Sidekick app extensions

Sidekick is the AI assistant built into Shopify. It helps merchants get things done without leaving their flow. Your app can connect its data and workflows using app extensions. Sidekick can search your app’s data, answer questions with your app’s context, and take merchants straight to the right page in your app.

You can also let Sidekick assist directly inside your app. Define safe, scoped actions—like editing an email template, creating a product review, or updating a support issue—and Sidekick will suggest changes and bring up the right UI, but merchants stay in control of what gets updated. This guide shows you how to expose data sources and actions, handle authentication and permissions, and test your integration in development.

Anchor to How Shopify's platform powers tools & app extensionsHow Shopify's platform powers tools & app extensions

When a merchant invokes an app extension, Shopify's platform powers the interaction. The app extension is executed in the Shopify sandbox, and has access to the same APIs as your app. The app extension returns the result to Sidekick, and Sidekick displays the result to the merchant.

Anchor to Example: Search in an email appExample: Search in an email app

In this example, a merchant can ask Sidekick to find the best performing subject lines in their email campaigns. Sidekick searches using the app extension in the Shopify Messaging app, then returns the best results. Clicking on an option invokes the app, navigated right to the correct result.

Anchor to Expose data to SidekickExpose data to Sidekick

Use an extension to expose data in your app. By providing your app's data in an extension, Sidekick can search your app's data to get tailored results. Merchants can get value from your app just by working with Sidekick, while also staying in their flow.

Use extensions to surface app data

Learn how to build an extension to expose your app's data to Sidekick.

Anchor to Expose actions to SidekickExpose actions to Sidekick

Use an extension to expose actions in your app. By providing your app's actions in an extension, Sidekick can take the merchant to the right page in your app to perform the a rich action.

Use extensions to surface app actions

Learn how to build an extension to expose your app's actions to Sidekick.

Anchor to BenefitsBenefits

Anchor to More ways for merchants to use your appMore ways for merchants to use your app

Merchants can interact with your app in new ways, and get even more unique value. App extensions you register for your app can be invoked inline during other scenarios, helping merchants keep their place and never lose what they’re working on.

Anchor to Awareness across ShopifyAwareness across Shopify

Sidekick and the Shopify admin can suggest your app when its registered intents can help a merchant get things done. Your app can be in front of new audiences, just in time when the merchant can get the most out of it.

Anchor to Sidekick & apps gain new powersSidekick & apps gain new powers

As merchants interact with Sidekick and other apps that utilize your app's intents, your app becomes more useful and even more powerful. Merchants can get value from your app just by working with Sidekick, while also staying in their flow.