# Shopify Development

> Build Shopify apps, extensions, themes using GraphQL Admin API, Shopify CLI, Polaris UI, and Liquid.

- Skill: `sickn33/shopify-development` (Agent Skill)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add sickn33/shopify-development`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/sickn33/shopify-development/raw
- Safety review: pending (external: skill-scanner PASS, skillspector PASS)
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: Integrations & APIs
- Author: sickn33 (https://skillmd.com/u/sickn33)
- Updated: 2026-09-08
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/sickn33/shopify-development

---



# Shopify Development Skill

Use this skill when the user asks about:

- Building Shopify apps or extensions
- Creating checkout/admin/POS UI customizations
- Developing themes with Liquid templating
- Integrating with Shopify GraphQL or REST APIs
- Implementing webhooks or billing
- Working with metafields or Shopify Functions

---

## ROUTING: What to Build

**IF user wants to integrate external services OR build merchant tools OR charge for features:**
→ Build an **App** (see `references/app-development.md`)

**IF user wants to customize checkout OR add admin UI OR create POS actions OR implement discount rules:**
→ Build an **Extension** (see `references/extensions.md`)

**IF user wants to customize storefront design OR modify product/collection pages:**
→ Build a **Theme** (see `references/themes.md`)

**IF user needs both backend logic AND storefront UI:**
→ Build **App + Theme Extension** combination

---

## Shopify CLI Commands

Install CLI:

```bash
npm install -g @shopify/cli@latest
```

Create and run app:

```bash
shopify app init          # Create new app
shopify app dev           # Start dev server with tunnel
shopify app deploy        # Build and upload to Shopify
```

Generate extension:

```bash
shopify app generate extension --type checkout_ui_extension
shopify app generate extension --type admin_action
shopify app generate extension --type admin_block
shopify app generate extension --type pos_ui_extension
shopify app generate extension --type function
```

Theme development:

```bash
shopify theme init        # Create new theme
shopify theme dev         # Start local preview at localhost:9292
shopify theme pull --live # Pull live theme
shopify theme push --development  # Push to dev theme
```

---

## Access Scopes

Configure in `shopify.app.toml`:

```toml
[access_scopes]
scopes = "read_products,write_products,read_orders,write_orders,read_customers"
```

Common scopes:

- `read_products`, `write_products` - Product catalog access
- `read_orders`, `write_orders` - Order management
- `read_customers`, `write_customers` - Customer data
- `read_inventory`, `write_inventory` - Stock levels
- `read_fulfillments`, `write_fulfillments` - Order fulfillment

---

## GraphQL Patterns (Validated against API 2026-01)

### Query Products

```graphql
query GetProducts($first: Int!, $query: String) {
  products(first: $first, query: $query) {
    edges {
      node {
        id
        title
        handle
        status
        variants(first: 5) {
          edges {
            node {
              id
              price
              inventoryQuantity
            }
          }
        }
      }
    }
    pageInfo {
      hasNextPage
      endCursor
    }
  }
}
```

### Query Orders

```graphql
query GetOrders($first: Int!) {
  orders(first: $first) {
    edges {
      node {
        id
        name
        createdAt
        displayFinancialStatus
        totalPriceSet {
          shopMoney {
            amount
            currencyCode
          }
        }
      }
    }
  }
}
```

### Set Metafields

```graphql
mutation SetMetafields($metafields: [MetafieldsSetInput!]!) {
  metafieldsSet(metafields: $metafields) {
    metafields {
      id
      namespace
      key
      value
    }
    userErrors {
      field
      message
    }
  }
}
```

Variables example:

```json
{
  "metafields": [
    {
      "ownerId": "gid://shopify/Product/123",
      "namespace": "custom",
      "key": "care_instructions",
      "value": "Handle with care",
      "type": "single_line_text_field"
    }
  ]
}
```

---

## Checkout Extension Example

```tsx
import {
  reactExtension,
  BlockStack,
  TextField,
  Checkbox,
  useApplyAttributeChange,
} from "@shopify/ui-extensions-react/checkout";

export default reactExtension("purchase.checkout.block.render", () => (
  <GiftMessage />
));

function GiftMessage() {
  const [isGift, setIsGift] = useState(false);
  const [message, setMessage] = useState("");
  const applyAttributeChange = useApplyAttributeChange();

  useEffect(() => {
    if (isGift && message) {
      applyAttributeChange({
        type: "updateAttribute",
        key: "gift_message",
        value: message,
      });
    }
  }, [isGift, message]);

  return (
    <BlockStack spacing="loose">
      <Checkbox checked={isGift} onChange={setIsGift}>
        This is a gift
      </Checkbox>
      {isGift && (
        <TextField
          label="Gift Message"
          value={message}
          onChange={setMessage}
          multiline={3}
        />
      )}
    </BlockStack>
  );
}
```

---

## Liquid Template Example

```liquid
{% comment %} Product Card Snippet {% endcomment %}
<div class="product-card">
  <a href="{{ product.url }}">
    {% if product.featured_image %}
      <img
        src="{{ product.featured_image | img_url: 'medium' }}"
        alt="{{ product.title | escape }}"
        loading="lazy"
      >
    {% endif %}
    <h3>{{ product.title }}</h3>
    <p class="price">{{ product.price | money