---
title: Dev stores
description: Learn how to create and use dev stores to build and test your Shopify apps.
source_url:
  html: 'https://shopify.dev/docs/apps/build/dev-dashboard/stores/development-stores'
  md: >-
    https://shopify.dev/docs/apps/build/dev-dashboard/stores/development-stores.md
---

# Dev stores

Dev stores are testing environments that you own and control. They let you build and test your apps in a realistic Shopify environment without affecting any live store. You can connect directly to a dev store from Shopify CLI using the `shopify app dev` command, which previews your changes without deploying a new version to production.

***

## Requirements

Before you begin, make sure you have:

* A Shopify Partner account or a merchant store with developer permissions.
* The [required permissions](https://shopify.dev/docs/apps/build/dev-dashboard/user-permissions) to create dev stores in your organization.

***

## Create a dev store

1. Log in to the [Dev Dashboard](https://dev.shopify.com/dashboard/).

2. Select **Stores** from the left sidebar.

3. Select **Create store**.

4. Enter a name for your dev store. This name is used to identify the store in the Dev Dashboard.

5. Select a plan for your dev store:

   * **Basic**: Includes core Shopify features for small businesses.
   * **Grow**: Includes additional reporting and staff accounts for growing businesses.
   * **Advanced**: Includes advanced reporting, lower transaction fees, and third-party calculated shipping rates.
   * **Plus**: Includes enterprise-level features like Shopify Flow, LaunchPad, and dedicated support.

6. Optional: Select **Test a [feature preview](https://shopify.dev/docs/api/feature-previews)** to test capabilities that aren't available to all stores yet.

7. Select **Create store**. Your store is created with the selected plan.

8. Log in to your dev store.

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## Store access

When you create a dev store, you're automatically designated as the [store's owner](https://help.shopify.com/manual/your-account/users/roles/roles-managed-by-shopify/owner-roles). Shopify CLI and Dev Dashboard display dev stores that you have access to.

Additional users must be added to the store as [staff members](https://help.shopify.com/manual/your-account/users/invite-users).

When a [feature preview](https://shopify.dev/docs/api/feature-previews) is enabled on a dev store, you don't have access to [domains](https://help.shopify.com/en/manual/domains).

***

## Limitations

Dev stores are intended for development and testing only. They can't be used for production and can't process real transactions:

* You can only install free apps and partner-friendly apps.
* You can test orders using the [Bogus test gateway](https://help.shopify.com/en/partners/manage-clients-stores/development-stores/test-orders-in-dev-stores#testing-using-bogus-gateway) or by [activating test mode for your payment provider](https://help.shopify.com/en/partners/manage-clients-stores/development-stores/test-orders-in-dev-stores#testing-orders-using-shopify-payments-test-mode). Real transactions through active payment providers, Store Credit, and Gift Cards aren't supported.
* You can't remove the [password page](https://help.shopify.com/en/manual/online-store/themes/password-page) or show a custom password page. You can still customize and preview it.
* Dev stores can't be transferred to a client. If you're building a store for a merchant, use a [client transfer store](https://shopify.dev/docs/apps/build/dev-dashboard/stores/client-transfer-stores) instead.

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## Next steps

* [Build an app](https://shopify.dev/docs/apps/build/build) using your dev store as a testing environment.
* [Test apps locally](https://shopify.dev/docs/apps/build/cli-for-apps/test-apps-locally) with Shopify CLI and your dev store.
* [Create a client transfer store](https://shopify.dev/docs/apps/build/dev-dashboard/stores/client-transfer-stores) to build a store for a merchant.

***