How to Join the ShopDev Alliance

The ShopDev Alliance (SDA) is a private community for experienced Shopify developers who are dedicated to their craft and to helping each other grow. Our goal is to create a supportive and collaborative space where members can share knowledge, solve problems, and build lasting relationships.

A Space for Real-Time Collaboration

The Shopify ecosystem is always evolving. While the official Shopify Dev Community forums are an invaluable resource for asynchronous support, we believe in the power of a focused, real-time community.

SDA exists to fill that role—a "walled garden" where trusted, professional developers can engage in deep, real-time discussions, solve complex problems, and build supportive peer-to-peer relationships. To foster this high-quality environment, we are now opening membership applications via a managed waitlist.

How to Join

We have shifted from a "referral-only" model to an application waitlist. This allows us to manage community growth sustainably, ensuring every new member can be properly integrated.

There are two paths to membership:

1. The General Application Waitlist

All interested developers are encouraged to apply. We review applications and invite a limited number of new members from the waitlist each month. This deliberate pace is essential to maintaining the community's high-quality character.

While we value every application, please be aware that acceptance from the general waitlist may take time.

2. Priority Access (Skip the Waitlist)

We offer immediate review and priority acceptance for individuals who have already demonstrated exceptional skill and leadership within the Shopify community.

You will bypass the general waitlist and be given priority consideration if you meet any of the following criteria:

  • Referral: You are referred by a current, active member of ShopDev Alliance.
  • Shopify Build Award Winner: You are a recipient of a Shopify Build Award.
  • Shopify Community Leader: You have earned the "Community Leader" badge in the official Shopify Community forums.

Our Membership Criteria

To ensure a high-signal, low-noise environment, we are looking for developers who are:

  • Experienced: You must have a proven, professional track record of working with Shopify. This is a community for seasoned professionals, not for those just starting their developer journey.
  • Community-Minded: You are willing and eager to contribute to the community by sharing your knowledge, participating in discussions, and actively helping other members.

The Application Process

  1. Submit Your Application: Fill out our official application form.
  2. Indicate Priority Status: The form will have a dedicated section to indicate if you have a referral, a Build Award, or a Community Leader badge. Please provide the necessary details.
  3. Review Process:
    • Priority Applications are reviewed first, typically within one week.
    • General Applications are added to our waitlist for future review. We select new members from this list monthly.
  4. Invitation: If your application is approved, you will receive an email invitation to join the community.

Apply to Join

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