The Backup Manager saves, transfers and edits your theme configuration directly in the "Backup" tab of the ThemeWare® Hub. It bundles three functions: export of the configuration as a JSON file, a guided import with a mandatory pre-backup safeguard, and an advanced mode with an inline JSON editor for direct editing.
Important: The Backup Manager is an add-on and must be unlocked separately. Why add-ons?
Theme configuration
Export
Downloads the theme's configuration values as a JSON file. Useful as a safety net before larger changes, or for transferring settings between shops.
Step by step:
- Find the relevant theme in the backup tab.
- Click "Export".
- The browser downloads a file named
tcinn-<theme-name>-<date>.json.
What gets exported?
Only the values you have changed yourself (configValues). Fields you have never adjusted are not included in the file and use the theme's default values after the import. The backup is therefore not a complete copy of all settings. This means:
- Same theme, same installation: The backup restores your exact state.
- Different variant: Fields you have not adjusted take on the default values of the target variant.
- After an update: Default values are not backed up. If an update changes a default value, fields you have not adjusted use the new value.
- Duplicates: A duplicate inherits the settings of its base theme. Only the values changed directly in the duplicate are backed up. Therefore, also back up the base theme.
- Media: Uploaded logos and images are only included as references, the media files themselves are not exported.
Import
Loads a previously exported JSON file into the chosen theme. Existing configuration values are fully replaced, so the import dialog walks you through a backup step first.
Step by step:
- In the backup tab, click "Import" on the target theme. The "Import theme configuration" modal opens.
- In the modal, click "Download backup" (step 1). The current configuration is saved as a safety net.
- Click "Choose file …" (step 2) and select the JSON file to import.
- If the file is accepted, click "Import configuration".
The theme is recompiled automatically.
Existing configuration is replaced
Import overwrites current configuration values completely. That's why the backup in step 1 is mandatory — without it the import button stays disabled.
Cross-variant import
If the import file comes from a different ThemeWare® variant (e.g. a Plants file imported into a Modern theme), the import detects this automatically and shows a notice. Your customizations are transferred, while non-customized fields fall back to the current variant's defaults.
Media note
If the file references media IDs (logos, images), those may not exist in the target shop and need to be reassigned manually after import.
Advanced mode
For experienced users: a JSON editor directly below each theme, allowing the configuration to be edited without going through the standard UI.
Step by step:
- At the top of the backup tab, click "Activate advanced mode".
- A JSON editor appears below each theme, showing its current configuration.
- Before saving, click "Export" on the affected theme (backup is mandatory).
- Edit the JSON.
- Click "Save".
The theme is recompiled automatically.
Edit with care
Invalid JSON input can damage the theme or break the storefront. The "Save" button stays disabled until a backup has been created for the theme and the input is valid JSON.
Deactivate advanced mode
Use "Exit advanced mode" at the top of the page. The editors are hidden again — unsaved changes are lost.
Use cases
Typical scenarios for the backup functions:
Save and restore
- Backup before larger changes — Before a plugin update, an extensive theme adjustment, or activating "advanced mode", download a backup.
- Restore after a mistake — A change broke the theme or caused unwanted side effects? Simply re-import the previously exported JSON file into the affected theme.
Transfer between themes or shops
- Write a configuration into another theme — You have an existing custom duplicate and want to merge in the configuration of a different variant (e.g. from Plants). Export from the source theme, import into the target theme.
- Move a setup from test shop to live shop — You develop on a test shop and want to apply the finished theme setup on production. Export on test, download the file, import on live.
Direct editing
- Detail tweaks at JSON level for power users — Individual configuration values need to be changed quickly and precisely, without going through the standard UI in the Theme-Manager. Activate "advanced mode" for that.