# Install and activate a theme

Add a theme to your store, try it safely, then publish it.

## From the Shopify Theme Store

1. Open the theme's page in the Shopify Theme Store and choose **Try theme** to add it to your store without paying, or **Buy theme** to purchase it.
2. The theme appears in **Online Store > Themes** under your theme library, unpublished. Your live store doesn't change.
3. Choose **Customize** to set it up in the theme editor.

## From a theme file

1. In **Online Store > Themes**, choose **Add theme**, then **Upload zip file**.
2. Pick the theme's zip file. It's added to your theme library, unpublished.

## Publish

When the theme looks right in preview, choose **Publish** on it in **Online Store > Themes**. Your previous theme stays in the library, so you can switch back at any time.

{% hint style="info" %}
A theme tried from the Theme Store must be bought before you can publish it.
{% endhint %}

Shopify's guide to [adding a theme](https://help.shopify.com/manual/online-store/themes/adding-themes) has more detail.