How to Create a Shopify Custom App & Generate Admin API Keys (Step-by-Step)

If you're building a SaaS product like OrdersPilot or integrating deeply with Shopify stores, creating a custom app is the most reliable and scalable way to access store data securely.

Why Use a Shopify Custom App?

Public apps are great for distribution, but custom apps are built specifically for a single store. They provide direct, secure access to Shopify's Admin APIs without going through the public app approval process.

For backend-heavy SaaS tools like OrdersPilot, custom apps allow you to:

• ⚡ Access orders, inventory, and fulfillment data in real-time
• ⚙️ Automate workflows like stock syncing and shipment creation
• 🔐 Maintain a secure, token-based connection to each store

Step 1: Enable Custom App Development

Before creating a custom app, Shopify requires you to enable custom app development:

1. Go to Shopify Admin → Settings
2. Click on Apps and sales channels
3. Select Develop apps
4. Click Allow custom app development and confirm

Apps and sales channels

Step 2: Create a New Custom App

1. Click Create an app
2. Enter app name (e.g., "OrdersPilot Integration")
3. Assign a developer (your email)
4. Click Create app

Create an app

Step 3: Configure Admin API Permissions

• read_orders, write_orders
• read_inventory, write_inventory
• read_products
• read_fulfillments, write_fulfillments

Steps:

1. Go to Configuration → Admin API integration
2. Select required scopes
3. Click Save

Configuration Admin API integration

Step 4: Install the App

Once permissions are set:

1. Click Install app
2. Approve installation

Step 5: Get Your API Credentials

• Admin API Access Token
• API Key & API Secret Key
• Store URL

Admin API Access Token

Step 6: Integrate with OrdersPilot

1. Login to OrdersPilot Dashboard
2. Go to Sidebar → Brands
3. Click on Add Brand button
4. Enter your store URL (e.g., yourstore.myshopify.com)
5. Enter your Admin API Access Token
6. Fill other details
7. Click on Save

Add Brand

Done 🎉

Now you can sync orders from your Shopify store to OrdersPilot after setuping webhook.

How to Setup Shopify Webhooks →

How to Use the Access Token

GET https://yourstore.myshopify.com/admin/api/2024-01/orders.json
Headers:
X-Shopify-Access-Token: YOUR_ACCESS_TOKEN

How OrdersPilot Uses This

• 📦 Syncs orders across multiple stores
• 🔄 Automatically updates inventory in real-time
• 🚫 Prevents overselling
• 🚚 Manages fulfillment workflows

Security Best Practices

• Never expose the access token on frontend
• Store tokens encrypted
• Use environment variables
• Rotate tokens if compromised

Final Thoughts

Shopify custom apps are the backbone of any serious Shopify SaaS integration. Once set up correctly, they unlock powerful automation capabilities.