Build themes

Build fast, flexible storefront themes with Liquid, JSON templates, sections, and Shoplazza developer tools. Start with a new theme or customize an existing merchant theme, then use the architecture, feature, API, and publishing guides as your build path.

1 Create a theme Set up your development environment and build a new theme from the reference theme. 2 Customize a theme Access a merchant store and tailor an existing theme to fit a brand and storefront experience.

Learn the theme model

Understand how a Shoplazza theme is structured before you start changing templates, sections, settings, or Liquid code.

ARCH Theme architecture Learn how layouts, templates, sections, config, locales, and settings fit together. TPL Templates Use JSON templates to control which content appears on each storefront page. SEC Sections and blocks Build reusable modules that merchants can arrange and customize. LIQ Liquid Use Liquid objects, tags, and filters to render dynamic storefront content.

Build storefront features

Add the storefront capabilities that merchants need for merchandising, search, pricing, SEO, data, events, and analytics.

PDP Product merchandising Present products, variants, media, and product detail experiences. PAY Pricing and payments Display prices, discounts, and payment-related storefront information. NAV Navigation and search Help buyers browse, search, filter, and move through the storefront. SEO SEO Control metadata and search engine signals for storefront pages. DATA Custom data Use metafields to store and present custom storefront data. PIX Tracking and analytics Build pixel integrations and event tracking for storefront behavior.

Use developer tools

Use Shoplazza tools and extensions to develop locally and extend theme or checkout experiences.

CLI Shoplazza CLI Initialize, preview, test, and share themes from your local environment. CMD CLI commands Reference theme and app commands for local development workflows. EXT Theme extension Add extension-powered UI and behavior to online store themes. CHK Checkout extension Extend checkout experiences with supported targets and APIs.

APIs and references

Keep reference material close while you build storefront interactions and Liquid templates.

API Ajax API Use storefront endpoints for cart, product, collection, and search interactions. CART Cart API Add, update, and remove cart line items during a customer session. PROD Product API Request product data for storefront interactions. SEA Search API Show predictive search results for storefront queries.

Follow best practices

Use established patterns to make themes modular, performant, and easier for merchants to customize.

BEST Best practices Review the core practices for theme development and maintenance. MOD Sections and blocks Design modular content that works well in the theme editor. PERF Performance Keep storefront experiences fast and responsive. VIEW Preview inspector Make sections and blocks easier to inspect in the theme editor preview.

Publish on Theme Store

Prepare your theme for review, testing, listing, and ongoing success after launch.

STORE Theme Store Learn how Theme Store publishing works. REQ Requirements Check the requirements before submitting a theme. TEST Testing Validate theme quality before review. REV Review process Understand submission, review, and listing preparation.