Shopify App Development Made Simple with HTTP APIs and Guzzle

This tutorial guides you through building a basic Shopify app using PHP to list store products. The complete code is available on GitHub.

Key Concepts:

• Leverage the Shopify HTTP API to extend store functionality (adding customers, fetching product lists, etc.).
• Utilize a Shopify Partner Account to create development stores for testing without impacting live stores.
• Develop and configure a development store to experiment with app features, add products, and simulate purchases.
• Build Shopify apps via the Shopify Partner website, managing user authentication and authorization.
• Employ Guzzle (a PHP HTTP client) for efficient API requests and authentication.
• Implement OAuth for secure user authentication and authorized API access.

What are Shopify Apps?

Shopify apps enhance Shopify store functionality or provide e-commerce capabilities to websites/mobile apps. Methods include:

• HTTP API: Enables web apps to perform various actions within a Shopify store (adding customers, retrieving product lists, using webhooks).
• JavaScript Buy SDK: Retrieves product information, manages carts, and handles checkout from websites or hybrid mobile apps (Cordova).
• Embedded App SDK: Integrates your web app directly into the Shopify admin interface (useful for admin settings pages).
• iOS and Android Buy SDKs: Integrate Shopify checkout into native mobile apps.
• Shopify POS App SDK: Embeds web apps within the Shopify POS system.

This tutorial focuses on the HTTP API.

Shopify Partner Account Setup:

Begin by creating a Shopify Partner Account. This allows you to create a development store for testing. You'll provide information such as your company name, business type, email, website, and password.

Successful registration leads to:

Development Store Creation:

Create a development store (similar to a real Shopify store) to add products, test themes (HTML/CSS), and simulate purchases using a test payment gateway. Note: Custom domains and real payment processing aren't available.

Click "Create a development store," leading to:

Provide a store name, password, and store type (choose "Online store"). Click "Create Store."

Development Store Configuration:

After creation, log in using the provided link. Select a product category (e.g., "Electronics & Gadgets"). Add products and customers via the side menu to have data for API interaction. Finally, publish your store by selecting a free theme and clicking "Publish theme" to make it accessible at https://{your-storename}.myshopify.com.

App Creation:

On the Shopify Partner website, navigate to "Apps" and click "Create a new app."

Enter the app name, app URL (e.g., http://localhost/shopify-tester), and redirect URL (e.g., http://localhost/shopify-tester/login). Note the API key and secret displayed on the app dashboard; you'll need them later.

User Authentication:

The OAuth process authenticates users:

1. User installs the app (in this tutorial, we bypass the App Store and directly access the install URL).
2. The app's install page requests the store name.
3. Upon installation, a unique string is generated and stored with the store name.
4. The app constructs the Shopify authorization URL and redirects the user.
5. Shopify redirects to your specified redirect URL with an access code, HMAC, state, and timestamp.
6. The app verifies the request's validity.
7. A permanent access token is requested from the Shopify API.
8. The access token and other details are saved.

Demo App:

This section details the app's implementation.

Installing Dependencies:

composer require twig/twig guzzlehttp/guzzle nesbot/carbon vlucas/phpdotenv ircmaxell/random-lib

Install Page (install.php):

This page handles the initial app installation request. It connects to a MySQL database (schema in the GitHub repo), generates a nonce, and redirects to the Shopify authorization URL. The install form is in templates/install.html.

Authorization Page (auth.php):

This page verifies the Shopify redirect, calculates the HMAC, and requests the access token from the Shopify API. The token is then stored in the database.

API Requests (products.php):

This page retrieves and displays products using the stored access token. It uses Guzzle to make the API request and Twig to render the templates/products.html template.

Conclusion:

This tutorial provides a foundation for Shopify app development. Future tutorials will explore more complex apps and framework usage.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ): (This section is largely unchanged from the original input, as it provides valuable supplementary information.)

What are the prerequisites for developing a Shopify app?

How can I create a Shopify Partner account?

What is a Shopify development store and how do I create one?

How do I use the Shopify API?

How do I submit my app to the Shopify App Store?

How can I monetize my Shopify app?

What are the best practices for Shopify app development?

How can I ensure my app is secure?

How can I improve the performance of my Shopify app?

How can I get support while developing my Shopify app?

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