Events subscription query complexity limit is changing to 100 points
Source: Shopify Dev Changelog
Shopify Reduces Events Subscription Query Complexity Limit to 100 Points
Shopify is lowering the query complexity limit for Events subscriptions from 250 points to 100 points. This change applies specifically to Events subscriptions, part of Shopify’s GraphQL-based event notification system, and does not affect Classic Webhooks, which remain unchanged.
How Query Complexity Is Calculated
Each Events subscription query receives a complexity score based on standard GraphQL query cost calculation. Shopify determines this score using three factors: the fields selected in the query, the data types those fields return, and the number of items requested through connections using first or last arguments. The 100-point limit applies per subscription query, not cumulatively across an app’s total API usage. Notably, queries executed through Events subscriptions do not count toward an app’s overall API rate limit.
Why This Matters for App Developers
Apps using Events subscriptions to receive real-time updates on Shopify store data need to review their existing subscription queries against the new 100-point ceiling. Queries that previously fit within the 250-point limit may now exceed the reduced threshold, particularly those requesting deeply nested fields or large connection sets. Developers relying on complex subscription payloads to minimize follow-up API calls will need to reassess their query structure.
What to Check Before the Change Takes Effect
Developers should audit all active Events subscription queries to confirm they fall within 100 points. For queries that exceed this limit, options include reducing the number of fields requested, limiting connection sizes using smaller first or last values, or splitting a single subscription into multiple smaller subscriptions. Testing subscription queries in a development store before deployment can help identify complexity issues early. Apps that have not yet migrated from Classic Webhooks to Events subscriptions are unaffected by this specific change but should still monitor Shopify’s webhook and subscription documentation for related updates.