When working with the Shopify API, it’s important to understand how scopes can affect your integration. Shopify scopes are like permissions that give access to different parts of a store’s data. They determine which data you are allowed to access and modify, and they need to be configured correctly for your integration to succeed. In this blog post, we will explain what Shopify scopes are and how they work. We’ll also explore why you should use them when working with the Shopify API and provide some tips for getting started.
What is an API Scope?
An API scope is the set of permissions that a Shopify app needs in order to access a merchant’s data. There are three levels of API scopes: read, write, and manage.
Read access allows an app to read data from a merchant’s store, such as products, orders, and customers.
Write access allows an app to write data to a merchant’s store, such as creating products and modifying orders.
Manage access allows an app to perform administrative tasks on a merchant’s behalf, such as installing or uninstalling apps.
API scopes are determined by the type of data that an app needs to access. For example, an app that just needs read access to a merchant’s products would only need the “read_products” API scope. However, an app that needs to be able to modify orders would need both the “read_orders” and “write_orders” API scopes.
The level of API scope that an app requires is determined by its functionality. In most cases, apps will only need read or write access to a merchant’s data. However, there are some cases where an app will need manage access in order to perform its intended function. For example, an app that installs other apps on a merchant’s behalf would need the “manage_apps” API scope.
Types of API Scopes
The Shopify API defines different types of “scopes” that determine the level of access an app has to a shop’s data. Scopes are used by apps to request access to specific resources from Shopify.
Shopify currently offers four different API scopes:
• read_content: This scope allows an app to read content from a shop, including products, collections, and blogs.
• write_content: This scope allows an app to create or modify content in a shop, including products, collections, and blogs.
• read_themes: This scope allows an app to read themes from a shop.
• write_themes: This scope allows an app to create or modify themes in a shop.
How to Use Shopify’s API Scopes
In order to use Shopify’s API scopes, you will need to first create a new app in the Shopify Partners Dashboard. Once you have created your new app, you will be able to select the specific API scopes that you would like to request access to.
To get started, log into your Shopify Partners account and click on the “Apps” tab. Then, click on the “Create an app” button.
In the next screen, you will need to enter a name for your app and select the company or individual that you would like to associate it with. Once you have done this, click on the “Create App” button.
You will then be taken to the settings page for your new app. In the “App Details” section, scroll down until you see the “API Scopes” field. Here, you will be able to select which API scopes you would like to request access to. Simply check off all of the boxes next to the scopes that you wish to request and then click on the “Save Changes” button at the bottom of the page.
And that’s it! You’ve now successfully requested access to Shopify’s API scopes for your new app.
Examples of API Scopes in Action
There are a few different ways that you can use Shopify API scopes in your applications. Here are a few examples:
1. Use the “read_products” scope to allow your app to read product data from a shop. This could be used to display product information in your app, or to sync product data between a shop and your own database.
2. Use the “write_products” scope to allow your app to create or update products in a shop. This could be used to build an app that helps merchants manage their inventory, or to develop a custom order management system.
3. Use the “read_orders” scope to allow your app to read order data from a shop. This could be used to display order information in your app, or to sync order data between a shop and your own database.
4. Use the “write_orders” scope to allow your app to create or update orders in a shop. This could be used to build an app that helps merchants process orders, or to develop a custom shipping and fulfillment system.
Conclusion
In conclusion, understanding the Shopify API scopes is essential for anyone who wants to develop and deploy an app on the Shopify platform. By understanding what each scope can do, developers can make sure their apps have the authorization they need to interact with customers’ data. With this knowledge in hand, developers can create powerful apps that help businesses reach new heights of success.
