---
title: Target APIs
description: Shopify automatically provides you with specific APIs based on where your extension runs within the Shopify admin.
api_version: 2026-01
api_name: admin-extensions
source_url:
  html: https://shopify.dev/docs/api/admin-extensions/latest/target-apis
  md: https://shopify.dev/docs/api/admin-extensions/latest/target-apis.md
---

# Target APIs

When you build an admin UI extension, Shopify automatically provides you with specific APIs based on where your extension runs within the Shopify admin. This system ensures extensions receive exactly the data and functionality they need for their particular use case, while maintaining security and performance.

Your [target](https://shopify.dev/docs/api/admin-extensions/2026-01/targets) determines which APIs you receive because different locations in the Shopify admin require different capabilities.

## Core APIs

Core APIs provide fundamental functionality that action, block, and print action extensions need to integrate with the Shopify admin. These APIs handle essential tasks like modal control, resource data access, print interface management, authentication, and localization. They're available to extensions based on their target type and provide the foundation for building admin UI extensions.

| Name | Description |
| - | - |
| [Action Extension API](https://shopify.dev/docs/api/admin-extensions/latest/target-apis/core-apis/action-extension-api) | Control modal behavior and manage action extensions that appear in the **More actions** menu. |
| [Block Extension API](https://shopify.dev/docs/api/admin-extensions/latest/target-apis/core-apis/block-extension-api) | Access resource data and build inline block extensions that display on resource pages. |
| [Print Action Extension API](https://shopify.dev/docs/api/admin-extensions/latest/target-apis/core-apis/print-action-extension-api) | Create print actions that appear in the **Print** menu and control print interfaces. |
| [Standard API](https://shopify.dev/docs/api/admin-extensions/latest/target-apis/core-apis/standard-api) | Access session tokens, locale information, and layout utilities for authentication and internationalization. |

## Contextual APIs

Contextual APIs provide access to data and operations specific to your extension's current location within the Shopify admin. These APIs give you the ability to read and modify context-specific information like product details, variant settings, discount configurations, customer segment templates, order routing rules, purchase options, or validation settings based on where your extension is rendered.

| Name | Description |
| - | - |
| [Customer Segment Template Extension API](https://shopify.dev/docs/api/admin-extensions/latest/target-apis/contextual-apis/customer-segment-template-extension-api) | Provide customer segment template data for marketing and analytics extensions. |
| [Discount Function Settings API](https://shopify.dev/docs/api/admin-extensions/latest/target-apis/contextual-apis/discount-function-settings-api) | Build configuration interfaces for discount functions with access to discount settings. |
| [Order Routing Rule API](https://shopify.dev/docs/api/admin-extensions/latest/target-apis/contextual-apis/order-routing-rule-api) | Define order routing rules for fulfillment and location management extensions. |
| [Product Details Configuration API](https://shopify.dev/docs/api/admin-extensions/latest/target-apis/contextual-apis/product-details-configuration-api) | Build configuration interfaces for products with access to product data and settings. |
| [Product Variant Details Configuration API](https://shopify.dev/docs/api/admin-extensions/latest/target-apis/contextual-apis/product-variant-details-configuration-api) | Build configuration interfaces for product variants with access to variant data and settings. |
| [Purchase Options Card Configuration API](https://shopify.dev/docs/api/admin-extensions/latest/target-apis/contextual-apis/purchase-options-card-configuration-api) | Configure purchase options cards for subscription and selling plan management. |
| [Validation Settings API](https://shopify.dev/docs/api/admin-extensions/latest/target-apis/contextual-apis/validation-settings-api) | Configure validation rules for cart and checkout validation functions. |

## Utility APIs

Utility APIs provide helper functionality that enhances your extension's capabilities across different targets. These APIs offer reusable tools for resource selection, custom picker interfaces, intent handling, and conditional rendering that extensions can use regardless of their specific location in the Shopify admin.

| Name | Description |
| - | - |
| [Intents API](https://shopify.dev/docs/api/admin-extensions/latest/target-apis/utility-apis/intents-api) | Navigate between Shopify admin pages and trigger common Shopify admin actions programmatically. |
| [Picker API](https://shopify.dev/docs/api/admin-extensions/latest/target-apis/utility-apis/picker-api) | Launch generic picker modals for custom selection workflows and data entry. |
| [Resource Picker API](https://shopify.dev/docs/api/admin-extensions/latest/target-apis/utility-apis/resource-picker-api) | Launch resource picker modals to search and select products, collections, customers, and other Shopify resources. |
| [Should Render API](https://shopify.dev/docs/api/admin-extensions/latest/target-apis/utility-apis/should-render-api) | Control whether action and print action extensions appear in menus based on conditional logic. |

***