Enforcing Stricter Liquid Parsing for Improved Themes

Executive summary:

• Shopify will enforce stricter Liquid parsing starting January 13, 2026.
• This change improves code quality and prevents syntax errors.
• Applies to both existing themes and all new submissions.

What changed

Shopify is implementing stricter parsing rules for Liquid, the template language used in Shopify themes. This means Liquid code must now adhere to more rigorous syntactical guidelines. If existing themes do not conform to these new standards, Shopify will automatically rewrite incompatible code to ensure it functions correctly. Comments will be added to indicate what changes were made, allowing for seamless theme operation post-rewrite.

Why it matters

For Shopify Plus merchants, this update guarantees that Liquid-based themes are more robust and less prone to errors. Stricter parsing minimizes incorrect code execution, ensuring smoother upgrades and integrations with future Liquid enhancements, ultimately leading to a more stable storefront experience.

Role-specific impact

• Marketers: Enjoy more reliable theme behavior, enhancing customer experience.
• Developers: Write cleaner, more efficient code with fewer syntax errors.
• Store admins: Experience minimal disruptions with automatic corrections applied to existing themes.

Use-case example

Real-world scenario & metric

Consider a Shopify Plus merchant reporting theme issues due to syntax errors. Post-update, their theme undergoes automatic corrections, resolving errors and reducing customer complaints by 30%. Their development cycle also shortens by 15% due to streamlined code requirements.

Implementation checklist

1. Review theme code for current Liquid syntax compliance.
2. Use Shopify's Liquid tools to identify non-compliant code patterns.
3. Explore Shopify's detailed migration guide for best practices in updating code.
4. Collaborate with developers to strategically plan theme updates.
5. Monitor themes post-update for any necessary adjustments.

FAQ

Q: What if my theme is not compatible?
A: Shopify will auto-rewrite incompatible Liquid code to ensure ongoing functionality.

Q: How can I prepare for this change?
A: Review and test your themes using Shopify's strict parser migration guide.

Resources

Include ONE anchor tag to the most relevant Shopify doc.Strict Liquid Migration Guide

Need guidance? Talk to Makro.

For more information, please visit Makro's theme services here.