--- title: Build an extension-only app description: Learn about extension-only apps that don't require a web server. Extension-only apps must be custom apps. source_url: html: https://shopify.dev/docs/apps/build/app-extensions/build-extension-only-app md: https://shopify.dev/docs/apps/build/app-extensions/build-extension-only-app.md --- ExpandOn this page * [Create an extension-only app](https://shopify.dev/docs/apps/build/app-extensions/build-extension-only-app#create-an-extension-only-app) * [App extensions that can be included in an extension-only app](https://shopify.dev/docs/apps/build/app-extensions/build-extension-only-app#app-extensions-that-can-be-included-in-an-extension-only-app) * [Converting to an embedded app](https://shopify.dev/docs/apps/build/app-extensions/build-extension-only-app#converting-to-an-embedded-app) * [Next steps](https://shopify.dev/docs/apps/build/app-extensions/build-extension-only-app#next-steps) # 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. Note Extension-only apps can only be installed with [custom distribution](https://shopify.dev/docs/apps/launch/distribution/select-distribution-method). *** ## Create an extension-only app Create a new app, give it a name, and choose **Build an extension-only app**. ## Terminal ```terminal shopify app init ``` After you've created your app, you can [configure your app](https://shopify.dev/docs/apps/build/cli-for-apps/app-configuration), [generate extensions](https://shopify.dev/docs/api/shopify-cli/app/app-generate-extension), and [deploy your app](https://shopify.dev/docs/apps/launch/deployment/app-versions). *** ## 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. | Domain | Extension type | Merchant experience | Create using | Description | | - | - | - | - | - | | [Admin](https://shopify.dev/docs/apps/build/admin) | [UI extension](https://shopify.dev/docs/apps/build/admin/actions-blocks) | [actions](https://shopify.dev/docs/apps/build/admin/actions-blocks#admin-actions) and/or [blocks](https://shopify.dev/docs/apps/build/admin/actions-blocks#admin-blocks) | Shopify CLI | Add custom cards or modals to resource pages in the Shopify admin. | | [Admin links (deprecated)](https://shopify.dev/docs/apps/build/admin/admin-links#migrating-from-admin-links-and-bulk-action-links) | links | Partner Dashboard | Add quick links to your app from any page in the Shopify admin. | | | [Bulk action links (deprecated)](https://shopify.dev/docs/apps/build/admin/admin-links#migrating-from-admin-links-and-bulk-action-links) | actions | Partner Dashboard | Add bulk app actions to any resource page in the Shopify admin. | | | [Subscription links (deprecated)](https://shopify.dev/docs/apps/build/purchase-options/subscriptions/contracts/subscription-link-extensions/migrate-to-cli) | links | Partner Dashboard | Customize the link that allow users to see the subscription details in your subscription-enabled app. | | | [Checkout](https://shopify.dev/docs/apps/build/checkout) | [UI extension](https://shopify.dev/docs/api/checkout-ui-extensions) | blocks | Shopify CLI | Add custom workflows and functionality at defined points in the checkout flow. | | [Shopify Functions](https://shopify.dev/docs/api/functions) | functions | Shopify CLI | Inject custom code into key areas of the Shopify platform, such as checkout or cart. | | | [Post-purchase UI extension](https://shopify.dev/docs/apps/build/checkout/product-offers#post-purchase-product-offers) | blocks | Shopify CLI | Help users increase sales by adding products for purchase after checkout. | | | [Customer accounts](https://shopify.dev/docs/apps/build/customer-accounts) | [UI extension](https://shopify.dev/docs/api/customer-account-ui-extensions) | actions and/or blocks | Shopify CLI | Add functionality at defined points in customer accounts. | | [Flow](https://shopify.dev/docs/apps/build/flow) | [Flow actions](https://shopify.dev/docs/apps/build/flow/actions) | actions | Shopify CLI | Connect your app to Shopify Flow so that your app receives data when a workflow action runs. | | [Flow lifecycle events](https://shopify.dev/docs/apps/build/flow/track-lifecycle-events) | Not used for merchants | Shopify CLI | Notifications from Shopify Flow about stores using triggers in enabled workflows. | | | [Flow templates](https://shopify.dev/docs/apps/build/flow/templates) | templates | Shopify CLI | Create an example workflow that's available in Flow's template library and can be copied into a merchant's store. | | | [Flow triggers](https://shopify.dev/docs/apps/build/flow/triggers) | triggers | Shopify CLI | Connect your app to Shopify Flow so that events that occur in your app can trigger workflows. | | | [POS]() | [UI extensions](https://shopify.dev/docs/api/pos-ui-extensions) | actions, blocks, and/or smart grid tiles | Shopify CLI | Add custom functionality at defined areas in the POS app. | *** ## 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](https://shopify.dev/docs/apps/build/app-surfaces#embedded-app-pages), update the `application_url` in your [app configuration](https://shopify.dev/docs/apps/build/cli-for-apps/app-configuration) to the URL of your app. This will allow your app to be installed with [public distribution](https://shopify.dev/docs/apps/launch/distribution/select-distribution-method). Note Embedded app pages are [developer-hosted](https://shopify.dev/docs/apps/build/app-surfaces#hosting). *** ## Next steps * Learn how to [deploy your extensions](https://shopify.dev/docs/apps/launch/deployment/app-versions) that you built using Shopify CLI. *** * [Create an extension-only app](https://shopify.dev/docs/apps/build/app-extensions/build-extension-only-app#create-an-extension-only-app) * [App extensions that can be included in an extension-only app](https://shopify.dev/docs/apps/build/app-extensions/build-extension-only-app#app-extensions-that-can-be-included-in-an-extension-only-app) * [Converting to an embedded app](https://shopify.dev/docs/apps/build/app-extensions/build-extension-only-app#converting-to-an-embedded-app) * [Next steps](https://shopify.dev/docs/apps/build/app-extensions/build-extension-only-app#next-steps)