- Short answer
- One page — Shopify's default; three-page checkout doesn't register WebMCP tools for browser agents unless the buyer checks out with Shop Pay.
- Default
- One-page, per Shopify's changelog of October 2, 2023
- Plans
- Basic, Shopify and Advanced choose since November 16, 2023, per Shopify's changelog; Plus already could
- Shop Pay buyers
- Shop Pay uses the one-page layout, even if your store is set to three pages
- After you switch
- Check the live checkout: the editor preview doesn't update in real time
What changes between one page and three pages?
Shopify checkout comes in two layouts:
| What differs | One-page | Three-page |
|---|---|---|
| Steps | One scrollable page beside the order summary | Separate information, shipping and payment pages |
| Marketing consent captured when the buyer clicks | Pay now | Continue to shipping |
| App extensions in sections (contact, shipping) | All at once | One step at a time |
| Prefilled sections collapse (rollups) | Yes | No |
| AI agent checkout tools (WebMCP) | Yes, with Shopify's exceptions | Only for Shop Pay buyers |
Shopify.dev page layouts and Shopify Help Center, read October 22, 2026.
Both collect the same customer information and checkout analytics, and your customizations keep working when you switch. Apps add section content as checkout UI extensions, so on three pages each one appears only on its own step.
Is there a reason to keep three pages?
No Shopify page we read names one, as of October 2026, across its checkout help, its blog, shopify.dev and the changelog. Opening the choice to all merchants in November 2023, the changelog said: “Decide on what is best for your shop and your buyers”.
So weigh what three pages give up. Since September 28, 2026, checkout registers WebMCP tools for browser agents with no setup from you, but not on standard three-page checkout unless the buyer checks out with Shop Pay (what agents can do at checkout).
Accelerated flows such as Shop Pay use the one-page layout whatever you set, so the missing rollups affect only your other buyers. Choose three pages only if those buyers can do without WebMCP tools and rollups.
Where do you switch the checkout layout?
One-page has been the default since October 2, 2023, per Shopify's changelog, and you switch it in your Shopify admin, no app needed:
- Settings
- Checkout
- Configurations
- Edit
- Gear icon
- Checkout layout
On desktop, click the current layout, then One-page checkout or Three-page checkout, then Save. Basic, Shopify and Advanced stores have been able to choose since November 16, 2023, per Shopify's changelog (Plus already could).
Then check your live checkout: the editor preview doesn't update in real time.
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