Pin app to the admin navigation

[shop-devi]

Hi,

I'm building a new app and I'd like to pin its pages to the store's admin navigation automatically after it's installed. 

I think it's a better ux instead of searching for the app every time or pinning it manually (which many store owners might not do). 

Is this possible?

Thanks

[dctechnolabs]

Hi @shop-devi,

Currently, Shopify doesn’t provide a way to programmatically pin an app to the admin navigation for a store. Pinned apps in the admin navigation are managed by individual store users, and they need to manually pin apps based on their preferences.

Why This Limitation?
Shopify prioritizes giving store owners and users control over their navigation and workspace. Automatically altering the admin navigation could lead to unexpected behaviors or clutter, which Shopify avoids by requiring users to take manual action.

Alternative Suggestions
While you cannot pin your app automatically, here are a few ideas to enhance user experience:

1. Clear Onboarding Instructions
Include a small onboarding modal or notification when your app is first installed, guiding users on how to pin the app to their navigation:

Add instructions like:

• "To access this app quickly in the future, right-click its icon in the navigation bar and select 'Pin app.'"

2. Bookmarking Suggestions
Suggest users bookmark your app’s key pages in their browser for quick access.

3. App Deep Links
Consider sending deep links to your app’s important features in emails or notifications. This reduces the need to navigate manually.

4. Persistent Dashboard Card (Optional)
If your app offers analytics or key actions, consider adding an App Block or Card to the Shopify admin home dashboard. This way, your app is visible immediately upon login.

Refer to the Shopify Admin App Extensions Documentation for guidance.