How to Duplicate Store Theme and Settings Without Data on New Shopify Store

Store Design
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Topic summary

A store owner wants to duplicate their Shopify theme, custom code, and settings to a new store without transferring customer data, orders, or products. They also seek advice on preserving theme customizations during updates.

Recommended approach:

  • Download the theme ZIP file from the current store (includes settings_data.json with colors, fonts, layouts)
  • Upload to the new store via “Add theme → Upload ZIP”
  • Alternatively, use Shopify CLI commands (shopify theme pull and shopify theme push) to transfer themes programmatically

For pages, navigation, and apps:

  • Use export/import tools like “ExIm – Export/Import Pages” for content
  • Manually recreate navigation menus or use Admin API for complex structures
  • Reinstall apps fresh in the new store and copy necessary code snippets

To preserve customizations during theme updates:

  • Use theme updater apps (Theme Updater & Backups, ThemeUp) that merge custom code automatically
  • Maintain themes in Git for version control and selective updates
  • Keep custom code in separate snippets/sections to avoid overwriting during updates

One user requested clarification on the CLI method. Another pointed to Shopify’s official store duplication documentation.

Summarized with AI on October 29. AI used: claude-sonnet-4-5-20250929.
1

Hi, I’m an existing Shopify store owner and I want to create a new Shopify store. I’d like to copy only the custom code, theme modifications, settings, and configurations from my current store — but not import any customer data, orders, or products.

Is there a way to duplicate just the theme, custom apps, pages, navigation, and general settings to a new store without bringing over any store data like orders or customers?

Also, is there any way to preserve theme customizations when updating a theme? I’ve noticed that sometimes when I update a theme, the previous modifications don’t carry over. Is there a recommended approach to avoid losing custom changes during a theme update?

Thanks in advance!

2

Hey @Hridoy_Relief ,

Great question, and kudos on expanding! Below is a straightforward game plan to copy only the “look & feel” of your existing Shopify store (theme, code, settings, pages, etc.) while leaving customers, orders, and products behind, plus a few tips to keep customizations safe whenever you update a theme.

1. Lift‑and‑shift the theme (code and settings)1. In your current admin go to Online Store → Themes → … → Download theme file (or duplicate it for a quick backup).

  1. In the new store click Add theme → Upload ZIP. The file config/settings_data.json travels with the ZIP, so all your colors, fonts, and section layouts appear exactly the same.

  2. Developer option: shopify theme pull (old store) and shopify theme push --store=new‑store.myshopify.com moves the theme—settings included—via the CLI.

Result: the new storefront looks identical, but contains zero transactional data.

2. Bring over pages, blogs, and navigation

Piece How to move it

Pages & blog posts Use a lightweight exporter (e.g., ExIm – Export/Import Pages) to pull and push.
Navigation menus Re‑create manually (fast) or script it via the Admin API if you have many links.
Apps / custom apps Install them fresh in the new store, then copy any snippets or app blocks the theme expects. Private apps will need brand‑new API keys.

Skip all CSV exports for customers, orders, and products—those objects stay put.

3. Future‑proof customizations when a theme update drops1. Work in a duplicate first. Duplicate your live theme, test updates there, then publish when happy.

  1. Use Shopify’s built‑in “Update available” flow. It creates a new, unpublished copy that already carries over Theme‑Editor settings—just preview before you hit Publish.

  2. For premium themes: install an updater like Theme Updater & Backups (Out of the Sandbox) or ThemeUp. These merge most custom code automatically.

  3. Keep the theme in Git (optional but highly recommended). A private repo + Shopify CLI lets you diff new releases against your current codebase and cherry‑pick the bits you need.

  4. Modularize future tweaks. Put custom logic in standalone snippets, sections, or theme app extensions so core theme files stay pristine—and updates rarely overwrite your work.

Quick checklist- Download or duplicate the current theme

  • Upload/publish it in the new store

  • Export/import pages & blogs

  • Re‑create navigation / install apps

  • Keep a staging copy + updater/Git workflow for theme releases

That’s it! You’ll have a fresh store with the same design and settings—zero customer, order, or product data in sight—and a safer path for future theme updates.

If you’d like a hand walking through any step (or setting up a Git/CLI workflow), just let me know and we’d love to help.

Cheers,
Shubham | Untechnickle

3

Hello there @Hridoy_Relief All the necessary steps you are looking for can be found in this official Shopify manual here https://help.shopify.com/en/manual/shopify-admin/duplicate-store

Follow them step by step and let me know if you achieve your desired outcome.

4

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  1. Developer option: shopify theme pull (old store) and shopify theme push --store=new‑store.myshopify.com moves the theme—settings included—via the CLI.