> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://uxsmart.gitbook.io/velare/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://uxsmart.gitbook.io/velare/buy-and-install/install-velare.md).

# Install Vélare

Vélare is sold on the Shopify Theme Store, so you add it to your store straight from Shopify, with no file to download and no zip to upload. This page takes you from the Theme Store listing to a working theme in your store: adding it to your theme library, trying it for free, and publishing it when you are ready. Nothing you do here removes the theme your customers see now, so you can take your time.

### Before you start <a href="#before-you-start" id="before-you-start"></a>

* You are the store owner, or you use a staff account that can **manage themes** in **Online Store**.
* You can add Vélare to your library and preview it for free. You are only charged when you publish it as your live theme.
* Your current theme stays published until you decide to switch, so your storefront keeps running during the whole process.
* Plan around 15 minutes for the install itself. Setting up apps and metafields comes after.

### Step 1: Open your theme library <a href="#step-1-open-theme-library" id="step-1-open-theme-library"></a>

{% hint style="success" %}
**Steps:**

1. Log in to your **Shopify admin**.
2. Go to **Online Store > Themes**.
   {% endhint %}

*Result:* you see your published theme at the top and, below it, the **Theme library** where unpublished themes are kept.

### Step 2: Add Vélare from the Theme Store <a href="#step-2-add-velare" id="step-2-add-velare"></a>

{% hint style="success" %}
**Steps:**

1. On the **Online Store > Themes** page, scroll to **Theme library** and click **Add theme > Visit Theme Store**. This opens the Shopify Theme Store in a new tab.
2. Search for **Vélare** and open its listing.
3. Click **Try theme**. Shopify adds Vélare to your theme library as an unpublished draft, at no charge.
4. Go back to the **Themes** page in your admin. **Vélare** is now in your library.
   {% endhint %}

*Result:* **Vélare** appears in your theme library as an unpublished theme. It is not visible to shoppers yet, and you have not been charged for it.

### Step 3: Preview Vélare before you publish <a href="#step-3-preview" id="step-3-preview"></a>

{% hint style="success" %}
**Steps:**

1. Find **Vélare** in the theme library.
2. Click the **...** button next to it and choose **Preview**.
3. Browse your home page, a collection page, a product page, and the cart.
4. Close the preview bar when you are done.
   {% endhint %}

*Result:* you see your own products and collections inside the Vélare layout, while your live storefront still runs on the old theme.

{% hint style="info" %}
The preview uses your real store data. Sections that look empty usually just have nothing assigned yet, for example a featured collection with no collection selected. You fix that in the theme editor after publishing.
{% endhint %}

### Step 4: Customize before going live (optional but recommended) <a href="#step-4-customize" id="step-4-customize"></a>

{% hint style="success" %}
**Steps:**

1. Next to **Vélare** in the theme library, click **Customize**.
2. Upload your logo and favicon, then set your colors and fonts.
3. Check the header and footer, since they appear on every page.
4. Click **Save**.
   {% endhint %}

*Result:* Vélare already carries your branding on the day you publish it, so shoppers never see a half finished store.

### Step 5: Publish Vélare <a href="#step-5-publish" id="step-5-publish"></a>

{% hint style="success" %}
**Steps:**

1. Go back to **Online Store > Themes**.
2. Next to **Vélare** in the theme library, click **Publish**.
3. If you have not bought the theme yet, Shopify asks you to purchase it now. Confirm the purchase to continue.
4. Confirm publishing in the dialog.
5. Open your storefront in a new tab and check the home page, one product page, and the checkout entry point.
   {% endhint %}

*Result:* Vélare is now your live theme. Your previous theme moves into the theme library, unpublished but intact, so you can switch back at any time.

### What you should see <a href="#what-you-should-see" id="what-you-should-see"></a>

* **Vélare** is listed as the current theme at the top of **Online Store > Themes**.
* Your storefront loads with the Vélare layout on desktop and on mobile.
* Your old theme is still in the library, which is your safety net for the first days.

{% hint style="warning" %}
**\[GHI CHÚ CHO DEV: xoá khối này trước khi release]**

Cần bổ sung: ảnh minh hoạ. Trang này chưa có ảnh nào vì kho `.gitbook/assets` chưa có file tương ứng.

Vì sao chưa viết được: không được bịa tên file ảnh.

Cách làm: chụp 4 ảnh rồi chèn bằng khối figure chuẩn của repo, đúng vị trí: (1) màn hình **Online Store > Themes** với nút **Add theme**, (2) listing Vélare trên Shopify Theme Store với nút **Try theme**, (3) Vélare nằm trong Theme library kèm nút **Preview**, (4) hộp thoại xác nhận mua và **Publish**. Sau đó xoá khối này.
{% endhint %}

### After the install <a href="#after-the-install" id="after-the-install"></a>

Two things still need to be done before the store behaves the way the demo does:

1. Install the apps the theme works with. Some storefront features rely on an app that is not part of the theme package.
2. Create the metafields the theme reads, so your products can carry their own extra content.

### If something goes wrong <a href="#if-something-goes-wrong" id="if-something-goes-wrong"></a>

* **You cannot find Vélare in the Theme Store.** Make sure you are searching the Shopify Theme Store, not the app store. You can also open the theme's listing link directly if you have it.
* **The theme is in your library but the store still looks the same.** You added and previewed it but did not publish it. Repeat Step 5.
* **Some sections look empty in preview.** They have no content assigned yet. Open **Customize** and pick a collection, product, or image for each of them.
* **A staff member cannot add the theme.** Their account is missing the **Themes** permission in **Settings > Users and permissions**.

### Related pages <a href="#related-pages" id="related-pages"></a>

* [Theme license](/velare/buy-and-install/theme-license.md): how buying Vélare on the Theme Store works
* [Apps](/velare/buy-and-install/apps.md): the apps the theme works with
* [Recommended apps](/velare/buy-and-install/apps/recommended-apps.md): what to install first
* [Create required metafields](/velare/buy-and-install/create-required-metafields.md): the product data the theme reads
* [Logo and favicon](/velare/set-up-your-store/logo-and-favicon.md): the first branding step after publishing
* [Header](/velare/set-up-your-store/header-group/header.md): the navigation shoppers use on every page
* [Update Vélare](/velare/run-and-update-your-store/update-velare.md): how to move to a newer version later
* [Intro](/velare/readme.md): the starting point of this documentation


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