---
title: Collaborations
description: Learn how to request and manage collaborator access to merchant stores.
source_url:
  html: 'https://shopify.dev/docs/apps/build/dev-dashboard/stores/collaborations'
  md: 'https://shopify.dev/docs/apps/build/dev-dashboard/stores/collaborations.md'
---

# Collaborations

Collaborations are access relationships with merchant-owned stores. When you have collaborator access to a store, it appears in the **Collaborations** tab of the Dev Dashboard. Unlike dev stores and client transfer stores, you don't own a collaboration store; the merchant does. You're working inside their live store.

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

***

## Requirements

Before you begin, make sure you have:

* A Shopify Partner account.
* The [required permissions](https://shopify.dev/docs/apps/build/dev-dashboard/user-permissions) to manage collaborations in your organization.

***

## Request collaborator access

To request access to a merchant's store:

1. Log in to the [Dev Dashboard](https://dev.shopify.com/dashboard/).
2. Select **Stores** from the left sidebar.
3. Select **Request store access**.
4. Enter the store's URL.
5. Enter the merchant's 4-digit collaborator request code. The merchant can find this in their Shopify admin under **Settings** > **Users** > **Security**. If they've never shared it before, they may need to locate and share it with you first.
6. Select the permissions you need.
7. Select **Send request**.

The merchant receives a request to grant your organization collaborator access. Once they approve it, the store appears in your **Collaborations** tab.

**Info:**

If your organization has an app installed on the merchant's store, you can request collaborator access without a collaborator request code.

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## Collaboration statuses

You can track the status of your collaborations from the **Collaborations** tab:

| Status | Meaning |
| - | - |
| **Active** | Collaborator access is active and within the agreed access period. |
| **Request sent** | Your access request has been sent and is waiting for the merchant to approve. |
| **Expires soon** | Your collaborator access is approaching its expiration date. |
| **Expired** | Your collaborator access has expired. You no longer have access to the store. |

***

## Renew expired access

If your collaborator access has expired, you can send the merchant a new request directly from the Dev Dashboard.

1. From the **Collaborations** tab, find the store with **Expired** status.
2. Select the three-dot menu (**⋯**) on the store's row.
3. Select **Request renewal**.

The merchant receives a new request to approve. Once they approve it, your access is restored and the status updates accordingly.

***

## Limitations

As a collaborator, your access is granted and controlled by the merchant:

* The merchant sets the scope of your permissions. You can only access the parts of the store they've granted you access to.
* You can't transfer a collaboration store. If the merchant wants to hand off store ownership, that's a separate process they initiate.

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## Next steps

* [Create a client transfer store](https://shopify.dev/docs/apps/build/dev-dashboard/stores/client-transfer-stores) to build a store and hand it off to a client.
* [Configure user permissions](https://shopify.dev/docs/apps/build/dev-dashboard/user-permissions) to manage who can request collaborator access in your organization.

***