What is BigCommerce Stencil?

If you are still using the BigCommerce Blueprint theme framework, it’s high time that you switched over to their new STENCIL framework. I’ll show you how it works in this video!

The BigCommerce Stencil Framework

Blueprint, BigCommerce’s legacy theme framework, was built on a rigid, proprietary codebase, making it difficult for developers to customize and extend theme functionality. Stencil themes are built on non-proprietary, open-source code to minimize the learning curve for developers and to provide access to the best developers in the industry using BigCommerce Best Practices.

Basically, STENCIL improves the overall storefront experience for merchants and their customers. With enhancements in speed, security, and updates to your themes, this framework provides a more streamlined process for the everyday maintenance and tasks required to run a store.

Watch the full video below to learn:

  • How Stencil CLI helps developers create and test custom themes locally without affecting your live site.
  • The advantages of using Handlebars JS to access data fields and write custom logic directly in your theme’s code.
  • Key differences between Stencil and the older Blueprint framework.
  • The extra features in Stencil like SCSS (advanced styling) and Stencil Utils (a lightweight library for advanced functions).
  • Why upgrading to Stencil can improve your store’s performance and allow for greater flexibility in design and functionality.

Key Takeaways from the Video

To help you get a better understanding of what’s covered, here are the top takeaways from the video with timestamps:

  1. What is BigCommerce Stencil? – Stencil is a combination of Stencil CLI and Handlebars JS that allows developers to build, test, and implement themes more effectively. (00:02)
  2. How Stencil CLI Works – The Stencil CLI tool lets developers run a local version of your theme connected to real store data, ensuring that development and testing happen without impacting the live store. (00:28)
  3. Handlebars JS and Advanced Logic – With Handlebars JS, developers can easily access and manipulate store data fields, and use conditional logic like “if statements” to customize the display of content. (01:43, 02:56)
  4. Stencil vs. BlueprintStencil provides improved performance, better coding flexibility, and fewer mistakes compared to the older Blueprint framework. (04:07)
  5. Additional Features of Stencil – Stencil includes SCSS for advanced styling, Front Matter for customizing page content, and Stencil Utils, which allows developers to implement advanced functions without building an app. (04:42)

Why You Should Watch the Video

If you’re running a store on BigCommerce or considering a move to the platform, understanding Stencil is essential. Whether you’re a developer looking to optimize your workflow or a store owner curious about what goes on behind the scenes, this video will give you the knowledge you need to make informed decisions about your store’s theme and performance.

In just a few minutes, you’ll gain insight into how Stencil CLI and Handlebars JS can help create a faster, more flexible, and more reliable store. Watch the video above and see how upgrading to Stencil could be a game-changer for your business!

If you’re looking for a BigCommerce Development Agency with a lot of stencil experience, please reach out.

Scroll to Top