How to Switch Your Active Storefront Theme
Switching Themes Without Losing Customisations
Cartly keeps each theme's settings and file customisations in a separate library entry. Switching themes does not overwrite your previous theme's work — you can switch back at any time and find everything exactly as you left it.
Step 1 — Install the New Theme
- Go to Online Store → Themes.
- Click Visit Theme Store and find the theme you want.
- Click Add to Library. The theme installs in the background and appears in your Theme Library once ready.
Step 2 — Preview Before Publishing
Click Preview on the new theme to see how your products, collections, and pages look in the new design. The preview uses your live store data — products, images, and content — so you can assess the fit without touching your live storefront.
Step 3 — Publish the New Theme
When you are satisfied with the preview, click Publish. Your storefront switches immediately. The previous theme remains in the Library in its last state — click Publish on it at any time to switch back.
What is Preserved Per Theme?
- Design token settings (colors, fonts, spacing) — stored per theme library entry.
- Section content (text, images, visibility) — stored in each template's JSON and preserved per theme.
- Forked (edited) Liquid files — stored as DB rows scoped to the specific theme install. Switching themes does not affect files forked in another theme.
Note: page content (CMS pages, blog posts, products, collections) is shared across themes — it lives in your shop database, not in the theme. Only presentation (layout, styles, section settings) is theme-specific.
Can I Have Multiple Themes in the Library?
Yes. Cartly supports an unlimited number of themes in your library. Only one can be active (published) at a time, but you can install, preview, and customise any number of themes simultaneously.
After Switching — Things to Check
- Navigation menus — verify that the new theme renders your header and footer menus correctly. Go to Online Store → Navigation if adjustments are needed.
- Homepage sections — the new theme may have different default homepage sections. Open the Visual Editor to add or reorder sections.
- Mobile layout — use the mobile preview button in the Visual Editor to verify the mobile layout before the switch goes live.