Vibe code on Shopify? Summer '25 Edition delivers

This Edition, we're not just updating our tools—we're reimagining the entire experience of building on Shopify. This transformation puts more power in the hands of developers while dramatically simplifying how you wield it.

Here’s how we’re changing the game.

App development, reengineered

Next-gen dev platform unifies your entire development workflow with a centralized Dev Dashboard and CLI that delivers on speed, making Shopify more vibe code ready. Build Shopify apps in record time using AI-powered code generation customized for your needs—Shopify automatically manages app metafields across all stores with declarative data definitions, while deeply integrated tooling eliminates workflow friction.

But, we’re pushing it further with:

• Modern tooling: With the reengineered shopify app dev command, you can fully preview your app and see changes immediately without needing to deploy code. We’ve also introduced localhost app development. Enjoy a smooth experience and faster performance with no more fighting with rate-limited tunnels or corporate firewalls. Edit, save, and see changes instantly.
• Unified dev stores: Drop your code into realistic dev environments on any Shopify plan—including Plus—and see it come to life without deployment. Preview your app in context, exactly as merchants will experience it.
• Declarative custom data definitions: Define, manage, and persist custom data through simple TOML files instead of complex API calls and custom scripts. Deploy with a single CLI command and have Shopify automate the provisioning for you.
• Unified UI Components: Build a consistent experience across Admin, Checkout, and Customer Accounts by leveraging Polaris, now a unified UI toolkit of custom web elements that automatically update from Shopify's CDN. These custom web components work with any framework (or even no framework at all) and are automatically updated from Shopify's CDN.

When you spend less time managing infrastructure and more time solving problems, merchants win. And with our next-gen dev platform, merchants and partners can build Shopify apps with the same unified experience, democratizing app development across our ecosystem. 

“We want building on Shopify to be the most modern, simple, LLM-pilled experience possible for the next generation of developers” says Shopify product director Eytan Seidman. “Every week, it seems like coding is changing in new ways, and so we’re making Shopify the most productive platform that embraces building new things in new ways with cutting-edge tools.”

App development on Shopify has never been this fast—or this simple.

One catalog, millions of merchants

Build experiences that connect merchants with customers on any surface—from discovery to purchase.

Shopify Catalog lets apps and AI agents search and pull real-time product data from millions of Shopify businesses, and display the most relevant products to shoppers. Our diverse catalog covers businesses of all sizes, sectors and geographies, helping merchants get their products in front of a wider audience. 

We’re using machine learning to keep the data clear, accurate and structured, ready for AI apps and agents to use. We’re already partnering with platforms like Perplexity to help customers easily discover products from our merchants. Plus, we’ll soon roll out Global Cart and Checkout capabilities to make shopping on these surfaces even easier.

“Assistive experiences are the future of commerce, and Perplexity wants to be available anywhere people have questions that need accurate, trustworthy answers,” says Taz Patel, head of advertising and shopping at Perplexity. “Shopify Catalog gives users seamless access to products from millions of Shopify merchants, providing accurate, real-time information throughout their shopping journey.”

Storefront MCP lets you build specialized AI shopping agents for individual brands. These agents can search for products, answer questions, build shopping carts, and handle the checkout process—all in real-time. 

With Anthropic's Model Context Protocol (MCP), these agents access product catalogs and store information securely. This simplifies the shopping experience for customers and gives merchants access to new sales channels and accurate product representation.

Shopify, as simple as HTML

Storefront Web Components lets you add Shopify's commerce features—product cards, buy buttons, shopping carts, and more—to any website with just a few lines of HTML. This is composable commerce that works for everyone, everywhere—from vibe coders exploring new tools to professionals building fast, creative prototypes for client pitches.

“Storefront Web Components is a game-changer for fast builds. The cart, collections, and all the variant selectors just work out of the box,” says Sam Davidoff of Lazer Technologies. “I'm able to spin up a fully integrated Shopify setup on any platform in under 15 minutes.”

Frictionless backend development

We've taken the headaches out of backend development. Building Shopify Functions is exponentially easier with .dev Assistant, an AI-powered coding partner that handles the heavy lifting: navigating function references, crafting GraphQL input queries, and building function logic.

Bring the power of .dev Assistant to wherever you code. Our expanded Shopify.dev MCP Server accelerates app development by supporting GraphQL, Functions, and Polaris UI components from third-party chat interfaces like Cursor, Windsurf, and Claude Code.

This update makes backend customization more accessible and reduces friction so you can focus on what matters.

Global commerce unlocked

Our latest version of Markets and Catalogs APIs allows you to build support for new Markets, including retail, B2B, and international. This update puts sophisticated market segmentation and catalog management at your fingertips, giving merchants more control over their global product presence.

In addition to developer tools, we're making it even easier for merchants to build custom storefronts on Shopify with new features like Horizon—our latest AI-integrated theme foundation. It streamlines storefront development and offers tools like Theme Blocks, enabling effortless personalization for unique shopping experiences.

Ready to build? Explore everything Summer '25 Edition has to offer including 150+ new features and capabilities available to developers, partners, and merchants.