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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.

Anchor to RequirementsRequirements

Before you begin, make sure you have:

  • A Shopify Partner account or a merchant store with developer permissions.
  • The required permissions to create dev stores in your organization.

Anchor to Create a dev storeCreate a dev store

  1. Log in to the Dev Dashboard.
  2. Select Stores from the left sidebar.
  3. Select Create store.
  4. Enter a name for your dev store. This name is used to identify the store in the Dev Dashboard.
  5. 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.
  6. Optional: Select Test a feature preview to test capabilities that aren't available to all stores yet.
  7. Select Create store. Your store is created with the selected plan.
  8. Log in to your dev store.

Anchor to Store accessStore access

When you create a dev store, you're automatically designated as the store's owner. Shopify CLI and Dev Dashboard display dev stores that you have access to.

Additional users must be added to the store as staff members.

When a feature preview is enabled on a dev store, you don't have access to domains.

Anchor to LimitationsLimitations

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

  • You can only install free apps and partner-friendly apps.
  • You can test orders using the Bogus test gateway or by activating test mode for your payment provider. Real transactions through active payment providers, Store Credit, and Gift Cards aren't supported.
  • You can't remove the password page or show a custom password page. You can still customize and preview it.
  • Dev stores can't be transferred to a client. If you're building a store for a merchant, use a client transfer store instead.

Anchor to Next stepsNext steps

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