> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.yuko.so/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Membership Validation at Checkout

> A Shopify Checkout extension that validates active membership at checkout and enforces member-only product access.

<Note>
  **Where to find this:** Shopify admin → Apps → Yuko Loyalty → Memberships → Validation
</Note>

## Introduction

The Membership Validation extension is a Shopify Checkout UI extension that runs at the moment of checkout. If the cart includes a member-only product, the extension checks that the customer has an active membership contract — and blocks checkout otherwise.

## What problem this solves

Without checkout validation, a customer could grab a member-only product link and check out without being a member. Validation enforces member-only access at the point that matters: the order.

## Where it appears

* Shopify Checkout (transparently — only surfaces if validation fails).

## When to use

* You sell member-only products that should only be purchasable by members.
* You're enforcing access to gated drops or limited-supply releases.

## Overview

* Shopify Checkout UI extension.
* Validates the customer's active membership against the cart's gated products.
* Blocks checkout with a clear message if the customer isn't a member.

## Before you start

<Check>Yuko app is installed on your Shopify store.</Check>
<Check>Your loyalty program is enabled.</Check>
<Check>The widget is set to **Active** in **Shopify admin → Apps → Yuko Loyalty → Loyalty → Widgets**.</Check>
<Check>Your active Shopify theme supports Online Store 2.0 app blocks.</Check>

<Check>Your Shopify plan supports Checkout Extensibility.</Check>
<Check>At least one membership plan exists.</Check>
<Check>You've identified the products that should be member-only.</Check>

## Setup guide

### 1. Configure in Yuko

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open the validation settings">
    Go to **Apps → Yuko Loyalty → Memberships → Validation**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Pick which products are member-only">
    Use the Shopify resource picker to select products or collections that require an active membership.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Configure the block message">
    The message shown at checkout when validation fails (e.g., *“This product is for Yuko VIP members only. [Join now](/products/yuko-vip)”*).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Activate">
    Toggle the validation **Active**.
  </Step>
</Steps>

### 2. Add the extension in Shopify Checkout

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open the Checkout Editor">
    In your Shopify admin, go to **Settings → Checkout → Customize**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Add the Yuko Checkout extension">
    In the editor, click **Add app block** in the section where you want the widget. Choose the relevant Yuko Checkout extension.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Position and save">
    Drag the block to its final position in the checkout and click **Save**.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Info>
  Checkout UI extensions require **Shopify Plus** or a checkout-eligible plan. See [Theme compatibility & requirements](/getting-started/theme-compatibility).
</Info>

### 3. Verify

<Steps>
  <Step title="Test as a non-member">
    Add a member-only product to cart as a non-member account and try to check out. The block message should appear.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Test as a member">
    Repeat as an active member. Checkout should proceed normally.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## How it works

* The extension runs validation logic on every checkout where a gated product is present.
* If the customer has an active contract that includes the product, checkout proceeds.
* Otherwise, an error message is shown and the customer can't complete checkout.

### Decision guidance

* **Use this only on truly member-only products.** Over-gating frustrates customers.
* **Pair with the Cart Membership Upsell** so customers can join right there without leaving the flow.

### Limitations

* Requires Checkout Extensibility (Shopify Plus / eligible plans).
* Doesn't prevent non-members from adding gated products to cart — only blocks at checkout.
* Validation is per-product / per-collection; granular per-variant gating isn't supported.

## Examples

* A streetwear brand gates limited drops to Yuko VIP members. Non-members see *“This drop is for VIP members only — join Yuko VIP to unlock”* at checkout.

## Best practices

<Tip>**Always link to the membership page** in the block message. The customer is at peak intent; make joining a single click.</Tip>
<Tip>**Pre-announce gated drops** so non-members know to join in advance.</Tip>

## FAQs

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="What if the customer has multiple memberships?">
    Validation passes if any active contract grants access to the product.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Can I gate at the variant level?">
    Not in v1. Use product- or collection-level gating.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

## Related

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Membership Plans" icon="id-card" href="/memberships/plans">
    Create paid plans with custom benefits and pricing.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Contracts" icon="file-contract" href="/memberships/contracts">
    Manage active member subscriptions.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Membership Widgets" icon="window" href="/memberships/widgets/cart-membership-upsell">
    Surface plans and member status across the storefront.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Checkout Validation" icon="shield-check" href="/memberships/validation-extension">
    Validate active membership at Shopify Checkout.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Book a Free Setup Call" icon="phone" href="https://cal.com/rameshelamathi/yuko-demo">
    Talk to our team for personalised setup help.

    **Time:** 30 minutes
  </Card>

  <Card title="Contact Support" icon="life-ring" href="https://yuko.so/support/">
    Visit our support hub for help articles, live chat and ticket submission.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Browse the Guides" icon="book" href="/getting-started/welcome">
    Documentation across loyalty, referrals, memberships and more.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Install Yuko" icon="shop" href="https://apps.shopify.com/yuko">
    Add Yuko to your Shopify store from the Shopify App Store.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>