External Apps Overview
External apps open in a separate browser tab and run independently of the Seller Area. Unlike embedded apps, they don't load inside an iframe and don't use Qantra.
When to use an external app
- Building a private tool for your own store or a specific seller
- Automating workflows or syncing data via the Store Admin API
- Creating a standalone integration that doesn't fit inside the Seller Area
External apps don't need to go through the marketplace review process — you can install and start using an external app immediately.
How they work
When a seller opens your external app, the Seller Area redirects them to your app URL with a signed, one-time authorization code. Your server exchanges that code for a store access token, then uses it to call the Store Admin API.
See the External App Authentication guide for implementation details.
API access
Once authenticated, external apps use the same Store Admin API as embedded apps — the access token works identically.