Catalyst is the official open-source, composable headless commerce framework for BigCommerce, built on Next.js and the GraphQL Storefront API, that serves as a fully-functional storefront starter in seconds.
What is Catalyst?
Catalyst is a composable, fully customizable headless commerce framework created by BigCommerce. It takes a BigCommerce store as its data source and produces a complete storefront as its output, saving you from wiring up APIs or building ecommerce components from scratch. The framework runs on Next.js, uses React storefront components, and is backed by the GraphQL Storefront API. It is distributed under the MIT License and maintained by BigCommerce, with a public GitHub repository (bigcommerce/catalyst) that currently has 243 stars.
Key Features
- Next.js foundation — Catalyst is built on Next.js and uses React storefront components, giving you a modern ecommerce stack.
- GraphQL Storefront API backing — Catalyst is built on BigCommerce's GraphQL Storefront API, so all catalog and customer data flows through this API.
- SEO, accessibility, and performance — Pre-built components are optimized for SEO, Accessibility, and Performance, so you don't have to write those yourself.
- Instant storefront — You get a fully-functional storefront within a few seconds of starting, without spending time on API wiring.
- One-Click Catalyst App — Deploy your storefront directly from the BigCommerce App Marketplace with a single click.
- Simple setup — Install with one command:
pnpm create @bigcommerce/catalyst@latest, then start the dev server withpnpm run dev. - Live demo — See a running example at catalyst-demo.site.
- Open source — The code is released under the MIT License.
Who is it for?
- Ecommerce developers who want a headless storefront on BigCommerce without building boilerplate from scratch — they can extend and customize Catalyst's components and API client.
- Digital agencies that build multiple BigCommerce stores can reuse Catalyst as a consistent starting point and tailor it per client.
- Ecommerce brands looking to go headless can launch a fast, SEO-optimized storefront quickly and then invest in brand-specific customization.
What can you do with Catalyst?
- Launch a storefront in minutes: Using the One-Click Catalyst App or the pnpm create command, you can have a storefront connected to your BigCommerce store running locally or deployed.
- Customize the shopping experience: Since Catalyst is composable, you can swap out components, adjust styling, and extend functionality through Next.js and React.
- Headless architecture: Catalyst connects to your BigCommerce store via the GraphQL Storefront API, letting you build custom front-end experiences without being tied to BigCommerce's default themes.
How does Catalyst work?
Catalyst has a two-path onboarding flow. You can either deploy via the One-Click Catalyst App from the BigCommerce App Marketplace, or install locally by running pnpm create @bigcommerce/catalyst@latest. Once installed, start the local development server with pnpm run dev and make changes in the Next.js codebase. The framework connects to your BigCommerce store through the GraphQL Storefront API to pull in catalog and customer data.
FAQ
Does Catalyst require a BigCommerce account?
Yes, you need a BigCommerce account to use Catalyst, because it connects to your store's catalog and data through the GraphQL Storefront API. The README lists a BigCommerce account as a hard requirement, and offers a trial link.
Is Catalyst free to use?
Catalyst itself is open source and licensed under the MIT License, so the code is free. However, using it in production requires a BigCommerce plan for your store and its API access.
What Node.js version does Catalyst need?
Catalyst requires Node.js version 24, and you'll need Corepack enabled so that you can use pnpm (run corepack enable pnpm).
How do I install Catalyst?
Run pnpm create @bigcommerce/catalyst@latest to create a new Catalyst project, then cd into the directory and run pnpm run dev to launch the development server.
What is the One-Click Catalyst App?
It's a deployment option available in the BigCommerce App Marketplace that lets you set up a Catalyst storefront without installing locally. It's documented in the Commerce One-Click Catalyst Documentation.
