---
title: >-
  The Shopify CLI app release --force flag is deprecated and will be removed -
  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/posts/the-shopify-cli-app-release-force-flag-is-deprecated-and-will-be-removed
  md: >-
    https://shopify.dev/changelog/posts/the-shopify-cli-app-release-force-flag-is-deprecated-and-will-be-removed.md
metadata:
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  affectedApi: []
  primaryTag:
    displayName: Tools
    handle: tools
  secondaryTag:
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  indicatesActionRequired: true
  createdAt: '2026-03-25T09:28:31-04:00'
  postedAt: '2026-03-25T10:00:00-04:00'
  updatedAt: '2026-03-25T12:40:37-04:00'
  effectiveAt: '2026-03-25T10:00:00-04:00'
---

March 25, 2026

# The Shopify CLI app release `--force` flag is deprecated and will be removed

DateMarch 25, 2026

Flags[Deprecation announcement](https://shopify.dev/changelog?filter=deprecation-announcement)[Action required](https://shopify.dev/changelog?action_required=true)

SurfacesTools

We are deprecating the `--force` flag on the `shopify app deploy` and `shopify app release` commands. The flag will be removed in a Shopify CLI release in May 2026.

## Why we're making this change

The `--force` flag skips all confirmation prompts, including for extension deletions that can permanently remove data on installed shops. It doesn't distinguish between low-risk operations (adding or updating extensions) and high-risk ones (deleting them). The [previously released](https://shopify.dev/changelog/more-control-over-app-deploys-in-cicd-pipelines) `--allow-updates` and `--allow-deletes` flags give you granular control, so your CI/CD pipelines can run unattended without the risk of accidental, irreversible deletions.

## What you should do

If you are [automating your app releases in a CI/CD environment](https://shopify.dev/docs/apps/launch/deployment/deploy-in-ci-cd-pipeline), you should adjust your scripts to use the [`--allow-updates`](https://shopify.dev/docs/api/shopify-cli/app/app-deploy#flags-propertydetail-allowupdates) flag instead, which will ensure that extensions can be added and updated, but not deleted.

For example:

```
shopify app deploy --config production --allow-updates
```

When extension deletion is needed, you can utilize an interactive `deploy` or enable the [`--allow-deletes`](https://shopify.dev/docs/api/shopify-cli/app/app-deploy#flags-propertydetail-allowdeletes) flag. Use caution and enable `--allow-deletes` only for manual workflow runs when you are certain that you want to delete an extension and all its configuration on installed shops.

For more information, see [documentation on CI/CD deployment for apps](https://shopify.dev/docs/apps/launch/deployment/deploy-in-ci-cd-pipeline#controlling-extension-and-configuration-deployment).