# Shopify Price-Update CSV Guard (`bgmowl/shopify-price-update-csv-guard`) Actor

Free beta; Apify platform usage applies. Independent, read-only comparison of native Shopify CSV price edits. Flags destructive blanks, variant identity changes, and unintended edits. Not affiliated with Shopify. PASS never guarantees a safe import.

- **URL**: https://apify.com/bgmowl/shopify-price-update-csv-guard.md
- **Developed by:** [bgm owl](https://apify.com/bgmowl) (community)
- **Stats:** 2 total users, 1 monthly users, 100.0% runs succeeded, 0 bookmarks
- **User rating**: No ratings yet

## Pricing

Pay per usage

This Actor is paid per platform usage. The Actor is free to use, and you only pay for the Apify platform usage, which gets cheaper the higher subscription plan you have.

Learn more: https://docs.apify.com/actors/running/actors-in-store.md#pay-per-usage

## What's an Apify Actor?

An Actor is a serverless cloud program that runs on the Apify platform. It has two run modes.
In Batch mode, an Actor accepts a well-defined JSON input, performs an action which can take anything from a few seconds to a few hours,
and optionally produces a well-defined JSON output, datasets with results, or files in key-value store.
In Standby mode, an Actor provides a web server which can be used as a website, API, or an MCP server.

Apify vocabulary and the platform model are defined once, in the agent quickstart at https://apify.com/agents.md.

## How to integrate an Actor?

If asked about integration, you help developers integrate Actors into their projects.
You adapt to their stack and deliver integrations that are safe, well-documented, and production-ready.

Do not guess an integration path. Every one of them is in the agent quickstart at https://apify.com/agents.md: the Apify MCP server, Agent Skills with the Apify CLI, the JavaScript and Python clients, the REST API, and the account-free path for an agent with no human to sign in. It also carries the rule on stating cost before the first paid run.

For examples already wired to this Actor's own input schema, see the [API](#api) section below.

Each client library has reference documentation the quickstart does not restate: [JavaScript/TypeScript](https://docs.apify.com/api/client/js/docs.md) (`npm install apify-client`) and [Python](https://docs.apify.com/api/client/python/docs.md) (`pip install apify-client`).

# README

## Shopify Price-Update CSV Guard

Compare an untouched Shopify product export CSV with its edited copy before a price update. Declare the exact selling-price columns you intended to change. Receive a JSON report of destructive blanks, other changed fields, missing or duplicate variant identities, and supported price checks.

This is an independent tool, not affiliated with, sponsored by, or endorsed by Shopify.

**Free beta; Apify platform usage applies.** There is no developer fee during this beta. See Pricing below.

**PASS never guarantees a safe or successful Shopify import.** The Actor checks a limited set of file-level rules. It does not inspect your live store, import settings, currency, apps, inventory state, external image URLs, or changes since the export. It does not repair files, generate an import, or write to Shopify.

[![Shopify CSV Guard illustrated demo: spot unintended edits before import](https://api.apify.com/v2/key-value-stores/FGL15twewurY34tAd/records/bgmowl-shopify-csv-guard.gif?signature=1aP5i2tbR1qpJVfAbGoyT)](https://api.apify.com/v2/key-value-stores/FGL15twewurY34tAd/records/bgmowl-shopify-csv-guard.gif?signature=1aP5i2tbR1qpJVfAbGoyT)

[Open animated demo](https://api.apify.com/v2/key-value-stores/FGL15twewurY34tAd/records/bgmowl-shopify-csv-guard.gif?signature=1aP5i2tbR1qpJVfAbGoyT) · The preview on this page is static; the link opens the looping GIF.

*Fictional demo with an illustrated report excerpt. Read-only checks; PASS never guarantees a safe import.*

### Input

Supply inline UTF-8 CSV strings in `originalCsv` and `editedCsv`, plus `intendedPriceColumns`, a nonempty list of exact headers appearing in both files. No URLs, credentials or Shopify access are needed.

```json
{
  "originalCsv": "Handle,Title,Option1 Name,Option1 Value,Variant Price\nmug,Mug,Title,Default Title,9.99\n",
  "editedCsv": "Handle,Title,Option1 Name,Option1 Value,Variant Price\nmug,Mug,Title,Default Title,8.99\n",
  "intendedPriceColumns": ["Variant Price"]
}
```

Each CSV is limited to 2 MiB UTF-8 and 5,000 data records, including image rows. Other limits: 256 columns, 128 KiB per field, and 1,000 detailed findings and changes. Truncated reports require review.

Keep native headers and the full original variant set. Variant identity uses the exact handle plus exact option values. SKU, barcode and row position are never substitutes. Legitimate continuation blanks and supported image-only rows are distinguished from variant rows. Selling-price, compare-at and named market price columns are supported; cost per item is protected as a non-price field.

Common current and legacy headers have synthetic test coverage. Compatibility with real authorized current/legacy native exports and Shopify's live importer remains unverified. This is a conservative differential check, not a complete Shopify CSV validator. It does not resolve linked-option handles/GIDs or verify consistent option arity against Shopify; unchanged unsupported domain values can still PASS the limited differential rules. Supported headers do not imply comprehensive inventory, fulfillment, tax, metafield or publication validation.

### Results

- `PASS`: no supported file-level rule requires review.
- `REVIEW_REQUIRED`: findings need human review, or the input uses unsupported semantics.
- `INVALID_INPUT`: malformed, missing, unsupported-contract or oversized input.

The full report is saved as `OUTPUT` in the run's default key-value store; a compact summary is in its default dataset. Findings include stable rules and IDs, CSV row/column locations, bounded before/after values, hashes, and the comparison rules version. A successful Actor execution can still return REVIEW_REQUIRED or INVALID_INPUT; read the report's `status`.

### Pricing

This is a free public beta with **no developer fee**. Apify lists it as **Pay per usage**: runs consume the compute, storage and data-transfer resources in the runner's own Apify account. Apify platform usage applies even when a report returns REVIEW_REQUIRED or INVALID_INPUT. The former proposed $0.10 completed-report fee is not charged during this beta.

Apify's Free plan currently includes $5 of monthly usage credit. Testing can be free out of pocket while your available credits cover usage. If Free-plan credits run out, Apify pauses platform services until the next billing period. Paid Apify plans may charge usage beyond included credits. Check your own plan, remaining credits and limits before running; this beta does not include unlimited free Apify usage. See [Apify pricing](https://apify.com/pricing).

### Data and usability feedback

The Actor sends catalog data only to the run's Apify output storage; it does not fetch input URLs, scrape websites, call an LLM, or connect to Shopify. The report can contain catalog values. Keep real-data runs and their storage private and manage retention in your Apify account.

Please use the Actor's Issues tab to report confusing inputs, unclear findings, false positives, missing checks or trouble finding the output. Tell us what you expected and what happened. Share a small redacted or synthetic example rather than private catalog data, customer information or credentials. This beta is intended to learn whether the comparison workflow and report are useful and understandable.

# Actor input Schema

## `originalCsv` (type: `string`):

Untouched UTF-8 CSV content, not a path or URL. Actual UTF-8 bytes are bounded again at runtime.

## `editedCsv` (type: `string`):

Edited copy with native headers and the full original variant set.

## `intendedPriceColumns` (type: `array`):

For example Price or Variant Price. Exact spelling must appear in both CSVs. Compare-at and named market price columns are supported. Cost per item is outside scope.

## Actor input object example

```json
{
  "originalCsv": "URL handle,Title,Description,Vendor,Option1 name,Option1 value,Option2 name,Option2 value,Option3 name,Option3 value,SKU,Price,Compare-at price,Cost per item,Product image URL,Image position,Image alt text,Variant image URL,Price / International,Compare-at price / International\nshirt,Shirt,Soft cotton,Example,Size,S,Color,Red,,,001,20.00,25.00,8.00,https://example.invalid/shirt-1.jpg,1,Front,,,\nshirt,,,,,M,,Red,,,002,22.00,26.00,8.00,,,,,,\nshirt,,,,,L,,Red,,,003,24.00,28.00,8.00,,,,,,\nshirt,,,,,,,,,,,,,,https://example.invalid/shirt-2.jpg,2,Back,,,\nmug,Mug,,Example,Title,Default Title,,,,,MUG,9.99,,3.00,,,,,,\n",
  "editedCsv": "URL handle,Title,Description,Vendor,Option1 name,Option1 value,Option2 name,Option2 value,Option3 name,Option3 value,SKU,Price,Compare-at price,Cost per item,Product image URL,Image position,Image alt text,Variant image URL,Price / International,Compare-at price / International\nshirt,Shirt,Soft cotton,Example,Size,S,Color,Red,,,001,20.00,25.00,8.00,https://example.invalid/shirt-1.jpg,1,Front,,,\nshirt,,,,,M,,Red,,,002,21.00,26.00,8.00,,,,,,\nshirt,,,,,L,,Red,,,003,24.00,28.00,8.00,,,,,,\nshirt,,,,,,,,,,,,,,https://example.invalid/shirt-2.jpg,2,Back,,,\nmug,Mug,,Example,Title,Default Title,,,,,MUG,9.99,,3.00,,,,,,\n",
  "intendedPriceColumns": [
    "Price"
  ]
}
```

# Actor output Schema

## `report` (type: `string`):

PASS, REVIEW_REQUIRED, or INVALID_INPUT; bounded findings, cell changes, hashes, and rules version. See schemas/report.schema.json for the JSON contract.

## `summary` (type: `string`):

No description

## `billing` (type: `string`):

Present only when integration is enabled. Acknowledgement is not proof of settlement. See schemas/billing.schema.json.

# API

You can run this Actor programmatically using our API. Below are code examples in JavaScript, Python, and CLI, as well as the OpenAPI specification and MCP server setup.

## JavaScript example

```javascript
import { ApifyClient } from 'apify-client';

// Initialize the ApifyClient with your Apify API token
// Replace the '<YOUR_API_TOKEN>' with your token
const client = new ApifyClient({
    token: '<YOUR_API_TOKEN>',
});

// Prepare Actor input
const input = {
    "originalCsv": `URL handle,Title,Description,Vendor,Option1 name,Option1 value,Option2 name,Option2 value,Option3 name,Option3 value,SKU,Price,Compare-at price,Cost per item,Product image URL,Image position,Image alt text,Variant image URL,Price / International,Compare-at price / International
shirt,Shirt,Soft cotton,Example,Size,S,Color,Red,,,001,20.00,25.00,8.00,https://example.invalid/shirt-1.jpg,1,Front,,,
shirt,,,,,M,,Red,,,002,22.00,26.00,8.00,,,,,,
shirt,,,,,L,,Red,,,003,24.00,28.00,8.00,,,,,,
shirt,,,,,,,,,,,,,,https://example.invalid/shirt-2.jpg,2,Back,,,
mug,Mug,,Example,Title,Default Title,,,,,MUG,9.99,,3.00,,,,,,`,
    "editedCsv": `URL handle,Title,Description,Vendor,Option1 name,Option1 value,Option2 name,Option2 value,Option3 name,Option3 value,SKU,Price,Compare-at price,Cost per item,Product image URL,Image position,Image alt text,Variant image URL,Price / International,Compare-at price / International
shirt,Shirt,Soft cotton,Example,Size,S,Color,Red,,,001,20.00,25.00,8.00,https://example.invalid/shirt-1.jpg,1,Front,,,
shirt,,,,,M,,Red,,,002,21.00,26.00,8.00,,,,,,
shirt,,,,,L,,Red,,,003,24.00,28.00,8.00,,,,,,
shirt,,,,,,,,,,,,,,https://example.invalid/shirt-2.jpg,2,Back,,,
mug,Mug,,Example,Title,Default Title,,,,,MUG,9.99,,3.00,,,,,,`,
    "intendedPriceColumns": [
        "Price"
    ]
};

// Run the Actor and wait for it to finish
const run = await client.actor("bgmowl/shopify-price-update-csv-guard").call(input);

// Fetch and print Actor results from the run's dataset (if any)
console.log('Results from dataset');
console.log(`💾 Check your data here: https://console.apify.com/storage/datasets/${run.defaultDatasetId}`);
const { items } = await client.dataset(run.defaultDatasetId).listItems();
items.forEach((item) => {
    console.dir(item);
});

// 📚 Want to learn more 📖? Go to → https://docs.apify.com/api/client/js/docs

```

## Python example

```python
from apify_client import ApifyClient

# Initialize the ApifyClient with your Apify API token
# Replace '<YOUR_API_TOKEN>' with your token.
client = ApifyClient("<YOUR_API_TOKEN>")

# Prepare the Actor input
run_input = {
    "originalCsv": """URL handle,Title,Description,Vendor,Option1 name,Option1 value,Option2 name,Option2 value,Option3 name,Option3 value,SKU,Price,Compare-at price,Cost per item,Product image URL,Image position,Image alt text,Variant image URL,Price / International,Compare-at price / International
shirt,Shirt,Soft cotton,Example,Size,S,Color,Red,,,001,20.00,25.00,8.00,https://example.invalid/shirt-1.jpg,1,Front,,,
shirt,,,,,M,,Red,,,002,22.00,26.00,8.00,,,,,,
shirt,,,,,L,,Red,,,003,24.00,28.00,8.00,,,,,,
shirt,,,,,,,,,,,,,,https://example.invalid/shirt-2.jpg,2,Back,,,
mug,Mug,,Example,Title,Default Title,,,,,MUG,9.99,,3.00,,,,,,
""",
    "editedCsv": """URL handle,Title,Description,Vendor,Option1 name,Option1 value,Option2 name,Option2 value,Option3 name,Option3 value,SKU,Price,Compare-at price,Cost per item,Product image URL,Image position,Image alt text,Variant image URL,Price / International,Compare-at price / International
shirt,Shirt,Soft cotton,Example,Size,S,Color,Red,,,001,20.00,25.00,8.00,https://example.invalid/shirt-1.jpg,1,Front,,,
shirt,,,,,M,,Red,,,002,21.00,26.00,8.00,,,,,,
shirt,,,,,L,,Red,,,003,24.00,28.00,8.00,,,,,,
shirt,,,,,,,,,,,,,,https://example.invalid/shirt-2.jpg,2,Back,,,
mug,Mug,,Example,Title,Default Title,,,,,MUG,9.99,,3.00,,,,,,
""",
    "intendedPriceColumns": ["Price"],
}

# Run the Actor and wait for it to finish
run = client.actor("bgmowl/shopify-price-update-csv-guard").call(run_input=run_input)

# Fetch and print Actor results from the run's dataset (if there are any)
print(f"💾 Check your data here: https://console.apify.com/storage/datasets/{run.default_dataset_id}")
for item in client.dataset(run.default_dataset_id).iterate_items():
    print(item)

# 📚 Want to learn more 📖? Go to → https://docs.apify.com/api/client/python/docs/quick-start

```

## CLI example

```bash
echo '{
  "originalCsv": "URL handle,Title,Description,Vendor,Option1 name,Option1 value,Option2 name,Option2 value,Option3 name,Option3 value,SKU,Price,Compare-at price,Cost per item,Product image URL,Image position,Image alt text,Variant image URL,Price / International,Compare-at price / International\\nshirt,Shirt,Soft cotton,Example,Size,S,Color,Red,,,001,20.00,25.00,8.00,https://example.invalid/shirt-1.jpg,1,Front,,,\\nshirt,,,,,M,,Red,,,002,22.00,26.00,8.00,,,,,,\\nshirt,,,,,L,,Red,,,003,24.00,28.00,8.00,,,,,,\\nshirt,,,,,,,,,,,,,,https://example.invalid/shirt-2.jpg,2,Back,,,\\nmug,Mug,,Example,Title,Default Title,,,,,MUG,9.99,,3.00,,,,,,\\n",
  "editedCsv": "URL handle,Title,Description,Vendor,Option1 name,Option1 value,Option2 name,Option2 value,Option3 name,Option3 value,SKU,Price,Compare-at price,Cost per item,Product image URL,Image position,Image alt text,Variant image URL,Price / International,Compare-at price / International\\nshirt,Shirt,Soft cotton,Example,Size,S,Color,Red,,,001,20.00,25.00,8.00,https://example.invalid/shirt-1.jpg,1,Front,,,\\nshirt,,,,,M,,Red,,,002,21.00,26.00,8.00,,,,,,\\nshirt,,,,,L,,Red,,,003,24.00,28.00,8.00,,,,,,\\nshirt,,,,,,,,,,,,,,https://example.invalid/shirt-2.jpg,2,Back,,,\\nmug,Mug,,Example,Title,Default Title,,,,,MUG,9.99,,3.00,,,,,,\\n",
  "intendedPriceColumns": [
    "Price"
  ]
}' |
apify call bgmowl/shopify-price-update-csv-guard --silent --output-dataset

```

## MCP server setup

```json
{
    "mcpServers": {
        "apify": {
            "type": "http",
            "url": "https://mcp.apify.com/?tools=fetch-actor-details,bgmowl/shopify-price-update-csv-guard"
        }
    }
}
```

The hosted server signs you in with OAuth on first connect, so no API token belongs in this config. Clients without OAuth support can send an `Authorization: Bearer <APIFY_API_TOKEN>` header instead, using a token from API & Integrations in Apify Console (https://console.apify.com/settings/integrations).

## OpenAPI specification

Download the OpenAPI definition: https://api.apify.com/v2/actors/bKIgo1TRvMG4pSi11/builds/VnbZ0A2hUztaC0NxY/openapi.json