How to publish extension only app to the store?

[matas-bitbybit]

After reading this documentation page I thought that extension-only apps can be published and sold on the app store:

Extension-only apps have a Shopify-populated app URL, which you can optionally change, to build embedded app pages or list your app on the Shopify App Store.

But if I try to create a listing for my app on the dashboard it seems to require the full node backend, hosting, etc. Could someone point me to the resource that explains how to release extension-only app to the app store without setting up hosting? Or at least explain the principle behind it. Or is hosting a backend always required if app is submitted to the app store? Any help will be greatly appreciated.

[Kyle_W · Accepted solution]

Hey @matas-bitbybit!

Extension-only apps must be custom apps; they cannot be listed as public apps on the Shopify App Store. I believe the message you quoted is trying to say that you have the option to change the app URL later on if you decide to convert your Extension-only app into an app that does include a UI.  

[matas-bitbybit]

Hi @Kyle_W thanks a lot for your explanation! That's very helpful. I made a different interpretation of that sentence indeed. I will have to do some more digging to set up a small backend so that the app could be published on the app store 🙂 Have a great day and thanks again.