Shopify Evolution: Scripts, Functions and Your Store's Future

Upgrading E-Commerce: From Shopify Scripts to Functions

Let’s start with the tool that has first priority, or simply the oldest one - Shopify Scripts. Shopify Scripts were once a powerful tool available exclusively to Shopify Plus merchants. These scripts enabled customization of the checkout experience by allowing merchants to modify pricing, apply discounts, alter shipping methods and add various conditions to the checkout process. The language used for Shopify Scripts was Ruby. Merchants could input code fragments directly into the Shopify admin panel to tailor the checkout experience. Performance was limited and modifying the configuration by tweaking code could cause problems, and the guidance of developers was definitely needed.

However, Shopify Scripts will no longer be supported as of August 28, 2025.

Enhance Your Store with Shopify Functions

Thankfully, the reason Scripts will no longer be supported is that they will be replaced with something new, something that sounds way better. Starting with being available for all users, regardless of their plan, Shopify Functions offer a lot more than its precursor.

These functions are a part of the Storefront API and are utilized for extending storefront functionalities using, e.g., JavaScript. Shopify Functions allow merchants to customize the frontend experience for customers by modifying product catalogs, implementing filtering or sorting options, and handling various interactions within the storefront.

Unlike Shopify Scripts, which were restricted to checkout customization, Shopify Functions offer a broader scope for enhancing storefront functionalities. They can be integrated into a Shopify store through apps available in the Shopify App Store or via custom app development. While JavaScript is commonly used due to its compatibility, other languages compatible with the Storefront API can also be utilized for writing these functions.

Shopify Scripts were known for their ability to customize the checkout process, but were exclusive to Shopify Plus merchants and operated within the limitations of Liquid-based scripting. However, with their deprecation, these customizations will no longer be supported.

In contrast, Shopify Functions, written in JavaScript but not limited to it, provide a wider scope for storefront customizations and are available to all Shopify users. These functions can be integrated into apps, allowing merchants to manage and configure their functionalities through the app's interface within the Shopify admin panel.

While Shopify Scripts were a valuable tool for checkout customization, their deprecation has led to a shift in exploring alternative solutions. Shopify Functions, with their broader scope and compatibility, remain a powerful means for merchants to enhance storefront functionalities and customize the customer experience within the Shopify platform.

As Shopify continues to evolve its ecosystem, understanding the available tools and functionalities becomes crucial for merchants looking to create unique and tailored experiences for their customers.

Stay tuned for the next part, where we'll dive into building our first Shopify Function, unlocking the potential for storefront customization within the platform.

In the constantly changing world of Shopify, it's crucial for merchants to keep up with its various tools and features. This is especially important if you want to create unique and personalized experiences for your customers. Stay tuned for our next segment, where we'll break down the practical side of this journey. We'll guide you through creating your first Shopify Function.

Are you ready to elevate your Shopify store with a personalized touch? We are a boutique software house specializing in Shopify app development, and we keep things simple and straightforward - no corporate jargon! Reach out to Hatimeria for a consultation and let’s enrich your ecommerce business journey together!