Online Store / Improvements & Admin

Mobile Online Store Editor
Rebuilt for "edit with your fingers while watching the screen" plus built-in Sidekick

Editing your store from a phone has been rebuilt. The store preview (canvas) stays visible while you edit, and settings open in a compact sheet that doesn't cover the screen. Tap interactions, a finger-friendly UI, and the AI assistant Sidekick are now integrated into the editor.

On this page
  1. What's actually changing (understand it in 30 seconds)
  2. Diagram: how the screen behaves while editing
  3. 6 new features
  4. Old vs. new editor comparison
  5. Two ways to invoke Sidekick
  6. What is the layer map
  7. 5 points engineers should know
  8. 3 use cases you can apply to your work
  9. A one-line summary for your pitch

1What's actually changing

The mobile online store editor has been rebuilt from the ground up.
The key is keeping your store's appearance (the canvas) on screen the whole time you edit. Settings open in a small sheet that doesn't cover the store, sochanges are visible in real time. On top of that, a finger-friendly UI and the AI assistant Sidekick are integrated into the editor.

Before: settings cover the screen

Opening settings on a phone used to hide the store preview, so you had to go back and forth to see the results of your changes.

Now: the canvas stays visible

Settings open from the bottom in a compact sheet, with the store still visible above. You can check changes as you edit.

2Diagram: how the screen behaves while editing

1. Show the store 2. Tap an element 3. Sheet from the bottom Changes applied 4. Instant preview Sidekick From anywhere Questions & edit requests
The point is that settings don't cover the screen. When youtap directlyon a section or block on the canvas, that element's settings open in a sheet from the bottom, and you can see the results as you make changes. Sidekick can be reached fromanywhereAsk questions and request edits.

36 new features

1. The canvas never disappears

You keep seeing the store preview while editing. Settings open in a compact sheet that doesn't cover the store.

2. Tap elements directly

Just tap a section or block on the canvas to open its settings and see changes happen on the spot.

3. UI redesigned for fingers

Larger tap targets and clearer state indicators. A consistent feel across iOS and Android.

4. Sidekick built into the editor

An AI assistant you can ask questions or request store edits from anywhere in the editor.

5. Layer map

See your store's entire structure at a glance. Find sections, blocks, theme settings, and app embeds without scrolling the canvas.

AI

6. Sidekick input with context

Select a specific section or block and a Sidekick input field appears already aware of that target.

4Old vs. new editor comparison

ItemOld mobile editorNew mobile editor
Preview while editing Hidden Settings cover the screen Stays visible Settings open in a sheet
Selecting elements Not mentioned (no direct tap-to-edit) Tap directly Select on the canvas
Controls UI Legacy controls Finger-friendly Large targets, clear states
iOS / Android Not mentioned Consistent Unified across both OSes
AI assistant Not mentioned Sidekick Built into the editor
Understanding structure Scroll the canvas to find things Layer map View the full structure

* Items marked "Not specified" on the "Before" side are those for which this article does not state the old behavior.

5Two ways to invoke Sidekick

A. From anywhere (global)

From any spot in the editor, you can ask Sidekick a question or request "edit this store like so."

With context

B. With context (select a target)

Select a specific section or block and a Sidekick input field appears that already recognizes that target. There's no need to re-explain what you're looking at.

The key is knowing when to "call it generically from anywhere" versus "select a target and call it with context." The latter requires shorter instructions because the editor already knows the target.

6What is the layer map?

Layer map (structure list) ▸ Header (section) • Logo (block) • Menu (block) ⚙ Theme settings ⊞ App embed Tap to jump straight there To the relevant element No scrolling needed Even on long pages, your target sections, blocks, theme settings, and app embeds can be reached directly from the list.

75 points developers should know

1. Applies only to the mobile editor

This article covers the overhaul of the mobile (smartphone) online store editor. It does not mention how this applies to or differs from the desktop version. Test on a mobile device.

2. Consistent behavior across iOS / Android

Controls and input were redesigned to be consistent across both OSes. Manuals written around cross-OS operational differences can be revised to match the unified spec.

3. Sidekick also "executes edits"

It's not just Q&A—you can "request store edits" from within the editor. Since AI-driven changes are in play, it's safer to set up a process for reviewing and rolling back changes.

4. Context-aware input = you can hand over the target

Sidekick already knows the section or block you've selected, and the input field appears accordingly. Even with vague instructions, the target stays fixed, making it well suited to pinpoint edit requests.

5. The layer map also visualizes "app embeds"

In addition to sections, blocks, and theme settings,app embeds also appear in the list. Because you can trace which app is plugged in where from the structure, it's useful for theme migrations, app inventory, and finding unneeded embeds. API / Webhook specs and the correspondence with Liquid are not mentioned.

83 use cases for your business

Update on the go
USE CASE 1

Store managers and operators can complete "store updates while traveling or on-site"

The challenge
There are times when you need an urgent update — a sale launch, a sold-out item, a banner swap — and can't get to a PC. On the old mobile experience, settings covered the screen, making it hard to check the result.
What's new
In the new editor, tap to edit while watching the canvas. Changes appear right away, so you can apply them with confidence even on the go.
Impact
Faster, more responsive updates. Fix your store on the spot based on the situation, without waiting until you're back at a PC.
Technical notes
The controls are unified across iOS and Android, so you can operate from the same playbook regardless of device.
"Fix this for me"
USE CASE 2

Non-engineer staff can request edits from Sidekick "in plain words"

Challenge
When you don't know where theme settings or blocks live, even a small wording or color change gets handed off to the production team, adding lead time.
What's new
Select the section/block you want to change, then ask Sidekick with context: "fix it like this." Since the AI already knows the target, your instruction can be short.
Impact
Bringing minor edits in-house cuts back-and-forth requests. The production team can focus on design and implementation.
Technical notes
Because the AI makes the changes, it's safer to set internal rules for pre-publish preview review and rollbacks.
Inspect the structure in one list
USE CASE 3

For production and maintenance: "take inventory of store structure and app embeds"

Challenge
On a store run for a long time, it's hard to know which sections, blocks, and app embeds are where. You'd endlessly scroll the canvas to find them.
What's new
The layer map lists your store's entire structure at a glance. Review it down to theme settings and app embeds, spot unneeded or duplicate elements, then make changes.
Impact
Handoffs, audits, and theme refreshes get off to a faster start. Less scrolling to hunt things down.
Technical notes
You can jump straight from the map to a target, so the verify → fix loop is short. Whether structure can be retrieved via API is not stated.

9One-line summary you can use in a pitch

"The mobile store editor has been revamped.
Your store stays visible as you edit, and you tap elements directly to edit with your finger. With the AI Sidekick and the layer map, you can fix things 'without hunting, in plain words, on the spot.'
It's great for instant updates in the field or on the go, and for bringing minor non-engineer edits in-house."