Build an extension-only app
Extension-only apps are apps that don't have embedded app pages. Because they're made up entirely of extensions, you can host extension-only apps on Shopify.
Create an extension-only app
Anchor link to section titled "Create an extension-only app"Create a new app, give it a name, and choose Start by adding your first extension.
After you've created your app, you can configure your app, generate extensions, and deploy your app.
App extensions that can be included in an extension-only app
Anchor link to section titled "App extensions that can be included in an extension-only app"The following table lists the app extensions that are compatible with extension-only apps.
| Shopify interface area | App extension | Create using | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Shopify admin | Admin actions | Shopify CLI | Add custom modals to resource pages in the Shopify admin. |
| Admin blocks | Shopify CLI | Add custom cards to resource pages in the Shopify admin. | |
| Admin links | Partner Dashboard | Add quick links to your app from any page in the Shopify admin. | |
| Bulk action links | Partner Dashboard | Add bulk app actions to any resource page in the Shopify admin. | |
| Subscription link | Partner Dashboard | Customize the link that allow users to see the subscription details in your subscription-enabled app. | |
| Checkout | Checkout UI extensions | Shopify CLI | Add custom workflows and functionality at defined points in the checkout flow. |
| Shopify Functions | Shopify CLI | Inject custom code into key areas of the Shopify platform, such as checkout or cart. | |
| Post-purchase | Shopify CLI | Help users increase sales by adding products for purchase after checkout. | |
| Customer accounts | Customer account UI extensions | Shopify CLI | Add functionality at defined points in new customer accounts. |
| Flow | Triggers | Shopify CLI | Connect your app to Shopify Flow so that events that occur in your app can trigger workflows. |
| Actions | Shopify CLI | Connect your app to Shopify Flow so that your app receives data when a workflow action runs. | |
| Templates | Shopify CLI | Create an example workflow that's available in Flow's template library and can be copied into a merchant's store. | |
| Webhooks | Partner Dashboard | Improve efficiency by letting Shopify Flow notify your app when your triggers are in use. | |
| Shopify Point of Sale (POS) | POS UI Extensions | Shopify CLI | Add custom functionality at defined areas in the POS app. |
Converting to an embedded app
Anchor link to section titled "Converting to an embedded app"Extension-only apps have a Shopify-populated default app URL. If you want to convert your app to use embedded app pages, update the application_url in your app configuration to the URL of your app. This will allow your app to be installed with public distribution.
- Learn how to deploy your extensions that you built using Shopify CLI.