Build an extension-only app
Extension-only apps are apps that don't have embedded app pages. Because they're made up entirely of extensions, you can host extension-only apps on Shopify.
Extension-only apps can only be installed with custom distribution.
Anchor to Create an extension-only appCreate an extension-only app
Create a new app, give it a name, and choose Build an extension-only app.
Terminal
After you've created your app, you can configure your app, generate extensions, and deploy your app.
Anchor to App extensions that can be included in an extension-only appApp extensions that can be included in an extension-only app
The following table lists the app extensions that are compatible with extension-only apps.
| Domain | Extension type | Merchant experience | Create using | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Admin | UI extension | actions and/or blocks | Shopify CLI | Add custom cards or modals to resource pages in the Shopify admin. |
| Admin links (deprecated) | links | Partner Dashboard | Add quick links to your app from any page in the Shopify admin. | |
| Bulk action links (deprecated) | actions | Partner Dashboard | Add bulk app actions to any resource page in the Shopify admin. | |
| Subscription links (deprecated) | links | Partner Dashboard | Customize the link that allow users to see the subscription details in your subscription-enabled app. | |
| Checkout | UI extension | blocks | Shopify CLI | Add custom workflows and functionality at defined points in the checkout flow. |
| Shopify Functions | functions | Shopify CLI | Inject custom code into key areas of the Shopify platform, such as checkout or cart. | |
| Post-purchase UI extension | blocks | Shopify CLI | Help users increase sales by adding products for purchase after checkout. | |
| Customer accounts | UI extension | actions and/or blocks | Shopify CLI | Add functionality at defined points in customer accounts. |
| Flow | Flow actions | actions | Shopify CLI | Connect your app to Shopify Flow so that your app receives data when a workflow action runs. |
| Flow lifecycle events | Not used for merchants | Shopify CLI | Notifications from Shopify Flow about stores using triggers in enabled workflows. | |
| Flow templates | templates | Shopify CLI | Create an example workflow that's available in Flow's template library and can be copied into a merchant's store. | |
| Flow triggers | triggers | Shopify CLI | Connect your app to Shopify Flow so that events that occur in your app can trigger workflows. | |
| POS | UI extensions | actions, blocks, and/or smart grid tiles | Shopify CLI | Add custom functionality at defined areas in the POS app. |
Anchor to Converting to an embedded appConverting to an embedded app
Extension-only apps have a Shopify-populated default app URL. If you want to convert your app to use embedded app pages, update the application_url in your app configuration to the URL of your app. This will allow your app to be installed with public distribution.
Embedded app pages are developer-hosted.
Anchor to Next stepsNext steps
- Learn how to deploy your extensions that you built using Shopify CLI.