App Design Guidelines
Shopify's App Design Guidelines show you what great Shopify apps look like and how they're crafted. These guidelines remove the guesswork, so you can build apps that are predictable and easy to use.
Shopify will begin reviewing apps according to the App Design Guidelines. Apps that meet all the criteria of a well-designed app are eligible for special merchandising and preferential placement in the Shopify App Store.
Why you should use these guidelines
Anchor link to section titled "Why you should use these guidelines"Purpose-built
Each app's layout, style, and feature set should be optimized for a specific merchant segment. Your app should equip merchants with the tools to meet their unique needs, based on what they sell and who they sell to. Specialized apps provide more value than generic apps.Streamlined with the Shopify admin
Merchants expect a predictable user experience that works like the rest of the Shopify admin. Put merchant needs and context ahead of trying to make your app unique just for the sake of being different.Adaptive
With the majority of online store traffic happening on mobile, designing for mobile devices must be at the forefront of the app building process.Accessible
To provide a great experience for all Shopify merchants and their customers, apps must be built using accessibility best practices.Directives
Anchor link to section titled "Directives"There are distinct directives that you must follow to meet the App Design Guideline standards. Some directives also determine if your app will be approved in the Shopify App Store.
Shopify App Store requirements
Follow these requirements or your app will be rejected from the Shopify App Store.Mandatory
Follow these requirements to meet design quality standards and pass the App Design Guidelines review process.Caution
Some design decisions come with limits and consequences. These are acceptable, but be cautious and intentional when implementing them.Unacceptable
If your app contains any behaviors, patterns, or content that's marked as Unacceptable, then your app won't pass the App Design Guidelines review process.Apps and the Shopify admin
Anchor link to section titled "Apps and the Shopify admin"Apps are a crucial part of the Shopify ecosystem. They enable merchants to add functionality to their stores without leaving the familiar environment of the Shopify admin.
Using Shopify App Bridge, you can create apps directly inside the Shopify admin. A single front end written with Shopify App Bridge can power point-of-sale, desktop, and mobile experiences. Apps built with Shopify App Bridge are more performant, flexible, and have more features.
By building with Shopify App Bridge and following these App Design Guidelines, you'll create a streamlined experience with the rest of the Shopify admin.
Start building now
Learn about some of the patterns, components, and features that are common in Shopify apps by building an example app.
