> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://help.storetalk.app/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# StoreTalk Apps

> Extend your WhatsApp flows with apps from the StoreTalk App Marketplace

**StoreTalk Apps** are extensions that plug new capabilities into your WhatsApp chatbot flows. Instead of building everything from scratch, you install an app and drop it into any flow as an **App node** — the app handles the hard parts for you.

Common examples include online stores, appointment booking, delivery tracking, and third-party integrations. When a customer reaches an App node in a flow, StoreTalk hands off to the app, which runs its logic and returns a result that the flow can act on.

## How apps fit into flows

```
Customer sends a message
        ↓
Flow runs → reaches an App node
        ↓
StoreTalk calls the app
        ↓
App runs its logic
(e.g. browses products, creates a booking)
        ↓
Flow continues on the success or failure path
```

You connect apps to flows using the **App** node in the Flow Builder. Each node is linked to one of your installed app instances. One flow can use multiple apps; one app can be used in multiple flows.

## Two types of apps

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="First-party apps" icon="store" color="#1a7f5a">
    Built and maintained by the StoreTalk team. Free to install on any plan. These cover the most common needs — online stores, bookings, order fulfillment, and more.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Third-party apps" icon="puzzle-piece" color="#1a7f5a">
    Built by independent developers using the StoreTalk App SDK. Quality is reviewed before listing. May carry a cost depending on the developer's pricing model.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## Pricing models

Each app listing shows one of three pricing models:

| Model                    | What it means                                                  |
| ------------------------ | -------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Free**                 | No charge, ever. Install and use without limits.               |
| **Monthly subscription** | A recurring charge billed each month. Cancel any time to stop. |
| **One-time purchase**    | Pay once, use forever. No recurring fees.                      |

<Note>
  App charges are separate from your StoreTalk plan. Your plan covers the StoreTalk platform; apps are priced by their respective developers.
</Note>

## Multiple instances of the same app

You can install the same app more than once — each installation is an independent **instance** with its own name and configuration. This is useful when you run more than one operation using the same app type.

For example, if you install the e-commerce store app twice:

* **Instance 1:** "Main Store" — connected to your regular product catalogue
* **Instance 2:** "Sale Items" — connected to a separate discounted catalogue

Each instance appears separately in your flows, so you can send customers to the right store depending on what they asked for.

## Session vs fulfillment

Every app interaction has two phases:

* **Session phase** — the customer is actively engaged (browsing, filling out a form). The flow waits until the session completes or times out.
* **Fulfillment phase** — the flow has already finished, but the app continues working in the background (packing an order, confirming a booking) and sends WhatsApp updates directly to the customer.

This separation means customers can keep chatting with you while an app processes their order, and they receive updates as things progress.

## Finding apps

Open **Apps** in the left sidebar and go to the **Marketplace** tab. You can browse by category or search by name. Selecting an app shows its full description, the actions it adds to the Flow Builder, and its pricing options.

<Tip>
  Not sure which app is right for you? Read the "What this app adds to your flows" section on each listing page — it shows exactly which new node types become available after installing.
</Tip>

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Install and manage apps" icon="gear" href="/apps/manage-apps">
    Step-by-step guide to installing, configuring, and monitoring your installed apps.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Build a chatbot flow" icon="diagram-project" href="/getting-started/quick-start">
    Learn how the Flow Builder works and where App nodes fit in.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>