Enter a space between slideshows in Impulse theme

Shopify Discussion

Topic summary

A user is unable to add spacing between slideshows in the Impulse theme. When attempting to save padding code modifications, they receive an “Online store editor session can’t be published” error. Shopify support suggested checking for theme limitations.

A community member provided troubleshooting steps:

  • Check the theme code editor for syntax errors (missing semicolons, unclosed braces, trailing commas in JSON schema)
  • Test the padding changes on a duplicated theme to isolate whether the issue is specific to the live theme
  • Use browser developer console (Inspect → Console) while saving to identify specific parsing errors and line numbers

The error typically indicates a code syntax issue preventing the theme editor from processing changes. The discussion remains open with no confirmed resolution yet.

Summarized with AI on October 28. AI used: claude-sonnet-4-5-20250929.
1

I have searched previous discussions around this question and have tried adding some padding codes but they are not working. I get this message when I click Save. “Online store editor session can’t be published” Shopify help chat tells me to make sure there are no limitations within the theme. I need help with working out if that is the problem please!

2

Hello @SusanCoolahan

That “can’t be published” message almost always means the theme editor ran into something it couldn’t understand in your code—usually a tiny typo or a schema mismatch—so it simply refuses to push any of your changes live. Here’s what I recommend:

  • Start by opening your theme’s code editor and scanning for any red underlines or alerts—missing semicolons, unclosed braces in your CSS, or a trailing comma in a section’s JSON schema will break the parser.
  • If everything looks fine but you still can’t save, duplicate the theme and try applying that same padding tweak there; if it works on the copy, you know the live theme has a hidden syntax error somewhere.
  • Finally, open your browser console (right-click → Inspect → Console) while you hit “Save” in the editor—Shopify will often dump a parsing error and line number there.
  • Fix the exact issue it flags, and your padding change will publish without a hitch.