Shopify’s new Horizon theme architecture introduces more flexible ways to design pages, thanks to updates in how sections and blocks work. If you’ve been building themes for a while, you might be familiar with the old model where sections controlled the layout and blocks were limited inside those sections.
In Horizon, Shopify allows developers to convert standalone sections into reusable blocks, giving merchants even more control in the theme editor. Let’s walk through the process step by step.
1. Understand the Difference Between Sections and Blocks
👉 Example: Instead of merchants adding a whole “Image with Text” section, you can now let them add an image block anywhere inside a section.
2. Original Section Schema Example
Let’s say you have a section called section/image-with-text.liquid:
This is a section — it appears as a big component in the theme editor.
3. Convert Section to a Block
You’ll move it inside blocks section or create a new block file blocks/image-with-text.liquid. Then, paste the content.
4. Update the Markup
Inside the liquid content of a new block file, replace anything section. by block.
5. Benefits in Horizon
6. Best Practices
Final Thoughts
The new Horizon theme structure blurs the line between sections and blocks, making Shopify themes more modular and customizable than ever. By converting old sections into blocks, you give merchants granular control over their store’s design while keeping your theme lightweight and future-proof.
