# Shopify

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**Effective January 1, 2026**: Shopify discontinued the ability for merchants to create their own custom apps. All new Shopify merchant connections must use single-merchant custom apps created by channels. This guide explains how to use Violet's pre-registration feature to streamline this required process.
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## Overview

Shopify now requires channels to create "[single-merchant apps](https://shopify.dev/docs/apps/launch/distribution/select-distribution-method#install-a-custom-app-on-multiple-stores)" for each merchant instead of merchants creating their own custom apps. This guide shows you how to onboard Shopify merchants using Violet's pre-registration feature, which handles the OAuth complexity for you.

### Who This Guide Is For

* **Existing channels**: Migrating from the previous Shopify integration approach
* **New channels**: Setting up Shopify merchant onboarding for the first time

Both audiences follow the same process: create a custom app in Shopify Partner Dashboard, pre-register the merchant in Channel Dashboard, then send them a Violet Connect link. The merchant completes the entire onboarding—including Shopify app installation—in a single seamless flow.

## What You'll Learn

1. [Prerequisites](https://docs.violet.io/ecom-platforms/shopify/prerequisites): What you need before getting started
2. [Shopify App Setup](https://docs.violet.io/ecom-platforms/shopify/shopify-app-setup): Creating and configuring a custom app in Shopify Partner Dashboard
3. [Pre-Registration Process](https://docs.violet.io/ecom-platforms/shopify/pre-registration): How to pre-register merchants in Channel Dashboard
4. [Merchant Onboarding](https://docs.violet.io/ecom-platforms/shopify/merchant-onboarding): What happens when merchants use their installation link
5. [Troubleshooting & FAQs](https://docs.violet.io/ecom-platforms/shopify/troubleshooting-faqs): Common issues and solutions

***

## Impact Assessment

### What Continues to Work

* **All existing merchant-created custom apps remain functional** — no forced migration
* Existing API credentials continue to work unchanged
* No disruption to current integrations
* Merchants can continue using their existing apps indefinitely

### What Stops Working (for new merchants)

* Merchants cannot create **new** custom apps after January 1, 2026
* The "Apps and sales channels > Develop apps" section no longer allows new app creation
* Merchants needing new integrations must request them from channels

***

## What Changed

### Before January 1, 2026

* Merchants created custom apps directly in their Shopify admin
* API credentials generated within the merchant's store
* Merchants managed their own app permissions and credentials
* No developer account required for basic integrations

### After January 1, 2026

* Merchants can no longer create custom apps in Shopify
* Only channels can create custom apps (now called "single-merchant apps")
* Each custom app must be created in a Shopify Partner account
* Channels generate unique installation URLs for each merchant
* Merchants no longer have to click through and add each of their custom scopes, or copy and paste any credentials
* Merchants receive a single Violet Connect link that handles both account setup and Shopify app installation
* Existing merchant-created custom apps continue to work (grandfathered)

***

## Key Differences and Considerations

### Access Token Format

| Token Type               | Prefix   | Notes                 |
| ------------------------ | -------- | --------------------- |
| Old custom apps          | `shpat_` | Merchant-created apps |
| New single-merchant apps | `shpua_` | Channel-created apps  |

Both work identically with Shopify APIs.

### Permission Management

| Aspect                  | Old Model                         | New Model                                       |
| ----------------------- | --------------------------------- | ----------------------------------------------- |
| Who manages permissions | Merchants could modify themselves | Channel updates app config, merchant reinstalls |
| Scope changes           | Self-service                      | Requires reinstallation                         |

**Important**: Request all necessary permissions upfront and consider future needs when selecting scopes.

### Credential Rotation

| Aspect         | Old Model                             | New Model                                                  |
| -------------- | ------------------------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------- |
| Who can rotate | Merchants could regenerate themselves | Channel uninstalls/reinstalls or uses OAuth token exchange |

Plan for credential rotation procedures and document emergency access procedures.

***

## User Personas

### Channel Operator

* Managing Shopify merchant onboarding from Channel Dashboard
* **Goal**: Pre-register merchants quickly, track onboarding progress, minimize manual work
* **Pain Point**: Manual credential exchange is error-prone and creates support burden

### Merchant

* Received install link from channel partner
* **Goal**: Complete connection in under 2 minutes without technical knowledge
* **Pain Point**: Previous flow required understanding OAuth, API credentials, and multiple steps

***

**Ready to get started?** View [Prerequisites](https://docs.violet.io/ecom-platforms/shopify/prerequisites) to see what you need and begin the setup process.