Use the Shopify theme editor to add, remove, re-order sections and blocks, and change settings without code. If you’re new to Shopify, read “Getting started with themes” first: https://help.shopify.com/en/manual/online-store/themes

Open the theme editor

1. Log in to Shopify admin.
2. Online Store → Themes.
3. Locate the theme you want to change → Customize.

Notes

• The large card at the top is the Published theme (live to customers).
• Items under Theme library are Unpublished themes (sandbox). Edit these to stage changes safely.

Safe workflow

1. Duplicate the live theme: Actions → Duplicate.
2. Rename the copy clearly (e.g., Scout vX.Y – Staging).
3. Click Customize on the copy.
4. After testing, Actions → Publish the copy. Keep the previous version as rollback.

Editor anatomy (what you use)

• Left panel: Section/block tree for the current template. Drag to re-order, click to configure, Add section to insert.
• Canvas: Live preview. Click elements to jump to their settings.
• Top bar:
  • Page selector: switch template (Home, Product, Collection, etc.).
  • Resource picker: choose which product/collection/blog post to preview.
  • Viewport: Desktop, Mobile.
  • Theme settings: global colors, typography, spacing, etc.
• Save: commits changes to the current theme copy.

Edit sections and blocks

• Add a section: Add section → choose (e.g., Slideshow, Rich text).
• Re-order: drag the section handle in the left panel.
• Remove: select → Remove section.
• Blocks: open a section → Add block, drag to sort, click to configure.
• Content rules: labels and options match the theme’s documentation; keep inputs consistent (image ratios, heading tags, button styles).

Switch templates while editing

• Use the Page selector to open Product, Collection, Search, Blog/Article, Cart, etc.
• For product/collection templates, pick a specific resource (top bar) to preview real content and metafields.

Images, video, and files

• Upload images directly in section settings or via Content → Files in admin.
• Use recommended sizes/ratios from the theme’s image standards.
• For video, use the theme’s Video or Media section (MP4 upload or YouTube/Vimeo URL). Provide a poster image.

App blocks and embeds

• App blocks: appear inside the left panel for eligible templates/sections; drag into place.
• App embeds: Theme settings → App embeds to toggle. Avoid editing theme code for app installs when an app block/embed exists.

Menus and translations

• Menus are managed in Online Store → Navigation; select the correct menu in the Header/Footer section settings.
• Translations/strings live in locales; use the theme’s built-in text settings or Shopify’s language editor: https://help.shopify.com/en/manual/online-store/themes/translate

Draft vs live behavior

• Editing the published theme affects the live store on Save.
• Editing an unpublished theme is invisible to customers until you publish it.
• To preview an unpublished theme: Actions → Preview.

When you need code

• Use Edit code only for advanced changes. Any file edits may disable automatic theme updates. Keep custom CSS/JS in separate assets to simplify future upgrades.

References

• Theme editor overview: https://help.shopify.com/en/manual/online-store/themes/theme-structure
• Customize sections and blocks: https://help.shopify.com/en/manual/online-store/themes/customizing-themes
• Translate and manage theme language: https://help.shopify.com/en/manual/online-store/themes/translate

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