Expert guidance for all Shopify APIs including GraphQL Admin API, REST Admin API, Storefront API, Ajax API, authentication, and webhooks.
When to Use This Skill
Invoke this skill when:
- Making GraphQL or REST API calls to Shopify
- Implementing OAuth 2.0 authentication for apps
- Fetching product, collection, order, or customer data programmatically
- Using Storefront API for headless commerce
- Implementing Ajax cart operations in themes
- Setting up webhooks for event handling
- Working with API version 2025-10
- Handling rate limiting and API errors
- Building custom integrations with Shopify
- Using Shopify Admin API from Node.js, Python, or other languages
Core Capabilities
1. GraphQL Admin API
Modern API for Shopify Admin operations with efficient data fetching.
Endpoint:
POST https://{store}.myshopify.com/admin/api/2025-10/graphql.json
Headers:
{
'X-Shopify-Access-Token': 'shpat_...',
'Content-Type': 'application/json'
}
Basic Query:
query GetProducts($first: Int!) {
products(first: $first) {
edges {
node {
id
title
handle
status
vendor
productType
# Pricing
priceRange {
minVariantPrice { amount currencyCode }
maxVariantPrice { amount currencyCode }
}
# Images
images(first: 5) {
edges {
node {
id
url
altText
}
}
}
# Variants
variants(first: 10) {
edges {
node {
id
title
sku
price
inventoryQuantity
available: availableForSale
}
}
}
}
}
pageInfo {
hasNextPage
hasPreviousPage
startCursor
endCursor
}
}
}
Variables:
{
"first": 10
}
JavaScript Example:
async function getProducts(accessToken, store, limit = 10) {
const query = `
query GetProducts($first: Int!) {
products(first: $first) {
edges {
node {
id
title
handle
priceRange {
minVariantPrice { amount currencyCode }
}
}
}
pageInfo {
hasNextPage
endCursor
}
}
}
`;
const response = await fetch(
`https://${store}.myshopify.com/admin/api/2025-10/graphql.json`,
{
method: 'POST',
headers: {
'X-Shopify-Access-Token': accessToken,
'Content-Type': 'application/json',
},
body: JSON.stringify({
query,
variables: { first: limit },
}),
}
);
const { data, errors } = await response.json();
if (errors) {
console.error('GraphQL Errors:', errors);
throw new Error(errors[0].message);
}
return data.products;
}
Common Mutations:
Create product:
mutation CreateProduct($input: ProductInput!) {
productCreate(input: $input) {
product {
id
title
handle
}
userErrors {
field
message
}
}
}
Update product:
mutation UpdateProduct($input: ProductInput!) {
productUpdate(input: $input) {
product {
id
title
status
}
userErrors {
field
message
}
}
}
Set metafield:
mutation SetMetafield($input: MetafieldInput!) {
metafieldSet(input: $input) {
metafield {
id
namespace
key
value
type
}
userErrors {
field
message
}
}
}
2. REST Admin API
Traditional REST API for Shopify Admin operations.
Base URL:
https://{store}.myshopify.com/admin/api/2025-10/
Authentication:
headers: {
'X-Shopify-Access-Token': 'shpat_...'
}
Common Endpoints:
Get products:
GET /admin/api/2025-10/products.json?limit=50&status=active
// JavaScript
const response = await fetch(
`https://${store}.myshopify.com/admin/api/2025-10/products.json?limit=50`,
{
headers: {
'X-Shopify-Access-Token': accessToken,
},
}
);
const { products } = await response.json();
Get single product:
GET /admin/api/2025-10/products/{product_id}.json
Create product:
POST /admin/api/2025-10/products.json
// Body
{
"product": {
"title": "New Product",
"body_html": "<p>Description</p>",
"vendor": "My Vendor",
"product_type": "Shoes",
"status": "draft"
}
}
Update product:
PUT /admin/api/2025-10/products/{product_id}.json
// Body
{
"product": {
"id": 123456789,
"title": "Updated Title"
}
}
Get orders:
GET /admin/api/2025-10/orders.json?status=any&limit=50
Get customers:
GET /admin/api/2025-10/customers.json?limit=50
3. OAuth 2.0 Authentication
Complete OAuth flow for custom apps.
Step 1: Authorization Request
GET https://{shop}.myshopify.com/admin/oauth/authorize?
client_id={api_key}&
redirect_uri={redirect_uri}&
scope={scopes}&
state={random_state}
Scopes:
const scopes = [
'read_products',
'write_products',
'read_orders',
'write_orders',
'read_customers',
'write_customers',
'read_inventory',
'write_inventory',
'read_metafields',
'write_metafields',
].join(',');
Step 2: Handle Callback
// User approves, Shopify redirects to:
GET {redirect_uri}?code={auth_code}&state={state}&hmac={hmac}&shop={shop}
// Verify HMAC for security
function verifyHmac(query, secret) {
const { hmac, ...params } = query;
const message = Object.keys(params)
.sort()
.map(key => `${key}=${params[key]}`)
.join('&');
const hash = crypto
.createHmac('sha256', secret)
.update(message)
.digest('hex');
return hash === hmac;
}
Step 3: Exchange Code for Token
POST https://{shop}.myshopify.com/admin/oauth/access_token
// Body
{
"client_id": "{api_key}",
"client_secret": "{api_secret}",
"code": "{auth_code}"
}
// Response
{
"access_token": "shpat_...",
"scope": "write_products,read_orders"
}
// Node.js example
async function getAccessToken(shop, code, apiKey, apiSecret) {
const response = await fetch(
`https://${shop}/admin/oauth/access_token`,
{
method: 'POST',
headers: { 'Content-Type': 'application/json' },
body: JSON.stringify({
client_id: apiKey,
client_secret: apiSecret,
code,
}),
}
);
const { access_token, scope } = await response.json();
return { access_token, scope };
}
4. Rate Limiting
GraphQL uses points-based rate limiting.
Rate Limits:
- 50 cost points per second maximum
- Bucket refills at 50 points/second
- Each query has a calculated cost
Check Rate Limit:
const response = await fetch(graphqlEndpoint, options);
const rateLimitHeader = response.headers.get('X-Shopify-GraphQL-Admin-Api-Call-Limit');
// Example: "42/50" (42 points used, 50 max)
const [used, limit] = rateLimitHeader.split('/').map(Number);
if (used > 40) {
// Approaching limit, slow down
await delay(1000);
}
Implement Retry Logic:
async function fetchWithRetry(url, options, maxRetries = 3) {
for (let i = 0; i < maxRetries; i++) {
const response = await fetch(url, options);
if (response.status === 429) {
// Rate limited
const retryAfter = response.headers.get('Retry-After') || 2;
await delay(retryAfter * 1000 * Math.pow(2, i)); // Exponential backoff
continue;
}
return response;
}
throw new Error('Max retries exceeded');
}
function delay(ms) {
return new Promise(resolve => setTimeout(resolve, ms));
}
5. Storefront API
Public API for headless/custom storefronts.
Endpoint:
POST https://{store}.myshopify.com/api/2025-10/graphql.json
Headers (Public Access):
{
'Content-Type': 'application/json',
'X-Shopify-Storefront-Access-Token': '{public_token}' // Optional for public stores
}
Query Products:
query GetProducts($first: Int!) {
products(first: $first) {
edges {
node {
id
title
handle
description
priceRange {
minVariantPrice { amount currencyCode }
maxVariantPrice { amount currencyCode }
}
images(first: 3) {
edges {
node {
url
altText
}
}
}
variants(first: 10) {
edges {
node {
id
title
price { amount currencyCode }
availableForSale
sku
}
}
}
}
}
}
}
Cart Operations:
Create cart:
mutation CreateCart($input: CartInput!) {
cartCreate(input: $input) {
cart {
id
checkoutUrl
lines(first: 10) {
edges {
node {
id
quantity
merchandise {
... on ProductVariant {
id
title
price { amount }
}
}
}
}
}
cost {
totalAmount { amount currencyCode }
subtotalAmount { amount }
totalTaxAmount { amount }
}
}
}
}
Add to cart:
mutation AddToCart($cartId: ID!, $lines: [CartLineInput!]!) {
cartLinesAdd(cartId: $cartId, lines: $lines) {
cart {
id
lines(first: 10) {
edges {
node {
id
quantity
}
}
}
}
}
}
6. Ajax API (Theme-Only)
JavaScript API for cart operations in themes.
Get Cart:
fetch('/cart.js')
.then(response => response.json())
.then(cart => {
console.log('Cart:', cart);
console.log('Item count:', cart.item_count);
console.log('Total:', cart.total_price);
console.log('Items:', cart.items);
});
Add to Cart:
fetch('/cart/add.js', {
method: 'POST',
headers: { 'Content-Type': 'application/json' },
body: JSON.stringify({
id: variantId, // Required: variant ID
quantity: 1, // Optional: default 1
properties: { // Optional: custom data
'Gift wrap': 'Yes',
'Note': 'Happy Birthday!'
}
})
})
.then(response => response.json())
.then(item => {
console.log('Added to cart:', item);
})
.catch(error => {
console.error('Error:', error);
});
Update Cart:
fetch('/cart/change.js', {
method: 'POST',
headers: { 'Content-Type': 'application/json' },
body: JSON.stringify({
line: 1, // Line item index (1-based)
quantity: 2 // New quantity (0 = remove)
})
})
.then(response => response.json())
.then(cart => console.log('Updated cart:', cart));
Clear Cart:
fetch('/cart/clear.js', { method: 'POST' })
.then(response => response.json())
.then(cart => console.log('Cart cleared'));
Update Cart Attributes:
fetch('/cart/update.js', {
method: 'POST',
headers: { 'Content-Type': 'application/json' },
body: JSON.stringify({
attributes: {
'gift_wrap': 'true',
'gift_message': 'Happy Birthday!'
},
note: 'Please handle with care'
})
})
.then(response => response.json())
.then(cart => console.log('Cart updated'));
7. Webhooks
Event-driven notifications for app integrations.
Common Webhooks:
// Product events
'products/create'
'products/update'
'products/delete'
// Order events
'orders/create'
'orders/updated'
'orders/paid'
'orders/fulfilled'
'orders/cancelled'
// Customer events
'customers/create'
'customers/update'
'customers/delete'
// Cart events
'carts/create'
'carts/update'
// Inventory events
'inventory_levels/update'
// App events
'app/uninstalled'
Register Webhook (GraphQL):
mutation CreateWebhook($input: WebhookSubscriptionInput!) {
webhookSubscriptionCreate(input: $input) {
webhookSubscription {
id
topic
endpoint {
__typename
... on WebhookHttpEndpoint {
callbackUrl
}
}
}
userErrors {
field
message
}
}
}
Variables:
{
"input": {
"topic": "ORDERS_CREATE",
"webhookSubscription": {
"callbackUrl": "https://your-app.com/webhooks/orders",
"format": "JSON"
}
}
}
Handle Webhook (Node.js/Express):
app.post('/webhooks/orders', async (req, res) => {
// Verify webhook HMAC
const hmac = req.headers['x-shopify-hmac-sha256'];
const body = JSON.stringify(req.body);
const hash = crypto
.createHmac('sha256', SHOPIFY_WEBHOOK_SECRET)
.update(body)
.digest('base64');
if (hash !== hmac) {
return res.status(401).send('Invalid HMAC');
}
// Process order
const order = req.body;
console.log('New order:', order.id, order.email);
// Respond quickly (within 5 seconds)
res.status(200).send('OK');
// Process in background
await processOrder(order);
});
Common Patterns
Pagination (GraphQL)
async function getAllProducts(accessToken, store) {
let allProducts = [];
let hasNextPage = true;
let cursor = null;
while (hasNextPage) {
const query = `
query GetProducts($first: Int!, $after: String) {
products(first: $first, after: $after) {
edges {
node { id title }
}
pageInfo {
hasNextPage
endCursor
}
}
}
`;
const response = await fetch(endpoint, {
method: 'POST',
headers: {
'X-Shopify-Access-Token': accessToken,
'Content-Type': 'application/json',
},
body: JSON.stringify({
query,
variables: { first: 50, after: cursor },
}),
});
const { data } = await response.json();
allProducts.push(...data.products.edges.map(e => e.node));
hasNextPage = data.products.pageInfo.hasNextPage;
cursor = data.products.pageInfo.endCursor;
}
return allProducts;
}
Error Handling
async function safeApiCall(query, variables) {
try {
const response = await fetch(endpoint, {
method: 'POST',
headers: {
'X-Shopify-Access-Token': accessToken,
'Content-Type': 'application/json',
},
body: JSON.stringify({ query, variables }),
});
if (!response.ok) {
throw new Error(`HTTP ${response.status}: ${response.statusText}`);
}
const { data, errors } = await response.json();
if (errors) {
console.error('GraphQL Errors:', errors);
throw new Error(errors[0].message);
}
return data;
} catch (error) {
console.error('API Error:', error);
throw error;
}
}
Best Practices
- Always check API version - Use latest stable (2025-10)
- Implement rate limit handling - Use exponential backoff
- Verify webhook HMAC - Security critical
- Use GraphQL over REST when possible - More efficient
- Request only needed fields - Reduce response size
- Handle errors gracefully - Check
errorsanduserErrors - Store access tokens securely - Never expose in client code
- Use minimum necessary scopes - Security best practice
- Implement retry logic - Handle transient failures
- Respond to webhooks quickly - Within 5 seconds
Detailed References
- references/graphql-queries.md - Complete query examples
- references/rest-endpoints.md - All REST endpoints
- references/webhook-payloads.md - Webhook payload structures
Integration with Other Skills
- shopify-app-dev - Use when building custom Shopify apps
- shopify-liquid - Use when displaying API data in theme templates
- shopify-debugging - Use when troubleshooting API errors
- shopify-performance - Use when optimizing API request patterns
Quick Reference
// GraphQL Admin API
POST https://{store}.myshopify.com/admin/api/2025-10/graphql.json
Headers: { 'X-Shopify-Access-Token': 'shpat_...' }
// REST Admin API
GET https://{store}.myshopify.com/admin/api/2025-10/products.json
Headers: { 'X-Shopify-Access-Token': 'shpat_...' }
// Storefront API
POST https://{store}.myshopify.com/api/2025-10/graphql.json
Headers: { 'X-Shopify-Storefront-Access-Token': 'token' }
// Ajax API (theme)
fetch('/cart.js')
fetch('/cart/add.js', { method: 'POST', body: ... })
fetch('/cart/change.js', { method: 'POST', body: ... })