how to make theme edits that require store changes

[mary58]

I am working on updating a theme for a client. The designer's look will require that the client update images on the product/collection side.  For example, collection header images will need to be updated.  I only have theme access to the client store. Is there a way to make theme edits that require product/collection changes without editing live items?  Or is this a scenario where the client will need to be coached on updating some sections, and the live site will look "wrong" during the update until the product/collection images are all changed on their side?

[Liam · Accepted solution]

Hi Mary,

If you need to change a collection header image, access to just the theme won't be enough - you'd also need product/collection access, as this data is stored on a store data level, rather than on the theme level. If you don't have collection/ product access, the store owner will need to make those changes themselves. 

[mary58]

I also discovered I could duplicate the section theme file and create my own image upload area, so as not to destroy anything that's currently live. (Here's the section of the docs that helped me with the image part). For some reason I couldn't duplicate a file locally and preview it in development mode using the command line, but was able to do it through the "edit code" menu of the theme editor.