Shopify Developer Reference
FreeYour comprehensive guide for Shopify development tasks.
Free · Opens the source repo
What Shopify Developer Reference does
The Shopify Developer Reference is designed for developers and designers working within the Shopify ecosystem. It provides a complete set of resources for developing Shopify themes and applications, utilizing Liquid templating, and integrating with Shopify's GraphQL APIs. This skill is particularly useful for anyone involved in building or customizing Shopify stores, as it covers essential topics such as Liquid syntax, theme architecture, and API interactions.
With the skill, users can easily access detailed documentation on Liquid templating, including syntax rules, control flow, and available filters. It also includes references for theme development, which encompasses the structure of Online Store 2.0 themes, JSON templates, and settings schema. For developers looking to create or manage Shopify apps, the skill provides insights into using the Shopify CLI and deploying applications effectively.
Additionally, the skill addresses performance optimization and debugging, offering best practices for ensuring efficient operation of Shopify stores. Whether you're troubleshooting Liquid errors or optimizing API calls, this reference provides the necessary tools to enhance your development workflow. The skill is particularly valuable for those migrating from older Shopify features, such as Scripts to Functions, as it outlines the necessary changes and improvements.
Overall, the Shopify Developer Reference is an essential tool for any developer or designer looking to deepen their understanding of Shopify's capabilities and improve their development processes.
When to use it
Use this skill when you are developing Shopify themes, apps, or integrating with Shopify APIs, particularly when working with Liquid files or GraphQL queries.
When not to use it
This skill is not suitable for developers working on non-Shopify e-commerce platforms or those who do not require Shopify-specific development resources.
What you can build with it
Building a Custom Shopify Theme
Utilize the Liquid templating resources and theme development guidelines to create a unique Shopify theme tailored to your brand.
Integrating with Shopify APIs
Leverage the GraphQL Admin and Storefront API references to fetch and manipulate data programmatically within your Shopify applications.
Debugging Liquid Code
Refer to the debugging section to identify and fix Liquid errors quickly, ensuring your Shopify store functions smoothly.
How to install Shopify Developer Reference
View source1. Install with the skills CLI
npx skills add tech-leads-club/agent-skills/shopify-developer --agent claude-code2. Or install it manually
Download the skill folder and drop it into ~/.claude/skills/ for all projects, or .claude/skills/ to scope it to one repo. Restart Claude Code so it picks up the new skill.
Anthropic's agentic coding CLI, and the reference implementation of Agent Skills. Drop a skill folder into ~/.claude/skills and Claude Code loads it automatically whenever a task matches the skill's description. Claude Code docs
Inside SKILL.md
Written by tech-leads-clubShopify Developer Reference
Comprehensive reference for professional Shopify development - API version 2026-01.
Quick Reference
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| API version | 2026-01 (stable) |
| GraphQL Admin | POST https://{store}.myshopify.com/admin/api/2026-01/graphql.json |
| Storefront API | POST https://{store}.myshopify.com/api/2026-01/graphql.json |
| Ajax API (theme) | /cart.js, /cart/add.js, /cart/change.js |
| CLI install | npm install -g @shopify/cli |
| Theme dev | shopify theme dev --store {store}.myshopify.com |
| App dev | shopify app dev |
| Deploy | shopify app deploy |
| Docs | shopify.dev |
Choose Your Path
Read the reference file(s) that match your task:
Liquid templating - writing or debugging .liquid files:
- references/liquid-syntax.md - Tags, control flow, iteration, whitespace, LiquidDoc
- references/liquid-filters.md - All filter categories with examples
- references/liquid-objects.md - Product, collection, cart, customer, and global objects
Theme development - building or customising themes:
- references/theme-development.md - OS 2.0 architecture, sections, blocks, JSON templates, settings schema
API integration - fetching or modifying data programmatically:
- references/api-admin.md - GraphQL Admin API (primary), REST (legacy), OAuth, webhooks, rate limiting
- references/api-storefront.md - Storefront API, Ajax API, cart operations
App development - building Shopify apps:
- references/app-development.md - Shopify CLI, extensions, Polaris Web Components, App Bridge
Serverless logic - custom business rules:
- references/functions.md - Shopify Functions (replacing Scripts), Rust/JS targets, deployment
Headless commerce - custom storefronts:
- references/hydrogen.md - Hydrogen framework, React Router 7, Storefront API integration
Optimisation and troubleshooting:
- references/performance.md - Images, JS, CSS, fonts, Liquid, Core Web Vitals
- references/debugging.md - Liquid errors, API errors, cart issues, webhook failures
Deprecation Notices
| Deprecated | Replacement | Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Shopify Scripts | Shopify Functions | August 2025 (migration), sundown TBD |
| checkout.liquid | Checkout Extensibility | August 2024 (Plus), done |
| REST Admin API | GraphQL Admin API | Active deprecation (no removal date yet) |
| Legacy custom apps | New auth model | January 2025 (done) |
| Polaris React | Polaris Web Components | Active migration |
| Remix (app framework) | React Router 7 | Hydrogen 2025.5.0+ |
Liquid Essentials
Three syntax types:
{{ product.title | upcase }} {# Output with filter #}
{% if product.available %}In stock{% endif %} {# Logic tag #}
{% assign sale = product.price | times: 0.8 %} {# Assignment #}
{%- if condition -%}Stripped whitespace{%- endif -%}
Key patterns:
{% for product in collection.products limit: 5 %}
{% render 'product-card', product: product %}
{% endfor %}
{% paginate collection.products by 12 %}
{% for product in paginate.collection.products %}...{% endfor %}
{{ paginate | default_pagination }}
{% endpaginate %}
API Essentials
// GraphQL Admin - always use GraphQL over REST
const response = await fetch(`https://${store}.myshopify.com/admin/api/2026-01/graphql.json`, {
method: 'POST',
headers: {
'X-Shopify-Access-Token': accessToken,
'Content-Type': 'application/json',
},
body: JSON.stringify({ query, variables }),
})
const { data, errors } = await response.json()
if (errors) throw new Error(errors[0].message)
// Ajax API (theme-only cart operations)
fetch('/cart/add.js', {
method: 'POST',
headers: { 'Content-Type': 'application/json' },
body: JSON.stringify({ id: variantId, quantity: 1 }),
})
Reference Files
| File | Lines | Coverage |
|---|---|---|
| liquid-syntax.md | ~600 | Tags, control flow, iteration, variables, whitespace, LiquidDoc |
| liquid-filters.md | ~870 | String, numeric, array, Shopify-specific, date, URL, colour filters |
| liquid-objects.md | ~695 | All Shopify objects: product, variant, collection, cart, customer, order, etc. |
| theme-development.md | ~1200 | File structure, JSON templates, sections, blocks, settings schema, layout |
| api-admin.md | ~595 | GraphQL queries/mutations, REST (legacy), OAuth, webhooks, rate limiting |
| api-storefront.md | ~235 | Storefront API, Ajax API, cart operations, Customer Account API |
| app-development.md | ~760 | CLI, app architecture, extensions, Polaris Web Components, deployment |
| functions.md | ~300 | Function types, Rust/JS targets, CLI workflow, Scripts migration |
| hydrogen.md | ~375 | Setup, routing, data loading, Storefront API, deployment |
| performance.md | ~605 | Images, JS, CSS, fonts, Liquid, third-party scripts, Core Web Vitals |
| debugging.md | ~650 | Liquid, JavaScript, API, cart, webhook, theme editor troubleshooting |
Frequently asked questions about Shopify Developer Reference
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