Storefront API
While Shopify themes receive their data directly through Liquid, custom frontends access the store through the Storefront API: product data, search, cart operations, customer accounts and the handover to checkout all run through GraphQL queries. The API is designed for public access from browser and app environments.
It is the technical foundation of headless commerce with Shopify: web storefronts built with Hydrogen or Next.js, native mobile apps, in-store kiosks or commerce features embedded in existing websites. Individual features, such as a product configurator on a landing page, can be built with it too, without going fully headless.
It is distinct from the Admin API, which is meant for backend operations such as product management, order handling and integrations, and has different authentication and rate limits. Rule of thumb: Storefront API for everything customers see and do, Admin API for everything systems manage behind the scenes.
Shopify development
Related terms
Headless Commerce
Headless commerce separates the frontend (the visible storefront) from the commerce backend. The frontend is custom-built and fed with store functionality via APIs.
View termHydrogen
Hydrogen is Shopify's React-based framework for headless storefronts, hosted on its companion platform Oxygen.
View termShopify App
Shopify apps are extensions that add functionality to a store, from reviews to search, bundles and ERP connectors.
View term
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