The `settings_schema.json` file controls the organization and content of the **Theme settings** area of the theme editor. All setting selections in the theme editor are saved in [settings_data.json](/docs/storefronts/themes/architecture/config/settings-data-json).

## Location

The `settings_schema.json` file is located in the `config` directory of the theme:

```text
└── theme
    ...
    ├── config
        ├── settings_data.json
        └── settings_schema.json
    └── locales

```

## Schema

The `settings_schema.json` file is an array of objects that represent setting categories. Each object needs to have the following attributes:

| Attribute | Description | Required |
| --- | --- | --- |
| `name` | The name of the category of settings. | Yes |
| `settings` | An array of associated [settings](/docs/storefronts/themes/architecture/settings). | Yes |

The `settings_schema.json` file should follow the following basic format:

```json
[
  {
    "name": "Category",
    "settings": [
      ...
    ]
  },
  ...
]
```

The `settings_schema.json` file is a JSON file, so all content must be valid JSON. Additionally, make sure you follow the appropriate syntax for your desired setting.

## Usage

When working with the `settings_schema.json` file, familiarize yourself with the following:

- [setting types](#setting-types)
- [accessing settings](#access-settings)
- [adding theme metadata](#add-theme-metadata)

### Setting types

There are two categories of settings:

| Category | Description |
| --- | --- |
| [Input settings](/docs/storefronts/themes/architecture/settings/input-settings) | Settings that can hold a value, and are configurable by app users. |
| [Sidebar settings](/docs/storefronts/themes/architecture/settings/sidebar-settings) | Settings that can’t hold a value, and aren’t configurable by app users. They’re informational elements that can be used to provide detail and clarity for your input settings.  |


### Access settings

Theme settings can be accessed through the [settings object](/docs/api/liquid/objects/settings). To learn more about the syntax and considerations, refer to [Access settings](/docs/storefronts/themes/architecture/settings#access-settings).


### Add theme metadata

As a theme author, you can include additional metadata for your theme in the **Theme actions** menu of the theme editor. This menu appears at the left of the theme editor top bar:

<figure class="figure"><img src="https://cdn.shopify.com/shopifycloud/shopify_dev/assets/themes/theme-editor/theme-info-panel-highlighted-a706485d9f85e6e2481e8f3b72ccedc42c50b1fc1d83af5b3a4298bb2598613f.png" class="lazyload" width="344" height="408"></figure>

To add this metadata, you can include a `theme_info` object in the `settings_schema.json` file. This object must include the following attributes:

| Attribute | Description | Required |
| --- | --- | --- |
| `name` | The value of this attribute must be `theme_info`. | Yes |
| `theme_name` | The name of the theme. |  Yes |
| `theme_author` | The author of the theme. |  Yes |
| `theme_version` | The version number of the theme. |  Yes |
| `theme_documentation_url` | A URL where merchants can find documentation for the theme. |  Yes |
| `theme_support_email` | An email address that merchants can contact for support for the theme. |  See note |
| `theme_support_url` | A URL where merchants can find support for the theme. | See note |

> Caution:
> All of the above attributes are required. However, you need to specify only `theme_support_email` or `theme_support_url`, not both. Including both of these attributes, or excluding any other attributes, will result in an error.

For example:

<p>
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</div>

</div>
</div>

<script data-option="filename" data-value="settings_schema.json"></script>

<script type="text/plain" data-language="json">
RAW_MD_CONTENT[
  {
    "name": "theme_info",
    "theme_name": "Dawn",
    "theme_author": "Shopify",
    "theme_version": "1.0.0",
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    "theme_support_url": "https:\/\/support.shopify.com\/",
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  ...
]
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</div>
</p>