In some cases, Shopify stores may need to completely block users from adding products to the cart. For example, a custom product type, a SKU that is only displayed for display purposes, pre-order products, or third-party applications that coincide with store layout can cause this. However, only “Add to Cart” Removing the button is often not enough, because Shopify's /cart/add The endpoint can be triggered in different ways. In this guide, add to cart behavior in Shopify How you can block it globally We consider it in detail.

Why Do I Need to Block /cart/add in Shopify?

Adding to cart in Shopify is not a behavior limited to theme files. Users or applications can send a request to add to the cart in different ways:

• Manual fetch call via browser console
• Automatic /cart/add triggering of third-party applications
• Scripts or embedded widgets
• AJAX based forms or custom buttons

Therefore, it would not be enough to interfere only with front-end components for a true blocking. The main goal is in the browser Capture all /cart/add calls regardless of source must be.

Logic for Capturing /cart/add Requests Globally in Shopify

If you want to have 100% control over the add to cart behavior, you need to create a guard that covers all incoming request types on the browser side. The purpose of this guard is:

• All kinds of fetch calls
• XMLHttpRequest based requests
• POST requests sent via form submit

Intercept Globally and is to stop all URLs containing /cart/add.

With a small script that captures these three levels:

• Theme-driven requests
• Third-party application requests
• Manual fetch () calls from the user console
• Widgets or snippets running in the background

It can all be blocked in one place.

How does Global Guard work?

The created guard listens to the flow of requests in the browser. Even if a user or application runs the following process:

fetch ('/cart/add.js', {method: 'POST', point: {...}})

The request is blocked and returns a custom response that you specify.

In this way, you are both in control of the user experience and prevent unexpected actions by applications that conflict with the logic of your site.

For example:

• Blocked if the Add to Favorites app accidentally triggers adding to cart
• Promotional apps can't do automatic cart manipulation
• Someone who tries to add products to the cart from the console does not get results

This method is especially Because backend control is limited in non-Shopify Plus stores is quite useful.

Is Global Blocking Enough Alone?

Literally no. A person with technical knowledge can theoretically bypass the guard.

So as a second layer of security, it might make sense to use Shopify's own inventory control mechanism.

Alternative Security: Track Quantity + Negative Stock Logic

In products that should not be added to the basket:

• Track Quantity By opening the option
• By keeping the stock quantity of the product in negative (e.g. -100)

you can ensure that the product is considered invalid at the checkout stage.

Shopify automatically cancels the checkout process for products that do not have stock.

This method prevents the purchase, even if it manages to surpass the guard.

It may be necessary to edit a little code only to make the product appear “in stock” on the theme side.

It's Possible to Completely Take Control of Adding to Cart in Shopify

If you want to completely block adding products to the cart on Shopify, a single method is not enough.

Home:

• Browser-based global guard
• As well as Track Quantity+inventory management

when used together, a powerful and reliable solution turns out.

This method:

✔ Keeps third party apps under control

✔ Stops manual /cart/add calls

✔ Fully protects products that you do not want to be taken to the cart

✔ Provides additional precautions with Shopify's security verification during checkout