> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://analog.groupthought.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://analog.groupthought.com/core-concepts/settings-cascade.md).

# Global settings & local overrides

How Analog settings inherit from global defaults into sections and blocks, and how to check global changes with the Styleguide section.

Set the common value in global theme settings. Set an override on the section or block that needs to be different. The setting closest to the content wins.

## How inheritance works

A global setting is the fallback until a section or block sets the same value.

```
Global theme settings   →   the default direction for the whole store
        ↓ overridden by
Section settings        →   exceptions for one section
        ↓ overridden by
Block settings          →   exceptions for one block inside that section
```

Settings compile to CSS variables that inherit down the page. If a section sets its own gap, the new value applies to its child blocks. Other sections keep the global gap.

## Examples

| You set…                                                | At…               | Result                                                                                         |
| ------------------------------------------------------- | ----------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| "Section images" rounding                               | Global (Rounding) | Every section image across the store rounds the same way                                       |
| A rounding override                                     | One section       | That section's images change; the rest of the store stays on the global value                  |
| "Color scheme"                                          | One section       | That section re-skins; its siblings keep their inherited scheme                                |
| "Color scheme" on a block inside it                     | Block             | The block overrides its section, because the closest scheme wins                               |
| "Custom rhythm" with "Spacing top" and "Spacing bottom" | One section       | That section breaks the store's vertical spacing; every other section keeps the Layout default |

When the same control appears at a lower level, it can override the global value. For example, the gap control exists in global Layout settings and on sections that may need a different rhythm. Leave the section control at its default to keep the global gap.

## The decision rule

Set the normal case globally. Set exceptions locally.

* Don't set the same color scheme, rounding, or gap on every section. A later global change won't reach them because each section has its own value.
* Use a section or block override only for a deliberate exception, such as a dark feature band in a light store or one slider that breaks the grid.
* If you use the same override on several sections, change the global value instead.

If most sections use the global settings, you can change the store's color, fonts, spacing, or rounding without editing each section.

{% hint style="warning" %}
An override doesn't follow later global changes. If a global edit didn't update a section, clear the local override.
{% endhint %}

## Check a global change with the Styleguide

The "Styleguide" section renders the design system with your current settings. The demo stores assign it to a `page.styleguide` template. Add it to a page template and check the page after a global edit. It shows:

* The four font slots with their resolved family, style, and baseline ratio, plus every type element
* Rich-text output at every text size, as used in pages, product descriptions, and articles
* Every color scheme with each color shown against its contrast pairing
* Form fields, buttons in every color and appearance, links, icons, and swatches
* Its "Cards" block renders a product, collection, and article of your choice as cards.

The section reads directly from theme settings, so it matches every section that doesn't have an override. Keep the page unpublished in production. It is a work page for you and your team.

For developers, the cascade uses the `--raw-*` → `--root-*` → `--layout-*` CSS variable layers and the `vars-*` scheme classes. See the [layout utilities](/reference/utilities/layout.md) and [color utilities](/reference/utilities/color.md).

## See also

* [Color](/core-concepts/color.md): schemes and how sections apply them
* [Typography](/core-concepts/typography.md): font roles and type presets
* [Scaling](/core-concepts/scaling.md): spacing and sizing values
* [The section & block model](/core-concepts/model.md): how settings inherit through blocks