---
title: Dev stores
description: Learn how to create and use dev stores to build and test your Shopify apps.
source_url:
  html: 'https://shopify.dev/docs/apps/build/stores/development-stores'
  md: 'https://shopify.dev/docs/apps/build/stores/development-stores.md'
---

# Dev stores

Dev stores are testing environments that you own and control. They let you build and test your apps in a realistic Shopify environment without affecting any live store. You can connect directly to a dev store from Shopify CLI using the `shopify app dev` command, which previews your changes without deploying a new version to production.

***

## Requirements

Before you begin, make sure you have:

* A Shopify Partner account or a merchant store with developer permissions.
* The [required permissions](https://shopify.dev/docs/apps/build/dev-dashboard/user-permissions) to create dev stores in your organization.

***

## Create a dev store

1. Log in to the [Dev Dashboard](https://dev.shopify.com/dashboard/).

2. Select **Stores** from the left sidebar.

3. Select **Create store**.

4. Select **Dev** as the store type.

5. Enter a name for your dev store. This name is used to identify the store in the Dev Dashboard.

6. Select a plan for your dev store:

   * **Basic**: Includes core Shopify features for small businesses.
   * **Grow**: Includes additional reporting and staff accounts for growing businesses.
   * **Advanced**: Includes advanced reporting, lower transaction fees, and third-party calculated shipping rates.
   * **Plus**: Includes enterprise-level features like Shopify Flow, LaunchPad, and dedicated support.

7. Optional: Select **Test a [feature preview](https://shopify.dev/docs/apps/build/stores/feature-previews)** to test capabilities that aren't available to all stores yet.

8. Select **Create store**. Your store is created with the selected plan.

9. Log in to your dev store.

***

## Store access

When you create a dev store, you're automatically designated as the [store's owner](https://help.shopify.com/manual/your-account/users/roles/roles-managed-by-shopify/owner-roles). Shopify CLI and Dev Dashboard display dev stores that you have access to.

Additional users must be added to the store as [staff members](https://help.shopify.com/manual/your-account/users/invite-users).

When a [feature preview](https://shopify.dev/docs/apps/build/stores/feature-previews) is enabled on a dev store, you don't have access to [domains](https://help.shopify.com/en/manual/domains).

***

## Limitations

Dev stores are intended for development and testing only. They can't be used for production and can't process real transactions:

* For apps that use [App Pricing](https://shopify.dev/docs/apps/launch/billing/shopify-app-pricing#testing), you can select any available plan for an app that belongs to your Partner organization at no charge. For apps from another Partner organization, you can select free plans or any plan the Partner has marked as free to test.
* For an app that uses manual pricing, use a [Billing API test charge](https://shopify.dev/docs/apps/launch/app-store-review/pass-app-review#manual-pricing-with-the-billing-api) to test your own app. To make the app available on other Partners' dev stores, [set up free testing](https://shopify.dev/docs/apps/launch/billing/manual-pricing/subscription-billing/offer-free-trials#set-up-free-testing).
* You can test orders using the [Bogus test gateway](https://help.shopify.com/en/partners/manage-clients-stores/development-stores/test-orders-in-dev-stores#testing-using-bogus-gateway) or by [activating test mode for your payment provider](https://help.shopify.com/en/partners/manage-clients-stores/development-stores/test-orders-in-dev-stores#testing-orders-using-shopify-payments-test-mode). Real transactions through active payment providers, Store Credit, and Gift Cards aren't supported.
* You can't remove the [password page](https://help.shopify.com/en/manual/online-store/themes/password-page) or show a custom password page. You can still customize and preview it.
* Dev stores can't be converted to production stores.
* Dev stores can't be transferred to a client. If you're building a store for a merchant, use a [client transfer store](https://shopify.dev/docs/apps/build/stores/client-transfer-stores) instead.

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## Next steps

* [Build an app](https://shopify.dev/docs/apps/build/build) using your dev store as a testing environment.
* [Test apps locally](https://shopify.dev/docs/apps/build/cli-for-apps/test-apps-locally) with Shopify CLI and your dev store.
* [Create a client transfer store](https://shopify.dev/docs/apps/build/stores/client-transfer-stores) to build a store for a merchant.

***