> This page is for Developer.

> For clean Markdown of any page, append .md to the page URL.
> For a complete documentation index, see https://docs.bigcommerce.com/llms.txt.
> For AI client integration (Claude Code, Cursor, etc.), connect to the MCP server at https://docs.bigcommerce.com/_mcp/server.

## Catalyst Updates

**Guides:**

* [\*\*Getting Started with Catalyst \*\*](https://www.catalyst.dev/docs/getting-started)\*\*- \*\*Released an updated guide to help users quickly set up their Catalyst storefront.

* **Choosing the Right Storefront** - outlining key features and differences between Stencil, Catalyst, and BigCommerce-supported custom headless builds.

* **Building Catalyst-compatible apps** - Guide update now available

* [**Creating Custom Components** ](https://www.catalyst.dev/docs/guides/custom-components)- Added a Custom Components guide demonstrating how to build a custom product carousel component in Catalyst using VIBES, Makeswift, and Next.js primitives.

**Features:**

* [**Versioning & Release Management**](https://www.catalyst.dev/docs/versioning)\*\* \*\*- Introduced a versioning guide to clarify Catalyst’s structured release process.

* [**Environment Variables**](https://www.catalyst.dev/docs/environment-variables) - Updated the list of environment variables you can use to include the [BigCommerce Storefront Token](https://www.catalyst.dev/docs/environment-variables#bigcommerce_storefront_token), [Makeswift Site API key](https://www.catalyst.dev/docs/environment-variables#makeswift_site_api_key), and more.

* [**Customer authentication**](https://www.catalyst.dev/docs/customer-session) - Added a Customer Sessions overview and updated the [Catalyst API client](https://www.catalyst.dev/docs/client) reference to include the customer access token, used to support customer authentication.