I am attempting to create a new template to use for a particular collection.
All of the instructions I have found so far direct to Edit Theme, then select Collections from the Dropdown list at the top and click Create Template” but I do not have that option and can’t find it anywhere. There is a “Create metaobject template” that’s different (at least according to the help docs” I just want to Create Template.
what am I missing ?
When you click the template dropdown at the top, you have a list of templates and dropdowns that contain templates. Homepage, Products, Collections, Collection List, Pages, Cart, etc. You have to click the Collections dropdown. You’ll see a list of Collections like Default Collection. At the bottom is Create Template.
I checked and my theme is NOT 2.0. Is there a way to upgrade it? The theme is “Debut” and will upgrading destroy all the custom coding of my cart-template.liquid, theme.scss.liquid and I’m sure other files I’ve modified over the years?
Generally, yes, updating a theme will overwrite the files. There’s no harm in doing anything, as long as you duplicate the theme as a backup. Or download a different theme.
You have to go into the themes files, code editor, and manual duplicate the existing default template then make a copy with a different name . e.g. collection.liquid → customnametohelporganization.collection.liquid.
This will not in any way enable features the theme doesn’t not currently utilize.
Not if you just install a different theme, then use that.
It’s just the customizations will not magically transfer over.
If you need theme migration services to use a modern theme then reach out to me, 
Click profile-pic on forums for options to connect, always provide reference/context in all new comms.
@Desdinova if you create a new template, then you will need to go to backend of the collection and select the template from the drop down, did you create the template? I can check it for you
Hi @Desdinova ,
Shopify recently changed the Theme Editor UI.
In many themes (including Dawn), the Create Template button for Collections no longer appears in the dropdown unless you access it the correct way.
You are not missing anything - you just need to open a collection page directly from the theme editor.
Online Store → Themes → Customize
At the top dropdown:
Home page → Collections → Default collection
(Important: You must load an actual collection page before the “Create template” option appears.)
After the collection page loads:
You will now see:
Create template
Example:
collection-custom
Then choose:
Done - you now have a separate collection template.
Shopify changed how templates work. The old “Create Template” option may not appear in some themes. “Create metaobject template” is different—it’s not for collections.
To make a new collection template, go to Online Store → Themes → Customize, select a collection page, and the “Create template” option should appear. Some themes don’t allow new templates, which is why you might not see it.
