Hi,
How come the code editor changed apparance on my store ?
It looks like a vscode one and all formatting is gone ?
Topic summary
Shopify is rolling out a new code editor interface that resembles VS Code, replacing the previous simpler editor. The update is being deployed gradually, with newer stores receiving it first.
Key Changes:
- VS Code-like interface with file tabs and enhanced search across all files
- Can be accessed by adding
?vs=1parameter to URL - Some users report formatting issues, particularly with CSS files appearing unreadable
Workarounds & Tips:
- Double-click files to keep them open in tabs (single-click just previews)
- Remove
vs=1from URL to potentially revert to old editor - Third-party video tutorials available for navigation
Community Concerns:
- Missing basic features like undo function and file filtering
- Loss of built-in code formatting/prettifier for certain file types
- Increased complexity may confuse non-developer merchants
- Invalidates existing theme editing tutorials
- No apparent feedback mechanism or opt-out option
Status: The rollout continues despite mixed reception. Some users find the enhanced search helpful, while others criticize forcing developer-focused tools onto merchants who need simple edits. The discussion remains open with ongoing complaints about removed functionality.
3 Likes
no joke lol, I logged in one day and this was this way, I thought I changed a setting my mistake like the code editor version or else
Hi @azwawa,
Shopify is currently updating the code editor interface, and new stores will be updated first. This makes the code editor interface more professional and better than the previous version.
Maybe it is in testing, so it will not work completely well. You can wait for more time.
Hope it is clear to you.
If I helped you, then a Like would be truly appreciated.
Hi @azwawa
Check maybe your URL while in editor and if there is a “vs=1” try to remove it and load page.
Note even if you do have VS code it should format that CSS and other files properly. And one big improvement from old editor, is that you can search for a word in all files.
It looks like Shopify has updated the code editor interface.
If you’d like me to take a closer look or assist with any adjustments, feel free to get in touch. I’m happy to help sort it out and make sure everything’s running smoothly.
Great how Shopify is rolling these things out without any customer feedback or a way to give feedback, really.
So far, what’s the point of having tabs if only one file is open at one time? Yes, what is open is displayed in the list on the left, but I need to scroll up and down to find what I was working on, instead of having the tabs open on top.
There is no way to filter files, i.e. only display files that contain product in the name. Yes, the enhanced search function is neat, but the Lord giveth, the Lord taketh. Can’t we have both?
There’s two things that I really use a lot, and it has been removed. As it is, can we have the old code editor back?
2 Likes
Yh well main issue is that there is no built-in prettyfier plugin for some file types, for example my theme css is unreadable, might just switch to vscode at this point.
1 Like
And these are just a FEW of the many many problems this kludgey change introduces.
I’ve been complaining hard about this in the partner slack, #theme-dev channel, that this is developer arrogance forcing developer tools onto merchants just because developers are used to the extra complexity.
Which is inane circular reasoning.
They’ve trade a simple usable UI that could load in a few seconds for a bloated IDE with more features than most merchants would ever use.
Of course there always be some corpo-speak of “well continue to improve this” etc etc instead of just no breaking what was not broken
It’s disappointing behavior.
1 Like
Although it’s hard to see, it helps you locate specific code parts in all files.
At the expense of the simpler ability to find files.
Tell a merchant to find their product template when they search “product” there going to get hundreds of useless hits.
Then there’s invalidating every theme repair tutorial from the last decade.
Merchants are not developers and we should not force to have to act like they are.
1 Like
Hi @azwawa,
Strangely enough, it works well in my stores and customers. Refer
Can you send me a screenshot showing the error?
It’s not rolled out to all stores yet @namphan add ?vs=1 param to try.
Though if we live in a sane world they’ll find the sense to not force merchants to have to load a developers IDE to make a few changes, and IDE that’s fill with commands , features, and options most merchant will NEVER use.
Hi @PaulNewton,
Yeah, I didn’t say it updated for all, you can check my previous message.
And he is talking about file display error, I checked and it is not on updated stores. Refer:
1 Like
@azwawa When I notice your post here, I immediately checked my store code pages. They are exactly the same as what you shared here.
It seems like Shopify end is updating the pattern of liquid file pages indeed, and it is quite similar to the UI of VS Code APP honestly to say, lol.
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Because it is VSCode and all the bloat that entails instead of the original editor that worked fine for merchants needing simple edits.
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That makes sense here. Thank you for the explanation!
Double click the file keep it open in a tab, single click will just swap out the file in the same tab 
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Yeah, I noticed that too, few days back it was not there.
That is the new Shopify theme editor… I know it can be confusing but it also should be better. I made a video about how to use it for navigating theme files: https://youtu.be/M6kA2kGjUgc
Hope it helps.
I’m fine with getting an IDE, it’s just… maybe it should not remove basic features that were there previously.
1 Like