Who else finds the new theme editor layout inconvenient?

Store Design
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Topic summary

A user expresses dissatisfaction with Shopify’s redesigned theme editor, which now places sections on the left and settings on the right.

Main concerns:

  • The left-to-right layout contradicts standard application design patterns and natural user behavior for LTR languages
  • Expanding the editor doubles its width, forcing users into a tablet view rather than desktop preview
  • The layout requires frequent head and mouse movement, creating an unnatural workflow
  • Users must switch to full-screen mode with every change, unlike the previous version

Requested action:
The user suggests Shopify’s design team consider reverting to the old layout or providing an option to toggle between the two interfaces.

Note: The post contains some corrupted/reversed text that appears to be a technical glitch, but the core feedback about usability issues remains clear.

Summarized with AI on November 16. AI used: claude-sonnet-4-5-20250929.
1

Hey,

I’m not a designer or an expert in UX, but as someone who uses the editor on a regular basis, I don’t really like the new layout with sections on the left and settings on the right. Here’s why:

  • Most laptop users are using the left side of the screen, as most applications like operating systems and others are designed that way. It’s also natural because most people write from left to right (LTR).
  • By doubling the space for the editor, customers get a tablet view of the website. This forces you to switch to full-screen mode every time you make a change, which was not significant in the previous version.
  • It’s also quite annoying to have to move your head and mouse around so often, and writing in this layout also feels unnatural to me.

It would be great if the design team could consider bringing back the old layout or at least providing an option for customers to choose between these two layouts.

Thanks

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