Connect a theme with theme connect

theme connect gives a local theme temporary permission to use one merchant's development store data in Workbench.

Before you start

Ask the merchant for a current theme development secret created for the correct store and permitted theme key. This secret is not the merchant's password.

Run the command from the workspace:

upstorr theme connect my-brand-theme

Paste the secret when prompted. Prompting is safer because the value does not become part of the command saved in terminal history.

Automated local testing may pass a token directly:

upstorr theme connect my-brand-theme --token <secret>

Do not put that form in shared scripts, screenshots or documentation containing a real secret.

What is saved

Connection state is stored inside the theme's generated .upstorr-theme/ directory. It is ignored by Git and must not be edited or copied into another theme.

The connection identifies the store, storefront and allowed theme. It does not grant database, Admin or private API access. Theme data and actions still flow through the documented runtime and Theme SDK.

Common problems

  • Connection invalid or expired: create a new development secret and connect again.
  • Theme key not allowed: the secret was created for another theme key. Use the intended theme or ask the merchant for a matching secret.
  • Wrong store: disconnect, obtain a secret from the correct store and connect again.
  • Custom API or Workbench origin rejected: public origins are managed by Upstorr. The CLI intentionally rejects replacement-origin flags.

After a successful connection, run:

upstorr theme dev my-brand-theme