How it works
The Shopify integration creates a two-way connection between your store and Cernel. When you connect, Cernel imports your full product catalog (names, images, variants, and existing descriptions). After you enrich products with AI-generated content, you can sync the results back to Shopify as product fields or custom metafields.Why you would use this
No manual data entry
Your products flow directly from Shopify into Cernel. No CSV exports, no copy-paste, no data gaps.
Push enriched content back instantly
AI-generated descriptions, meta titles, and attribute values sync back to Shopify, including custom metafields for structured data your theme can display.
Before you start: You’ll need admin access to your Shopify store and a Cernel account. The connection uses Shopify’s official OAuth flow, so there are no API keys to manage manually.
Step-by-step guide
Navigate to Integrations
In Cernel, go to Settings in the sidebar, then select Organization > Integrations.

Enter your Shopify domain
Enter your Shopify store domain (e.g.,
your-store.myshopify.com). Click Connect to begin the OAuth authorization flow.Authorize the connection in Shopify
You’ll be redirected to Shopify to authorize Cernel. Review the requested permissions and click Install app.
Wait for the initial sync
After authorizing, Cernel begins importing your products. You’ll see a progress indicator showing the sync status. This may take a few minutes depending on your catalog size.
You’ve successfully connected your Shopify store. Once the sync completes, your products will appear in the Cernel Catalog and you can start enriching them with AI.
Advanced configuration
Attribute mapping
Attribute mapping
After connecting, you can map Cernel attributes to Shopify product fields. Navigate to Settings > Integrations, click on your Shopify connection, and open Property Mapping.The mapping interface shows your Cernel attributes on the left and available Shopify fields on the right. Draw connections between them to define how enriched content flows back to your store.
Syncing to Shopify Metafields
Syncing to Shopify Metafields
For structured data that doesn’t map to standard Shopify fields (like materials or size guides), you can sync attributes as Shopify metafields. When configuring an attribute, enable Sync to Shopify Metafields and select the metafield namespace and key.Metafields are useful for data your Shopify theme can render dynamically, like displaying material lists or care instructions on product pages.
Sync behavior
Sync behavior
You can configure how Cernel handles sync conflicts and update behavior under Sync behavior configuration in the integration settings. Options include choosing a sync mode that controls whether Cernel overwrites existing Shopify data or only fills in empty fields.
Frequently asked questions
How long does the initial product import take?
How long does the initial product import take?
It depends on your catalog size. A store with a few hundred products typically imports in under a minute. Larger catalogs with thousands of products may take several minutes. You can close the modal and products will continue importing in the background.
Why aren't my products showing up after connecting?
Why aren't my products showing up after connecting?
First, check the integration status under Settings > Integrations. If the status shows the sync is still running, wait for it to complete. If the sync failed, try disconnecting and reconnecting the integration. Make sure you authorized all requested permissions in Shopify.
Can I connect multiple Shopify stores?
Can I connect multiple Shopify stores?
Yes. Go to Settings > Integrations and click Add Integration again to connect additional stores. Each store connection is managed independently.
What Shopify permissions does Cernel need?
What Shopify permissions does Cernel need?
Cernel requests read and write access to your product catalog, including product data, images, and metafields. These permissions are required for the two-way sync to work. Cernel does not access customer data, orders, or payment information.
Can I disconnect my Shopify store later?
Can I disconnect my Shopify store later?
Yes. Go to Settings > Integrations, find your Shopify connection, and remove it. Products already imported into Cernel will remain, but syncing will stop. No data is deleted from your Shopify store when you disconnect.
What’s next
Cernel Taxonomy
See how Cernel automatically classifies your imported products into categories, and where to configure the attributes and agents that run on each branch of the tree.
AI Agents
Set up AI agents to generate descriptions, meta content, and structured attributes for your products.
