App Distribution & Review
Publishing your app on the YouCan Marketplace requires submitting it for review. This page explains the criteria, the process, and what you need to do before you submit.
Review is only required for Marketplace publishing
If you're building an app for your own store, a specific seller, or using a private app for API access (e.g. with a personal access token), no review is needed. You can install and use your app immediately without waiting for approval.
Review is only required when you want to list your app publicly on the Marketplace.
What we look for
- Functionality: App works as described, core features perform reliably
- User experience: Clear onboarding, intuitive interface, helpful error messages
- Performance: No significant slowdowns or memory leaks under normal load
- Security: OAuth best practices, minimal scopes, secure data handling
- Listing quality: Accurate description, useful screenshots
Requirements
Two things are mandatory for any app submitted to the Marketplace:
Seamless authentication
Your app must use YouCan's authentication system to automatically log sellers in — no separate login screen is allowed. The seller should land directly inside your app after installing it.
Marketplace apps are embedded apps, so this means implementing the embedded app authentication flow.
Managed billing
If your app charges YouCan sellers, all payments must go through YouCan's managed billing system. Charges created outside this system are not permitted and will result in rejection.
See the Billing guide for implementation details.
Review process
- Automated checks run on submission — these verify your app meets baseline technical requirements
- Manual review by our team, typically 3–5 business days
- Feedback via email detailing any required changes, if any
- Resubmit after addressing feedback
Submitting for review
Before submitting, you'll be asked to confirm:
- You have only requested the OAuth scopes your app actually needs
- Your app implements the correct authentication flow
- If your app charges users, it uses YouCan managed billing for all transactions
- You agree to the YouCan Partner Terms and Conditions
All automated checks must pass before the submit button becomes active. You can run them manually from the Distribution tab in the Partners dashboard.
App statuses
| Status | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Draft | App not yet submitted — you can still make changes |
| In review | Submitted and being reviewed by our team |
| Requested changes | Feedback sent — address it and resubmit |
| Approved | Review passed — you can publish to the Marketplace |
| Published | Live on the Marketplace |
| Declined | App violates our terms or minimum requirements — contact support if you believe this is a mistake |
Once approved, you control when to publish or delist your app from the Marketplace.