Native apps feature allows your application to be embedded right into the user Control Panel and work like it is built into Ecwid. Overall, it works this way:
- User installs the application and allows it to add a new tab to the Ecwid Control Panel
- After installation, a new tab shows the page content of your specified iframeUrl. At the same time you receive an encrypted payload as a query param of iframeUrl
- Show your interface to a user and work with REST API and Ecwid JS SDK in the background
Although this approach is not necessary and you can use the Ecwid API without embedding an application into the Control Panel, we highly recommend it. Being integrated with Ecwid this way, your app will get way more user engagement, as it will be a part of a merchant store backend.
We also have a styleguide you can use to make your app look like a native part of the Control Pane. Check it our here: Styleguide