# Deploy and build Connectors

**Build an order confirmation Connector from the official email template, publish it privately, then install and operate it as a Client.**

> **Build with AI:** The [commercetools AI plugin](/learning-integrate-with-commercetools/dev-tooling/build-with-ai-overview.md) and its [`commercetools-connect`](/learning-integrate-with-commercetools/dev-tooling/skills/commercetools-connect.md) skill speed up Connector development, but AI models can make mistakes. This module teaches you the knowledge to critically evaluate solutions and identify generated errors.
>
> AI assistance does not transfer accountability; you remain responsible for all production code. Review, test, and verify AI-generated output to the same standard as manual code.

**Learning objectives**

After completing this module, you should be able to:

- Start a Connector from an official template, and modernize its credentials and dependencies.
- Explain a Connector's `connect.yaml`: applications, endpoints, configuration, scopes, and lifecycle scripts.
- Narrow an event application to the Message types it sends for, state its delivery policy and failure mode, and recognize the API Extension contract in a service application's code.
- Stage, preview, and publish a Connector privately, and explain what the validation pipeline and certification check.
- Install a Connector in the correct Region and environment through the Merchant Center, the Connect CLI, or the Connect API, and verify it against the resources it creates.
- Resolve a change request through configuration and redeployment before changing code, and diagnose a Deployment using logs, reports, and resources.

**Agenda**

Creator tasks:

1. [Start from the email template](/learning-integrate-with-commercetools/deploy-and-build-connectors/start-from-the-email-template.md)
2. [Implement and test the event app to the contract](/learning-integrate-with-commercetools/deploy-and-build-connectors/implement-and-test-the-event-app.md)
3. [Stage, preview, and publish privately](/learning-integrate-with-commercetools/deploy-and-build-connectors/stage-preview-and-publish-privately.md)

Client tasks:

4. [Install and test your Connector](/learning-integrate-with-commercetools/deploy-and-build-connectors/install-and-test-your-connector.md)
5. [Operate a Deployment](/learning-integrate-with-commercetools/deploy-and-build-connectors/operate-a-deployment.md)

To finish:

6. [Extend it with AI (optional)](/learning-integrate-with-commercetools/deploy-and-build-connectors/extend-it-with-ai.md)
7. [Learning check](/learning-integrate-with-commercetools/deploy-and-build-connectors/learning-check.md)

**Prerequisites**

Required:

- [Integration essentials](/learning-integrate-with-commercetools/integration-essentials/overview.md), especially [Price the contract](/learning-integrate-with-commercetools/integration-essentials/price-the-contract.md) and [Choose where it runs and how to adopt it](/learning-integrate-with-commercetools/integration-essentials/choose-where-it-runs.md).
- [Authentication and authorization](/learning-developer-essentials/authentication-authorization/overview.md)

Recommended:

- [Manage resources with the SDK](/learning-developer-essentials/manage-resources-with-the-sdk/overview.md)

**Environment checklist**

To complete the hands-on steps, you need the following:

- A commercetools Project. A trial Project works: you install with the Connect CLI to the `sandbox` environment. Production Deployments need a Project that isn't a trial, and a first production publish has an extra step. See [Production](/connect/deployment-behavior-and-environments.md#production).
- Membership in your Organization's [Administrators Team](/merchant-center/administrators-team.md), if you want to use the Merchant Center's **Connect** tab.
- Node.js v22 or v24 (see [supported runtimes](/connect/supported-runtimes.md)), and Docker, which the [Connect CLI](/connect/cli.md#requirements) needs.
- The Connect CLI, `@commercetools/cli`.
- A GitHub account for your own copy of the template.
- An API Client for the CLI with the scopes `manage_connectors`, `manage_connectors_deployments`, `manage_api_clients`, `manage_orders`, and `view_subscriptions` or `manage_subscriptions`. [Start from the email template](/learning-integrate-with-commercetools/deploy-and-build-connectors/start-from-the-email-template.md#create-an-api-client-for-the-cli) explains what each is for.
- `curl` and `jq` for the Connect API and HTTP API examples.

You don't need an email provider account **for these exercises**. The Connector's provider call stays stubbed throughout the module, so these steps don't verify actual email delivery. Before a real provider-backed Deployment, check whether the [provider requires a commercial contract](/connect/deployments.md) and assess provider and Deployment costs independently. This module doesn't estimate those costs.

**Audience**

This module is designed for technical professionals who build, deploy, or operate Connect applications, including:

- Backend developers
- Technical team leads
- Technical solution architects

## Related pages

- [Area overview page with navigation](/learning-integrate-with-commercetools.md)
- [Next page: Start from the email template](/learning-integrate-with-commercetools/deploy-and-build-connectors/start-from-the-email-template.md)
- [Search documentation and API specs](/search.md)