> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.quickshops.app/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# How your Quickshops store works

> Understand your storefront, dashboard, and how products, checkout, and delivery fit together.

Your Quickshops store has two sides: what **customers** see on your public storefront, and what **you** manage in the dashboard. Quickshops connects both — when you update a product or publish a theme change, your live store updates automatically.

## Your storefront (what customers see)

Customers visit your store URL — either a Quickshops subdomain (`yourstore.quickshops.app`) or your [custom domain](/account-setup). They can:

* Browse your product catalog
* Add items to a cart
* Pay through Stripe's secure checkout
* Receive digital downloads or subscription access by email

You don't build checkout pages yourself. Stripe hosts payment, and Quickshops delivers purchases after payment succeeds.

## Your dashboard (what you manage)

The dashboard is where you run the business:

| Area                   | What you do here                                        |
| ---------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Dashboard**          | See overview tasks and store status                     |
| **AI Chat**            | Describe changes; review AI proposals before publishing |
| **Products**           | Create and edit digital products and subscriptions      |
| **Media**              | Upload images and files for products and your store     |
| **Orders**             | View completed purchases                                |
| **Customers**          | See buyer history and active subscribers                |
| **Discounts**          | Create coupon and promo codes                           |
| **Analytics**          | Track traffic, conversions, and revenue                 |
| **Payments & payouts** | Connect Stripe and manage payouts                       |
| **Editor**             | Visually preview and publish theme changes              |
| **Settings**           | Store name, domain, integrations, and API keys          |

## How the pieces connect

```mermaid theme={null}
flowchart LR
  You[You in dashboard] --> Store[Storefront]
  You --> Products[Products]
  Products --> Store
  Customer[Customer] --> Store
  Store --> Cart[Cart]
  Cart --> Stripe[Stripe Checkout]
  Stripe --> Delivery[Email delivery]
  Stripe --> Orders[Orders in dashboard]
```

1. You add products and publish your store.
2. Customers browse and add items to a cart.
3. Checkout runs on Stripe — card data never touches Quickshops servers.
4. Quickshops records the order and emails the customer their download or subscription details.
5. You track results under **Orders**, **Customers**, and **Analytics**.

## Publishing vs drafts

Changes from the **Editor** and some AI updates save as drafts until you publish. That lets you preview updates without affecting your live store. When you're ready, publish from the editor or approve an AI proposal.

<Warning>
  Customers cannot complete purchases until [Stripe is connected](/integrations/payments), even if your store URL is already live.
</Warning>

## Related guides

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Customize your store" icon="paintbrush" href="/store/customization">
    AI chat and the visual editor.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Checkout flow" icon="shopping-cart" href="/selling/checkout">
    What happens when a customer pays.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Digital products" icon="package" href="/products/digital-products">
    Sell downloads and one-time purchases.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Subscriptions" icon="repeat" href="/products/subscriptions">
    Sell monthly or yearly plans.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>