> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.violet.io/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.violet.io/ecom-platforms/shopify/pre-registration.md).
# Pre-Registration Process
Pre-registration streamlines merchant onboarding by storing OAuth credentials upfront, eliminating manual credential exchange and reducing errors. Once you pre-register a merchant, they can complete onboarding in under 2 minutes.
## 1. Access the Pre-Registered Tab
The Pre-Registered tab displays a table of all merchants awaiting installation:
1. Navigate to **Channel Dashboard** → **Merchants**
2. Click the **"Pre-Registered"** tab (second tab, after "Connected Merchants")
3. Click the **"Add Pre-Registration"** button to begin
The Pre-Registered tab displays a table of all merchants awaiting installation:
* **Merchant Name**: Display name for this merchant
* **Store URL**: The merchant's Shopify store URL (`*.myshopify.com`)
* **Merchant ID**: Unique identifier assigned by Violet (format: `mrc_abc123`)
* **Actions**: Menu for managing pre-registration
### Pre-Registered Merchants Table
The **Actions menu** (⋮) provides:
* **Copy Violet Connect Link** — Copy the Violet onboarding link to send to merchants
* **Edit** — Update merchant details or credentials
* **Delete** — Remove pre-registration (use if merchant is no longer onboarding)
{% hint style="info" %}
When a merchant completes onboarding, they automatically move from the "Pre-Registered" tab to the "Connected Merchants" tab.
{% endhint %}
***
## 2. Complete & submit Pre-Registration Form
Fill in the required fields and submit the form shown below:
| Field | Description | Where to Get It |
| ----------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------ | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Merchant Name** | Display name for this merchant (optional) | Your choice (e.g., merchant's business name) |
| **Store URL** | The merchant's **permanent** `*.myshopify.com` URL — not a vanity handle | Shopify Admin → **Settings** → **Domains**, listed as the store's original/permanent `myshopify.com` domain (e.g., `acme.myshopify.com`) |
| **Install Link** | The Shopify custom app install URL | Shopify Partner Dashboard → Apps → Your Custom App → Distribution page |
| **Client ID** | OAuth client identifier | Shopify Partner Dashboard → Apps → Your Custom App → API credentials tab |
| **Client Secret** | OAuth secret key | Shopify Partner Dashboard → Apps → Your Custom App → API credentials tab (shown only once) |
{% hint style="info" %}
**Install Link format:** The Install Link should look like: `https://admin.shopify.com/store/{store}/oauth/install_custom_app?client_id=...`
This link is found on the Distribution page of your custom app in Shopify Partner Dashboard after selecting "Custom distribution". See [Shopify App Setup - Step 6](/ecom-platforms/shopify/shopify-app-setup.md#step-6-copy-the-install-link) for details.
{% endhint %}
{% hint style="warning" %}
**Use the permanent `.myshopify.com` handle, not a vanity one.**
Shopify lets merchants rename their store handle after creation, but the original `.myshopify.com` URL assigned when the store was first created never changes — it's the only handle Shopify will recognize during the OAuth install flow.
If you pre-register a merchant with a renamed/vanity `.myshopify.com` handle, the merchant will hit a "Pre-Registration not found" error when they try to install the app.
**Where to find it:** In the merchant's Shopify Admin, go to **Settings → Domains**. The permanent handle is the `myshopify.com` URL listed there (it may not be the primary storefront domain the merchant uses publicly).
{% endhint %}
### After Submission
After creating the pre-registration, you'll see a success modal displaying:
* Confirmation message with merchant name
* Assigned Merchant ID (format: `mrc_abc123`)
* **Violet Connect link** for this merchant (format: `https://connect.violet.io/platforms/shopify/connect?preregistration={ENCODED_DATA}`)
{% hint style="success" %}
Copy this link and send it to your merchant. This is the recommended link — it provides the fastest onboarding experience with pre-filled merchant details.
{% endhint %}
***
## Getting the Violet Connect Link
### From the Pre-Registered Tab
Once you've successfuly pre-registered a merchant, you should see them in the Pre-Registrations table where you can retrieve the Violet Connect link at any time:
1. Find the merchant in the table
2. Click the **actions menu** (⋮) for that merchant
3. Click **Copy Violet Connect Link**
***
## What to Send Your Merchant
### Send the Violet Connect Link
Send your merchant the Violet Connect link. This link contains the encoded pre-registration data, so the merchant will be taken directly to the "Store Found" screen after logging in.
> **Subject: Connect Your Shopify Store to \[Your Channel Name]**
>
> Hi \[Merchant Name],
>
> To connect your Shopify store to \[Your Channel Name], please complete the following steps:
>
> **Click this link to get started:** \[Violet Connect Link]
>
> You'll be guided through:
>
> 1. Creating a Violet account (or logging in if you already have one)
> 2. Confirming your pre-registered store details
> 3. Installing the app on Shopify (you'll be redirected to Shopify to authorize)
> 4. Setting up your payout account
>
> The entire process takes just a few minutes.
>
> Questions? Reply to this email.
### Alternative Path: Store URL Lookup
If a merchant loses the Violet Connect link or prefers to start fresh, they can also go directly to `https://connect.violet.io/{your_app_alias}`:
1. Create an account or log in
2. Select **Shopify** as their platform
3. Enter their store URL (e.g., `yourstore.myshopify.com`)
If the pre-registration is set up correctly, they'll see a "Store Found" confirmation and can proceed with the installation.
{% hint style="warning" %}
If the pre-registration wasn't created correctly and associated with the merchant's store, the merchant will see a "Pre-Registration not found" error. Make sure you enter the merchant's **permanent** `.myshopify.com` handle (not a vanity/renamed one) when setting up their pre-registration, and ensure your merchant enters the same store URL if they take this path.
{% endhint %}
***
**Next step:** Learn about the [merchant onboarding experience](/ecom-platforms/shopify/merchant-onboarding.md) so you understand what happens after you send the link.
---
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