Quick Summary
If you plan to sell on Shopify and rely on Shopify Scripts, there is an important update. We are now in February 2026. The Shopify Scripts deprecation deadline is June 30, 2026. This will affect how custom discounts and checkout logic work on your store. It also gives you a very limited time to finalize your migration.
This change might feel good at first if you have built a lot around Scripts. But it has a solid alternative, and the transition is straightforward.
In this blog, we will cover what this Shopify deprecation means, why it is happening, and what your options are moving forward. You will also learn why moving to modern APIs improves your site speed and security.
Shopify is using this extra time to improve Shopify Functions, its replacement for Scripts. The goal is to make sure Functions can handle everything Scripts did, like discounts, shipping rules, and payment customizations.
Shopify Functions now run on WebAssembly (Wasm). This technology allows custom logic to execute in under 5ms. Consequently, your checkout becomes faster.
| 💡 Note: If you are still using Scripts, do not wait until the last minute. Start exploring Functions now to avoid any mishaps later. |
Also, Shopify is not removing Scripts just for the sake of change. The main reason is to make the platform faster and easier to build on, especially for checkout experiences.
Shopify Scripts were actually built for the old checkout system. While they offered a lot of flexibility, there were some limits. You need technical knowledge to work on Scripts. They were difficult to manage and did not integrate well with new features or third-party apps.
Shopify is moving toward Shopify Functions, designed to work with the new Checkout Extensibility framework. This new setup is more secure, easier to scale, and better suited for long-term growth. You get similar (or even better) customization options, but in a way that is simple to update and maintain.
In short, Shopify is retiring Scripts to give you a more modern, reliable way to customize your store. While the transition may require some planning, it is a step forward for performance, customization, and future-proofing your business.
With Shopify Scripts on their way out, Shopify Functions is the go-to solution for adding custom logic to your store, especially at checkout.
So, what are Shopify Functions?
They are the new way to customize features such as discounts, shipping rates, and payment methods in Shopify without touching the core code. Functions are built to work with the updated checkout of Shopify and use modern development tools that are easier to maintain, more secure, and faster to run.
Lastly, functions are more predictable and easier to test than scripts.
To help you see the difference more clearly, here’s a quick side-by-side comparison of Shopify Scripts and Shopify Functions.
| Feature | Shopify Scripts | Shopify Functions |
|---|---|---|
| Built For | Legacy checkout | New checkout (Checkout Extensibility) |
| Customization Areas | Discounts, Shipping, Payments | Discounts, Shipping, Payments (expanding) |
| Tech Stack | Legacy Ruby Code | WebAssembly (Wasm) |
| Accessibility | Shopify Plus Only | All Plans (via Apps) |
| How it is Applied | Custom Ruby code | App-based, configurable in Admin |
| Developer Dependency | High. Needs custom scripting | Lower. Manageable through apps |
| Performance | Slower, less scalable | Faster (Sub-5ms execution) |
| Security | Manual handling required | More secure by design |
| Community | Small | Large and growing |
| Future Support | Being phased out (June 30, 2026) | Actively supported and evolving |
Shopify Functions are more than just a replacement. They are a big upgrade. Here is why they are a better long-term option:
In short, Shopify Functions are the modern replacement for Shopify Scripts, and a secure way to customize discounts, shipping, and payments. They work easily with the new Shopify checkout and are simple to manage through apps. If you want to switch to Functions and need expert help, our Shopify store development company can assist you.
Now that you know Shopify Scripts are being phased out and that Functions are the better alternative, the next step is to know how to make the switch. Let us discuss how to migrate from Shopify Scripts to Shopify Functions.
Before you begin, use the Shopify Scripts Customizations Report in your admin. This tool identifies which scripts have a direct equivalent in Function.
Start by understanding which custom Scripts your store currently uses. Shopify provides a built-in report in your admin panel.
This report gives you a full overview of:
You can even export this report as a CSV file, making it easier to review everything in one place.
Once you have looked through it, decide if you want to:
If you choose a custom-built app, you will need to use the Shopify Partner Dashboard to create and connect it; these apps cannot be built directly in the Shopify Admin.
After reviewing your Scripts, it is time to replace them. Shopify guides you through this right inside your admin panel. Here is how to get started:
From here, you have three options:
Once you set up your new solutions, test them in a staging environment. Compare the results against your live scripts to ensure accuracy. When you are confident everything works as expected, go ahead and deactivate your old Shopify Scripts. If you need expert help along the way, you can always hire Shopify website developers to ensure everything is implemented correctly.
Shopify Scripts and Shopify Functions can work together in the same store, at least for now. You can continue to use Shopify Scripts for checkout customization in checkout.liquid or for upgraded checkouts until the final deprecation date. This gives you ample time to test, adjust, and gradually migrate your setup without pressure.
A few other best practices are:
Given the June 30, 2026, deadline, it is tempting to delay. But Scripts often support complex promotions or wholesale logic. Those take time to analyze and rebuild.
An early audit reveals:
This is the best option, as it gives you an overall view of what is working and what is not.
Avoid rewriting everything at once. Group Scripts by theme:
Complete one group, test, stabilize, and only then move to the next. This keeps risk low. It also makes debugging far easier.
Always use a dev store or duplicate theme for early tests. Even use script preview URLs and customer tags for isolated production testing. Compare cart/checkout behavior like totals, discounts, shipping options, and payment choices. Aim to prove that your Functions produce identical or improved results before you turn off Scripts.
Scripts often contain logic that nobody remembers in detail. Before migrating, write down:
This documentation helps developers implement correct Function behavior and reduces surprises later.
After you switch from Scripts to Functions, watch metrics like conversion rate, AOV, and error rates in checkout. Monitor customer support tickets for complaints about discounts or shipping options. Keep a rollback plan, especially in the first days.
For example, re‑enabling a Script or turning off a new Function while you debug.
Third‑party guides often recommend treating migration like any other big campaign, which is planned, tested, and monitored.
While you can use both at once, it is important to understand how Scripts and Functions interact, depending on the type of customization you are running:
Scripts only recognize the first discount code used at checkout. If multiple discounts are applied, they would not affect the remaining discounts.
If your current Scripts cover use cases that Functions cannot yet handle, you can keep using Scripts until Shopify expands Function capabilities. You can start moving parts of your setup to Functions now, while leaving the rest in place until you are fully ready. Just be aware of which system is in control for each type of logic.
The deprecation of Shopify Scripts is a significant change, but it is also an opportunity. Rather than waiting for the deadline, you can use this time to:
With the deadline approaching, don’t wait until June 2026. Start your audit this week to ensure a smooth transition.
If you want to move quicker and reduce risk, partnering with a Shopify‑focused team like BrainSpate can turn a complex technical upgrade into a smooth, structured project.
It depends on your use case.
If your current Scripts were written by a developer, assume you will need at least some technical help to mirror them correctly with Functions.
Yes. While custom functions are for Plus, any merchant can use Functions by installing apps from the Shopify App Store.
No, your store would not break immediately. Shopify Scripts will continue to work until June 30, 2026. However, after this date, they will stop executing, which may break your checkout logic.
Yes. Shopify Functions work alongside Shopify’s discount system. You can:
Many discount apps built on Functions offer flexible combinations of automatic promotions and traditional codes.
You can continue using Shopify Scripts for now. Shopify is gradually expanding its Functions APIs to cover more customization options. If a required feature is not yet available, it is acceptable to defer migration for that part. Just keep an eye on updates so you are ready when it is supported.
Yes, they are. Shopify Functions run within the Shopify infrastructure, reducing the risk of bugs, version conflicts, or security vulnerabilities. You do not need to manually maintain code or worry about performance. It is a cleaner and more future-ready solution for growing stores.