Q: how do I use passbook on iphone5? it just directs me to the app store.

There you go...at least you got it working.

I can't figure it out either (adding the recommended apps and getting them to passbook).

I did find this site: www.passsource.com where you can add your own cards. I successfully added a best buy reward zone card....though haven't used it so I guess I'm not REALLY sure if it was successfull. They have other options as well.

You cannot add apps to passbook. There is no such thing. You can only add PASSES/TICKETS. Think of PassBook as folder where you store virtual tickets. That is all PassBook is. It is NOT an app nor a place to store apps.

The Passource site generates "dummy" passes for testing purposes only. These are not real passes. So your Best Buy zone card is most like invalid.

At least you got to test PassBook and it seemd to work.

There are only a very limited amout of theatres that support the barcodes. So few that it looks like its not working.

Read this article for more help understanding

http://artoftheiphone.com/2012/09/26/fandango-iphone-app-gets-passbook-support-b ut-few-theaters-currently-support-it/

You can also add your Starbucks card to Passbook.  Go to My Cards and click the Manage button.  It's actually faster and easier than opening the Starbucks app every time to pay.