, publish).

Audit an Existing GTM Setup

npx event-tracking audit \
  --url https://www.example.com \
  --gtm-account-id 123456789 \
  --gtm-container-id 12345678 \
  --output ./​output

Compares live GTM configuration against recommended tracking plan and produces a health report.

Sync Schema to GTM

npx event-tracking sync \
  --artifact-dir ./​output/​www_example_com \
  --gtm-account-id 123456789 \
  --gtm-container-id 12345678

Creates/​updates tags, triggers, and variables in GTM based on event-schema.json. Requires Google OAuth (prompted interactively).

Verify GTM Preview

npx event-tracking verify \
  --artifact-dir ./​output/​www_example_com \
  --gtm-preview-url "https://tagmanager.google.com/?gtm_preview=..."

Runs automated browser checks against GTM preview mode, validates event firing, and produces a verification report.

Publish GTM Container

npx event-tracking publish \
  --artifact-dir ./​output/​www_example_com \
  --gtm-account-id 123456789 \
  --gtm-container-id 12345678 \
  --version-name "v1.0 - Initial tracking"

Publishes the current workspace version to live.

Shopify-Specific Setup

npx event-tracking init \
  --url https://store.example.com \
  --output ./​output \
  --platform shopify \
  --ga4-measurement-id G-XXXXXXXXXX

Uses Shopify-optimized tracking (cart, checkout, purchase events).

Configuration

Environment Variables

# Google OAuth credentials (create in Google Cloud Console)
export GOOGLE_CLIENT_ID=your-client-id.apps.googleusercontent.com
export GOOGLE_CLIENT_SECRET=your-client-secret

# Optional: GA4 Measurement ID
export GA4_MEASUREMENT_ID=G-XXXXXXXXXX

# Optional: GTM Account/​Container IDs
export GTM_ACCOUNT_ID=123456789
export GTM_CONTAINER_ID=12345678

OAuth Setup

To sync with GTM, you need Google OAuth credentials:

1. Go to Google Cloud Console
2. Create a project and enable Tag Manager API
3. Create OAuth 2.0 credentials (Desktop app type)
4. Set redirect URI to http://localhost:3000/​oauth/​callback
5. Export GOOGLE_CLIENT_ID and GOOGLE_CLIENT_SECRET

First sync will open a browser for OAuth consent. Credentials are cached in the artifact directory (oauth-tokens.json).

Artifact Directory Structure

Each site run creates an artifact directory like ./​output/​www_example_com/:

www_example_com/
├── site-analysis.json          # Crawl results, page inventory
├── page-groups.json            # Business intent groupings
├── event-schema.json           # GA4 events, parameters, triggers
├── gtm-sync-result.json        # GTM API operation results
├── verification-report.json    # Preview verification checks
├── oauth-tokens.json           # Cached OAuth credentials
└── checkpoint.json             # Last completed stage

These files are reviewable, editable, and resumable.

TypeScript API Examples

Programmatic Site Analysis

import { analyzeSite } from 'analytics-tracking-automation';

async function analyzeSiteExample() {
  const result = await analyzeSite({
    url: 'https://www.example.com',
    outputDir: './​output',
    maxPages: 100,
    includeSubdomains: false,
  });

  console.log('Pages discovered:', result.pages.length);
  console.log('Page groups:', result.pageGroups);
  console.log('Recommended events:', result.events.length);
}

Generate Event Schema

import { generateEventSchema } from 'analytics-tracking-automation';

async function generateSchemaExample() {
  const schema = await generateEventSchema({
    artifactDir: './​output/​www_example_com',
    pageGroups: ['home', 'product', 'pricing', 'contact'],
    businessGoals: ['signup', 'purchase', 'demo_request'],
  });

  console.log('Generated events:', schema.events);
  console.log('Event parameters:', schema.parameters);
  console.log('GTM triggers:', schema.triggers);
}

Sync to GTM

import { syncToGTM } from 'analytics-tracking-automation';

async function syncExample() {
  const syncResult = await syncToGTM({
    artifactDir: './​output/​www_example_com',
    gtmAccountId: process.env.GTM_ACCOUNT_ID!,
    gtmContainerId: process.env.GTM_CONTAINER_ID!,
    oauthCredentials: {
      clientId: process.env.GOOGLE_CLIENT_ID!,
      clientSecret: process.env.GOOGLE_CLIENT_SECRET!,
    },
  });

  console.log('Tags created:', syncResult.tagsCreated);
  console.log('Triggers created:', syncResult.triggersCreated);
  console.log('Variables created:', syncResult.variablesCreated);
}

Verify Preview

import { verifyPreview } from 'analytics-tracking-automation';

async function verifyExample() {
  const report = await verifyPreview({
    artifactDir: './​output/​www_example_com',
    gtmPreviewUrl: 'https://tagmanager.google.com/?gtm_preview=...',
    testPages: [
      { url: 'https://www.example.com/', expectedEvents: ['page_view'] },
      { url: 'https://www.example.com/​pricing', expectedEvents: ['page_view', 'view_pricing'] },
      { url: 'https://www.example.com/​contact', expectedEvents: ['page_view', 'contact_intent'] },
    ],
  });

  console.log('Checks passed:', report.passed);
  console.log('Checks failed:', report.failed);
  console.log('Issues:', report.issues);
}

Publish Container

import { publishContainer } from 'analytics-tracking-automation';

async function publishExample() {
  const result = await publishContainer({
    gtmAccountId: process.env.GTM_ACCOUNT_ID!,
    gtmContainerId: process.env.GTM_CONTAINER_ID!,
    versionName: 'v1.0 - Initial tracking setup',
    versionDescription: 'GA4 events for core user journeys',
    oauthCredentials: {
      clientId: process.env.GOOGLE_CLIENT_ID!,
      clientSecret: process.env.GOOGLE_CLIENT_SECRET!,
    },
  });

  console.log('Published version:', result.publishedVersion);
  console.log('Live container URL:', result.containerUrl);
}

Common Patterns

Full End-to-End Setup

import {
  analyzeSite,
  generateEventSchema,
  syncToGTM,
  verifyPreview,
  publishContainer,
} from 'analytics-tracking-automation';

async function fullSetup(url: string, outputRoot: string) {
  // 1. Analyze site
  const analysis = await analyzeSite({ url, outputDir: outputRoot });
  const artifactDir = analysis.artifactDir;

  // 2. Generate schema
  const schema = await generateEventSchema({ artifactDir });

  // 3. Review (manual checkpoint)
  console.log('Review schema before syncing:', schema);
  // User reviews and edits event-schema.json if needed

  // 4. Sync to GTM
  const syncResult = await syncToGTM({
    artifactDir,
    gtmAccountId: process.env.GTM_ACCOUNT_ID!,
    gtmContainerId: process.env.GTM_CONTAINER_ID!,
    oauthCredentials: {
      clientId: process.env.GOOGLE_CLIENT_ID!,
      clientSecret: process.env.GOOGLE_CLIENT_SECRET!,
    },
  });

  // 5. Enter GTM preview mode manually, then verify
  const previewUrl = '...'; // GTM preview URL from user
  const verifyReport = await verifyPreview({ artifactDir, gtmPreviewUrl: previewUrl });

  if (verifyReport.passed === verifyReport.total) {
    // 6. Publish
    await publishContainer({
      gtmAccountId: process.env.GTM_ACCOUNT_ID!,
      gtmContainerId: process.env.GTM_CONTAINER_ID!,
      versionName: 'v1.0 - Automated setup',
      oauthCredentials: {
        clientId: process.env.GOOGLE_CLIENT_ID!,
        clientSecret: process.env.GOOGLE_CLIENT_SECRET!,
      },
    });
    console.log('Published successfully');
  } else {
    console.error('Verification failed, fix issues before publishing');
  }
}

Shopify Tracking Setup

import { analyzeSite, generateEventSchema, syncToGTM } from 'analytics-tracking-automation';

async function shopifySetup(storeUrl: string) {
  const analysis = await analyzeSite({
    url: storeUrl,
    outputDir: './​output',
    platform: 'shopify',
  });

  const schema = await generateEventSchema({
    artifactDir: analysis.artifactDir,
    platform: 'shopify',
    shopifyEvents: ['add_to_cart', 'begin_checkout', 'purchase'],
  });

  await syncToGTM({
    artifactDir: analysis.artifactDir,
    gtmAccountId: process.env.GTM_ACCOUNT_ID!,
    gtmContainerId: process.env.GTM_CONTAINER_ID!,
    platform: 'shopify',
    oauthCredentials: {
      clientId: process.env.GOOGLE_CLIENT_ID!,
      clientSecret: process.env.GOOGLE_CLIENT_SECRET!,
    },
  });

  console.log('Shopify tracking synced. Manual verification required in Shopify admin.');
}

Audit Existing Setup

import { auditGTM } from 'analytics-tracking-automation';

async function auditExample(url: string) {
  const auditReport = await auditGTM({
    url,
    gtmAccountId: process.env.GTM_ACCOUNT_ID!,
    gtmContainerId: process.env.GTM_CONTAINER_ID!,
    outputDir: './​output',
    oauthCredentials: {
      clientId: process.env.GOOGLE_CLIENT_ID!,
      clientSecret: process.env.GOOGLE_CLIENT_SECRET!,
    },
  });

  console.log('Healthy tags:', auditReport.healthy);
  console.log('Drifted tags:', auditReport.drifted);
  console.log('Missing events:', auditReport.missing);
  console.log('Recommendations:', auditReport.recommendations);
}

Resume from Checkpoint

import { resumeWorkflow } from 'analytics-tracking-automation';

async function resumeExample(artifactDir: string) {
  const result = await resumeWorkflow({
    artifactDir,
    continueThrough: 'publish', // 'schema' | 'sync' | 'preview' | 'publish'
  });

  console.log('Resumed from:', result.lastCheckpoint);
  console.log('Completed through:', result.completedStage);
}

Debugging and Troubleshooting

Selector Debugging with Playwright

If preview verification reports selector mismatches or events not firing:

# Open site in headed browser for visual inspection
npm run debug:open -- https://www.example.com

# Launch codegen to capture correct selectors
npm run debug:codegen -- https://www.example.com

Then update selectors in event-schema.json:

{
  "events": [
    {
      "eventName": "click_cta",
      "trigger": {
        "type": "click",
        "selector": "button.cta-button" // Updated selector
      }
    }
  ]
}

OAuth Token Issues

If OAuth fails or tokens are stale:

# Remove cached tokens
rm ./​output/​www_example_com/​oauth-tokens.json

# Re-run sync to trigger new OAuth flow
npx event-tracking sync --artifact-dir ./​output/​www_example_com

GTM API Errors

Common GTM API issues:

• 401 Unauthorized: OAuth credentials invalid or expired
• 403 Forbidden: User lacks GTM account/​container permissions
• 404 Not Found: GTM account or container ID incorrect
• 429 Rate Limit: Too many API requests; add delays between operations

Check GTM permissions: User must have at least "Publish" access to the container.

Preview Verification Failures

If automated verification fails:

1. Check GTM Preview URL: Must be active and match container
2. Inspect browser logs: Add --verbose flag for detailed Playwright logs
3. Test manually: Open preview URL in browser, check dataLayer in console
4. Validate selectors: Use npm run debug:codegen to verify element targeting
5. Network issues: Ensure site is accessible and not behind VPN/​firewall

Shopify Manual Verification

Shopify tracking requires manual verification in Shopify admin:

1. Install GTM via Shopify admin (Settings → Online Store → Preferences)
2. Add GTM container ID
3. Test checkout flow in preview mode
4. Verify add_to_cart, begin_checkout, purchase events in GTM debug view

Common Event Schema Fixes

Fix missing events:

{
  "events": [
    {
      "eventName": "form_submit",
      "trigger": {
        "type": "formSubmit",
        "selector": "form#contact-form"
      },
      "parameters": {
        "form_id": "contact-form",
        "form_destination": "contact"
      }
    }
  ]
}

Fix parameter mapping:

{
  "parameters": {
    "page_type": {
      "type": "dataLayer",
      "source": "pageType"
    },
    "user_id": {
      "type": "cookie",
      "source": "user_id"
    }
  }
}

Telemetry Configuration

Anonymous startup signals are sent by default. Opt out:

npx event-tracking config telemetry --disable

Richer diagnostics (opt-in):

npx event-tracking config telemetry --enable-diagnostics

Check current preference:

npx event-tracking config telemetry --show

Advanced Configuration

Custom Crawler Settings

Edit artifact site-analysis.json before schema generation:

{
  "crawlConfig": {
    "maxPages": 200,
    "includeSubdomains": true,
    "excludePatterns": ["/​blog/​*", "/​admin/​*"],
    "followExternalLinks": false
  }
}

Custom Page Grouping

Override auto-generated page groups in page-groups.json:

{
  "groups": [
    {
      "name": "conversion",
      "intent": "purchase",
      "patterns": ["/​checkout/​*", "/​cart", "/​order-confirmation"]
    },
    {
      "name": "support",
      "intent": "help",
      "patterns": ["/​help/​*", "/​faq", "/​contact"]
    }
  ]
}

Event Schema Customization

Manually edit event-schema.json for fine-grained control:

{
  "events": [
    {
      "eventName": "custom_conversion",
      "trigger": {
        "type": "click",
        "selector": "button[data-track='conversion']"
      },
      "parameters": {
        "conversion_type": {
          "type": "element",
          "source": "data-conversion-type"
        },
        "conversion_value": {
          "type": "element",
          "source": "data-value"
        }
      },
      "conditions": {
        "pagePathContains": "/​pricing"
      }
    }
  ]
}

When to Use This Skill

This skill is ideal when:

• Setting up GA4 + GTM tracking from scratch
• Auditing or refactoring existing tracking implementations
• Implementing Shopify storefront tracking
• Automating repetitive tracking tasks across multiple sites
• Needing reviewable, resumable tracking workflows
• Working with non-technical stakeholders who need business-friendly artifacts

This skill is NOT ideal for:

• Real-time production debugging (use GTM Debug View instead)
• Server-side tracking or custom measurement protocols
• Multi-destination tracking (Adobe, Segment, etc.) without GTM
• Sites requiring authentication or complex session flows

Key Files and Extension Points

• src/​core/​analyzer.ts: Site crawl and page classification logic
• src/​core/​schema-generator.ts: Event schema generation
• src/​core/​gtm-sync.ts: GTM API integration
• src/​core/​verifier.ts: Automated preview verification
• src/​platforms/​shopify.ts: Shopify-specific tracking
• event-schema.json: Editable event schema artifact
• page-groups.json: Editable page grouping artifact

Extend by forking and modifying these files, or by editing artifacts between CLI stages.

Further Reading

• Skill contract: See SKILL.md in repository for agent-facing workflow details
• Developer guide: See DEVELOPING.md for CLI internals and maintainer workflow
• Skill installation: See docs/​README.install.md for advanced install options
• JTracking website: https://www.jtracking.ai/​skills

Support

For issues, questions, or feature requests, contact [email protected] or open an issue on GitHub.