Create development stores
Development stores are a crucial part of the Shopify development process. They allow you to build and test your apps in a safe environment without affecting production stores. You can connect directly to a development store from Shopify CLI using the shopify app dev
command. Running app dev
lets you preview changes to your app without deploying a new version of your app to production stores.
Anchor to RequirementsRequirements
Before you begin, ensure you have the following:
- A Shopify store or Partner account.
- Permissions to access the Dev Dashboard and create stores. You will need the Create and manage development stores permission to create a development store.
Anchor to Create a dev storeCreate a dev store
- Log in to the Dev Dashboard
- Click on Dev stores
- Click Add dev store to begin the store creation process
- Enter a name for your development store. This name will be used to identify the store in the Dev Dashboard.
- Select a plan for your development store. You can choose from the following options:
- Basic
- Grow
- Advanced
- Plus
- Optional: Select Test a feature preview. You can choose a feature preview from the list if you want to test capabilities that aren't available to all stores yet.
- Click Create store and your store will be created with the selected plan and build version.
- Log in to your development store.
Anchor to Store accessStore access
The CLI and Dev Dashboard display a list of development stores in which the user is a member. When a user creates a development store, they are automatically designated as the store's owner. Additional users must be added to the store as staff members.
Anchor to LimitationsLimitations
Development stores are intended for development and testing purposes only. They cannot be used for production purposes and cannot process real transactions. Development stores have the following limitations:
- 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. You can't test orders using real transactions through active payment providers. Learn more about testing orders in development stores.
- You can't remove the password page from the online store.