> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://guides.paynow.gg/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://guides.paynow.gg/your-webstore/templates.md).

# Templates

A template is the complete design of your storefront. You can have as many as you like; one is **Active** at a time.

*Dashboard → Appearance → Webstore → Templates. Needs `webstore_read` to view.*

## Getting a template

| Route                   | Use when                                                             |
| ----------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Browse Templates**    | You want something that works immediately. Start here.               |
| **New Custom Template** | You are building a design yourself.                                  |
| **Upload Template**     | You have a template file already, including one exported from Tebex. |
| **Duplicate Template**  | You want to change a working template without risking it.            |

Duplicate before editing a live template: duplicate, edit the copy, preview, set active. It costs one click and means a broken edit never reaches customers.

## The template page

Opening a template shows its **ID** (copyable, and worth quoting to support) and its settings.

<figure><img src="/files/5jQWrEnRhEMCg2rAhX8j" alt="A template detail page with the Actions menu open showing Set as Active, Live Template Preview, Upload, Export and Duplicate."><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

### General

| Field                  | What it does                                                                                                 |
| ---------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
| **Name**               | A human-readable identifier for your template. Internal only; customers never see it.                        |
| **Compatibility Mode** | Which platform's template conventions this template follows. Set to **Tebex** to run a Tebex-style template. |

### Actions

| Action                    | What it does                                                                        |
| ------------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Set as Active**         | Makes this the live storefront design. Takes effect immediately.                    |
| **Live Template Preview** | View the template without making it active. Use this before every activation.       |
| **Upload Template**       | Import template files.                                                              |
| **Export Template**       | Download the template. It is your backup, and how you move a design between stores. |
| **Duplicate Template**    | Copy it. Use before editing anything live.                                          |
| **Update**                | Save your changes.                                                                  |
| **Delete**                | Remove the template. Not reversible.                                                |

{% hint style="warning" %}
**Export before you delete, and export before major edits.** Export is the only backup mechanism. There is no version history to roll back to.
{% endhint %}

## Tebex compatibility mode

If you are [migrating from Tebex](/getting-started/migrating-from-another-platform.md), compatibility mode lets an existing Tebex template run on PayNow with minimal rework. Setting it reveals a **Tebex Compatibility Options** section:

| Option                 | What it does                                                        |
| ---------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Index Description**  | Rich-text content shown on the index (home) page.                   |
| **Tebex Display Type** | How products are displayed within categories, for example `images`. |
| **CMS Pages**          | Additional content pages carried over from the Tebex structure.     |

Compatibility mode is a migration aid, not a permanent home. A native PayNow template gives you the full [variable set](/your-webstore/editing-template-files.md#variables) and [modules](/your-webstore/webstore.md#modules), so plan to move across once you are settled.

## A safe workflow for changing your storefront

1. **Duplicate** the active template.
2. Edit the duplicate. See [Editing Template Files](/your-webstore/editing-template-files.md).
3. **Live Template Preview** the duplicate and click through every page: home, a category, a product, cart, subscriptions, completion.
4. **Export** it as a backup.
5. **Set as Active**.
6. Load your real storefront in a private window and confirm.

Keep the previous template. It is your rollback.