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

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

Step 3: Configure Admin API Permissions

This is the most critical step. Your app permissions define what data you can access.

• 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

Step 4: Install the App

Once permissions are set:

1. Click Install app
2. Approve installation

This generates your Admin API Access Token.

Step 5: Get Your API Credentials

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

Important: The Admin API Access Token is shown only once. Store it securely.

Step 6: Integrate with OrdersPilot

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

Done 🎉

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

Navigate to 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.