> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://sitesbyseth.gitbook.io/sitesbyseth-docs/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://sitesbyseth.gitbook.io/sitesbyseth-docs/reign/getting-started/installing.md).

# Installing Reign

Two ways to get Reign onto your store: upload the zip yourself (most common), or have it connected via GitHub for automatic updates (how Sites by Seth sets up client stores).

## Option 1: Upload the zip

1. Download the Reign `.zip` file from your purchase confirmation. **Don't unzip it** — Shopify wants the zip as-is.
2. From your Shopify admin, click **Online Store** → **Themes**
3. Scroll to the **Theme library** section
4. Click **Add theme** → **Upload zip file**
5. Choose the Reign zip and click **Upload**

After a minute Reign appears in your theme library. It is **not live yet** — your current theme is still what visitors see.

## Preview vs. publish

This trips up a lot of first-time store owners, so here's the difference:

* **Customize** — opens the theme editor so you can build and style Reign privately. Visitors still see your old theme.
* **Preview** (click **⋯** → **Preview**) — shows you the storefront exactly as customers would see it, without publishing.
* **Publish** (click **⋯** → **Publish**) — makes Reign the live theme for everyone.

👉 Build everything first, preview it on your phone *and* desktop, then publish.

⚠️ **Section content doesn't transfer between themes.** Text, images, and section layouts you added to your old theme stay with that theme. Products, collections, pages, and blog posts live in Shopify admin and are always available to Reign automatically.

## Option 2: GitHub auto-update

Stores set up directly by Sites by Seth are usually connected to a private GitHub repository using Shopify's GitHub integration. If yours is:

* Theme updates are pushed to your store automatically — no re-uploading zips
* You'll see the connected branch name on the theme card in **Online Store** → **Themes**

⚠️ If your theme is GitHub-connected, **don't upload update zips manually** — you'd end up with duplicate themes and your customizer changes could get out of sync. Just keep customizing in the editor as normal; content changes you make in the editor are synced back to the repository.

If you bought the theme yourself and want this workflow, see [Updating Reign](/sitesbyseth-docs/reign/free-gift-tiers/updates.md) for how updates work in both setups.

## After installing: the 5-minute basics

Before building pages, set the global brand basics:

1. In the theme editor, click the **gear icon** (bottom left) to open **Theme settings**
2. **Logo** — upload your logo, set its width, and (recommended) upload an **Inverse logo** — a white version used while the transparent header sits over your homepage hero. Add a **Favicon** too (the little browser-tab icon).
3. **Colors** — Reign ships with 6 color schemes. Scheme 1 is your default page look; scheme 3 is used for the dark footer. Adjust background/text/button colors per scheme rather than hunting through sections.
4. **Typography** — pick your heading and body fonts. Reign's default is Assistant; streetwear brands often swap the heading font for something heavier.
5. Click **Save**

💡 Full detail on every setting lives in [Theme settings](/sitesbyseth-docs/reign/theme-settings.md).

Next up: [Build your homepage](/sitesbyseth-docs/reign/getting-started/homepage.md).


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