# Get Started with cPixel {#doc-title}

By [B2B Gold](/about/#how-we-write) Updated 24 September 2026 [cPixel page](/shopify/cpixel/) [cPixel on the Shopify App Store](https://apps.shopify.com/cpixel?utm_source=b2bgold.app&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=docs&utm_content=docs/cpixel/getting-started&utm_term=docs-header)

## How do I set up cPixel? {#how-do-i-set-up-cpixel}

Install cPixel from the Shopify App Store and it opens on **Set up cPixel**, four steps: turn on the app embed, connect your first platform, choose your plan, and watch your first events arrive. The last step opens Live with a session already running, so you see real events go out before you leave setup.

Until you finish or skip it, every page opens on setup and the menu shows only **Set up cPixel**.

1. **Turn on the app embed**: **Open theme editor** opens your published theme on **App embeds** with **cPixel tracking** switched on. Click **Save** there; the step ticks itself off. Only this step has **Skip this step**.
2. **Connect your first platform**: **Choose a platform** lists all seven, though the text names four.
3. **Choose your plan**: **Start free**, or pick a paid plan (**Choose Starter**, say) and approve it on Shopify’s screen ([compare plans](/shopify/cpixel/#pricing)).
4. **Watch your first events arrive**: **Start watching** finishes setup and opens **Live** with a session running, which on the Free plan uses one of your Live sessions.

**Skip setup** goes to **Home**, where **Finish setup** brings you back. The side panel **Two ways cPixel tracks** explains the two legs.

> **Note:** Nothing is registered in your store until you save a platform; then the pixel **cPixel** appears under **Settings** → **Customer events**.

## Which platforms does cPixel send to, and from where? {#which-platforms-does-cpixel-send-to-and-from-where}

cPixel sends to seven platforms. Six also get events from its servers, which build each purchase from the Shopify order, not the Thank you page; Google Ads gets a browser tag only. Browser legs run in Shopify’s web pixel, on every page including checkout, or in storefront tags the app embed loads.

| Platform | Browser leg | Server-side events | Purchase from | What you paste |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Meta | Web pixel, every page | PageView, ViewContent, Search, AddToCart, InitiateCheckout, AddPaymentInfo, Purchase | Server; browser as fallback | **Pixel / dataset ID**; **Conversions API access token** (optional) |
| TikTok | App embed: Pageview | Pageview, ViewContent, Search, AddToCart, InitiateCheckout, AddPaymentInfo, CompletePayment | Server | **Pixel code**, **Events API access token** |
| Google Analytics 4 | Web pixel, every page | purchase, refund | Server | **Measurement ID**; **Measurement Protocol API secret** (optional; needed for purchases) |
| OpenAI Ads | App embed: page views, product views, add-to-carts | checkout_started, order_created | Server | **Pixel ID**, **Conversions API key** |
| Snapchat | App embed: page views, add-to-carts | START_CHECKOUT, ADD_BILLING, PURCHASE | Server | **Snap Pixel ID**, **Conversions API access token** |
| Pinterest | App embed: page visits, add-to-carts | initiate_checkout, checkout | Server | **Tag ID**, **Ad account ID**, **Conversions API access token** |
| Google Ads | Web pixel, Thank you page only | Nothing | Browser | **Conversion ID**, **Conversion label** |

- Every plan sends server-side; only the Free plan pauses, at its monthly order allowance, and not in its first days after install ([pricing](/shopify/cpixel/#pricing)). Browser tracking is never metered.
- If a GA4, OpenAI Ads, Snapchat or Pinterest browser event never leaves the device, cPixel sends it from its servers.
- Snapchat’s and Pinterest’s server sends are new: in production since September 2026, and not yet confirmed on a live ad account.
- Refunds reach GA4 only. Microsoft Advertising and X aren’t offered.

## Why does cPixel need its app embed? {#why-does-cpixel-need-its-app-embed}

The app embed, **cPixel tracking**, loads the storefront tags for TikTok, OpenAI Ads, Snapchat and Pinterest and lets cPixel see what shoppers browse, so more of your events can be matched to a customer.

With it off, checkout, purchases, every server leg and the Meta, GA4 and Google Ads browser events carry on. What stops: those four storefront tags, TikTok’s pairing of browser and server page views, OpenAI’s click cookie, and storefront targeting by collection or tag. Home shows **Enhanced tracking is off on your storefront**.

### Turn on the app embed {#turn-on-the-app-embed}

1. On **Home**, click **Turn it on**, or **Turn on** beside **App embed**. Your theme editor opens with **cPixel tracking** switched on under **App embeds** ([Shopify’s guide](https://help.shopify.com/en/manual/online-store/themes/customizing-themes/apps)).
2. Click **Save**, then return to cPixel: **App embed** reads **On**.

> **Important:** App embeds belong to one theme. After publishing another theme, switch **cPixel tracking** on there too; cPixel warns you if you forget.

## How do I connect my first platform? {#how-do-i-connect-my-first-platform}

Open **Destinations**, pick a platform under **Connect a platform** and follow the wizard: **Paste your IDs**, **Choose options** and **Test it**. Each platform’s guide shows where its values live, starting with [connect Meta](/docs/cpixel/connect-meta/) and [connect OpenAI Ads](/docs/cpixel/connect-openai-ads/).

You needn’t finish a platform in one sitting: Meta and GA4 accept the ID alone, as **Browser only**, until you add the token or secret. TikTok, OpenAI Ads, Snapchat and Pinterest need their token from the start.

## How do I know events are arriving? {#how-do-i-know-events-are-arriving}

Open **Live**, click **Start session** and browse your store in another tab. For 10 minutes, events appear as they’re sent, and server sends show the platform’s reply: [watch your first events in Live](/docs/cpixel/live-events/).

On **Destinations**, **Verified** means a server send has succeeded, **Credentials OK** a passing **Test connection**, and **Browser only** an ID without a token. **Show checks** on **Home** lists six health checks. Each connect guide shows where to check in the platform.

> **Tip:** cPixel skips test orders by default, every order on a development store included, and Live marks them **Skipped**; to see a purchase, pay for real or untick **Settings** → **Test orders**.

## What should I set up next? {#what-should-i-set-up-next}

Connect your other platforms. You can [keep the Facebook and Instagram app](/docs/cpixel/official-channel-apps/) and other platforms’ own apps for their catalogues and shops, with one sender per pixel.

- If a purchase goes missing, see [purchases not showing](/docs/cpixel/purchases-missing/); for allowances, [cPixel plans](/docs/cpixel/plans/); for cash on delivery, [order rules](/docs/cpixel/order-rules/).
- For help: **Home** → **Get help** → **Contact support**, usually answered within one business day.

### Removing cPixel {#removing-cpixel}

cPixel edits no theme files and can’t add script tags, so nothing needs cleaning up by hand.

1. On a paid plan, cancel first under **Plan** → **Cancel plan**, which is prorated; [uninstalling](https://help.shopify.com/en/manual/apps/uninstalling-apps) can still bill the current cycle.
2. In Shopify, go to **Settings** → **Apps**, click **…** beside cPixel, then **Uninstall**. Shopify removes cPixel’s pixel and [app embed](https://shopify.dev/docs/apps/build/online-store/theme-app-extensions/ux) automatically.

cPixel deletes your access tokens at once and everything else about 48 hours later; reinstall sooner and your settings return, without the tokens.

## Related {#related}

- [Connect Meta](/docs/cpixel/connect-meta/)
- [Connect OpenAI Ads](/docs/cpixel/connect-openai-ads/)
- [Watch your first events in Live](/docs/cpixel/live-events/)
- [Keep the Facebook and Instagram app](/docs/cpixel/official-channel-apps/)

[cPixel Facebook Pixel CAPI GA4](/shopify/cpixel/)

cPixel is a Shopify app that sends your store’s events to Meta, TikTok, Google Analytics 4 and OpenAI’s ChatGPT Ads from shoppers’ browsers and from its own servers, with one shared event ID so each platform can keep a single copy. A live view shows each send, with the platform’s reply to server sends, and alerts flag a rejected token or stalled tracking.

[Install free on the Shopify App Store](https://apps.shopify.com/cpixel?utm_source=b2bgold.app&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=docs&utm_content=docs/cpixel/getting-started&utm_term=card) [Plans and pricing](/shopify/cpixel/#pricing)

Need help with cPixel? Email [support@b2bgold.app](mailto:support@b2bgold.app).