---
title: theme init
description: "Clones a Git repository to your local machine to use as the starting point for building a theme.


  \  If no Git repository is specified, then this command creates a copy of Shopify's [Skeleton theme](https://github.com/Shopify/skeleton-theme.git), with the specified name in the current folder. If no name is provided, then you're prompted to enter one.


  \  > Caution: If you're building a theme for the Shopify Theme Store, then you can use our example theme as a starting point. However, the theme that you submit needs to be [substantively different from existing themes](/docs/themes/store/requirements#uniqueness) so that it provides added value for users.

  \  "
api_name: shopify-cli
source_url:
  html: https://shopify.dev/docs/api/shopify-cli/theme/theme-init
  md: https://shopify.dev/docs/api/shopify-cli/theme/theme-init.md
---

# theme initcommand

Clones a Git repository to your local machine to use as the starting point for building a theme.

If no Git repository is specified, then this command creates a copy of Shopify's [Skeleton theme](https://github.com/Shopify/skeleton-theme.git), with the specified name in the current folder. If no name is provided, then you're prompted to enter one.

Caution

If you're building a theme for the Shopify Theme Store, then you can use our example theme as a starting point. However, the theme that you submit needs to be [substantively different from existing themes](https://shopify.dev/docs/themes/store/requirements#uniqueness) so that it provides added value for users.

## Flags

The following flags are available for the `theme init` command:

* \--no-color

  env: SHOPIFY\_FLAG\_NO\_COLOR

  Disable color output.

* \--path \<value>

  string

  env: SHOPIFY\_FLAG\_PATH

  The path where you want to run the command. Defaults to the current working directory.

* \--verbose

  env: SHOPIFY\_FLAG\_VERBOSE

  Increase the verbosity of the output.

* -l, --latest

  env: SHOPIFY\_FLAG\_LATEST

  Downloads the latest release of the `clone-url`

* -u, --clone-url \<value>

  string

  env: SHOPIFY\_FLAG\_CLONE\_URL

  The Git URL to clone from. Defaults to Shopify's Skeleton theme.

### Examples

* #### theme init

  ##### theme init

  ```bash
  shopify theme init [name] [flags]
  ```