Shopify announced changes to Flow staff permissions on 28 October. Its help documentation describes a gradual early-access rollout: stores without the new Flow automations category still use the existing app permission.

For affected shops, opening Flow and activating a particular workflow are separate permissions questions. Staff need access to the store data and apps that the workflow uses before they can turn it on or run it. They can still prepare drafts without having all the permissions needed for activation.

Already active workflows continue running, according to Shopify. Existing Flow users receive the new Flow automations permissions automatically. Store owners retain full access.

Our take: before a promotion or operational handover, check who can actually activate and maintain the workflows your shop depends on. Someone being able to edit a draft does not establish that they can launch it. Review the missing-permission message against the person’s actual responsibilities rather than granting broad access just to clear an error.

This is an access-control change, not evidence that an automation is commercially useful or configured correctly. We have not tested it in a merchant account.