What's the learning roadmap for developing a public Shopify app?

Shopify Apps

Topic summary

A learner seeks a clear, ordered roadmap to build and publish a public Shopify app. They have ~6 months of HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and React and feel overwhelmed by scattered information.

  • Consensus: there’s no single universal roadmap; focus on the product you want to build and use Shopify’s official documentation.
  • Suggested steps: learn Shopify app APIs, choose your app type, follow the getting-started guide, and study example apps.
  • Tech stack: existing HTML/CSS/JS/React is a solid start. Node.js (a back-end JS runtime) is not strictly required; the need depends on the app.
  • For theme app extensions or storefront customization, learn Liquid (Shopify’s templating language).
  • Resources shared: docs at shopify.dev/docs/apps, the getting-started tutorial, example repos (QR code app, Storefront API examples), and two YouTube walkthroughs.
  • Data/storage: a database may or may not be needed; it depends on app features.

Outcome: actionable next steps provided but no fixed curriculum. The topic remains open with guidance to start building using official docs and examples.

Summarized with AI on January 6. AI used: gpt-5.
1

Hello everyone,

for a long time, I have been looking to know what is the roadmap to build my public Shopify app.

I started learning development from scratch, and for about 6 months I have been learning HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and React.

all the time I see more and more things I have to learn to reach my goal, in every place I see different information about it, there are many of info but not useful And loaded with irrelevant content so that I can’t bring up the total of the things I need to learn in order.

I really want someone to help me understand the roadmap to my goal, and which subjects I have to learn so I can develop the app from scratch to publish it on the Shopify app store.

Thank you in advance!

2

Don’t lost in the ocean of developing technology, you need focus on your target ( Product or Projects ), getting close your target roadmap is your roadmap.

2 Likes
3

But what are the specific subjects I have to learn to complete app development

4

@Ido1425
We are Shopify app developers, and we have already developed 13 Shopify apps, all of which are live in the Shopify app store.

For Shopify app development, there will be no such roadmap that you will follow. But…
You can follow these steps to achieve your goal.
You mention that you learning React, HTML, and JavaScript, which is your plus point.
Now,

  1. Learn the Shopify app development API.(That helps you develop an app). There is no need for all types of app
  2. Choose your app type.
    3, Based on your choice, learn about the documentation in the Shopify app store (https://shopify.dev/docs/apps)
  3. Follow the app development guide and develop your awesome app.

Like and reply to reach you further .
Joy Matubber| Brain Station 23

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5

Hi, first of all, thank you so much for your answer!

  1. Is it enough to know HTML, CSS, JS, and React and then learn the Shopify API documentation to build an app?

  2. Do you know maybe good courses or information sources that can help me? There is so much info and I don’t know what to focus on.

as I understand all I learned it’s “front-end development”, do I need to learn a back-end language also like node.js for Shopify app development?

6

The technology you will need depends on the app.

Firstly just follow this manual https://shopify.dev/docs/apps/getting-started/create for getting idea how it works.

Take a look at example apps: https://github.com/Shopify/shopify-app-examples/tree/main/qr-code/node , https://github.com/Shopify/storefront-api-examples

1 Like
7

Hlw @Ido1425
Learning is the key to success,
If you know node.js that is good, but no need to learn Node.js to develop a Shopify app , If you went to the development theme app extension, then learn Liquid (https://shopify.dev/docs/api/liquid/objects). There will be no such course without app development documentation. But ..
You can go through some videos to better understand how can you build a Shopify app.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YoBW3CvELgI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2DltuZHZpSw

Accept, like, and reply to reach you further. :blush:
Joy Matubber| Brain Station 23

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  • Was your question answered? Mark it as an Accepted Solution
1 Like
8

So just to make sure, by knowing HTML, CSS, JS, AND LIQUID I will have enough knowledge to build a basic public Shopify app?

I heard that I need to know how to work with databases and all this stuff.

Appreciate your help!

9

@Ido1425
Yes, So that you are new in-app development I think that are enough to start app development ,

Database use depends on your app, No need to all app it’s totally your hand

1 Like