> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.strm.design/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.strm.design/getting-started/install.md).

# Install Stratum

Add Stratum to your store, preview it safely, publish it and update to new versions without losing your work.

You can add Stratum from the Shopify Theme Store or upload it as a ZIP file. Either way, the theme lands in your theme library unpublished, so you can set it up without changing what shoppers see.

## Add Stratum from the Theme Store

1. In your Shopify admin, go to **Online Store › Themes**.
2. Scroll to **Theme library** and choose **Add theme › Visit Theme Store**, or open the Stratum listing directly.
3. Click **Try theme** to explore it for free, or **Buy theme** to add it to your library.

The theme now appears in your **Theme library**, set up with the Stratum preset: its theme settings and a ready-made home page. See [The Stratum preset](/getting-started/presets.md).

## Upload the theme as a ZIP file

Use this if you received Stratum as a file, for example `stratum-1.0.0.zip`.

1. Go to **Online Store › Themes**.
2. In **Theme library**, click **Add theme › Upload zip file**.
3. Choose the ZIP file and click **Upload**. Do not unzip it first.

{% hint style="warning" %}
Upload the ZIP exactly as you received it. Shopify rejects a ZIP that was unzipped and zipped again, because the folders end up one level too deep.
{% endhint %}

## Preview before you publish

In the theme library, open the **⋯** menu next to Stratum and choose **Preview**. You browse your real store with Stratum applied; shoppers still see your current theme.

To change anything, click **Customize**. The theme editor opens on the home page. See [Using the theme editor](/getting-started/theme-editor.md).

{% hint style="info" %}
Preview links can be shared: in the theme editor, click **⋯ › Share preview**. Useful when you want a colleague to check the store on their phone.
{% endhint %}

## Duplicate before big changes

Before you make large changes, or before you or a developer edits the theme code, make a copy:

1. In the theme library, open the **⋯** menu next to Stratum.
2. Choose **Duplicate**.

The copy keeps every setting and section. If something goes wrong, you can publish or keep editing the copy.

## Publish

When you are happy with the preview:

1. Go to **Online Store › Themes**.
2. In the **⋯** menu next to Stratum, choose **Publish**.

Your previous theme stays in the library, so you can switch back at any time.

## Before you launch

Work through the [12-step setup checklist](/getting-started/setup-checklist.md). In particular:

* Check every template, not only the home page: product, collection, search, cart, blog and your custom pages.
* Test on a real phone.
* Make sure your policies, payments and markets are set up, because the theme reads them (see [Markets, languages and currency](/selling-internationally/markets-and-languages.md)).

## Update to a new version

When a new version of Stratum is released, Shopify shows an update notice on the theme in **Online Store › Themes**.

1. Click **View update** (or **Update**) on the theme card. Shopify adds the new version to your library as a **copy** and carries your settings, sections and content across.
2. Preview the updated copy and check your key pages.
3. Publish the updated copy when you are happy.

Your current theme is not changed until you publish the new copy.

{% hint style="warning" %}
**Edited the code?** Shopify can only carry over settings and content. Any changes made directly to the theme's code files are not copied to the new version. Keep a list of code changes so a developer can re-apply them, or use the **Custom Liquid** section and block for small additions; those are stored as content and survive updates.
{% endhint %}

## Uninstalling

To stop using Stratum, publish a different theme, then remove Stratum from the library with **⋯ › Remove**. Removing a theme deletes its settings; duplicate it first or download it with **⋯ › Download theme file** if you might need it again.