I have an app tools extension targeting admin.app.tools.data (ui_extension, api_version 2026-04, with tools.json + instructions.md, and extensions_summary set in the app config).
When I run shopify app dev (CLI 4.3.0), the extension registers correctly - the dev console lists it with the admin.app.tools.data target and a working preview link, which opens Sidekick fine.
But in Sidekick, the Apps list shows “No results found.” So Sidekick has no awareness of my app at all during local dev.
Question:
What makes an app tools extension appear in Sidekick’s Apps list during local development - is a shopify app deploy to the dev app required first, or should shopify app dev be enough?
Environment: embedded app, managed install + token exchange, CLI 4.3.0, extension api_version 2026-04, separate development app config.
Also would be nice to get a sidekick tag, had to select admin ui extension here.
Hi, Luke! You’re not doing anything wrong. shopify app dev alone won’t surface your app in Sidekick’s apps list. The dev preview link works because the dev server serves your extension (and its tools.json/instructions.md) for the per-extension sandbox preview. Sidekick’s apps list is built from your app’s active deployed version, and a dev session doesn’t create one. Run shopify app deploy against your development app config to register the admin.app.tools.data extension, and it should then appear in Sidekick’s apps list. Going forward, the recommended loop is to deploy to a dedicated dev/staging app.
I had been doing shopify app deploy but I think because of this issue it wasn’t appearing still! I had to remove the tools I added to get a clean deploy.
You’re not doing anything wrong. 