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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

  1. Log into the Dev Dashboard
  2. Click on Dev stores
  3. Click Add dev store to begin the store creation process
  4. Enter a name for your development store. This name will be used to identify the store in the Dev Dashboard.
  5. Select a plan for your development store. You can choose from the following options:
  • Basic
  • Grow
  • Advanced
  • Plus
  1. Select a Build version. You can select Current release or choose a Developer preview that will allow you to try out capabilities that are not yet available to all stores and users.
  2. Click Create store and your store will be created with the selected plan and build version.
  3. Log into 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:

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