How to Install Your SuiteCommerce Fallback Theme in 7 Simple Steps

Creating a standout online shopping experience starts with a great theme, and SuiteCommerce’s new Fallback Themes make customization easier than ever. If you’re new to Fallback Themes or need a refresher, be sure to check out our previous blog post where we introduced these powerful tools. Now, let’s dive into how you can get started with your own custom Fallback Theme.

How to Install Your SuiteCommerce Fallback Theme in 7 Simple Steps

Table of Contents

7 Steps to Get Your SuiteCommerce Fallback Theme Running

SuiteCommerce Fallback Themes allow your custom themes to automatically inherit updates from a base theme, which means less manual work for you and more time to focus on what really matters—creating an amazing shopping experience for your customers.
 
Follow these steps to install your Fallback Theme and take your SuiteCommerce site to the next level.

Step 1: Get Your Dev Tools Ready

First things first, make sure your development environment is set up with the right tools. You’ll need the Dev Tools version 23.2.X for this project. Think of it as getting your toolkit ready before starting a DIY project—everything goes smoother when you have the right tools on hand.

Step 2: Set Up Your Environment

You might need to create environment tokens in a .env file, depending on how your project is configured. These tokens help manage different environments like development, staging, and production. It’s a bit like having different keys for different locks—each environment has its own requirements, and this file helps keep everything organized.

Step 3: Install the Essentials

Now that your environment is ready, it’s time to install the project dependencies. Just run this command:
bash
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npm install
This will pull in all the necessary packages and libraries you need to get your theme up and running.

Step 4: Create Your Custom Fallback Theme

Here’s where the fun begins—creating your custom Fallback Theme. The process is similar to creating an extension in SuiteCommerce. Just run:

bash
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gulp theme:create
Once created, you’ll notice a new property in the manifest.json file called sub_type, indicating that your theme is a Fallback Theme. This setup ensures that your theme can inherit updates from the base theme, making it easier to manage.
Create Your Custom Fallback Theme

Step 5: Fetch the Base Theme

Next, you’ll need to fetch the base theme from your domain to start customizing. Use this command:

bash
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gulp theme:fetch
This will download the base theme into your project’s extras folder, setting the stage for you to start making it your own.

Step 6: Test Locally

Before diving into customizations, it’s a good idea to see how your theme looks and feels. Run your project locally with:

bash
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gulp theme:local
This lets you preview changes in real-time, ensuring everything is just right before going live.
Fallback Theme - Test Locally

Step 7: Customize with Confidence

Now, the real work begins—customizing your theme. Whether you’re tweaking the layout, adding new features, or refining the design, your Fallback Theme will automatically inherit updates from the base theme. This means fewer headaches for you and a more reliable, up-to-date site for your customers.

Wrapping It Up

By following these steps, you’ll be well on your way to installing a custom SuiteCommerce Fallback Theme that’s both flexible and easy to maintain. The best part? You can focus on delivering a fantastic shopping experience, knowing your theme will stay current with the latest updates.
 
Stay tuned for our next post, where we’ll dive deep into advanced customization techniques for Fallback Themes to help you get the most out of this powerful tool.
 
Whether you need help setting up your Fallback Theme or want to explore other customizations, we’re here to make it happen. Let’s take your eCommerce site to the next level together!

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