How to publish a SmartThings CLI app – is a Distribution Request required?

Apps & Clients SmartThings (Samsung Connect)
1 

I have created a SmartThings app using the SmartThings CLI. I want to make it available for other users, but I cannot find where to create a Distribution Request in the Developer Workspace.

Could you please clarify:
1. Is a Distribution Request required for SmartApps created via the CLI?
2. Where in the Developer Workspace or CLI can I submit this request?
3. If not, what is the correct workflow to make a CLI app available to other users?

Thank you for your guidance.

Dyaa Kassoma
2

Tagging @nayelyz @Itati …

3

Hi @Dyaa_4

To better guide you, could you please confirm the type of app you created using the SmartThings CLI (e.g., API_ONLY or Webhook)?

In general:

  • If your app is an API_ONLY app (OAuth), a Distribution Request is not required. These apps do not go through the standard distribution process, but please note that they have an installation limit.
  • If your app is a Webhook SmartApp, these are typically intended for personal use (self-published) and are not meant to be broadly distributed to other users through the Developer Workspace.
4

Hi Itati,
Thank you for your reply.
I have an API-only app and I would now like to move my plattform to production.
Could you please tell me exactly what I need to do next? I would appreciate it if you could share the required steps or any prerequisites I need to complete before publishing.
Best regards,
Dyaa

5

Thank you for the clarification.

For an API-only app, there are no specific steps required to “publish” the integration in the Developer Workspace. Instead, you need to make your Authorization URL available to users who want to install your integration in their SmartThings location.

When a user completes the authorization flow, it counts as an installation of your app. Please note that authorization is per location, meaning that if a single user authorizes access to multiple locations, each one will count as a separate installation.

Also, keep in mind that API-only apps have a limit of 500 installations, so if many users authorize access, you may reach this limit.
See here

6

Hello,
Thank you for the clarification.
Looking ahead, we are planning to scale our platform to more than 1000 subscribers. These users will connect their SmartThings accounts in order to monitor and control the status of their devices through our platform.
Given this expected growth, how should we proceed in the future considering the 500 installation limit for API-only apps?
Best regards

Dyaa

7

@Dyaa_4

Thank you for the clarification.

To proceed, please complete the form outlined in the following documentation:

It is necessary to establish a partnership between SmartThings and your company.