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Update to the Classic theme

The legacy theme for Guidelines is being phased out and replaced by newer, actively maintained themes that offer more flexibility, customization, and long-term support.

Updated this week

Why update your theme

Updating gives you access to:

  • Actively maintained and continuously updated themes

  • Improved customization and layout options

  • Better navigation and future guideline enhancements

We recommend updating proactively so you can:

  • Choose the theme that best fits your brand

  • Plan changes on your own timeline

  • Avoid automatic updates later

Automatic updates

If you choose not to upgrade manually, your guidelines will be updated automatically according to the following timeline:

  • June 30, 2026: Guidelines without custom CSS or custom footers

    • Your guidelines will update automatically to the Classic Theme.

    • Your existing cover, document, and library settings will carry over.

    • Some small visual tweaks may be needed after the update.

    • You can explore the new customization options whenever you’re ready.

  • September 30, 2026: Guidelines with custom CSS and/or custom footers

    • We’ll contact you before any automatic update.

    • Your Customer Success Manager will guide you through the options.

    • You can choose a new theme or build a custom theme, depending on your needs.

Automatic updates ensure that all guidelines transition successfully. However, upgrading manually gives you greater control and flexibility over the process.

Available themes

You can update to:

  • Classic – the fastest upgrade path with familiar structure

  • Muse – expressive, editorial layouts

  • Paper – clean, documentation-first design

  • Custom – full control for advanced needs
    ​

Update options

There are two ways to update your legacy guidelines to the Classic theme, depending on how many guidelines you want to update and how much control you need.

The demos below walk you through each approach:

  • Update a single guideline:

  • Update many guidelines:

Step by step: How to update one legacy guideline (fastest option)

Step 1: Update your guideline

  1. Open the legacy guideline you want to update

  2. Click the paintbrush icon

  3. Click Update now

Step 2: Keep your existing look and feel

  1. Choose Use existing settings

  2. Select a Document

  3. Select a Library (if applicable)

  4. Click Confirm

Your guideline is now using the Classic theme. Content stays the same. Previous settings are applied

If you’re short on time, you can stop here, you’re updated and ready to use the latest features.

Note: In some cases, for example with certain logo assets, you may need to make small adjustments after updating.

Optional: Customize your guideline

  1. Click Themes

  2. Adjust guideline settings such as:

    • Typography

    • Lists

    • Buttons

    • Color schemes

  3. Click Layout and navigation to access theme-specific settings

Tips

  • Settings apply to the page type you’re currently on

  • Cover pages, document pages, and library pages each have their own settings

  • You can edit all document pages at once or customize individual document pages

  • You can edit all library pages at once or customize individual library pages


The Classic theme includes updates such as:

  • Improved header styling

  • Custom dropdowns

  • Enhanced Search, AI Assistant, and language switcher customization

You can explore freely, settings can always be adjusted later.

How to update many legacy guidelines using a blueprint

This is the recommended approach if you manage multiple guidelines.

Step 1: Duplicate a legacy guideline

  1. Click Actions → Duplicate

  2. Choose Use existing settings

  3. Select a Document

  4. Select a Library (if applicable)

  5. Click Confirm

Duplication takes about 2–3 minutes. You’ll receive an email when it’s ready.

Step 2: Rename your duplicated guideline

  1. Open Settings

  2. Rename it to something like “Blueprint”

This guideline will act as your template.

Step 3: Add fonts to Essentials

Adding fonts to Essentials makes font management easier across multiple guidelines.

  1. Go to Essentials → Fonts

  2. Add fonts from a provider or upload self-hosted fonts

  3. Click Confirm

Step 4: Customize your blueprint

  1. Open your blueprint guideline

  2. Confirm it’s using the Classic theme

  3. Set your brand fonts from Essentials

  4. Customize:

    • Guideline settings

    • Theme settings for each page type
      ​

Step 5: Update each legacy guideline

  1. Open a legacy guideline

  2. Click the paintbrush icon

  3. Click Update now

  4. Choose Import settings from another guideline

  5. Select the Brand

  6. Select your Blueprint guideline

  7. Click Confirm

Repeat these steps for each legacy guideline.

Important note about importing settings

When using Import settings from another guideline: Fonts added via the Font block are not imported.

That’s why we recommend managing fonts through Essentials, especially when working across multiple guidelines.
​

Need help?

If you have questions or want guidance on choosing the right theme, reach out to your Frontify customer success manager.

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