Subject: EasyStore v2.x – Category filter on Shopfront ignores menu category context (shows root categories only)

Hi JoomShaper Support Team,

I upgraded EasyStore from an older version and now the category filter behavior on the Shopfront has changed. I’m trying to understand if this is a bug/regression, a configuration issue, or an intended change.

SUMMARY

• Before (EasyStore 1.7.5): When opening a category via a Joomla menu item, the category filter automatically used that category as context and showed only the available subcategories (child categories) of the opened category.
• Now (after upgrade to v2.x): The category filter always shows the root/top-level categories. It does not pre-filter based on the current menu category anymore.

IMPORTANCE / LIMITATION

• Downgrading is not possible anymore. When I tried to go back to the old version, my whole site becomes not accessible, so I need a solution/workaround in the current version.

EXPECTED BEHAVIOR When I open a menu item that points to a specific category:

• URL example: index.php?option=com_easystore&view=products&catid=8 The filter item “Categories” should:
• show only child categories of catid=8 (or at least pre-select catid=8 and list its children),
• not show unrelated root categories.

CURRENT BEHAVIOR

• The filter item “Categories” always lists root categories (top-level categories), even when I am inside a category via menu item (catid is present in the URL).
• Toggling filter item options like:
  • “Show Hierarchy”
  • “Single View” does not change this behavior.

MY SETUP (Joomla + SP Page Builder)

1. Joomla menu item:

   • Menu item type: EasyStore → Products
   • Category selected in the menu item (example: “Chairs”)
   • URL includes catid (example above)

2. SP Page Builder:

   • Using the EasyStore addon: EasyStore → List → Filter
   • Filter contains items, e.g.:
     • Categories (Type: Categories)
     • Tags (Type: Tags)
     • Variations, Sorting, etc.

REFERENCE TO RELEASE NOTES I noticed in your release notes (v1.8.1): “Added support for Child Category filtering.” I assumed this would enable exactly this behavior, but I cannot find any setting to make the “Categories” filter respect the current menu category context.

QUESTIONS

1. In the current EasyStore version, is it possible to configure the Shopfront “Filter” addon so that “Categories” only shows child categories of the current category context (from menu item / catid in URL)?
2. If yes: could you please provide the exact steps/settings to enable this?
3. If no: is this a known limitation/regression? What is the recommended workaround (e.g., using “Category List” addon instead, a different view, or another approach)?

I can provide screenshots of:

• the Joomla menu item configuration,
• the SP Page Builder Filter addon settings,
• and the frontend output.

Thank you for your help.

Best regards, Gregor