Themes and storefronts are both a type of app in Swell, so your first step is to decide what kind of app to develop. This section will help you understand the different steps to get started in either direction.

For a higher-level look at overall app architecture, see our Swell Apps reference.

Setup

Install the CLI

Before diving in, we'll need to install the CLI. You’ll use the Swell CLI to develop and install apps, so you should be comfortable using command-line interfaces, Node.js tooling, and JSON structures.

Install Swell CLI
npm install -g @swell/cli

Login to your account

Login to your Swell account. If you are not already logged in, this command will open your browser to the Swell Admin login page, otherwise, it will show you the stores that are accessible by your account.

Login
swell login

If you're building a theme or storefront app from the ground up, refer to the Swell Apps Getting Started guide for more detailed information.

Next steps

  • Read the Theme guide.
  • Read the Storefront app guide.
  • Learn about Headless storefronts.
  • Learn how to setup custom domains.