What’s New for Developers in the Shopify Summer 2025 Edition

Shopify’s Summer 2025 Edition is here, and it brings a groundbreaking set of tools and enhancements for developers building apps, themes, storefronts, and integrations. Whether you're a seasoned Shopify app developer or just starting out, these updates significantly reduce complexity, improve development speed, and unlock powerful new capabilities.

🔧 Next-Gen Developer Platform: Build Faster, Smarter

Shopify’s new developer platform is now in early access, promising to transform how apps and extensions are created:

• Vibe-Ready Inner Loop: No more tunnels. Build and test extensions end-to-end locally, preview on dev stores for every Shopify plan, and leverage the new MCP (Merchant-Centered Programming) Assistant.

• Dev Stores for All Plans: Test your apps on Basic, Grow, Advanced, and Plus plan simulations to ensure complete compatibility.

• Re-engineered App Development: Run and test your complete app code in isolated environments—no need to deploy first.

🛠️ Local Development Improvements

• Hot Reloading Without Tunnels: Experience real-time updates with faster hot reloading via localhost.

• Declarative Custom Data Definitions: Automatically manage metafields and metaobjects across all installations.

• Simplified API Access: Build POS extensions with direct access to Shopify data—no backend required.

🤖 Smart Developer Tools

• MCP Server + AI: Get real-time code assistance for GraphQL, Shopify Functions, Polaris UI, and more—directly inside your IDE.

• App-owned Metafields: Securely display app-specific data in checkout UI extensions.

• Shopify.dev Enhanced: The developer hub now includes smarter Function references, code snippets, and an AI-first Hydrogen Cookbook.

🛍️ Storefront & Checkout Upgrades

• Storefront Web Components: Embed Shopify commerce into any site using just HTML.

• Storefront MCP (AI Agents): Build intelligent shopping agents that answer product questions, build carts, and guide users to checkout.

• Discount Codes in Cart: Native discount code application in Horizon theme carts—no third-party apps needed.

🚀 Hydrogen & Liquid Boosts

• Hydrogen on React Router 7: Brings typesafe routing, middleware support, and modern React features.

• Skeleton Theme + Liquid Enhancements: Static parameters, new tags, and better support for JavaScript and CSS in Liquid blocks.

🔄 Shopify Functions, Flow & API Power-Ups

• More Powerful Shopify Functions: Handle up to 25 concurrent Functions; new WebAssembly Query API allows advanced logic and smaller payloads.

• Shopify Flow Enhancements:

  • Return data with “Send HTTP request”

  • Retrieve metaobject entries

  • Enhanced troubleshooting with 14-day logs

• Uncapped GraphQL Counts: More scalable queries with precision and filter-based pagination.

📱 Extensions & POS Enhancements

• Expanded Extension Capabilities: Localize UI by market, remove attributes from checkout, and support for more payment features.

• POS-Specific Upgrades:

  • Print API for invoices and packing slips

  • iOS Debugging via Safari

  • Orders rerouted via API if unfulfillable

📦 Data, Compliance, and CLI Innovations

• Bulk Data in Shopify CLI: Transfer massive datasets with a single SQLite file—rolling out soon.

• Tax ID Validation: Regional tax compliance via Functions and UI extensions.

• PCI DSS V4 Checkout Compliance: Advanced sandboxing and CSP support for secure, compliant transactions.

🌍 App Store & Growth Features

• Built for Shopify Revamp: Streamlined requirements, faster audits, and improved international discoverability.

• Advanced Ad Targeting: Target by merchant plan across homepage and category pages—61% higher CTR.

• Trusted Review Prioritization: High-quality reviews carry more weight in rankings.

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Final Thoughts

This Shopify Summer 2025 release marks a significant shift toward AI-powered, faster, and more developer-centric tooling. From app testing environments and direct POS API access to smarter Flow automation and lightning-fast CLI tools—Shopify is clearly investing in making development smoother, more scalable, and future-ready.

Stay tuned as we continue to explore and break down these new features in action.