Unboxing Hidden Gems: Displaying Product Descriptions by Default in Shopify's Expanse Theme

Once upon a time, in the twilight hours of a caffeine-fueled work binge, we encountered a problem more knotty than a sailor's anchor line—getting those pesky product descriptions to show by default in a Shopify store. A challenge, perhaps, as bewildering as figuring out why socks always disappear in the laundry. Our mission was clear: to fix it, and to save countless shoppers from the anticipatory hurdle of clicking a tab just to see if that toaster oven comes with a bagel setting.

The Quest Begins: Taming the Expanse Theme

Our journey commenced with a site that is much more than a digital storefront. Picture this: coregamingnh.com, an emporium of gaming gadgets and gizmos, needing a tweak in its 'Expanse' theme. Our goal was to let the descriptions breathe freely in the open air of the product page, sans tabs and clicks. In the universe of e-commerce, every extra click is a potential obstacle between a product and its true love — the buyer.

Step Into the Code: Making the Invisible Visible

First things first. Let's talk shop: coding. Yes, it's inevitable but don't worry, it's kind of like assembling IKEA furniture. There's a manual—or in this case, a guide—and if you follow it carefully, you'll emerge victorious.

Access the Theme Files: Log into your Shopify admin panel. Trust us, this is the calm before the storm. Navigate to Online Store > Themes. Find your beloved Expanse theme, and click Actions > Edit Code. Here we are, the sacred temple of theme files.
Locate the Product Template: We need to make a beeline for Sections. In this hallowed list, find product-template.liquid. If this were a novel, this is where our plot thickens.
Find the Description Code: Search for the product description code by using your browser’s search function. You might see something resembling this:
```
<div class="product-single__description rte">{{ product.description }}</div>
```
Now, don't let your heart race with excitement just yet. This is where we meticulously dissect.
Modify the Tab Code: Now, hunt like a treasure-seeker for the tab structure in the same file—or sometimes nested within another related file. You'll typically spot something beginning with:
```
<div class="tabs"></div>
```
This section is playing sneak-the-description-in. To put on our invisible cloak of programming magic: we'll set the description to show, not hide.
Remove or Modify Tab Elements: Consider deleting or commenting out the parts—or simply changing the logic—that toggle visibility. Simplify, so the product description is unceremoniously there. There’s no one-size-fits-all here, as each theme can vary. But like a band-aid, ripping it off can sometimes work wonders:
```
<div class="product-description" style="display: block;"></div>
```
Your directive here: ensure it's always set to display. Ponder about just how much time our future customers will save.
Preview and Test: Like any good craftsman, admire your work. Save the changes, and eagerly click Preview. Does it work? Are those product descriptions liberated from the digital dungeon? Check on multiple products just to be doubly sure.
Commit and Publish: Once assured, it's time to live on the edge and publish your changes. Pat yourself on the back. Revel in the satisfaction of a job well-done, knowing pages are now a tad more informative and welcoming in a single glance.

Closing the Loop: The Joy of Discovery

We, a team who stumbled upon this challenge and chose to face it head-on, didn't just solve a problem that evening. We wandered within the formidable fortress of code and emerged victorious, because learning is an adventure, right? Much like discovering the last mystery of a riveting novel, this journey was insightful and gratifying.

In the great tapestry of e-commerce, small changes invite big differences. The descriptions now, flashing in plain sight like neon signs on a foggy night, invite potential buyers into the story each product tells. So here's to the challenges that nudge us, the changes that excite us, and the little victories that propel us forward.

Now, go forth and tweak those tab settings on your own Shopify journey—you’ve got this.