How can I set my new product template as the default on Avenue 2.0 theme?

Technical Q&A

Topic summary

Goal: Make a custom product template the default in the Avenue 2.0 Shopify theme so new products automatically use it.

Key approach (consistent across replies):

  • The default product template is the file named “product.json” (or legacy “product.liquid”). To set your custom template as default, it must become the product template with that filename.

Steps proposed:

  • Option 1: Create a new template, move the current product.json code into that new template, then move your custom template’s code into product.json. Reference: Shopify docs on alternate templates (link provided).
  • Option 2: Delete or rename the existing product.json/product.liquid (e.g., to product.backup.json), then rename your customized template to product.json/product.liquid so it is used by default.

Notes:

  • Avenue 2.0 uses Online Store 2.0 JSON templates; “product.json” defines the default product layout.
  • A screenshot and Shopify dev link were shared; the link is central for understanding template behavior.

Status:

  • No confirmation from the original poster; resolution not explicitly stated. The guidance indicates this file renaming/migration is the required method.
Summarized with AI on February 14. AI used: gpt-5.
1

I created a new product template which appears in the template dropdowns in the customizer and on the product entry page. I would like my new custom template to be the one that is used first (as the “default” is now) so when a new product is added moving forward, the person adding the product info won’t need to select the custom template because it will already be selected. Using the Avenue 2.0 theme.

Thanks for any help!

-Andy

2

Hi @abrownbrooklyn ,

First, you need to create a new template and move all the code of the product.json file to the new template.

Then you need to move all the code of the template you want to default to the product.json file.

This is the only way for it, refer: https://shopify.dev/themes/architecture/templates#alternate-templates

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Hope it helps!

3

Hello @abrownbrooklyn ,

  • To fix this issue you must delete or rename the current default product template which is “product.json” or “product.liquid”
  • You can either delete or rename this file as “product.backup.liquid” or “product.backup.json”
  • Once done with the above steps, you will need to rename your customized product template as “product.liquid” or “product.json”

Hope it helps, please let us know if you have any questions.

All the best,

Team CedCommerce