--- title: Dev stores description: >- You can use a dev store to build and test any themes or apps that you create, or to set up a Shopify account for a client. source_url: html: 'https://shopify.dev/docs/storefronts/themes/tools/development-stores' md: 'https://shopify.dev/docs/storefronts/themes/tools/development-stores.md' --- ExpandOn this page * [Creating a dev store](https://shopify.dev/docs/storefronts/themes/tools/development-stores.md#creating-a-dev-store) * [Sharing your dev store](https://shopify.dev/docs/storefronts/themes/tools/development-stores.md#sharing-your-dev-store) * [Features and limitations](https://shopify.dev/docs/storefronts/themes/tools/development-stores.md#features-and-limitations) * [Next steps](https://shopify.dev/docs/storefronts/themes/tools/development-stores.md#next-steps) # Dev stores A dev store is a free Shopify store for building themes. You can use dev tools like [Shopify CLI](https://shopify.dev/docs/storefronts/themes/tools/cli/cli-2/commands) and the [Shopify GitHub integration for themes](https://shopify.dev/docs/storefronts/themes/tools/github) to preview, test, and share the themes that you're building. *** ## Creating a dev store To use a dev store with [Shopify CLI](https://shopify.dev/docs/apps/build/cli-for-apps), you need to be the store owner, or have a [staff account](https://help.shopify.com/manual/your-account/staff-accounts) on the store. If you create a dev store, then you're assigned as the store owner. Other staff members must be added to the store. To create a dev store: 1. From your [Dev Dashboard](https://dev.shopify.com/dashboard), click **Dev Stores**. 2. Click **Add dev store**. 3. Enter a name for your store. The store name is used to create the store's myshopify.com URL. 4. Choose the Shopify plan that you want to use. 5. Recommended: Select **Generate test data for store**. This will populate your store with test data generated by Shopify. 6. Optional: Select **Test a feature preview**. You can choose a [feature preview](https://shopify.dev/docs/api/feature-previews) to test capabilities that aren't available to all stores yet. 7. Click **Create store**. ### Generated test data By default, Shopify stores are created empty, without any data. To speed up the development and testing process, you can create a dev store that's populated with test data generated by Shopify. The generated test data set includes the most common commerce primitives and configurations that you need to test an app, theme, or custom storefront, including some Plus-specific features. [Learn about the contents of the generated test data set](https://shopify.dev/docs/storefronts/themes/tools/development-stores/generated-data). *** ## Sharing your dev store Dev stores are always password protected. You can remove the password page after you transfer the store to a merchant or switch to a paid plan. Dev store password pages can't be customized. Visitors can view dev stores in the following ways: * By entering [a password](#viewing-or-setting-the-password) on the dev store password page * By logging into the dev store’s Shopify admin * Through a Shopify Theme Store or Shopify App Store [demo link](#theme-store-and-app-store-listings) ### Viewing or setting the password 1. From your Shopify admin, go to **Online Store** > **Preferences**. 2. In the **Password protection** > **Password** field, enter a password. This is the password that you'll give to the visitors who you want to be able to access the online store. Don't use the same password that you use to log in to your admin. 3. Click **Save**. Note The **Message for your visitors** field isn't editable for dev stores. ### Viewing and editing the customizable password page The customizable password page isn't used to control access to your dev store, but you can view it after you log in and edit it from the Shopify admin. To view the customizable password page, logged-in visitors can navigate to `https://your-store-name.myshopify.com/password`, where `your-store-name` is the name of the dev store. You can edit the customizable password page using the theme editor, or by editing the theme's [`password.liquid`](https://shopify.dev/docs/storefronts/themes/architecture/templates/password) file. ### Theme Store and App Store listings You can use a dev store as a demo store in Shopify Theme Store or Shopify App Store listings. When a visitor clicks on the demo link in a listing, the dev store password page doesn't display. You don't need to change any settings in the dev store to enable this functionality. Learn more about [demo stores for the Shopify Theme Store](https://shopify.dev/docs/storefronts/themes/store/requirements#demo-stores). Learn more about [demo links for the Shopify App Store](https://shopify.dev/docs/apps/launch/app-requirements-checklist#demo-store-url). *** ## Features and limitations You can do the following tasks while building and testing a dev store: * Process an unlimited number of [test orders](https://help.shopify.com/en/partners/dashboard/managing-stores/test-orders-in-dev-stores) * Create an unlimited number of unique products * Create up to 10 custom apps * Assign a custom domain A dev store has the following limitations: * You can only install free apps and [Partner-friendly apps](https://apps.shopify.com/collections/partner-friendly-apps). * You can only test orders using the Bogus Test gateway or by enabling test mode for your payment provider. You can't test orders using real transactions through active payment providers. Learn more about [testing orders in dev stores](https://help.shopify.com/en/partners/dashboard/managing-stores/test-orders-in-dev-stores). * You can't remove the [password page](#sharing-your-development-store), or show a custom password page. You can still [customize the password page and preview it](#viewing-and-editing-the-customizable-password-page). A dev store with a [feature preview](https://shopify.dev/docs/api/feature-previews) enabled doesn't have access to [domains](https://help.shopify.com/en/manual/domains). *** ## Next steps * [Create your first theme](https://shopify.dev/docs/storefronts/themes/getting-started/create) using a dev store * [Build a store for a merchant](https://help.shopify.com/en/partners/building-stores-for-merchants) * [Connect to the dev store using the Shopify GitHub integration](https://shopify.dev/docs/storefronts/themes/tools/github) *** * [Creating a dev store](https://shopify.dev/docs/storefronts/themes/tools/development-stores.md#creating-a-dev-store) * [Sharing your dev store](https://shopify.dev/docs/storefronts/themes/tools/development-stores.md#sharing-your-dev-store) * [Features and limitations](https://shopify.dev/docs/storefronts/themes/tools/development-stores.md#features-and-limitations) * [Next steps](https://shopify.dev/docs/storefronts/themes/tools/development-stores.md#next-steps)