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Build apps for Shopify

Shopify is a commerce platform that apps extend. Build with APIs, web components, and backend logic to solve merchant problems across every surface.

Scaffold an app

Use Shopify CLI to generate a new app project with everything you need.

Build an app

After scaffolding, build your first Shopify app with APIs, tools, and libraries.

DEV TOOLS

Anchor to Set up your development environmentSet up your development environment

Generate apps and extensions, manage dev stores, connect AI assistants, and deploy projects.

Dev MCP server

Connect your AI assistant to Shopify docs, API schemas, and development resources.

Shopify CLI for apps

Generate apps and extensions, run dev servers, and deploy projects from the command line.

Dev Dashboard

Create and manage apps, stores, and collaborator access in one place.

EXTENDING SHOPIFY

Anchor to Build across every surfaceBuild across every surface

Extend multiple Shopify surfaces from a single app, from pages in the admin to checkout customizations, storefront themes, and automation workflows.

All UI surfaces share Polaris, Shopify's unified system for building app interfaces.

App Home

Build your app's main interface in the Shopify admin with Polaris web components and App Bridge.

Admin

Add actions, blocks, and print functionality to resource pages in the Shopify admin.

Checkout

Customize the checkout experience with UI extensions and backend logic.

Customer accounts

Extend order status pages and the logged-in customer experience.

Flow

Integrate triggers, actions, and templates into Shopify's automation platform.

Online store

Add dynamic functionality to merchants' storefront themes.

Point of Sale

Add custom functionality to Shopify POS on iOS and Android.

Sidekick

Use app extensions to integrate your app with Sidekick.

BUILDING BLOCKS

Anchor to Connect to data and customize backend logicConnect to data and customize backend logic

Read and write store data with APIs, react to events with webhooks, and customize Shopify's backend behavior with Functions.

GraphQL

Query and mutate products, customers, orders, inventory, and more.

Extensions

Add your app's functionality to Shopify user interfaces with app extensions.

Shopify Functions

Customize backend logic for discounts, payments, delivery, and cart validation.

ShopifyQL

Query store data with an SQL-like language built for commerce.

Storefront MCP

Build AI agents that access storefront data through MCP servers.

Webhooks

Subscribe to store events and trigger your own logic in real time.

Metafields

Extend Shopify resources with custom fields and validation rules.

Metaobjects

Store structured content that can be reused across the store.

Authentication

Authenticate with Shopify and manage access scopes for your app.

USE CASES

Anchor to Build for specific commerce workflowsBuild for specific commerce workflows

Integrate with dedicated APIs for discounts, payments, fulfillment, and other merchant workflows.

Marketing and analytics

Track customer behavior with web pixels and manage marketing activities.

Discounts

Create custom discount types with Functions and the GraphQL Admin API.

Product merchandising

Manage products, collections, variants, and pricing.

Purchase options

Add subscriptions, pre-orders, and try-before-you-buy options.

Global markets

Build for multi-market selling with custom pricing, languages, and domains.

Orders and fulfillment

Manage orders, fulfillments, returns, and shipping workflows.

Payments

Build payment gateways, alternative payments, and redeemable extensions.

Sales channels

Distribute products to marketplaces, social platforms, and other sales channels.

B2B

Build for wholesale with company management, catalogs, and draft orders.

Shopify Collective

Connect retailers and suppliers to share products, shipping, and fulfillment.

Blockchain

Add tokengating and NFT distribution to your app.

BEST PRACTICES

Anchor to Ship with qualityShip with quality

Follow Shopify's guidelines for performance, accessibility, security, and compliance to meet App Store requirements and deliver a great merchant experience.

Performance

Optimize your app's speed across admin, checkout, storefront, and POS.

Accessibility

Make your app usable by everyone, including people with disabilities.

Localize your app

Translate your app and adapt it for international merchants.

Integrating with Shopify

Follow best practices for embedding your app in the Shopify admin.

Mobile support

Ensure your app works well on Shopify mobile.

Non-deceptive code

Meet Shopify's requirements for transparent and honest app behavior.

Compliance

Follow API terms and privacy law requirements.

Security

Protect your app and merchant data from common vulnerabilities.