How to enable Developer Mode on Squarespace
Quick Answer
Developer Mode allows you to customize your Squarespace site's code directly. You can enable it through Settings > Advanced > Developer Mode, but note that this will remove the visual editor permanently.
Prerequisites
- Active Squarespace website with Business plan or higher
- Administrator access to your Squarespace account
- Basic understanding of HTML/CSS
- Git installed on your local machine
Step-by-Step Instructions
1
Access your Squarespace Admin Panel
Log into your Squarespace account and navigate to your website's dashboard. Click on Settings in the left sidebar menu.
Make sure you're logged in as the site owner or have administrator permissions
2
Navigate to Advanced Settings
In the Settings panel, scroll down and click on Advanced to expand the advanced options section.
3
Locate Developer Mode Option
Under the Advanced section, look for Developer Mode. This option is only available on Business plans and higher.
If you don't see Developer Mode, verify your plan supports it under Settings > Billing & Account
4
Read the Warning Message
Click on Developer Mode and carefully read the warning message. Squarespace will explain that enabling Developer Mode is permanent and will remove access to the visual editor, Style Editor, and certain other features.
Create a full backup of your site before proceeding as this change cannot be undone
5
Confirm Developer Mode Activation
Type
DEVELOPER MODE in the confirmation field exactly as shown, then click Enable Developer Mode. Squarespace will process the change and convert your site. The conversion process may take a few minutes to complete
6
Set Up Git Repository Access
Once enabled, Squarespace will provide you with a Git repository URL and authentication details. Copy these credentials as you'll need them to clone your site's code locally using
git clone [repository-url]. Store your Git credentials securely as you'll need them for all future deployments
7
Clone and Start Development
Open your terminal or command prompt, navigate to your desired project directory, and run
git clone [your-repository-url]. You can now edit your site's templates, stylesheets, and JavaScript files locally. Use git add, commit, and push commands to deploy changes to your live site
Common Issues & Troubleshooting
Developer Mode option not visible in Advanced settings
Verify you have a Business plan or higher by checking Settings > Billing & Account. Developer Mode is not available on Personal plans.
Git authentication fails when cloning repository
Double-check your Git credentials in Settings > Advanced > Developer Mode. Use the exact username and password provided by Squarespace.
Changes not appearing on live site after git push
Allow up to 5-10 minutes for changes to deploy. Check the Git repository status in your Squarespace settings for deployment errors.
Template compilation errors after pushing changes
Review your JSON-T template syntax for errors. Check Squarespace's developer documentation and validate your code locally before pushing.
Prices mentioned in this guide are pulled from current plan data and may change. Always verify on the official Squarespace website before purchasing.