How do I connect an API to Lovable?

Describe the API and what you want it to do in Chat; Lovable will typically wire the call through a server function (Edge Function) so any API key stays off the client.

How do I connect Stripe?

Use Lovable's built-in Payments feature where available; for anything it doesn't cover, ask Lovable to wire Stripe through a server function that keeps your secret key off the client.

How do I accept payments?

Ask Lovable to add its built-in Payments feature (backed by Stripe) for checkout; it handles one-time payments and subscriptions without you managing raw API keys in the UI.

How do I create subscriptions?

Set up recurring prices in Stripe, then ask Lovable to create checkout for those prices and store each user's subscription status in your database so you can gate features accordingly.

How do I connect OpenAI?

For most cases, use Lovable AI (the built-in AI Gateway) so users don't need their own key; if you specifically need OpenAI, ask Lovable to store your API key as a secret and call it from a server function.

How do I connect Google Maps?

Get a Google Maps API key restricted to your domain, store it as a secret, and ask Lovable to embed the map component using that key server-side where possible.

How do I connect Google Analytics?

Ask Lovable to add your Google Analytics measurement ID as a script/tag in the site's head, or install it via Google Tag Manager for more flexibility.

How do I install Google Tag Manager?

Ask Lovable to add your GTM container snippet to the site's shared head and body, then manage individual tags (analytics, ads, pixels) from within Tag Manager itself.

How do I connect Meta Pixel?

Ask Lovable to add your Meta Pixel ID as a script in the site's shared head, and fire a PageView (or custom) event on each route change since Lovable apps are single-page apps.

How do I add a booking system?

For simple scheduling, embed an existing tool like Calendly; for a fully custom booking flow, ask Lovable to build a bookings table with availability logic backed by Lovable Cloud.

How do I embed Calendly?

Ask Lovable to embed your Calendly link using Calendly's inline widget or popup script on the relevant page.

How do I connect an external CRM?

Ask Lovable to build a server function that sends or fetches records via your CRM's REST API (HubSpot, Salesforce, Pipedrive, etc.), using an API key stored as a secret.

How do I connect an email marketing platform?

Ask Lovable to send new subscribers or events to your email platform's API (Mailchimp, ConvertKit, Klaviyo, etc.) via a server function using an API key stored as a secret.

How do I use webhooks?

Webhooks let external services notify your Lovable app when something happens; ask Lovable to create a server function URL as the webhook endpoint, and configure that URL in the third-party service.

How do I receive webhook data?

Ask Lovable for a server function that accepts incoming POST requests, verifies the sender where possible, then stores the payload in your database.

How do I securely call third-party APIs?

Keep every API key and secret server-side in a Lovable Cloud/Supabase server function, never in front-end code, and have your UI call that function instead of the third-party API directly.

Why is my API working in preview but not production?

This is usually a missing secret, environment mismatch, or a domain restriction that only applies once the app is published — check that every secret and allowed-domain setting has been applied to production, not just preview.

How do I connect Shopify?

Last checked 31 Aug 2026

Short answer

Connect via Shopify's Storefront API (for product/catalogue data) or link out to an existing Shopify checkout; Lovable doesn't replace Shopify's backend, it calls into it.

What "connecting Shopify" usually means

Most requests fall into one of two shapes:

Show Shopify products on a Lovable site and send customers to Shopify to actually check out.
Fully custom storefront that reads Shopify data via its Storefront API and handles checkout through Shopify's checkout URL (building your own payment processing to replace Shopify checkout is a much bigger, separate project).

Setting it up

In Shopify, generate a Storefront API access token (Settings → Apps and sales channels → Develop apps).
Ask Lovable to store it as a secret and build the integration:

"Add a server function that fetches my Shopify store's products using the Storefront API, and display them on the Shop page with a 'Buy now' button linking to the Shopify checkout for that product."

Route the API calls through a server function so the access token isn't exposed in front-end code.

What stays in Shopify

Inventory, order management, payment processing and fulfilment stay in Shopify — Lovable is presenting the storefront, not replacing Shopify's commerce engine. Trying to fully rebuild checkout/payments outside Shopify is a much larger undertaking and usually not worth it unless you have a specific reason to leave Shopify's checkout.

What usually goes wrong

Exposing the Storefront token client-side — even though it's scoped to read-only storefront data, keep it server-side as good practice.
Confusing the Storefront API (public catalogue/checkout) with the Admin API (order/inventory management, needs stricter access control) — use the right one for the job.
Product data going stale because there's no refresh/cache strategy — decide how often to refetch.
Trying to fully replace Shopify checkout inside the Lovable app, which drops PCI compliance, tax handling and fraud protection Shopify normally provides.

For a real e-commerce build combining a custom front end with Shopify's backend, PromptSites.com has done this kind of integration before.

Sources

Shopify Storefront API

Was this answer helpful?

You might also need

GuideHow to Connect an External APICall third-party APIs from server code, handle their errors properly, and never expose your keys.