How it works
The Shopify integration creates a live connection between your store and Cernel through Shopify’s OAuth flow. Once authorized, Cernel imports your products (names, descriptions, images, variants, and metadata) and keeps the connection open for pushing enriched content back. Unlike one-way integrations like CSV or Product Feed, Shopify supports bidirectional sync: data flows from Shopify into Cernel and from Cernel back to Shopify.Why you would use this
Two-way product sync
Pull products from Shopify and push enriched content back, including descriptions, meta titles, structured attributes, and metafields, without leaving Cernel.
No manual data handling
No CSV exports, no feed URLs. Products sync through a direct API connection that stays active after setup.
Integration overview
After connecting your store, the integration appears in Tools > Integrations with these properties:| Field | Description |
|---|---|
| Name | The name you gave the integration during setup |
| Type | Shopify |
| Direction | Ingress & Egress (two-way) |
| Languages | The language(s) configured for this connection |
| Active | Whether the integration is currently enabled |
| Status | Current sync state (Idle, Syncing, or Error) |
- View Integration Details: Open the full configuration panel
- Integration Enabled: Toggle the integration on or off without removing it
- Reset Import: Clear imported data and re-sync from Shopify
- Remove Integration: Disconnect the store entirely
Integration details
The integration detail view shows the full state and configuration of your Shopify connection.Overview panel
The top section displays:- Integration ID: Unique identifier (useful for API access)
- Status: Enabled or Disabled
- Languages: Which language(s) this integration covers
- Created / Last Updated: Timestamps for when the integration was set up and last modified
- Auto Sync: Whether Cernel automatically re-syncs products from Shopify on a schedule
- Sync Mode: How updates are applied (see Sync behavior)
Data import
The Data Import section shows the current state of the inbound sync:- Sync Status: Idle (no sync running), Syncing (import in progress), or Error
- Last Sync: When the most recent import ran
- Last Completion: Status of the most recent completed sync
Property mapping
Property mapping controls how data flows between Shopify fields and Cernel attributes. Open the mapping view from the integration detail panel. The mapping interface displays three columns:| Column | Description |
|---|---|
| From Shopify | Source fields from your Shopify store (e.g. title, body_html, product_type) |
| Cernel Attributes | The attributes in your Cernel catalog |
| To Shopify | Target fields for pushing enriched content back to Shopify |
Adding a mapping
Click + New Mapping to create a new connection. You can:- Map a Shopify source field to a Cernel attribute (inbound)
- Map a Cernel attribute to a Shopify target field (outbound)
- Map both directions for the same attribute (bidirectional)
Removing a mapping
Click the x next to any source or target field to remove that side of the mapping. Removing a mapping does not delete any data already imported or synced.Sync behavior
The Sync Mode setting controls how Cernel handles product updates from Shopify:| Mode | Behavior |
|---|---|
| Full Sync | Replaces all product data each time a sync runs. Products removed from Shopify are removed from Cernel. |
| Update Only | Only updates existing products with changed data. Does not add or remove products. |
Auto Sync
When Auto Sync is enabled, Cernel periodically re-imports products from Shopify to keep your catalog up to date. When disabled, syncs only happen when you trigger them manually from the integration detail panel.Working with product variants
By default, Cernel syncs a Shopify product as a single record using the product’s top-level data. If your catalog uses product variants in Shopify (for example, the same product in multiple sizes or colours), turn on Variants for the integration so Cernel imports each variant as its own variant record under the parent product. You’ll find the Variants control on the Shopify integration detail panel, alongside the other connection-level flags.
Open the integration detail panel
Go to Tools > Integrations and open the Shopify integration you want to update.
Click Enable next to Variants
In the overview section, find the Variants label. If variants are not yet enabled, you’ll see an Enable button. Click it.
Confirm the change
Cernel asks you to confirm with Enable variants? and the message: “This turns on variant processing for this Shopify integration. Once enabled, it cannot be turned off.” Click Enable variants to confirm.
The Variants label switches to an Enabled badge. Future Shopify syncs bring in variant data, and existing products gain variant records on the next sync.
Variants only flow through if your Shopify products actually use variants. Products with a single, default variant continue to sync as a single record.
Syncing to Shopify metafields
For structured data that doesn’t map to standard Shopify product fields (like materials, care instructions, or size guides), you can sync Cernel attributes as Shopify metafields. Metafields are custom key-value fields in Shopify. When you map a Cernel attribute to a metafield target, the enriched value is pushed to Shopify under the namespace and key you configure. Your Shopify theme can then render these metafields on product pages.Cernel creates the metafield definitions for you
You don’t need to pre-create metafield definitions in Shopify before mapping them. When you map a Cernel attribute to a new metafield (using anamespace.key that doesn’t yet exist in Shopify), Cernel creates the metafield definition in your Shopify store automatically — including the correct value type based on your Cernel attribute configuration.
If a metafield definition with the same namespace and key already exists in Shopify, Cernel uses the existing definition instead of creating a new one. If the existing definition has a different value type than the Cernel attribute, the mapping is rejected so you can resolve the mismatch (either by renaming the Cernel attribute, choosing a different namespace and key, or updating the existing Shopify metafield to match).
Metafield sync happens as part of the regular push to Shopify. There is no separate sync process for metafields.
Pushing enriched content to Shopify
After enriching products in Cernel, use the Review & Approve workflow to push content back to Shopify. Only approved content is synced to your store. The push updates all mapped output fields, both standard product fields and metafields. Changes are live in Shopify immediately after the sync completes.Frequently asked questions
Can I connect multiple Shopify stores?
Can I connect multiple Shopify stores?
Yes. Add a separate integration for each store under Tools > Integrations. Each connection is managed independently with its own property mappings and sync settings.
Can I turn variants off again after enabling them?
Can I turn variants off again after enabling them?
No. Enabling variants on a Shopify integration is a one-way action — the dialog warns you up front. If you need to stop processing variants for that store, remove the integration and reconnect it without enabling variants.
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. Cernel does not access customer data, orders, or payment information.
What happens if I disable the integration?
What happens if I disable the integration?
Products already imported into Cernel remain in your catalog, but no new syncs run in either direction. Re-enable the integration to resume syncing.
Does Reset Import delete products from Shopify?
Does Reset Import delete products from Shopify?
No. Reset Import only clears the imported data in Cernel and re-fetches products from Shopify. Your Shopify store is never modified by a reset.
How do I disconnect my Shopify store?
How do I disconnect my Shopify store?
Open the Settings dropdown for the integration and click Remove Integration. Products already in Cernel remain, but the connection to Shopify is removed. No data is deleted from your Shopify store.
Do I need to create the Shopify metafields myself before mapping them?
Do I need to create the Shopify metafields myself before mapping them?
No. When you map a Cernel attribute to a metafield namespace and key that doesn’t yet exist in Shopify, Cernel creates the metafield definition in Shopify for you with the correct value type. You only need to pick the namespace and key — Cernel handles the rest.If a metafield definition with the same namespace and key already exists in your Shopify store, Cernel reuses it. If the existing definition has a different value type, the mapping is rejected so you can resolve the mismatch.
What’s next
Cernel Taxonomy
See how Cernel automatically classifies imported Shopify products into categories, ready for targeted enrichment.
AI Agents
Configure agents to generate descriptions, meta content, and structured attributes for your products.