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Client transfer stores and collaborations

As a Shopify Partner, you create and manage client transfer stores and collaborations from the Stores tab in the Dev Dashboard.

In the Dev Dashboard, you create stores to hand off to clients and request access to merchant-owned stores.

You can filter by store type and track status for transfers and collaborations.

You can open the Dev Dashboard from your Partner Dashboard by clicking Stores or your name, and then Dev dashboard. For a full overview, learn more about the Dev Dashboard on Shopify.dev.

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Collaborations

Collaborations are collaborator relationships with stores the merchant already owns. The store displays in the Collaborations tab when the merchant has approved your access. You work in their live store, but you don't own the store and it's not transferred to you. Use collaborations when a merchant needs support, customization, or app work on an existing store. Learn more about collaborations on Shopify.dev.

As a collaborator, the merchant controls which areas of the store you can access.

You can't transfer a collaboration store. If the merchant hands off ownership, then they start that process separately.

Dev stores

If you're building or testing an app or theme instead of handing a store to a client, then use a dev store.

Dev stores support feature previews and test data and can't be transferred to a client. For an overview of all store types and how they compare, refer to Stores in the Dev Dashboard.

Client transfer stores

Client transfer stores are stores you build for a client under your organization.

When you create a client transfer store in the Dev Dashboard, you choose the store's country or region. When your client needs Plus features, you can optionally select Shopify Plus.

You configure the store, and then transfer ownership to the client when it is ready to go live.

After the transfer, the merchant owns the store and it leaves your organization.

Limitations of client transfer stores

While a client transfer store is still in your organization, the following limitations apply:

  • You can only install free apps and partner-friendly apps. Custom and draft apps can't be installed.
  • Real transactions aren't supported.
  • Refer to Test orders for supported test checkout methods.
  • Shipping labels are for testing only. Functional labels aren't available.
  • The storefront password page can't be removed (you can customize and preview it).
  • After transfer to the client, the store isn't eligible for promotions or free trials.
  • File, video, and 3D model storage limits match the Basic plan while the store is under your organization.

Learn more about client transfer stores, including limitations, on Shopify.dev.

What you can do in the Dev Dashboard

Step-by-step instructions for the Dev dashboard are on Shopify.dev. Refer to the following pages on Shopify.dev for more information: