A developer has downloaded files from my site without my permission. I consider this stealing.

Shopify Discussion

Topic summary

A store owner hired a developer to work on a theme section but suspects unauthorized file copying. The developer was given access to a duplicated theme, yet no changes appear in those files. Instead, the developer sends previews from a different URL, suggesting the files may be hosted on a separate server.

Key concerns:

  • No permission was granted to download or copy files
  • Developer provides evasive answers when questioned directly
  • Work appears to be happening outside the provided theme environment

Community response:

  • Downloading theme files is common practice among developers who prefer working in local code editors rather than Shopify’s built-in editor
  • This workflow allows developers to debug and edit code more efficiently in their preferred development environment
  • While the practice itself may be standard, caution is advised when granting permissions to developers

Recommendation: Shopify’s permission system exists specifically to control what access developers receive—use it carefully and avoid blindly trusting collaborators.

Summarized with AI on November 3. AI used: claude-sonnet-4-5-20250929.
1

I am working with a developer who seems a little shady. I am having him work on a section of my site. I copied my theme and gave him access to it. However no changes are being made to the theme files. He sends me previews of his work with a different url. In conclusion, I believe he has copied the files and they are on a different server. Everytime I ask him a direct question I get an evasive answer. I did not give him permission to copy or download anything. Is this normal for developers? Do I have any recourse? Your thoughts…

Thanks in advance

2

Cannot be sure of anyone ri8? Can’t blame anyone wrongly. Just to answer your question, developer downloading theme files does not necessarily have to be that he is stealing, a lot of developers seem to debug or write, edit code in their preferred code editors rather than the Shopify’s code editor and may be he is just making changes from his local environment.

But I would also advise to be careful, I mean you can’t trust anyone blindly, it’s a good things that Shopify allows you as store owners to give permissions that you want them to have.

Best

Shadab

3

Thanks you’re correct.