Is it possible to create an app through Shopify CLI while under the Basic Shopify plan?

Topic summary

Main issue: A developer on a client’s Basic Shopify plan cannot run Shopify CLI (“npm run dev”) against the client store due to “not a development store.”

Key clarifications:

  • Shopify CLI development requires a development store. Do not use the client’s production store for local/CLI development.
  • For a single-client, single-store solution, prefer a custom app (per-merchant install) over a public app via CLI.

Recommended approach:

  • Build a custom app, develop and test on a development store, then distribute via “custom distribution” and install on the client’s store with a merchant install link.
  • Custom apps use Admin API credentials and avoid public app overhead (e.g., billing plans). Webhooks (event notifications, e.g., order creation) can be consumed by a PHP/Laravel backend to store order data externally.

Outcome/decisions:

  • The developer will proceed with a custom app in PHP/Laravel. Webhook documentation with PHP examples was provided.

Open question (unanswered):

  • After testing on a development store that became “non-transferable,” will installing the custom app on the client’s Basic plan store make that production store non-transferable as well?
Summarized with AI on January 9. AI used: gpt-5.

Not a problem at all! I believe everything you will need will be here:

https://shopify.dev/docs/api/admin-rest/2023-10/resources/webhook

On the code and request examples, just make sure you select PHP :slightly_smiling_face:

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