Complete reference guide with 90 terms and definitions
Credential used by apps to authenticate API calls.
Header: X-Shopify-Access-Token: {token}
Core REST & GraphQL API for managing store data.
Endpoint: https://{shop}.myshopify.com/admin/api/2024-04/...
Embedded GraphQL explorer in the Admin for testing API queries and mutations.
https://{shop}.myshopify.com/admin/api/graphiql
Date-based release identifier (YYYY-MM) for Admin & Storefront APIs.
2024-04
Software that extends Shopify via APIs or UI integrations.
Partner Dashboard → Create App
JavaScript SDK that allows embedded apps to communicate with Shopify Admin, POS and Checkout UIs.
import createApp from "@shopify/app-bridge"; const app = createApp({ apiKey, shopOrigin });
One-time credit to merchant's bill (usually for refunds).
POST /application_credits.json
Routes storefront requests through /{proxy_prefix} to an app server (signed).
Set in Partner Dashboard → App setup
File inside a theme (template, section, JS, CSS, image).
PUT /themes/{theme_id}/assets.json
Family of endpoints for apps to create charges (recurring, usage, one-time) on merchant bills.
POST /admin/api/2024-04/recurring_application_charges.json
Child element within a section that merchants can add/reorder.
{ "type": "text", "settings": { ... } }
Async GraphQL job for exporting/importing large data sets.
Mutation bulkOperationRunQuery
App-provided callback that returns realtime shipping rates.
POST /admin/api/2024-04/carrier_services.json
Deprecated REST object; use Storefront Cart API to build pre-checkout session.
GraphQL: cartCreate mutation
In-progress purchase session before it becomes an order.
POST /admin/api/2024-04/checkouts.json
Framework for extending Checkout via UI & Function extensions (replaces checkout.liquid on Plus).
shopify extension create --type=checkout_ui_extension
Group of products displayed together. Two types: custom & smart.
GraphQL: query { collection(id:"gid://shopify/Collection/2414"){title} }
OAuth-installed for a single merchant, made in Partner Dashboard.
Tokens scoped to that store.
Manually-curated collection. Merchant adds products explicitly.
POST /admin/api/2024-04/custom_collections.json
Shopper profile containing contact info, addresses and order history.
{ "customer": { "id": 207119551, "email":"[email protected]" } }
JWT-like token used by Storefront API for authenticated customer sessions.
Mutation customerAccessTokenCreate
Saved dynamic filter using ShopifyQL to group customers.
GraphQL Admin: customerSegmentCreate
Redeemable code linked to a price rule that applies a discount at checkout.
POST /admin/api/2024-04/price_rules/{id}/discount_codes.json
Editable order created by apps/merchants before payment capture.
POST /admin/api/2024-04/draft_orders.json
App that loads inside an iframe within the Shopify Admin or POS, typically using App Bridge.
Partner Dashboard → App setup → Enable embedded app
Logged change on a resource (viewable in Admin timeline).
GET /admin/api/2024-04/orders/{id}/events.json
Shipment/tracking record applied to fulfillment orders.
POST /admin/api/2024-04/orders/{id}/fulfillments.json
Splittable unit of items that must be fulfilled together from one location.
GET /admin/api/2024-04/fulfillment_orders/{id}.json
Ask a third-party fulfillment service to accept a fulfillment order.
POST /fulfillment_orders/{id}/fulfillment_request.json
External service that receives fulfillment requests (e.g., 3PL).
POST /admin/api/2024-04/fulfillment_services.json
Mandatory privacy hooks (customers/redact, shop/redact, customers/data_request).
Docs: Shopify's Data Protection API
Pre-paid value that can be redeemed at checkout; has code and balance.
POST /admin/api/2024-04/gift_cards.json
Query language variant of Admin & Storefront APIs.
{"query":"{ shop { name } }"}
React-based framework to build custom storefronts on Storefront API.
npx @shopify/create-hydrogen
Represents physical SKU tracked across all locations; linked to a variant.
{ "inventory_item": { "id":122502743, "sku":"TS-BLK-M" } }
Quantity of an inventory item at a specific location.
GET /inventory_levels.json?inventory_item_ids=…&location_ids=…
Plus automation tool to schedule flash sales, theme changes and product publishing.
Admin → Apps → Launchpad
Templating language used in themes and email templates.
{{ product.title }}
Physical place stock is stored or sales occur (warehouse, retail, SFN).
location:{ "id":655441491, "name":"Main Warehouse" }
Key-value storage attached to most resources to extend data model. Namespaced.
{ "metafield": { "namespace":"details", "key":"fabric", "value":"organic-cotton", "type":"single_line_text_field" } }
Admin-defined schema that enforces type/validation for metafields.
POST /admin/api/2024-04/metafield_definitions.json
Structured CMS-style content type definable by merchants/apps.
Admin UI → Content → Metaobjects
Authorization flow granting an app scoped API access to a store.
Exchange code → token at /admin/oauth/access_token
Completed purchase record containing line items, shipping, taxes, payments and fulfillments.
{ "order": { "id": 820982911, "total_price":"79.99", "line_items":[ … ] } }
Individual product/variant entry inside an order.
line_items:[{ "variant_id":808950810,"quantity":2,"price":"29.00"}]
Globally-distributed hosting platform for Hydrogen storefronts.
Deploy via shopify deploy
In-store selling app/hardware that shares inventory & orders with the online shop.
Orders originate with source_name:"pos"
Design system and React component library for building Shopify-consistent interfaces.
<Button primary>Save</Button>
Parent object for discount codes or automatic discounts. Defines eligibility & value.
{ "price_rule": { "value_type":"percentage", "value":"-10.0", "target_type":"line_item", … } }
Sellable item in the catalog. Contains title, description, media, options and variants.
{ "product": { "id": 632910392, "title": "T-Shirt", "variants": [ … ] } }
A specific purchasable version of a product (size / color etc.). Own SKU, price, inventory ID.
{ "variant": { "id": 808950810, "sku": "TS-BLK-M", "price": "29.00" } }
OAuth-installed app listed on the Shopify App Store.
Uses OAuth + Billing API.
Throttle preventing API abuse (e.g., REST bucket 2 requests/second, GraphQL cost-based).
REST response header: X-Shopify-Shop-Api-Call-Limit: 2/80
Subscription billing record for public apps.
POST /admin/api/2024-04/recurring_application_charges.json
Return of funds to customer; may restock items.
POST /orders/{id}/refunds.json
JSON-over-HTTPS endpoints for Admin data.
GET /admin/api/2024-04/products.json
Post-purchase returns workflow via the Returns API (Plus only).
GraphQL mutation returnCreate
Surface where products are sold (Online Store, POS, Shop app, Facebook, etc.).
App must be approved as channel.
Snippet injected into storefront pages for analytics or widgets.
POST /script_tags.json
Reusable, configurable component in Online Store 2.0 themes.
sections/product.liquid
Defines how a subscription product is billed and delivered, grouping selling plan allocations.
GraphQL Admin: mutation sellingPlanGroupCreate
Container of zones and rates per product group.
API coming soon (GraphQL unstable).
Carrier-calculated or fixed price offered to customers in a checkout.
Checkout response: "shipping_rates":[{"title":"UPS","price":"9.90"}]
Countries/regions that share the same shipping rates.
Admin UI → Settings > Shipping
The merchant's storefront record. Holds global settings such as name, primary domain, currency, plan, branding and legal policies.
{ "shop": { "id": 548380009, "name": "Acme", "domain": "acme.myshopify.com", "currency": "USD" } }
Plus feature that builds custom audience lists for ad platforms using aggregated shop data.
Admin → Marketing → Audiences
Business banking account offering card, instant payouts and financial insights within Shopify.
Admin UI → Finances > Balance
Financing program providing cash advances or loans to merchants with repayment from future sales.
Admin UI → Finances > Capital
Dev tool to scaffold, test and deploy apps, themes and extensions.
npm i -g @shopify/cli
No-code automation tool that consumes shop events and triggers actions.
Template: "Tag high-risk orders"
Server-side WASM functions that extend backend logic (discounts, shipping, etc.).
Build with Rust → upload via CLI.
Customer messaging tool integrating live chat into the store with a centralized inbox.
App: Shopify Inbox
Cross-border management suite enabling multi-currency, language, duties and localized domains.
Admin UI → Settings > Markets
Enterprise plan tier providing advanced features, dedicated support and higher API rate limits.
{ "plus": { "api_call_limit":"4000/hr", "features":["launchpad","flow"] } }
SQL-like query language for commerce data used in reports and Customer Segments.
Example: SELECT SUM(gross_sales) FROM sales WHERE month = '2024-04'
Automated U.S. sales-tax calculation and liability tracking solution for merchants.
Settings → Taxes and duties
Accelerated checkout that stores customer payment and shipping info for faster purchases.
Checkout button labeled "Shop Pay"
Store's legal pages (refund, privacy, terms, shipping).
REST /policies.json
Rule-based collection that populates automatically from product conditions.
Rule example: "rules":[{"column":"tag","relation":"equals","condition":"summer"}]
Customer-facing sales channel using Online Store theme or Hydrogen.
URL: https://{domain}
GraphQL API for customer-facing shopping experiences.
POST https://{shop}.myshopify.com/api/2024-04/graphql.json
Represents an active agreement with a customer for recurring purchases based on a selling plan.
Storefront API: { subscriptionContracts(first:1){id,nextBillingDate} }
File that determines layout of a resource page (product.json, page.liquid).
Path: templates/product.json
Complete package of Liquid, JSON templates, assets and settings powering Online Store.
GET /admin/api/2024-04/themes.json
Packaged theme blocks/assets shipped by an app and installed without code edits.
CLI command: shopify extension push
Legacy CLI tool for theme development that uploads/downloads theme files via API.
theme pull --store=acme.myshopify.com
Record of a payment event on an order: authorization, capture, refund, void.
transactions:[{ "kind":"capture","amount":"79.99"}]
Packaged front-end component injected at designated extension points in Admin, POS or Checkout.
shopify extension push
Variable fee attached to an active recurring charge.
POST /usage_charges.json
HTTP callback notifying apps of store events (orders/create, products/update…).
POST /admin/api/2024-04/webhooks.json
