Create apps

Beta

The Next-Gen Dev Platform is not yet generally available. Currently, access to these tools and features is limited to organizations participating in an invitation-only early access program. To request entry into the early access program, submit a request.

Visit our dev community to discuss the Next-Gen Dev Platform and provide feedback.

You can create new apps in the Dev Dashboard or with Shopify CLI.

The Dev Dashboard is a simplified interface for creating apps, while Shopify CLI allows you to also create apps with extensions and Shopify Functions:

Feature	CLI	Developer dashboard
Create a new app	Supported	Supported
Create a new version of an app	Supported	Limited support
Customize the app's configuration	Supported	Limited support
Create app extensions	Supported	Not supported
Preview changes in your app without releasing a new version	Supported	Not supported

Anchor to Create apps using the CLICreate apps using the CLI

Tip

Shopify CLI is the recommended way to create apps. It gives you access to all of the features of the Shopify app platform.

Using Shopify CLI will give you access to all of the features of the Shopify app platform. Shopify CLI allows you to preview changes to your app without releasing a new version.

Note

You must be on version 3.84 or higher of Shopify CLI, upgrade if you are not.

The process to create an app using the CLI when connected to the Dev Dashboard is very similar to the process when using the partner dashboard. The primary differences are:

Merchants do not need a partner account to use the CLI. After logging in you will be asked to choose the organization in which you want to create the app. Merchant organizations that have enabled the Dev Dashboard will appear in the list of organizations alongside any partner account in which you are also a member.
Certain extensions cannot currently be created during the early access period of the Dev Dashboard. Please see the early access and limitations page for more information.

To create a new app, follow the standard instructions in Scaffold a new app, except that as an Early Access participant you won't need a partner account. When prompted to choose an organization, choose your merchant organization instead.

Here's a summary of the new process:

Navigate to the directory where you want to create your app.
Run the following command to create a new app:

Terminal
# create a new app
shopify app init
Login to a Shopify account, if you're not already logged in.
Select Build a Remix app to use the Remix template. You may also choose to build an extension-only app.
If you're a member of more than one organization, you'll be prompted to select the organization in which to create the app. This list will include your merchant organization as well as any partner accounts that you're a member of. Choose the merchant organization that is part of the Early Access program.
Give your app a name.

Once you've created an app, you can check out the new Early Access features such as development stores and improvements to the shopify app dev command.

Anchor to Creating apps in the Dev DashboardCreating apps in the Dev Dashboard

For most use cases, we recommend using Shopify CLI to create apps. You can create apps directly in the Dev Dashboard, although you won't be able to use all the features of the Shopify app platform with this method. Whether your app is created from the dashboard or the CLI, you can always edit it with the CLI.

Here are some examples of simpler apps that you could create directly from the Dev Dashboard:

Non-interactive apps that only call APIs or receive webhooks
Apps that will never use extensions or Shopify Functions
Apps that don't need source control

Anchor to 1. Go to the Dev Dashboard1. Go to the Dev Dashboard

A list of two apps in the Dev Dashboard. A button to create a new app is at the top right of the page.

The first page you will see in the Dev Dashboard will be a list of apps. If your organization has not yet created any apps the list will be blank. You can click Create app to create a new app.

Anchor to 2. Click Create app2. Click Create app

A form to create a new app in the Dev Dashboard. The form includes fields for the app name, and instructions for how the CLI can be used to create apps.

Anchor to 3. Name your app3. Name your app

When you create a new app, you'll need to name it. You can also choose to create the app using Shopify CLI. After creating your app, you can create and release a new version in the Dev Dashboard or with Shopify CLI.

Anchor to Create versionsCreate versions

A list of versions for an app in the Dev Dashboard. One version can be active at a given time.

All apps are versioned. You can't edit versions once they're created and released, but you can create new versions:

From the app's home page, click Edit to create a new version based on the current active version.
From the Versions page, click Create a version to create a new version based on the current active version.

Anchor to Edit app settingsEdit app settings

Some aspects of your app configuration can be edited directly in the Dev Dashboard, to use additional features of the Shopify app platform you will need to use Shopify CLI.

Once you've completed your changes, click Release to create this version of the app and release it to users. Adding a version name and message is optional, but can help you differentiate versions in your versions list.

Once a new version is released any store that has the app installed will automatically use the new version. If the app requires new access scopes users will be prompted to grant the app the scopes the next time they open the app.

Anchor to Install the app into your storeInstall the app into your store

Apps created in the Dev Dashboard can be installed in any store that is part of the same organization as the Dev Dashboard. From the app's home page, click Install app.

The app's Current installs page shows the stores that have the app installed.

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