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Build Shopify apps and themes with AI

Shopify's APIs change often, so agents guess at fields and write broken code.

3 stepsModerate
CursorClaude CodeShopify DevGitHub

How it connects

Your AI reaches your apps through small connectors called MCP servers.
Your AI
CursorClaude Code
Connectors
Shopify DevGitHub
Your apps
ShopifyGitHub

This setup is for developers building Shopify apps, extensions or themes with an AI coding agent. Shopify's Dev MCP server gives Cursor or Claude Code current Shopify docs and GraphQL schemas, and the GitHub server lets the agent work through branches and pull requests. You end up with code checked against Shopify's real APIs instead of fields the model remembered from older versions.

Set it up

3 steps. Open one for the details.
  1. 1Add Shopify Dev MCP

    Add the Shopify Dev MCP server to Cursor or Claude Code with the command npx -y @shopify/dev-mcp@latest. It needs Node and no Shopify login, because it serves public docs and schemas. Ask the agent to search Shopify docs for a known topic, such as webhooks, to confirm it works.

    Tip: Pin the API version you target in your project notes so the agent checks the right schema.

  2. 2Connect GitHub

    Add GitHub's MCP server, either the hosted version or the local one with a fine-grained personal access token limited to your app's repository. Give it permission to read code, create branches and open pull requests. Protect your main branch so changes always go through review.

    Tip: A fine-grained token scoped to one repo limits damage if it leaks.

  3. 3Build with real schemas

    Describe the feature, for example add a product metafield and show it in a theme app extension block. Ask the agent to introspect the Admin GraphQL schema and validate its queries before writing code. Run the app locally with Shopify CLI on a development store and review the pull request.

    Tip: Tell the agent which surface you target, such as Admin API, Storefront API, Functions or Liquid, so it searches the right docs.

Then just ask

Things to say once it's connected. Click one to copy it.
Ask Cursor…Cursor

Good to know

What you need, what it won't do, and how to keep it safe.
What you need
  • Node.js installed for npx
  • A Shopify Partner account and a development store
  • Cursor or Claude Code
  • A GitHub repository and a scoped access token
Limits
  • Valid schema fields do not guarantee correct business logic; you still need tests and review.
  • The agent cannot click through the Shopify admin or check how a theme looks; that testing is yours.
  • Docs searches return excerpts, so complex topics may still need you to read the full Shopify guide.
Keep it safe
  • The Dev MCP only reads docs and schemas. It can't change your store.
  • Review pull requests before deploying.
Shopify Dev MCP Server (docs-read, api-schema-read) GitHub MCP Server (repository-read, issue-write, pull-request-write)

Questions

Straight answers before you start
Can the Dev MCP server change my store?
No. It only searches documentation and reads API schemas. Changes to a store come from your app code, which you run with Shopify CLI and your own credentials.
Does it cost anything?
The Shopify Dev MCP server is free and runs locally with npx. You need a Shopify Partner account and a development store to test apps, which Shopify provides at no charge.
Which editors work?
Cursor, Claude Code and other MCP clients that run local servers. Claude Desktop also works but is less useful without access to your code.
What about Liquid themes?
The server covers theme and Liquid documentation as well as the APIs. Test theme changes with Shopify CLI's theme dev command on a development store before publishing.

Tools in this setup

The products involved