● Reckoneerhow it works
Reckoneer / Stage 8
Stage 8BuildAutomatic

Theme Build

Stage 8 is where the design becomes code. Claude Code reads the SHOPIFY-THEME-SPEC.md and CONTEXT.md, then builds a complete Shopify theme based on the Dawn base theme.

This includes: all custom sections defined in the spec, template files for each page type identified in the sitemap, theme settings populated with the approved design tokens (colors, fonts, spacing), and collections/navigation configured per the product mapping.

The theme is built using Shopify CLI in a dev theme environment — hidden from the public, visible only via a preview URL. Claude Code runs Theme Check to verify zero errors before reporting completion. The theme is committed to the dev branch on GitHub.

Terms
Dawn

Shopify's official reference theme — the base theme Reckoneer builds on. Open source, Online Store 2.0 compatible, HTML-first with minimal JavaScript. Updated regularly by Shopify.

AnalogyA professional kitchen with all the standard equipment already installed. You don't build the kitchen from scratch — you start with a fully equipped space and customize it for your menu.
OriginNamed after the time of day — a beginning. Shopify's intent: a clean starting point for theme development.
Liquid

Shopify's open-source templating language. Used in all Shopify theme files to output dynamic content (product titles, prices, images) and control logic (if/else, loops). Files end in .liquid.

AnalogyMail merge for web pages. You write a template with placeholders ('Dear {{ customer.name }}') and Shopify fills in the real values for each visitor.
OriginNamed for its fluid, flexible nature — a templating language designed to flow around data. Created by Shopify founder Tobi Lütke.
Theme Check

Shopify's official linting tool for themes. Checks for deprecated Liquid syntax, missing translations, performance issues, and accessibility problems. Reckoneer requires zero errors before advancing.

AnalogyA building code inspector. Before the building is opened to the public, an inspector verifies it meets all required standards. No certificate of occupancy (no advance) until it passes.
OriginLint/linting: originally from the practice of removing lint (fibers) from fabric. In programming: removing small errors and inconsistencies from code.