Migration concern: An app currently creates/edits .liquid theme files via the Asset API (available until April 2024) and asks how to replicate this with Theme App Extensions (TAE).
Key guidance: TAE does not allow creating new Liquid files. Apps must integrate as app blocks that merchants add to sections, a design choice to protect storefront performance.
Exemptions: If functionality can’t be preserved via TAE, an exemption can be requested. • Existing apps in the Shopify App Store: apply via the provided Google form. • New apps: request an exemption by contacting Partner Support from the Partner Dashboard.
Clarification of terms: • Asset API: modifies theme files directly. • Theme App Extension: ships app UI as blocks/sections configurable in the theme editor. • App Proxy page: a storefront route (e.g., /apps/…) that surfaces app content.
Open issue: A developer using an app proxy wants to render the store’s header/footer around their app content; fetching the header via Asset API returns code rather than a rendered layout. Screenshots were shared to illustrate current vs desired output. No solution was provided.
Status: Migration approach and exemption paths clarified; header/footer rendering on app proxy remains unresolved.
Since the Asset API works until april 2024 we have to migrate to the Theme App Extension.
Our app is currently creating new .liquid files and change them using the Asset API. But how can I achieve the same functionality through Theme App Extension? I didn’t find any info in the documentation and across google.
Thanks!
Hi Xao0isb,
With theme app extensions, you won’t be able to create new liquid files - instead your app will need to integrate within a liquid template as a block that can be added to a section. This is an intended limitation to ensure merchants who install apps from the Shopify app store continue to have performant stores. If your app cannot migrate without losing functionality you can apply for an exemption to this requirement on this form.
Hope this helps,
Hello Liam,
is this form only for current apps looking to migrate or also for new apps that require to create liquid files?
This form is just for existing apps on the Shopify App Store. For new apps you’ll need to contact partner support directly from your partner dashboard to request an exemption.
Thank you for the clarification
hello Liam,
i am creating an wishlist app where i have added an proxy page something like “apps/wishlist” and also showing some data over there. now i want to show header and footer of the same store on that custom page i tried to pull the header file through asset api call but it shows the code file insted of header on that page. so can you help me how can i acheive such thing in which i can get the header and the footer of the website and between of them can add the content of my app. i am sharing both of the screen shots like what i am getting and what i want to achieve.
