Understanding Shopify Block Structure – A Guide for Developers

Understanding Shopify Block Structure

Shopify’s block structure allows developers to create dynamic and customizable themes. By using blocks within sections, merchants can configure their store layout without modifying code.

1. Defining Blocks in a Section

You can define blocks in a JSON-based section file inside your Shopify theme. Example:

{
  "name": "Custom Section",
  "settings": [],
  "blocks": [
    {
      "type": "text",
      "name": "Text Block",
      "settings": [
        {
          "type": "text",
          "id": "custom_text",
          "label": "Custom Text"
        }
      ]
    }
  ],
  "presets": [
    {
      "name": "Custom Section",
      "category": "Custom"
    }
  ]
}

2. Rendering Blocks in Liquid

Once blocks are defined, you need to render them within a Liquid section:

{% for block in section.blocks %}
  <div class="block-{{ block.id }}">
    {% case block.type %}
      {% when 'text' %}
        <p>{{ block.settings.custom_text }}</p>
    {% endcase %}
  </div>
{% endfor %}

3. Adding the Section to a Page

To include your section in a Shopify theme, add it to a template file:

{
  "sections": {
    "custom-section": {
      "type": "custom-section"
    }
  },
  "order": ["custom-section"]
}

Conclusion

Shopify block structures enable merchants to customize layouts easily while giving developers flexibility in theme development. By using JSON and Liquid, you can create reusable and dynamic sections efficiently.