---
title: Stores
description: >-
  Learn about the store types available to partners in the Dev Dashboard, and
  when to use each one.
source_url:
  html: 'https://shopify.dev/docs/apps/build/dev-dashboard/stores'
  md: 'https://shopify.dev/docs/apps/build/dev-dashboard/stores.md'
---

# Stores

**Info:**

Access to the **Stores** tab depends on your role and permissions in your organization. [Learn about user permissions →](https://shopify.dev/docs/apps/build/dev-dashboard/user-permissions)

The **Stores** tab in the Dev Dashboard is where you create, view, and manage all the stores connected to your organization. Whether you're spinning up a dev store to test an app, building a store to hand off to a client, or accessing a merchant's live store as a collaborator, it all lives here.

***

## Access the Stores tab

The Stores tab is available in the Dev Dashboard at [dev.shopify.com/dashboard](https://dev.shopify.com/dashboard/). Select **Stores** from the left sidebar to view and manage your stores.

From the Stores tab, you can:

* Filter stores by type using the **Dev**, **Client transfer**, and **Collaborations** sub-tabs.
* Create a new dev store or client transfer store using **Create store**.
* Request access to a merchant's store using **Request store access**.

***

## Store types

The Stores tab has three sub-tabs, each corresponding to a store type: dev stores, client transfer stores, and collaborations.

### Dev stores

Dev stores are testing environments that you own and control. They're the right choice when you're building or testing an app, experimenting with a theme, or need a Shopify store that behaves like a real merchant store without the risk of affecting live data.

Dev stores can be created on any Shopify plan, and you can enable [feature previews](https://shopify.dev/docs/api/feature-previews) to test capabilities that aren't available to all stores yet.

[Learn more about dev stores →](https://shopify.dev/docs/apps/build/dev-dashboard/stores/development-stores)

***

### Client transfer stores

Client transfer stores are stores you build on behalf of a client. You own and configure the store during the build phase, then transfer ownership to the client when it's ready.

Use a client transfer store when a merchant has hired you to build their store. The store is created under your organization, giving you full access to configure and customize it, and a clean handoff when the work is done.

[Learn more about client transfer stores →](https://shopify.dev/docs/apps/build/dev-dashboard/stores/client-transfer-stores)

***

### Collaborations

Collaborations are access relationships with merchant-owned stores. When a merchant grants your organization collaborator access, that store appears in your Collaborations tab. You're working inside a live merchant store; you don't own it, and it isn't transferred to you.

Use collaborations when an existing merchant needs ongoing support, customization, or app development on their store.

[Learn more about collaborations →](https://shopify.dev/docs/apps/build/dev-dashboard/stores/collaborations)

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## Choosing the right store type

| | Dev store | Client transfer store | Collaboration |
| - | - | - | - |
| **Who owns the store** | You (your organization) | You during build; merchant after transfer | The merchant |
| **Primary use** | App and theme development and testing | Build a store to hand off to a client | Work on a merchant's live store |
| **Transferable to a merchant** | No | Yes | N/A — merchant already owns it |
| **Create from Dev Dashboard** | Yes | Yes | No — merchant initiates or you request access from Partner Dashboard |
| **Real transactions** | No | No | Yes |
| **Install custom or draft apps** | Yes | No | Depends on merchant permissions |

***