Create programs and commission contracts

What you need

A connected app, intended listing URL, support email and a decided reward/payment policy. Each app has its own program and referral links.

Steps

1. Open Affiliates → Programs → New program and create a draft for the intended app. Set its name, canonical Shopify listing URL, description, category and support email.
2. Save terms: recurring commission percentage, gross collections excluding tax or net basis, included subscription/usage/one-time collections, refund hold, referral window and earning duration. Configure CPI only if you intend to reward verified installs.
3. Set payment thresholds per currency, supported manual methods, invoice requirement, payment deadline, review schedule/timezone and request/receipt reminder delays.
4. Finish Tracking verification. Activation requires saved terms, complete collections and a ready integration. Public enrollment offers require an active program.
5. Review a partner’s displayed terms before approval. Private groups and individual overrides can change the effective offer; record and review each version.

Expected result

A program with explicit, versioned terms and payment policy. Partners see the actual offer, not a universal default percentage. A pause or archive limits ongoing program operations; it does not erase historical earnings.

Prospective changes and existing referrals

New terms apply according to their effective version. Existing accepted referrals keep their saved contract snapshot. To change future earnings for selected existing referrals, use the preview/proposal workflow and have the partner accept the exact offered version and effective date. Earlier collections retain their original contract.

A percentage such as 30% is a program choice, not a HeyCrust rule. Thresholds and holds must be agreed with each program. See Commission ledger.

Troubleshooting

If activation fails, inspect the missing collection/tracking evidence. Draft test preparation is distinct from public joining. For an existing partner, offer changes may require acceptance before renewed promotion.