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Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about O2VEND theme and app development.

General Questions​

What is O2VEND?​

O2VEND is an eCommerce platform that uses Liquid templates for theme development, similar to Shopify.

Do I need to know Liquid to develop themes?​

While not strictly required, familiarity with Liquid template syntax is highly recommended. The Liquid Templates guide provides a good starting point.

Can I use my existing Shopify theme?​

O2VEND uses Shopify-compatible Liquid syntax, so many Shopify themes can be adapted with minimal changes. However, some Shopify-specific features may need modification.

Theme Development​

How do I create a new theme?​

See the Create Your First Theme tutorial for a step-by-step guide.

Where are themes stored?​

Themes are stored in the tenant repository. Local themes can be developed in the themes/ directory.

How do I test my theme locally?​

  1. Create theme in themes/ directory
  2. Start O2VEND server
  3. Access theme via browser
  4. Use theme editor for live preview

Can I use CSS frameworks?​

Yes, you can use any CSS framework. Popular choices include Bootstrap, Tailwind CSS, and Foundation.

How do I add custom JavaScript?​

Add JavaScript files to assets/ directory and load them in your layout:

{{ 'custom.js' | asset_url | script_tag }}

Widget Development​

What are widgets?​

Widgets are dynamic content blocks that can be added to pages through the editor or API. See the Widgets guide for details.

How do I customize widgets?​

Widgets are managed through the theme editor. See the Widgets guide for details on available widget types and customization options.

Can widgets be conditional?​

Yes, widgets can include conditional logic:

{% if widget.settings.show_title %}
  <h2>{{ widget.settings.title }}</h2>
{% endif %}

App Development​

What can apps do?​

Apps can:

  • Add custom functionality to themes
  • Create payment gateways
  • Integrate third-party services
  • Hook into theme rendering

How do I create an app?​

See the Create First App tutorial for a step-by-step guide.

Can apps modify core functionality?​

Apps can hook into theme rendering but cannot modify core O2VEND functionality.

API Questions​

How do I get an API key?​

API keys are generated through the O2VEND admin panel or API.

What API version should I use?​

Use API v2 for new integrations. See the API Reference for details.

How do I handle API errors?​

Always implement error handling:

try {
  const response = await api.getProducts();
} catch (error) {
  if (error.response?.status === 401) {
    // Handle authentication error
  } else if (error.response?.status === 404) {
    // Handle not found
  }
}

Performance Questions​

How do I optimize theme performance?​

See the Performance Optimization guide for detailed techniques.

Should I minify my assets?​

Yes, always minify CSS and JavaScript for production. See Asset Optimization.

How do I reduce page load time?​

  • Minify and combine assets
  • Optimize images
  • Lazy load content
  • Use CDN for static assets
  • Implement caching

Troubleshooting​

My theme doesn't render correctly​

  1. Check for Liquid syntax errors
  2. Verify all required files exist
  3. Check browser console for JavaScript errors
  4. Review Common Errors

Widgets don't appear on my page​

  1. Verify widgets are assigned to the correct section
  2. Check widget template exists
  3. Ensure section includes widget rendering code
  4. See Widget Troubleshooting

API requests are failing​

  1. Verify API key is correct
  2. Check endpoint URL
  3. Verify request format
  4. Check rate limits
  5. Review API Authentication

Still Have Questions?​