Template Selection

Change anytime — starting design doesn’t lock you in

Always reversible

Whether you began with a Matrix default, a premade pack, or a fully custom Style Editor setup — open Style Editor → Template Selection, click another preview, and your site’s design updates immediately. Then hit Save to keep it.

You’re never stuck with the first template or layout you chose
Switching is done from the same popup, any time you’re editing
Optional locks keep your brand colors and custom CSS while the rest of the design changes
Your page content (text, images, modules) stays — only the theme/config layer updates

Think of it this way: the initial design is a starting point, not a commitment. Template Selection is the permanent door back to a fresh look whenever you need one.

Overview

Template Selection lives inside the Style Editor. A button in the editor header opens a draggable popup with visual previews. Click a card to apply that template’s colors, layout classes, and config — then save when you’re happy.

Visual preview cards — see the design before you commit
Active template highlighted (and moved to the top when you reopen)
Templates load from a CDN so the list stays up to date
Lock Global Colors / Lock Custom CSS when you want a new look without losing your brand

browser-frame

1 Quick setup

Template Selection is off by default. Turn it on once, then the button stays available in Style Editor.

Step 1 — Enable the feature

matrix-config.js

window.MatrixConfig = {
  features: {
    templateSelection: true // Show Template Selection in Style Editor
  }
};

Note: Make sure Style Editor is also enabled (styleEditor: true). Upload the latest template-selection.matrix.js (or full Matrix build) so the button appears.

Step 2 — Open Style Editor

In the Jimdo admin, open the Matrix Style Editor. You’ll see the Template Selection icon in the header.

2 Switch a template

This is the whole workflow — use it on day one or months later.

1

Open Template Selection

In Style Editor, click the template button in the header.

2

(Optional) Turn on locks

Use Lock Global Colors and/or Lock Custom CSS if you want to keep your palette or CSS.

3

Click a preview

The new template applies instantly in the editor preview.

4

Save

Click Save in the Style Editor to keep the change on the live site.

Tip: Not sure yet? Apply a few templates to compare. Until you Save, you can keep exploring — and you can always switch again later even after you’ve saved.

Lock colors & CSS

Switching templates normally brings the new design’s colors and custom CSS. Locks let you keep your brand while still changing layout and other config.

Control	When locked	When unlocked
Lock Global Colors	Keeps your primary/secondary palette and button colors	New template’s colors replace yours
Lock Custom CSS	Keeps your Custom CSS field (and related head CSS)	New template’s CSS replaces yours

Note: Lock preferences are saved with the Style Editor table when you click Save — they’ll still be there next time you edit.

Update Template

Already on a Matrix template and the creator shipped improvements? Use the blue Update Template button to refresh the template structure while keeping your colors, config classes, and CSS.

Best when new Style Editor options were added to your current template
Not for switching looks — pick a different preview card for that
Only available when an official (listed) template is active

What you get

The popup loads templates from the Matrix CDN and groups them for browsing:

Group	Examples
Default templates	Alsten, Lemberg, Zion, Bergen, Nordland, Enkel, and more
Pre-built / niche	Corporation, Creative Studio, Hotel, Photography, Beauty Spa, Fashion Store, and more

Custom / premade packs: if your site uses a template that isn’t in the list, you’ll see a non-clickable “Custom Template” placeholder. You can still apply any listed template to switch away from it.

Troubleshooting

Issue	Fix
No template button in Style Editor	Set `templateSelection: true`, confirm Style Editor is on, and upload the latest build.
“Loading templates…” never finishes	Check network access to the templates CDN; reload and reopen the popup.
Colors/CSS change when I didn’t want them to	Enable Lock Global Colors / Lock Custom CSS before clicking a new template, then Save.
New look disappears after reload	You must click Save in the Style Editor after applying a template.
Can I go back to my old design?	Yes — reopen Template Selection and pick the previous template again (or any other). Locks still apply if enabled.

If you have encountered any bugs, errors, or unexpected behavior in Template Selection module, please leave a comment below.

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