Use Design Mode
Select storefront elements and use Runner's visual editing controls safely.
Entry path: Workspace → select a store → Storefront → Design Mode
What this covers
Open Design Mode on the latest storefront version, select one visible element, make a controlled change, and save it as part of the current project.
Why and when to use Design Mode
Use Design Mode for focused visual changes that are easier to point at than describe from scratch: rewrite a heading, replace an image, adjust spacing, change typography, or remove a visible element.
Use Runner chat for broader work that spans several pages, changes store behavior, or requires new functionality.
Availability and prerequisites
Design Mode is conditional. It is available when:
- you are using a desktop layout;
- the latest storefront version is ready and selected;
- you are not previewing an older version;
- Runner is not currently processing another request; and
- the Design Mode feature is enabled for the workspace.
If the preview is still preparing, a historical version is selected, or Runner is working, the button can be hidden or disabled.
Open Design Mode
- Open your project.
- Select Storefront.
- Make sure the version label says Current and the preview is ready.
- Select Design Mode in the storefront toolbar.
- If a bottom editing bar appears with another Design Mode control, select it to enable element selection.
- Move over the storefront and select the element you want to change.
Design Mode controls
| Control | Why you use it | What happens when you select it |
|---|---|---|
| Design Mode in the storefront toolbar | Enter the dedicated editing view. | Runner opens the current storefront in the design panel. |
| Design Mode in the bottom bar | Turn element inspection on or off. | When on, selectable elements are outlined and selecting one opens its editing bar. Turning it off clears the current editing session. |
| Ask Runner AI field and send arrow | Describe a change for the selected element. | Runner receives the instruction with the selected element. When Runner starts, it clears the selection and resets unsaved direct edits and their undo/redo history, so save any pending direct edits before sending. |
| Spacing | Change the space inside or around the element. | A panel opens for horizontal and vertical margin and padding. |
| Image | Replace a selected image or background image. | A panel opens with Upload and AI-generated options when that element supports media editing. |
| Text | Change type styling. | A panel opens for font size, weight, family, color, opacity, and alignment when supported. |
| Delete Element | Remove the selected element from the current edit. | The element disappears immediately in the editor. Use Undo if this was accidental, and review before saving. |
| Undo | Reverse the latest unsaved visual edit. | Runner steps backward through the current Design Mode edit history. |
| Redo | Reapply an edit you just undid. | Runner steps forward through the current Design Mode edit history. |
| Save | Keep the current visual edits. | Runner writes the pending changes, records a new version snapshot when possible, clears this session's undo/redo history, and reloads the preview. The button is disabled when there is nothing to save. |
| Close | Leave the dedicated design panel. | Runner returns to normal storefront preview and clears unsaved edits and command history. Save first if you want to keep the changes. |
Make a safe visual change
- Navigate to the target page in normal Preview before opening Design Mode.
- Enter Design Mode and select one element.
- Choose one path for this change:
- For a direct edit, use Spacing, Image, Text, or Delete Element, then review it with Undo or Redo and select Save.
- For an AI request, save any pending direct edits first, reselect the element if needed, enter the instruction in Ask Runner AI, and send it. When Runner starts, the selection and unsaved direct-edit history are cleared.
- Wait for the chosen save or Runner request to finish, then review the page in normal Preview.
- Check the page again in PC, Pad, and Phone layouts.
- Publish only after the saved preview passes your review.
States, limits, and troubleshooting
| What you see | Meaning | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Starting design mode… | Runner is preparing the editable preview. | Keep the latest version selected. |
| Design mode didn't start | The editable preview did not become ready. | Select Try Again. If it repeats, return to normal Preview and refresh. |
| Iframe is still loading | Element inspection is not ready. | Wait for the storefront to finish loading. |
| Visual editor disabled while AI is processing | Runner is handling another request. | Wait for the request to finish, then select the element again. |
| Runner starts after an Ask Runner AI request | The visual editor resets for the new task. | Any unsaved direct edits and their undo/redo history are discarded. Save direct edits before sending the request. |
| AI editing not available for dynamic content | The selected content cannot be changed through that control. | Describe the page and desired result in regular Runner chat. |
| Nothing to undo / redo / save | The current Design Mode session has no matching action. | Select an editable element and make a change first. |
| Saved changes to source files | Runner completed the Design Mode save. | Wait for the preview to reload, then review the changed page again. |
| The edit is saved but not live | Saving changes updates the project, not the published storefront. | Review the current version, then select Publish Changes. |