Provided are a computer program product, system, and method for distributing services to client systems to develop in a shared development environment. A first service is deployed to the first client system to develop the first service. A second service is deployed to the second client system to develop the second service. A call is received from the first service, executing in the first client system as part of development of the first service, to the second service. A determination is made as to whether the second service is deployed at the second client system and available in response to the call from the first service. A response is generated to the call to the second service from a component in the shared development environment in response to determining that the second service is deployed at the second client system and not available.